Want your teenager to have a meaningful and active spring break?

Tell them to skip Cancun and opt for a voluntourism project designed specifically for teens.

Several volunteer organizations are creating short-term programs that make it easy for student to participate.

United Planet invites volunteers ages 16 and up for programs in Peru and Costa Rica.

Teens can teach at schools, work at orphanages, or help with medical work.

It costs under $2,000 for two weeks, including meals and accommodations.

Earthwatch Institute offers expeditions for volunteers ages 16 to 18.

Students can work with scientists to survey coral reefs in the Bahamas, study climate change in the Arctic, or spent 10 days in the Puerto Rican rainforest.

And if your teen balks at the idea, remember—a volunteer vacation can help them develop a sense of commitment, responsibility and teamwork.

And that’s something they won’t find on the beaches of Cancun.

Check out our Voluntourism section for more ideas.

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