How to Have a Solo, Silent Vacation: Be a Temp Lighthouse Keeper
If you've ever sat on a beach looking out at a lighthouse and wondered what it would be like to be to live there, now you can find out first-hand. Lighthouses across the country are now offering programs where you can stay, for a fee, in the keeper's house for a week and experience what it is like to both run the place and have run of the place.
Though lighthouses are no longer used to guide ships home, according to the The United States Lighthouse Society, "they remain symbols of our maritime heritage and should be preserved." Preserving the lighthouses has become increasingly difficult however, as there are fewer and fewer "manned" houses.
Some coastal communities have found a creative solution to this problem and are now seeking volunteers willing to stay at the lighthouse for a few days at a time and work on the grounds while getting the genuine experience of being a lighthouse keeper. Volunteer duties at the lighthouses usually include giving tours, working in a gift shop, landscaping or light maintenance.
The Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island is just one of the foundations in New England looking for "Keepers For A Week" who can stay on the property and do some light maintenance for a few hours a day during their stay. They ask that all guests devote 1-2 hours to lighthouse-keeping chores, responsibilities and maintenance projects. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.
The program is geared towards families, so you can feel comfortable bringing the kids along. The keeper's apartment is large enough for two adults and up to four children or grandchildren under 18. The cost per week for the whole family during the summer is $1200-2100, so it's not exactly budget, but it is a good deed worthy of flaunting.
Related Stories:
· Spend Your Vacation Keeping a Lighthouse [Dallas Morning News]
· Environmental Protection Volunteer Opportunities [Charity Guide]
· Volunteer Travel [Jaunted]
[Photo: RI Bay Cruises]
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