When asking yourself about something to do near me in Seattle with a group of friends or family, consider
GIVE Volunteers
Why GIVE Volunteers is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
GIVE Volunteers is a unique and inspiring organization that offers life-changing volunteer and travel experiences for teenagers and young adults. Since its founding in 2011, GIVE has led hundreds of all-inclusive group programs across various countries such as Thailand, Laos, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Hawai’i, and Washington State. These programs range from one to seven weeks and focus on meaningful, locally-led volunteer projects that foster personal growth and cultural immersion. The community aspect is central to GIVE’s offerings; participants join a like-minded, inclusive group that supports each other in learning and growing together while empowering local communities. The organization emphasizes environmentally conscious, socially responsible, and economically empowering practices for the host communities, ensuring that the travel experience benefits both volunteers and locals sustainably. With a strong focus on ethical impact, GIVE prepares participants thoroughly on cultural sensitivity to minimize negative influence. These immersive journeys are much more than vacations — they provide eye-opening adventures that challenge comfort zones, encourage self-discovery, and inspire lifelong connections and passion for global citizenship.
Here's what people think of GIVE Volunteers
As of recent, GIVE Volunteers holds a 5-star rating based on 162 reviews.
Reviews from past volunteers of GIVE Volunteers overwhelmingly praise the transformative impact of the programs on their lives. Participants recount how their perspectives were profoundly changed by direct engagement with local communities and hands-on projects. Many highlight the deep cultural immersion and sense of shared purpose among group members, describing the experience as empowering and life-affirming. Positive reviews often mention the well-organized, supportive environment created by GIVE staff, the meaningful volunteer work, and the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships. Volunteers appreciate the transparent and adaptive approach of the organization, which prioritizes learning and growth over superficial impact claims. Negative feedback is minimal but can include challenges typical of volunteer travel, such as dealing with initial cultural discomfort, physical demands, or logistical complexities. However, these aspects are generally framed positively as part of the learning and growth process. Overall, reviews conclude that GIVE Volunteers excels at providing not just a trip, but a profound journey of personal development and global awareness, supported by an engaged and caring community.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Renato Alarcon
I thought everything was planned exceptionally well with GIVE. The experiences were meaningful and memorable. Our interactions with locals was genuine and we really got to know them. The itinerary was great, we had a good balance of cultural activities and adventures as well as time to spend getting to know each other. The connection I made with the local people, guides, and other volunteers was amazing and definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life. The close contact with elephants in an environment where elephant safety and well being comes first was unforgettable. Learning to scuba dive in Thailand was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so grateful that I got to do it
Jacob Thomas
GIVE provided me a great opportunity to go to Zanzibar, Tanzania. I got to experience a beautiful safari, sunset cruise, and great time swimming with Dolphins. The trip was safe, fun, and also a great learning experience. I got to teach a computer class and construct a road. I learned so much about myself and a new culture. The local guides and GIVE guides were great, generous, loving, & kind people. Overall a great time to meet new people, grow individually & as a person for others, learn new things, experience a beautiful country & culture, give back love to the great community Cairo, & have fun!
Kai Sam
I went on every Southeast Asia trip, and I do not have a single regret. Each trip is unique and provides different opportunities to interact with the country, culture, and people. I genuinely was able to connect with not only those in the group, which I have made some lifelong friends by, but also the locals in every place that I have visited. In Laos specifically, after spending an incredible 9 days in Sop Chem working, teaching, and living with the locals, I feel as if I truly gained a second family. Even though we weren’t able to communicate all the time, I feel as if I was apart of their village. I was constantly playing games with all of the kids and learning from our locals guides and locals about the life of someone who lives there. We got to participate in local cultural ceremonies such as the Baci ceremony, where the locals get to thank you and give blessings and wishes to you as we get to eat, dance, and enjoy each other’s presence. It is these moments that I will remember forever and carry all of the lessons I’ve learned with me no matter where I go.
Brady Berning
First, I want to address a few concerns that some people I met had about the Laos GIVE trip. The trip cost and traveling across the world by themselves. I believe that this experience was invaluable and it was something that I will forever hold close to my heart. If cost is a problem for you I would recommend fundraising for your trip. I appreciated being informed during my trip of where my money was going to. The logistics like accommodations, transportation, food and activities are all covered with the trip price. Most importantly, GIVE does a wonderful job of using those funds to support local businesses and people everywhere you go throughout the trip. By going on this trip you get to support the local people of Laos so they can provide for their families and make a living. One thing I appreciate about GIVE is that they push you out of your comfort zone. During this trip you will experience personal growth, discover new insights about the world and gain a fresh and meaningful outlook on life. Traveling across the world to a country you know nothing about can be intimidating, but once you arrive in Laos you will be greeted by the nicest guides that will make you feel like you are home. Also, you get to meet other like-minded volunteers that you will get very close with on the trip. There has been so much to reflect on after returning home from the Laos GIVE trip. The local guides make this experience so special by having connections and relationships with people in the communities that you visit. Experiencing the Lao culture was an incredible adventure. The kindness and warmth of the people make you feel welcomed, like you're in a second home. Their genuine hospitality creates a special bond. You'll stay in a remote village for the majority of the trip, where you'll be fully immersed into the culture and live alongside the locals. You will have the chance to teach English to kids, helping create a brighter future for them. You'll also get involved in local projects like permaculture and construction work that makes you feel like you are a part of something greater than yourself. Along with all of that, you'll get to experience the everyday lives of the men and women of the village that work hard to weave, fish and farm rice. You'll learn so much from the locals and guides about the history, traditions, and way of life of the village. You'll encounter a different way of life, characterized by hard work and resilience. Though it can be challenging, its clear how much joy they find in their simplicity. The strong sense of community is something you'll never forget, and the love they have for one another is evident. Their lifestyle is genuinely inspiring, and I hope to bring a piece of that back to my own community. The bonds and connections I formed with the locals will always hold a special place in my heart, and I know that if I return, I'll always have another home away from home. Thank you GIVE Volunteers for this life changing experience!
Alyssa Longo
I loved the itinerary! It had a great balance of volunteer work, then fun activities everyday. It was also very organized everyday and in the middle of the trip we had one day where we didn’t do any volunteer work and that was a good break in the 9 days there. All the people I met on trip (including the guides) were all so fun and kind. There is also so much taught about the culture, society, land, and history of Hawai’i. It helps change your perspective on traveling in a better way. You will love this trip if you are an outdoorsy person, like adventure, and like making new friends! That’s how I knew this trip was for me!
How to reach GIVE Volunteers
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Why GIVE Volunteers may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at GIVE Volunteers with your friends?
Gathering your friends at GIVE Volunteers offers a unique opportunity to bond over a shared commitment to making a positive impact in the world while enjoying meaningful and enriching experiences together. This isn’t just any meetup spot; it is a gateway to transformative volunteering adventures that combine travel, cultural immersion, and impactful community work. Rallying here means stepping beyond ordinary social gatherings and diving into activities that foster personal growth, cross-cultural understanding, and a sense of purpose that you can carry for a lifetime. Whether you're looking for a weekend escape or an extended commitment, GIVE Volunteers provides a supportive, all-inclusive environment where friendship and social impact thrive hand-in-hand. The vibrancy of shared moments in volunteering, hiking, social events, and ecological campaigns offers a powerful way for groups to grow closer while contributing to causes bigger than themselves. The energy and camaraderie cultivated at GIVE help cement friendships through cooperation, adventure, and shared goals. It's the kind of place where every event fuels connection and fills your meetup with meaning and memories that last far beyond the actual experience.
What activities can groups do at GIVE Volunteers, and why are they ideal for meetups?
GIVE Volunteers is a hub for a wide array of activities tailored to spark engagement and teamwork among groups. At its core are volunteer trips ranging from 1 to 7 weeks across seven countries, allowing your group to immerse in local cultures and contribute meaningfully through projects such as education, environmental stewardship, and community building. These trips include hands-on roles like working in local schools, mentoring, leading environmental cleanups, or developing sustainable practices like permaculture, all of which are excellent for group participation. Beyond international volunteering, GIVE student groups frequently organize local events such as hikes, sports days, camping, game nights, and potlucks. This mix of outdoor adventure and social activities caters especially well to groups looking to combine fun with purpose. The “Go Green with GIVE” campaign exemplifies this, where groups globally join forces during spring to promote sustainability and environmental awareness through collaborative events, blending activism with enjoyable social experiences. The variety and adaptability of these activities make GIVE perfect for groups seeking to blend recreational, social, and altruistic experiences seamlessly.
How does GIVE Volunteers support group leadership and ongoing engagement?
A major strength of GIVE Volunteers lies in its structured support system for groups, especially student-led ones, which makes rallying with friends both manageable and rewarding. Groups are encouraged to establish leadership teams comprising roles like president, VP, fundraising chair, and social media manager to distribute responsibilities effectively. This leadership structure helps sustain continuity and consistent engagement over time, ensuring meetings and events happen regularly and predictably—two essentials for keeping group morale high. GIVE supplies groups with marketing materials to raise awareness and boost participation on campuses or within communities, addressing the challenge of recruitment and visibility. Regular campaigns such as “Students4Students” and “Go Green with GIVE” provide thematic frameworks and resources that groups can leverage for event planning, fostering collaboration and shared energy across the network. The organization also facilitates communication among group leaders worldwide, creating a supportive community where best practices and ideas flow freely, empowering each group to thrive. This support and encouragement make GIVE an excellent platform for groups looking to maintain momentum, grow in impact, and deepen friendships over time.
What makes GIVE Volunteers’ trips transformative and perfect for group experiences?
GIVE Volunteers designs its trips to be deeply transformative, combining purposeful travel with meaningful volunteer work, cultural exchange, and adventure—features that make these trips ideal for groups seeking life-changing experiences together. Trips are all-inclusive with 360-degree support, covering everything from travel arrangements to on-the-ground guidance. Groups get to engage directly with local communities through impactful projects that address education, environmental conservation, and social welfare. Such interactions encourage empathy, open-mindedness, and team bonding in ways that typical travel or social outings rarely do. The culturally immersive settings invite groups to explore new landscapes, traditions, and perspectives, enriching the shared experience beyond typical group vacations. The blend of service and adventure also fuels personal growth and new friendships as participants tackle challenges and celebrate milestones collaboratively. By traveling together with a shared mission, groups create lasting memorable moments that deepen connections and inspire lifelong commitment to global citizenship. The transformative nature of these journeys offers not just fun and fellowship but also a profound sense of collective achievement and purpose.
How does the GIVE student group model enhance social and volunteer opportunities?
The GIVE student group model empowers students and community members to lead their own groups, infusing grassroots ownership into both social and volunteer efforts. By organizing regular meetings, volunteer projects, and social events like movie nights or community hiking trips, student groups create a vibrant and dynamic environment perfect for making friends and building networks aligned with shared values. These groups act as local hubs for spreading awareness and driving sustained impact, offering flexibility to integrate diverse interests and activities under one banner. They enable smaller communities or friend circles to maintain momentum locally while also connecting to a broader global movement through campaigns and shared resources. The chance to plan and execute events such as trash cleanups, permaculture projects, and mindfulness activities encourages creativity and group involvement beyond formal volunteering. With clear leadership roles and support from GIVE HQ, these groups provide a structured yet adaptable platform ideal for meetups where socializing and doing good go hand in hand. This model nurtures not only friendships but also leadership skills and civic engagement in a welcoming setting.
Why is GIVE Volunteers a perfect place for environmentally conscious groups?
For groups passionate about environmental sustainability, GIVE Volunteers offers a compelling and supportive framework through initiatives like the “Go Green with GIVE” global campaign. This campaign mobilizes student groups worldwide to host events promoting eco-friendly lifestyles and environmental stewardship. Activities include nature cleanups, educational workshops, sustainable gardening, and more, all designed to raise awareness and reduce ecological footprints collectively. The global scale of the campaign connects local efforts to an international movement, enhancing the sense of belonging and amplifying impact. Such environmental action weeks provide groups with ready-made themes, promotional materials, and a community of like-minded participants, making it easier to organize engaging, purposeful events. The campaign’s focus on fun and bonding ensures that environmental responsibility is experienced as an enjoyable group endeavor rather than a chore. This seamless integration of social fun and activism is ideal for groups looking to make a difference together while strengthening their connections through shared passion and action for the planet.
How can GIVE Volunteers maintain long-term group involvement and enthusiasm?
One of the keys to the enduring success of groups hosted by GIVE Volunteers is the emphasis on consistency and variety in engagement strategies. By holding regular meetings at set times and places, groups create dependable rhythms that members can rely on amidst busy schedules. Injecting variety through hiking excursions, yoga classes, volunteer days, and game nights supplements traditional meetings and keeps participation fresh and exciting. Collaboration with other groups, particularly those sharing environmental or social justice goals, broadens social networks and opportunities. Frequent use of GIVE’s marketing resources and social media amplifies the group’s presence, attracting new members and maintaining visibility. Leadership rotation and succession planning ensure that fresh ideas and energy flow through the group continually, preventing burnout. GIVE’s responsive support system provides advice, inspiration, and problem-solving assistance, helping groups overcome hurdles and celebrate successes together. Collectively, these strategies form a robust approach to sustaining group vitality, ensuring that every gathering feels like a rewarding occasion to reconnect and recharge with friends around meaningful causes.
What types of social activities complement GIVE Volunteers’ mission for groups?
Social activities at GIVE Volunteers are designed to complement and enhance the volunteer and cultural immersion experience, fostering friendship and group cohesion in ways that go beyond simple entertainment. Potlucks and family dinners create warm, inclusive spaces where members share stories and cultures, enhancing intercultural understanding. Game nights, concerts, and movie sessions serve as relaxing social outlets that build camaraderie informally, making every member feel part of a supportive community. Outdoor activities such as hikes, sports days, and camping trips offer opportunities for exercise, adventure, and connecting with nature—activities that promote mindfulness and wellbeing alongside social bonding. Mindfulness exercises and yoga sessions incorporated occasionally provide balance and reflection amidst busy schedules, encouraging holistic health and mental clarity as part of the GIVE experience. These social engagements are thoughtfully interwoven with the group’s volunteer aims to ensure that enjoyment and friendship flourish hand-in-hand with service and purpose.
How do GIVE Volunteers foster a global and local sense of community for groups?
GIVE Volunteers creates a unique blend of global and local community through its network of volunteer projects, student groups, and annual campaigns that connect people locally while being part of an international movement. Groups rally around shared values such as environmental stewardship, social justice, and education, creating instant common ground. Local meetups, volunteer events, and social activities build strong grassroots connections where members support each other in everyday efforts to make a difference. Meanwhile, initiatives like the “Go Green with GIVE” campaign link these efforts into a global conversation, allowing groups to feel part of a larger purpose and community that spans cultures and continents. This dual sense of belonging enhances motivation and satisfaction, as group members experience firsthand the power of local action contributing to worldwide change. Communication platforms and leadership networks established by GIVE enhance this cohesion, providing channels for sharing insights, encouraging innovation, and cheering each other on across borders. This global-local synergy is perfect for groups eager to make meaningful impact without losing the personal connection and friendship that fuel lasting commitment.