Travel, Learn and Discover the World With Your Grandchildren.

Spending quality time is at a premium these days for families. Often grandparents find it even more difficult to squeeze in time to be with their grandchildren. Busy schedules, long distances, extra curricular activities all interfere with being together.

But some grandparents are finding a solution to the problem. They take the grandkids on vacation with them. Forget about staying at home and baking cookies, these grandparents are going to places like Italy, Poland and Alaska. And the time spent together provides closeness and cherished memories for both. Fondly termed, as "grand travel," these trips have been growing in popularity among grandparents for the past 10 years.

Places like Global Volunteers and Elderhostel are just two organizations that provide intergenerational vacations that connect you and your grandchildren to the world and to each other. So check out one of these or the many other options out there because there are just too many reasons to go and do it.

Founded in 1984, Global Volunteers is a private nonprofit organization based in St. Paul. Global Volunteers coordinates more than 170 teams of volunteers a year who participate on short-term development projects. Volunteers work and learn from people worldwide in programs in places like Australia, China, India, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Greece and the United States. The work projects are determined by the host communities and directed by local leaders. Some of the projects include teaching conversational English, caring for children, assisting with health care, building community centers and repairing homes.

Barb DeGroot says that some grandparents return again and again with their grandkids.

"It's a wonderful way to bond between generations. We provide a safe, interesting, educational and fun way to teach your grandchildren about the diversity of cultures in this world and about the joys of service. Grandkids and grandparents are also a part of a larger team of volunteers of all ages. Being part of a team gives the kids a chance to socialize and interact with other teammates and engage in group activities. Working on a community project -- be it painting, childcare, construction or teaching -- is a wonderful way to learn about yourself, your skills, strengths and interests," she says.

"An added benefit is that you have the opportunity to spend time with your grandkids away from the distractions of sports teams, cell phones, television and other stressful features of modern American life."

Before embarking on a service vacation with your grandchild, it is best to consider the age of the child first.

Children who are at least 11 years old are a little more independent at that age and it is easier to be away from the parents.

"They can hold a conversation and are interested in the larger world around them," DeGroot says. Although some kids as young as 6 could volunteer at places in Minnesota and Mississippi with a guardian.

For many of the programs, kids would be "team-teaching" conversational English with their grandparent. DeGroot says this is very successful at their summer language camps on the island of Crete, Poland and Italy. While in Tanzania, Ghana, Jamaica and India, kids would be teaching and doing construction. The minimum age there is 15.

Research, Research Research!

DeGroot recommends that grandparents research the logistics of the community where they are thinking of volunteering to see if factors like climate, physical challenges, and topography are appropriate for you and your grandchildren. At some locations you may stay at a nice hotel, while at others you will sleep on an air mattress. Some places have modern plumbing and hot water, others do not. Research the cuisine of the country to be sure you and your grandchildren will accept it. And research the work project to see if it is something you will enjoy doing.

To lessen "culture shock" that might occur for some children, DeGroot recommends the grandkids bring along a few family photos, a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, along with a few favorite snacks, games or magazines to remind them of home and to share with new friends.

Virginia and Lewis Pierce have taken two of their eight grandchildren on a Global Vacation. Michael, age 17 at the time went to Poland in 2005 and both Michael and his sister Mollie accompanied them to Italy in 2006. Both trips were two weeks in length and they taught high school students conversational English.

“They (Michael and Mollie) learned that they had a lot to offer in terms of being a leader.

It was quite powerful in their own development and relationship with other students,” Virginia Pierce says of their experience. In Michael’s case, he was asked to teach a group by himself. “It was a wonderful grand time with the grandchildren. We roomed together and we were like our own little family,” Virginia says. “It’s just fabulous.”

"The key is to interact with people in other cultures and learn how much a like they are and appreciate the differences in how they live. It is important for kids as well as adults to see that on a people level."

Since Michael and Mollie had such a rewarding experience, Virginia says they will be taking the rest of their grandkids on a Global Vacation as soon as they get old enough. That comes out to 6 more trips.

If you want more information about a Global Volunteers vacation, contact them at email@globalvolunteers.org or call 800-487-1074.