You claim you need a vacation. You claim you want to volunteer. Nowadays you can do both. We plan to bring you plenty of options this year.

Let’s start with Washington State in April.

In celebration of Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary this year, the Olympic Peninsula invites you to combine philanthropic work with leisurely activity.

Over Earth Week, guests to Lake Quinault Lodge and Kalaloch Lodge in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula can help preserve a bit of history and clear up public beaches. That sounds like fun!

lodgeextwithwoman-1

On Saturday, April 17, 2010, volunteers will work with the Washington CoastSavers, a program of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, to pick up waste and tidy up the beaches at Kalaloch. After the cleanup, the CoastSavers will treati you to a barbeque, with hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages, at the Kalaloch campground.

lodge_boats_on_beach-1

On Saturday, April 24, 2010, volunteers can roll up their sleeves, grab their gloves and assist the Park Service in restoring the Kestner Homestead property from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In conjunction with the volunteer events, Lake Quinault Lodge and Kalaloch Lodge are offering the “Earth Day Volunteer Vacation” deals* for guests, available only online.

From April 15-18, voluntourists can stay in a Seacrest room at Kalaloch Lodge for $99, or a log cabin starting at $109. For participants of the clean-up, the rates include a one-night stay and entry to the barbeque hosted by the CoastSavers on April 17.

On April 23, guests can receive a one-night stay in a Lakeside or Main Lodge room at Lake Quinault Lodge and enjoy boxed lunches for two starting at just $109. Additional nights can be added at just $89 a night.

As an added bonus, both lodges, as well as sister property Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, will give guests an additional $15 gift certificate if they arrive in style—seated in or on a green vehicle—as part of the “Every Day is Earth Day” promotion. A token of appreciation for travelers’ efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, the gift certificate can be used in the lodges’ gift shop, store or restaurant.

To book these WEB ONLY volunteer vacations at Lake Quinault Lodge or Kalaloch Lodge, check out www.VisitLakeQuinault.com or www.VisitKalaloch.com.