While traditional vacations remain popular, ecotourism, “voluntourism” and housesitting options are gaining appeal.

Younger adults – perhaps fresh out of high school or college – have taken advantage of serving in the Peace Corps or Vista, volunteer adventures, Road Scholar programs, or just travelling on the cheap in new and challenging locations. Today, older adults are making similar moves in new and creative ways.

“Vacations of a Different Stripe,” a free presentation this month by Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources in Lakewood, Tacoma, University Place and the Summit area, is an introduction to some of the services and programs and do-it-yourself options for non-traditional vacation experiences designed for seniors, singles, couples and families.

The presentations, which organizers said will whet people’s appetite for travel and inspire them with alternatives around the world, are scheduled for:

• April 16 at 12:10 p.m. at the Pierce County Annex main meeting room (2401 S. 35th St. in Tacoma) and 6:30 p.m. at the Lakewood branch of Pierce County Library System (6300 Wildaire Road).
• April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the University Place branch of Pierce County Library System (3609 Market Place W.).
• April 24 at 12:10 p.m. at the County-City Building’s seventh-floor Rainier Conference Room (930 Tacoma Ave. S. in Tacoma) and 6:30 p.m. at the Summit branch of Pierce County Library System (5107 112th St. E.).
• April 28 at 10 a.m. at Pierce County Sound View Building (3602 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma).

“Many people today are looking for more than a traditional, resort-based vacation,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources, a division of county government.  “Spending a few days, a week or more volunteering in cities or in the countryside, here in the U.S. or in far-off lands, can yield unimaginable benefits.”

Additional information about the presentations is available from Aging and Disability Resources at 253-798-4600.