RV Travel with a Purpose — RV Care-A-Vanners

RV travel just got better! Habitat for Humanity International’s RV Care-A-Vanner program offers anyone who travels in a recreational vehicle the opportunity to make a difference—and have fun while doing it—by helping build houses with families in need. The RV Care-A-Vanner program welcomes people of all ages and from all walks of life who are ready to pick up a hammer and help change lives.

No Experience Necessary
Every RV Care-A-Vanner building project is a unique and rewarding experience. Previous RV Care-A-Vanner teams have participated in house construction, roofing, interior and finish work, renovations and disaster relief. Those who prefer to be non-builders volunteer in the affiliate office or as “go fors” around the build site. There are ample opportunities to learn and plenty of meaningful work for everyone—no experience necessary.

RV Care-A-Vanner builds normally involve eight to 20 RVing volunteers and last two weeks, with ten six-hour to seven-hour workdays. A typical day begins with devotions and includes morning, lunch and afternoon breaks. Volunteers bring sturdy work shoes and gloves, and their personal hand tools—tool belt, hammer, square, pencil, measuring tape. The affiliate provides everything else including power tools, ladders, building materials, instruction and supervision. A volunteer leader handles the organization and administration of the team.

Team members pay their own expenses, which may be tax deductible, and the host affiliate arranges for RV parking—usually free or at a nominal charge. Teams can expect at least minimal electric hookups, access to water and a dump station nearby. Hosting affiliates often also provide lunches and a welcome gathering. Due to safety and hygiene issues, pets are not permitted on the work site.

Aside from the opportunity to use existing construction skills and learn new ones, RV Care-A-Vanner teams experience God’s love in action firsthand. Lasting friendships develop as the group parks together, builds together, eats together and socializes. In addition, the team often has the opportunity to work alongside local volunteers and future homeowners—a truly unforgettable experience. Check the Build Listing for builds that fit your travel plans.

More Than Houses
Habitat for Humanity and the RV Care-A-Vanners are about much more than building houses. Many team members partner with Habitat affiliates around the country to promote awareness of poverty housing and homelessness by speaking to churches, civic groups and local media. Individual Care-A-Vanners often make financial contributions to the host affiliate and houses built by RV groups are sometimes funded through fund raising and donations from the members. RV Care-A-Vanners are encouraged to help defray the cost of the program by donating on line.

Thank you for visiting the official Habitat for Humanity International Web site.