Service Immersion Trips

List of 4 items.

• 11/23-27, 2024 - Bethlehem Farm (WV)

  Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Appalachia that transforms lives through service in the local community and the teaching of sustainable practices.  Volunteers live the Gospel cornerstones of service, prayer, simplicity, and community.  During our time, we will: 1. Connect with the surrounding community through service, 2. pray together, 3. learn from the people of Appalachia, 4. and experience ways of practicing and living a sustainable lifestyle.  Teens will complete 24+ hours of community service.

   

  Details:

  • Dates: Depart Saturday, November 23^rd  – Return on Wednesday, November 27^th
  • Attendance is required at mandatory preparation meeting date TBD
  • Service: Teens will complete 24+ hours of community service (primarily home repairs and farmwork)
  • Lodging: Bethlehem Farm - 572 Bethlehem Farm Lane, Alderson, WV
  • Age: Open to Juniors & Seniors
  • Cost: $150 -includes program registration fee, meals at the farm, lodging, & transportation
  • Additional Information: https://bethlehemfarm.net/

• 1/23 - 1/26, 2025: Urban Service-Learning Challenge in Camden

  Each day we will volunteer with different community organizations engaging in direct service. In the evening, we reflect on our experience and learn more about the community we are serving. This retreat-like service program is run through The Romero Center at Saint Joseph's Pro Cathedral.  There is the potential to engage with other high school and university groups from across the country. 
  
  

  Details:

  • Dates: 1/23 - 1/26 2025
  • Service: Teens will complete 16+ hours of community service at a variety of community organizations.  Possibilities include working with children, senior facilities, soup kitchens, & working with adults with developmental disabilities.
  • Lodging: The Romero Center at Saint Joseph's Pro Cathedral - 2907 Federal Street, Camden, NJ – This is a gated campus.
  • Age: Open to Juniors & Seniors
  • Cost: $75 - includes registration fee, meals, lodging & transportation.
  • APPLICATION: 
     2024 Application for Camden Service Immersion Trip.docx
  • Additional Information: https://www.romerocenter.org/

• 4/20 – 25, 2025: Habitat for Humanity Build in New Orleans

  This service immersion trip combines service and a retreat experience. We will be volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit, ecumenical housing ministry focused on building decent and affordable housing with families in need.  Additionally, to better understand the history and people of New Orleans, students will participate in a variety of cultural outings and then reflect on their experience considering Catholic Social Teaching.  This trip challenges students to deepen their understanding of service, faith, social justice and simple living.

   

  Details:

  • Dates: Depart Sunday, April 20^th – Return Saturday, April 26^th
  • Attendance is required at mandatory preparation meetings, dates TBD.
  • Service: Teens will complete 32+ hours of community service with Habitat for Humanity.  Volunteers will help build new housing for low-income people.  It might mean helping to dig and pour a foundation or painting walls and anything in between.
  • Lodging: Volunteer Housing at Aurora UMC – 3300 Eton Street, New Orleans, LA
  • Age: Open to Juniors & Seniors - Must be 16 years old by April 20, 2025
  • Cost: Cost of this trip will vary depending on flight availability and ground transportation.  Estimated costs are about $1200.

• 6/ 21 – 28, 2025: The Center for Working Families in Quito, Ecuador

  is an apostolic work of the Society of Jesus that, through comprehensive and integral family programming, promotes the empowerment of the most vulnerable families throughout Quito by developing life plans and strengthening their abilities and skills.  Through direct service, teens will have the opportunity to get to know the Center’s mission in action, participate in community activities, and lend a helping hand during a minga.  Center facilitated home visits allow our students to ask questions, gain a deeper understanding of social justice issues, and develop empathy.  There will also be time to explore Quito and experience the Ecuadorian culture firsthand.

    

  Details:

  Dates: Depart Saturday, June 21^st   – Return on Saturday, June 28^th

  Attendance is required at mandatory preparation meetings dates TBD

  Service: Teens will complete 40+ hours of community service – This will be primarily work on the Center’s Campus with children and will include a minga (a full day work party to repair a house in the community) and supervised home visits.

  Lodging: The Community House located inside the enclosed campus of the Center for Working Families in Quito, Ecuador

  Age: Open to Juniors & Seniors 

  Cost: Cost of this trip will vary depending on flight availability.  Estimated costs are about $2000 (before fundraising)

  Additional Information: https://www.c4wf.org/