Many people when they think of volunteering think of hard work, perhaps with poor or sick people. However there can be way more to volunteering than you might realize! 

Volunteering has become quite the fast-growing trend in the travel industry recently. A new concept has come along called a "volunteer vacation." You as a volunteer have the opportunity to immerse yourself in local communities, while participating in a variety of ongoing sustainable and cultural volunteer projects.

Travel guru, Peter Greenberg, observed on "The Early Show" recently that volunteer vacations are one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry. In this transcript of the show you will get to read about what a volunteer vacation could offer you and the many benefits that come along with them.

The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a non-profit, Costa Rica-based organization offering volunteer tour packages for individual travelers, families and groups interested in exploring the culture, contributing to the communities, learning the language and exploring the natural beauty of Costa Rica. Opportunities include working with animals at a Wildlife Rescue Center, working with sea turtles and teaching english.