Community Service Alaska by 360° Student Travel

  United States

Alaska

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 28 - July 24 / July 8 - Aug 3

Description: Our community Service programs are a great way to give back, help those less fortunate and make a difference in the lives of others. Be immersed in the local culture and experience glacier hiking in Alaska, spotting the "Big 5" in Africa, surfing in Hawaii, exploring Machu Picchu in Peru and relaxing in mud baths and hot springs in Costa Rica.

Highlights:
* Community Service
- Help run a day camp
- Mentor a child at the Boys & Girls Club
- Prepare meals for those in need
- Preserve and beautify the coastal environment
- Participate in the Great Alaskan Bake Sale

* Adventure
- Whitewater raft
- Hike a glacier
- Dog sled and provide some TLC to the puppies
- Cycle the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
- Kayaking in Resurrection Bay

* Touring Highlights
- Interactive lab at Alaska Sealife Center
- Farming at an original homestead in Homer
- Experience the Native Heritage Center
- Cruise the Fjord islands
- Barter at the Anchorage Market
- Enjoy

Amazing Details:

* Anchorage - Adventure Highlights
Mount McKinley at 20,320 feet is North America's tallest peak and can be seen on clear days! Alaska is home to 20 different native languages and eleven distinct cultures. Get to know these First Nations at the Native Heritage Center and hear unforgettable stories passed down for generations. Cycle beautiful Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, cool off at the H2Oasis Water Park, and enjoy great crafts and entertainment at the open air Anchorage Market. You'll whitewater raft down the Matanuska River and glacier hike to see stunning views of Denali.

* Dare to Care
Dare to Care ensures that each and every child attending school and or camp has 3 meals per day. They developed a system with local school staff: if a child comes to school without having had breakfast and without funds for lunch or a bagged lunch, the school staff reports this to Dare To Care and they provide a food allowance that allows the child to have 2 meals plus snacks from the school cafeteria for the school year. We assist Dare to Care in their fund raising and awareness efforts such as street fairs, and local events. In addition, we will be running a day camp for local children.

* Kids' Kitchen
"No Child should be hungry!" It is one thing to say it and another thing to do it and that is exactly what founder Elgin Jones did. From his vision, Kids' Kitchen has served more than 500,000 hot and nutritious meals over ten years to children from low income families. We assist Kids' Kitchen by preparing and serving meals to these children.

* Food Bank of Alaska
The Food Bank of Alaska believes that no one deserves to be hungry. Since 1979, they have been securing donated food for nonprofit agencies to distribute to hungry Alaskans. We will be assisting in the collection, sorting, storage and distribution of nutritious food. In addition, we will be participating in the Great Alaskan Bake Sale to raise funds for Food Bank of Alaska.

* Homer - Service Projects & Partners
CENTER FOR ALASKAN COASTAL STUDIES (CACS) CACS provides land and marine science education through their 2 field schools. We will attend their land field school called Wynn Center for a day of interactive and educational programming as well as a day of service. Possible projects include building walkways to protect the fragile and fertile ground as well as clearing trails.

* Seldovia - Service Partners & Projects
Seldovia is "Alaska's best kept secret!" Get to know this tight knit community who we have joined in the past fishing, hiking and orienteering. Befriend the town elders.

* Seldovia Boys & Girls Club
The Seldovia Boys & Girls Club also known as "The positive Place for Kids" provides a day camp like setting for the children living in Seldovia. The goal is to keep children off the streets and out of trouble and instead actively involved in meaningful projects and programs.

We will serve as mentors and facilitators, running day camp activities such as land sports, arts and crafts, theme days while we interact with youth of Seldovia and learn about their daily lives and in turn share our experiences with them. In addition, we will have evening programming with the local teens such as land sports and concerts.

* Seward - Adventure Highlights
We take off 4 days from service and enjoy the following touring highlights in this city by the bay.

Seward is the "Gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park," and Resurrection Bay is where we kayak and cruise to Portage Glacier for sights and sounds you will remember for the rest of your life. Mush through wilderness on an Alaskan dog sled ride with Iditarod champs on a wheeled sled harnessed to amazing race dogs. Put on your lab coat and participate in a squid dissection project at the world renowned Alaska Sea Life Center. This great trip to The Great Land gives us opportunity to work for change, and promises to change us as well.

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 5,899 plus airfare to and from Anchorage.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 30

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