The basic concept of "Voluntourism" is to incorporate volunteer activities WITHIN the context of the average American traveler's vacation. Since the National Park Service has a backlog exceeding $6 billion worth of projects needing to be done, why not use volunteer help to whittle away many of the projects that do NOT require major construction or the employment of skilled laborers? For instance, volunteers cannot lay asphalt or build a new visitor center, but they can certainly varnish picnic tables, clear brush or accumulated trash, rake leaves, assemble trail guide pamphlets, work on trail maintenance, or paint shelters, fences and restroom facilities.

Through widespread acceptance of the benefits of “Voluntourism,” many thousands of vacationers are sure to enjoy great "work" experiences, virtually guaranteed to create a renewed and lasting pride in our national parks. The satisfaction gained by “giving something back” to one’s country and its great scenic and historic sites has already been proven unequivocally by a variety of travelers. Last year, over five million volunteers worked in our National Parks, equally more than $60 million dollars for the park system. We truly can make a difference for our children and grandchildren…one person, one at a time. Consequently, we believe that it is only natural to expect that our customers will surely feel as good about their involvement in such projects as we have. Group tour operators nationwide have now not only been given the opportunity to add attractive new “hands-on” components to their EXISTING programs, but also to create totally NEW packages linking “in depth” experiences at several different National Park Service units, along with unique programming and “undiscovered” destinations. flemming tours is particularly targeting active “senior” and “baby boomer” groups, for whom a half-day of work at an NPS site is likely to be about as much as most participants will be able to handle. Their full day of park “immersion” will be completed with a private educational program or guided hike conducted by a park ranger.