Southwest Service

2 weeks

open to grades 8-12

Overview

For two weeks on Southwest Service we’ll serve the communities of Santa Fe, discovering the growth and fulfillment that come from helping others as we work side by side with the people of the Southwest.

We’ll meet in Albuquerque and van to Santa Fe, where we’ll dedicate our time and energy to helping local service organizations and reaching out to the Native American and Hispanic communities. Our projects will include volunteering at the largest food bank in Northern New Mexico, serving the elderly, homeless and hungry; working with local outdoor organizations to preserve the beauty of the Southwest; and mentoring disadvantaged youth at an elementary school. All of these projects require enthusiasm, focus and flexibility, as well as a strong work ethic and a willingness to be challenged physically.

During the late afternoons and on the weekend, our group will explore downtown Santa Fe and the nearby town of Taos, where we’ll learn about the history and culture of the desert Southwest. We’ll enjoy hikes to the prehistoric ruins at Bandelier National Monument, the incredible geological formations at Tent Rocks and more. At program’s end, we’ll celebrate and reflect upon our two weeks of rewarding service in America’s Southwest.

“Kela had the time of her life, and she felt that she really made a difference.” Dee Butts, Wayland, Massachusetts

Highlights

Teach reading skills to disadvantaged children
Volunteer at a food bank
Restore local trails & gardens
Explore Santa Fe & Taos

Grade

For students who will finish grades 8-12 in June 2012.

Multiple sections are grouped by grades.

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability.

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Accommodations

12 nights total.

All nights are spent in a dormitory in double or triple rooms in Santa Fe. Students will have daily access to showers and laundry.

Dates and Fees

2 Weeks

Sunday, June 24 to Friday, July 6
Sunday, July 8 to Friday, July 20
Sunday, July 22 to Friday, August 3

$3295 (airfare not included)

“It was great. Everyone in my group got along well, and I enjoyed mentoring the students at the elementary school. My least favorite part was going home.” Marc Greenspon, Winnetka, Illinois

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip Start

We'll meet in Albuquerque and van an hour north to Santa Fe to settle into our comfortable accommodations at the Institute of American Indian Art. After we’ve settled into our rooms (doubles shared by Overland students of the same gender), we’ll reconvene as a group and spend the rest of the day getting to know one another.

Days 2 - 6 Week One of Volunteering in Santa Fe

The following morning we’ll dive right into our first day of service work in Santa Fe. Over the course of our two weeks together, we’ll work with a variety of local service organizations. Here are brief descriptions of organizations we've worked with in the past in Santa Fe:

The Food Depot

The Food Depot is the largest food bank in Northern New Mexico, distributing an average of 200,000 pounds of food each month! Donated food is dropped off at the warehouse where it is inspected and organized for distribution—all with help from volunteers. We'll contribute our time and energy to this effort, sorting vegetables, bagging bread and making friends along the way.

Reading & Recreation Program Summer Camp

We will partner with local elementary schools to provide reading mentorship to first, second and third graders. Students will work with a lead teacher to provide a combination of mentorship and reading assistance that will inspire young readers. We encourage people to bring a few favorite children's books to share with their reading buddies over the course of the program.

Santa Fe Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Fe (BGCSF) has served and continues to serve some of the neediest families in Santa Fe. By strategically placing its Clubs in public housing developments and other neighborhoods where disadvantaged children live, BGCSF is the only non-profit youth organization that conducts its out-of-school programs directly in the neighborhoods where the families they serve live. Our groups will work with the Boys & Girls Club to assist with mentoring younger students during their summer programs.

Santa Fe National Forest

We'll partner with the Santa Fe National Forest trail crew for several days of trail maintenance. We'll hike each morning to our project site where we'll be rewarded with beautiful views and scenic hiking as we

Days 7 -8 Hiking & Day Trip to Taos

On the weekend our group will explore the surrounding Santa Fe area, traveling to nearby Taos, New Mexico, enjoying hikes to prehistoric ruins at Bandelier National Monument, incredible geological formations at Tent Rocks and more. While hikes are not overly vigorous, students should be prepared to explore the outdoor beauty of the surrounding area with their group.

Days 9 - 12 Week Two of Volunteering in Santa Fe

After a weekend of exploring, we'll return to our volunteer work and continue to make a difference for the Santa Fe community. When we're not pursuing volunteer opportunities in Santa Fe, we'll explore the surrounding area and have fun as a group. During late afternoons, we’ll explore downtown Santa Fe or just spend some time relaxing in the foothills of Santa Fe at our accommodations on the campus of the Institute for American Indian Arts. Each evening we’ll prepare and enjoy dinner together, and share the highs and lows of the day over dessert. In this way we'll gather each evening to look back over the rewarding day of service to the community and reenergize for the next day of outreach.

Day 13 Trip End

We'll end our two weeks together with a final dinner out in Santa Fe to celebrate and reflect upon our rewarding service in America's Southwest.

PLEASE NOTE: The nature of service trips means working with non-profits, schools, community centers, and other organizations with changing schedules and needs. We do our best to plan as far in advance as possible and be as accurate in our itineraries as we can, but projects and organizations can change and an ability to be flexible is necessary. We will continue to refine and update this program's itinerary throughout the spring.

“I had a great time on my trip, and I loved all the work I got to do in Santa Fe. Everywhere we went we had Overland’s great reputation to uphold, and you could tell people counted on Overland kids every summer.” Ilana Engel, Birmingham, Alabama

Trip Details

Service Hours

45 hours of service

Students: Is this trip right for you?

Southwest Service requires a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard as teen summer service volunteers. Participants should be eager to take part in a variety of summer service projects and be ready for both the challenges and rewards that service work offers.

Keep in mind that your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on certain factors:

Your motivation. Service work is not always easy—you must be motivated!
Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates, and you’ll find that you have a great experience!

Please note that some of the service opportunities your group pursues will depend on the needs of the community and available service opportunities. We ask for students’ flexibility in the service projects we pursue in Santa Fe.

“I loved the whole experience. We helped many different causes throughout the program.” Jason Kim, Manhattan Beach, California

Photos

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Enrollment Forms

Enrollment Forms 2012

Southwest Service Release Forms 2012

Prepare & Pack

Preparing for the Demands of Service

Southwest Service combines meaningful person-to-person mentorship and demanding outdoor service, that requires dedication, selflessness and hard work.

Before Your Trip

Begin your preparations for a great summer now by organizing your luggage, clothing and gear.
As the summer nears, stay active and fit through sports and exercise. The more you prepare, the more you will enjoy your program.
Once your program starts, commit yourself wholeheartedly to your group and all of its activities.

Packing for Your Program

On service programs we travel light —we cannot emphasize this enough.
Please stick to the following guidelines when packing for your program; your group will have access to laundry on a weekly basis.
Be sure to bring comfortable clothes that can get dirty, paint-splattered and worn while volunteering.
Be sure to tag all items with your name, address and phone number.
Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

Luggage

Duffel Bag
The dimensions of the duffel bag should not exceed 24"L x 13"W x 11"H. We recommend checking out duffel bags from EMS, REI and L.L. Bean as guidelines for size.

Day Pack
For weekend excursions and day hikes. The day pack should be a regular school backpack with two shoulder straps, large enough to fit a rain coat, water and snacks. It must be worn on both shoulders (satchels and one strap bags will not be appropriate for day hikes and weekend excursions). Use your day pack to carry essentials on the plane (but do not use this bag as additional luggage space).

Clothing

Hiking Boots.
For doing trail work. Must be over the ankle hiking boots and supportive.

Sturdy Sneakers or Tennis Shoes
One pair. Comfortable shoes to wear around all day while volunteering, doing trail work and on day hikes.

Flip Flops
Optional.

Waterproof Raincoat.
Your rain jacket must be waterproof -- not just water or wind resistant.

Long Pants
One sturdy pair for service work.

Fleece Pullover or Sweatshirt
One only

Comfortable Shorts or Skirts
Two; one pair of shorts must be suitable for day hikes.

Shirts
Five short-sleeve shirts or tank tops; one long-sleeve shirt.

Underwear
Seven pairs.

Socks
Five pairs.

Pajamas
One pair.

Gear & Miscellaneous

Sleeping Bag & Pillowcase
Carry sleeping bag on the plane with you.

Student ID
Current school identification or driver's license (if you have one)

Toiletries
All travel size

Water Bottle.
Any kind, to stay hydrated out in the sun.

Leather Work Gloves.
One pair. For trail work.

Sunglasses & Hat.
With visor (e.g., baseball hat).

Sunscreen (SPF 30+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent (two bottles).

Camera/Batteries/Memory Card.
Optional.

Journal & Pen
Optional.

Spending Money
$50/week is a suggested amount for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out, or stamps and envelopes to mail letters).

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive phone card that your son or daughter can use at any airport pay phone.

If you feel that it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. Send an inexpensive prepaid cell phone instead. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Communications

To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our students (except in the case of an emergency).
Your child will call home with our phones and assistance on arrival and departure if he/she flies to his/her program.
In the case of an emergency, we will make sure you are in touch with your child as soon as possible.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use is prohibited on all Overland programs.
Any phone brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and returned at departure.
If you decide to bring a phone, do not bring an expensive smartphone (e.g., iPhone or BlackBerry); instead bring an inexpensive prepaid cell phone (better yet, bring an inexpensive prepaid calling card).

Personal Electronics

We do not permit personal electronics (e.g., iPods, Kindles or iPads) except for digital cameras.
We do not permit emergency response or GPS tracking electronics.
Any electronics brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and mailed home or returned at departure.

Personal Property

Overland is not responsible for any student’s personal property—including but not limited to: phones, electronics, cameras, equipment, bicycles and clothing. Please schedule all expensive items on your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your child/ward’s personal property and equipment is covered against loss, damage or theft.

No Reimbursements for Lost, Damaged or Stolen Phone, Electronics and Personal Property

Despite taking precautions, some phones, electronics and personal property brought by students (and collected by us) have been lost, damaged or stolen. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Questions or concerns? Please call us. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

Travel Information

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

DROP OFF: Albuquerque Intl Sunport (ABQ) Baggage Claim #4 11:00 a.m. Sunday
PICK UP: Albuquerque Intl Sunport (ABQ) Check-In Area 10:00 a.m. Friday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Albuquerque Intl Sunport (ABQ) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Sunday
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Albuquerque Intl Sunport (ABQ) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Friday

Any other special cases, please call Overland to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012