In addition to Habitat for Humanity, other organizations that offer volunteer trips include:
AMIZADE (1-888-973-4443; www.amizade.org). Its name a Portuguese word for "Friendship," this 8-year-old nonprofit organization now affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh conducts volunteer projects throughout the year in Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Nepal and the Greater Yellowstone Region. On Wednesday, Amizade will host an open house about its activities. It will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. at Pittsburgh Brewing Company's Ober Brau Haus, 3440 Liberty Ave., Lawrenceville.
AMERICAN HIKING SOCIETY (1-800-972- 8608; www.americanhiking.org). One- and two-week trips to preserve U.S. trails.
CEDAM INTERNATIONAL (1-914-271-5365; www.cedam.org). Diving expeditions to study marine biology and archaeology.
CROSS CULTURAL SOLUTIONS (1-800-380- 4777; www.volunteerworkabroad.org). Humanitarian trips in eight countries.
EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE (1-800-776-0188; www.earthwatch.org). Data collection alongside scientists on eco-expeditions.
EXPLORATIONS IN TRAVEL (1-802-257-0152; www.volunteertravel.com). Short-term ecological projects in nine countries.
GLOBAL CITIZENS NETWORK (1-800-644-9292; www.globalcitizens.org). Tolerance and peace-related cultural trips in Africa, Latin America and among American Indian tribes.
GLOBAL SERVICE CORPS (1-415-788-3666, Ext. 128; www.globalservicecorps.org). Working and teaching opportunities in developing countries, organized by the Earth Island Institute.
GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS (1-800-487-1074; www.globalvolunteers.org). Work with locals on projects they determine to be most important, such as job skills or health care.
HEALTH VOLUNTEERS OVERSEAS (1-202-296-0928; www.hvousa.org). Health-related programs for medical professionals.
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ASSOCIATION (1-212-807-8686, Ext. 150; www.volunteerinternational.org). Links to organizations with volunteer vacation programs.
OCEANIC SOCIETY (1-800-326-7491; www.oceanic-society.org). Whale-watching and other marine life observation and data collection.
PASSPORT IN TIME (1-800-281-9176; www.passportintime.com). Archaeological and historic preservation programs by the U.S. Forest Service.
WILDERNESS VOLUNTEERS (1-928-556-0038; www.wildernessvolunteers.org). More than 40 weeklong service projects on U.S. public lands.
-- Elissa Leibowitz
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