Boomers volunteering for Peace Corps

Older adults have a great deal of experience to offer companies, but businesses are not the only ones seeking out baby boomers. Volunteer organizations such as the Peace Corps, once thought of as a group for younger adults, is beginning to reach out to retirees looking to stay active, The Associated Press reports.

It's a logical step for the Peace Corps. Aside from making up around a quarter of the U.S. population, the generation has earned a reputation for having a steadfast commitment to volunteering, not to mention they bring a lifetime of experience. So it should come as no surprise that the Peace Corps recently teamed up with AARP to offer opportunities to the over-50 crowd.

"Older Americans who serve with Peace Corps come with a wealth of life experiences, creativity and professional development that can help make an instant impact in a community overseas," Kristina Edmunson, deputy communications director for the Peace Corps, told the AP.

Though boomers may be helping the global community, they do get something in return by volunteering for the Peace Corps. The charity gives them the opportunity to travel in retirement, something they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to do.

Traveling is an important part of retirement for many boomers. According to The Association of Travel Marketing Executives, a large portion of the population sees travel as a necessity rather than a luxury, and as a result many older adults have done so much more often than their predecessors.

Although volunteering for the Peace Corps is one option for travel, there are many others. In particular, a recently-formed relationship between Del Webb and Road Scholar has given older adults the chance to enjoy the benefits of lifelong learning while immersing themselves in a local culture.