Spring Break Service Trips
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This year there are two Service Trips planned during The Prep's Spring Break. Please read below for information on each trip. Note that the deadline for application forms has passed, but there is still limited space available for the Camden trip. Please see Mr. Deitch for more information.
New Orleans Spring Service Trip
Sunday, March 15 - Sunday, March 22, 2009
Where does the program take place?
The trip to New Orleans will leave from the Philadelphia International Airport and the students will work in New Orleans, LA.
The students will live together in accommodations provided by the Contemplatives in Action, an organization dedicated to promoting social justice awareness and action among Jesuit apostolates. The work for the week will be manual labor and recovery projects coordinated by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, Loyola University, and the New Orleans Province throughout the region. Students will spend the five days working on helping to improve the community stricken by Hurricane Katrina, the broken levees and their aftermath. In the evenings, the students will continue spending time reflecting upon their experience, as well as learning more about the area and what it has gone through.
Where is our group staying?
We will be staying at a local church or apartment set up by Contemplatives in Action in New Orleans.
Who is eligible to apply to this program?
Students are invited specifically by the Ignatian Service Office. Approximately, Eight (8) seniors will be taken on this trip. This program fulfills the service requirement for Senior year only. Thus all Junior service hours must be completed before the trip leaves.
How many students make up the group and how are they chosen?
Approximately, 8 students will be taken on this trip. Any interested student is asked to take this fact sheet home and discuss the program with his parents. If it is decided that you would like to attend this service trip and conference, please return the application form to the Ignatian Service Office. Completed applications must be returned to the Ignatian Service Office no later than 9:00 A.M., Friday, December 19th.
Some of the criteria used in choosing the group are: character, adaptability to unaccustomed circumstances, compatibility with a diverse group of classmates, school reputation, leadership qualities, discipline record, academic standing, responsibility, and trustworthiness. N.B. All students being taken on this trip must be in good academic standing and have no blemishes on their discipline record between this moment and the beginning of the trip.
When does the program take place?
Please see above for the dates of this trip. The trip will leave on early in the morning from Philadelphia and return from New Orleans on in the evening. The group will travel by plane to and from New Orleans and by van throughout the trip.
How is the program financed?
St. Joseph’s Prep finances some of this program. Students are responsible for paying $75 registration fee and will need to raise money or pay to help defer the cost of the airfare, food and lodging (approximately $400 total). Students are responsible for any personal expenses while on the trip. They are to bring no more than $75.00 for these expenses.
What about fundraising?
Students are strongly encouraged to fundraise on their own for financial assistance to participate on this trip. The Ignatian Service Office has a form letter on file that students are welcome to use to send to local businesses, churches, or other organizations. If there are other concerns about the cost of the trip, please speak with Mr. Deitch as soon as possible.
Romero Center - Camden Spring Service Trip
Sunday, March 15 - Saturday, March 21, 2009
Where does the program take place? What is the program in which the students are involved?
The Romero Center is a Retreat and Social Justice Education Center in the heart of East Camden, NJ. They are a ministry of St. Joseph's Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church. Their mission is to build bridges of understanding between people of faith in urban and suburban churches, leading people to a deeper awareness of our prophetic vocation, as we respond to our sisters and brothers in remarkable need. We will be participating in the Urban Challenge, the cornerstone program sponsored by the Romero Center. The Urban Challenge experience gives Catholics and other people of faith the opportunity to build bridges of understanding. We help to confront issues which divide us – poverty, race, class – in a prayerful, and constructive environment. In Urban Challenge, we combine volunteer service in the city with work, study and prayer. During the day, we work at a variety of work sites: in schools, with hot meals programs, at a drop-in center for persons infected and affected with HIV and AIDS, at housing construction, with the South Jersey Food Bank and with several other agencies in Camden and the Philadelphia area. In the evening, we discuss urban poverty, social and economic justice and reflect on our call, as disciples, to embrace a "preferential option for the poor". We also tour the city and listen to people from the community tell their stories about living in Camden. Feel free to check out their website at www.romero-center.org.
Who is eligible to apply to this program?
Any student who is currently in his Senior year, who still must complete eight (8) of his Senior service hours, and who will not have a conflict with Prep spring sports or spring break vacation trips. This program fulfills 32 hours of the Senior service requirement. The remaining 8 service hours MUST be completed before the Spring Break trip.
How many students make up the group and how are they chosen?
The limit for this program is eight (8) students. Any interested Senior is asked to take this fact sheet home and discuss the program with his parents. If it is decided that this is a worthwhile program for you, fill out an application form obtained from the Ignatian Service Office. After completing the application form, students must sign up for an interview with Mr. Deitch in the Ignatian Service Office.
Participants will be chosen on the basis of the interview and recommendations from faculty. Some of the criteria used in choosing the group are: character, adaptability to unaccustomed circumstances, compatibility with a diverse group of classmates, school reputation, discipline record, leadership qualities, responsibility and trustworthiness.
When does the program take place?
The trip will take place during Spring Break; please see above for the exact dates. The group will travel by van to and from Camden.
How is the program financed?
St. Joseph’s Prep will finance this program. Students are responsible for paying the $75 registration fee. Students are not charged a fee for room and board but are responsible for any personal expenses and souvenirs while on the trip. They are to bring no more than $25.00 for these expenses.