Community Service in California - 21 or 28 Days

  United States

Los Angeles,  Sacramento

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June & July

Description: Welcome to the Golden State!
When imagining Southern California, most people think of celebrity-spotting and gorgeous beaches. But the reality is that So-Cal is incredibly polarized, with millions of people living in poverty and "working poverty", where multiple members of a family are employed but still fail to make a sufficient living. From our campus home bases, we'll work with incredible organizations and truly make a difference, while managing to catch a little sun and have a great time along the way!

Community Service:
    * Run day camp activities for children at Ronald McDonald House
    * Prepare meals for families at Ronald McDonald House
    * Work in a food bank warehouse prepping items for distribution
    * Serve meals at a soup kitchen
    * Build, paint, landscape with Habitat for Humanity

How We Play:
    * Universal Studios
    * Surf Venice Beach
    * Hollywood Mann's Chinese Theatre
    * Raging Waters Waterpark
    * Work-out on campus
    * Cycle & Snorkel
    * San Diego Zoo

Highlights:
A Glance at our Service:

* Food Bank of Southern California
Assist in the collection, sorting, storage and distribution of nutritious food. This may include shelving canned goods, or building & delivering food boxes for the elderly or new mothers. Help prepare and serve meals at local soup kitchens. Split into teams, and use your creativity in an Apprentice-style competition to plan and implement a bake sale to raise money for the Food Bank.

* Habitat for Humanity
Work alongside the families that will one day live in these homes! These families rely on the support of dedicated volunteers. Whether you are landscaping, laying foundation, painting, or building, these days will be incredibly rewarding. Spend a day working at "ReStore", HFH's home improvement store which provides surplus new and used building materials and home furnishings to these families at an affordable cost.

* Ronald McDonald House
Help purchase groceries and prepare fun, themed meals for the families staying at the House. Run arts & crafts programs with the children and their siblings in the center's "Family Room", and make cards which will be delivered to the children in the hospital. Use your "green thumb" - help in the beautification of the center, which may involve landscaping, planting, or general maintenance of the House grounds. (Please note the RMH project is on 28 day program only)

Specific projects are confirmed in late spring similar to those described. Duration may vary depending on their needs upon our arrival.

Adventure Highlights:
    - Los Angeles
    - San Diego
    - Redlands (28 day program only)

Qualifications: Participants should be prepared for our program. Once you are part of a team, you are committing yourself not only to hard work on service days (from 6-8 hours) but also to your fellow volunteers and those we will be assisting. In sharing this rewarding experience, you are guaranteed to form lasting friendships and will no doubt take away much more than you give. You will receive a certificate of completion recognizing 30-80 hours (depending on program) of service and listing projects accomplished.

Cost in US$: USD 4,999 for 21 Days / USD 5,999 for 28 Days

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to United States Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of limited up to 30 participants

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

360 Student Travel's Mission Statement: 360 Student Travel will allow you the opportunity to step in a new direction. Travel, volunteer, or improve your foreign language skills we are here to help you take that new step by helping you keep your other foot planted. Regardless of travel style, all programs are created with the understanding that no matter what you want to accomplish during the summer, it is still summer, and the challenges and experiences should be enjoyable as well as rewarding. On our Community Service Program you'll be making the world a better place and discovering the world at the same time - ziplining in Costa Rica, exploring a glacier in Alaska, or marveling at the "Big 5" in Africa. If you're open-minded and interested in achieving goals, volunteering, and helping others, then this will be a meaningful and adventurous summer for you. If you're thinking of studying Spanish or French and want the excitment of travel join us in either Spain, Costa Rica or France. On most of these language programs, we study at multiple locations within a country so you experience its full diversity. On our Pre-College Enrichment program get a sneak peek at college life while being immersed in the culture and excitement of Barcelona. We have teamed up with the renowned International House School, centrally located just steps from Plaza Cataluna, to bring you exciting courses from Creative Writing and International Business to Spanish Language, and SAT prep with Princeton Review. Join us on our Global Adventures if adventures are for you. We offer the most unique variety of activities imaginable that encourage individual growth and character.

Year Founded: 1992