Jennifer Akamine, Ben Helms, & Alex Oh

Alternative Spring Break Mission Statement

The purpose of the alternative spring break is to learn by intentional living and enhancing the

students’ cultural and intellectual perspective through purposeful learning experiences within

diverse communities. Individuals will be challenged through team service oriented projects within different cultures alongside learning about their

history. Students will gain a clearer understanding of their individual strengths and increase cultural

awareness from day to day living through interactions and personal challenges. Students will

become more culturally aware, physically and mentally challenged, and grow within themselves and in relationships with their fellow teammates.

Learning Goals/Learning Outcomes

- Students will become better aware of missions opportunities available within the United States through American Indian Reservation visitations and community building efforts

- Students will have learned about the southwest region of the United States - its history, nature, and culture

- By interacting with fellow students, American Indian Reservation staff, children, and other organization staff, students will have learned interpersonal skills on multiple levels

Background

1. Testimonial - CLU Student

2. Chronicle of Education Article

TestimonialTestimonial from CLU’s Service Learning Alternative Spring Break to El Salvador:

“Writing is my passion so I'm writing again tonight. Well, today we began building the homes. I think that I'll never forget this experience because all the people want to work together to bring peace to the world, or at least to this community.

The families that live here are very generous and it's a pleasure to meet them. Like Breana, I really liked talking with the little kids. They're so cute!

The things I didn't like about the day include the insects, especially a bee that gave me a horrible sting in my hand. OW! I hope it doesn't affect my ability to help with the building process tomorrow or during the week. It really hurts.

It's exciting that I can be here with CLU. I didn't know anybody in the group before yesterday with the exception of Pastor Melissa, but now I feel like they are members of my family.

Ok now I want to sleep because tomorrow will be a long day and I will have to be well-rested.

Until soon! The next time I write in the diary will probably be in English! Sorry if I'm making tons of grammatical errors!”

- Meg Boberg

Background

1. Testimonial - CLU Student

2. Chronicle of Education Article

Theoretical Basis for Design

• Astin’s Theory of Involvement

Road Trip Map

Itinerary: Day 1

• 8:00am – Leave Azusa Pacific University to Grand Canyon, AZ

• 12:00pm – 1:00pm – Pit stop for lunch/break

• 4:00pm – Arrive @ Desert View Campground, Grand Canyon, AZ

• 4:05pm – 5:30pm – Setup camp

• 5:30pm – 7:30pm – Explore the Grand Canyon

• 7:30pm – 8:30pm – Dinner

• 8:30pm – 10:30pm – Group Time - Bonfire

• 10:30pm – Wash up and sleep

Itinerary: Day 2• 7:30am – 8:00am – Wake up and wash up

• 8:00am – 9:00am – Sunday Worship/Briefing

• 9:00am – 10:00am – Breakfast with nature

• 10:00am – Leave Desert View Campground

• 12:00pm – 1:00pm – Pit stop for lunch/break

• 3:30pm – Arrive at American Indian Christian Mission, AZ

• 3:45pm – 4:30pm – Tour of the mission - AICM school, reservations

• 4:30pm – 5:30pm – Dinner

• 5:30pm – 10:30pm – Ministry time @ Navajo Reservation

• 10:30pm – 11:15pm – Team Debriefing

Itinerary: Day 3

• 7:30am – 8:00am – Wake up and wash up

• 8:00am – 8:30am – Briefing

• 8:30am – 9:15am – Breakfast

• 9:30am – 5:00pm – Ministry time @ Navajo Reservation

• 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Dinner

• 6:00pm – 10:00pm – Free time, Team building, Rest

• 10:00pm – 10:45pm – Team Debriefing

• 10:45pm – Wash up and sleep

Itinerary: Day 4• 7:30am – 8:00am – Wake up and wash up

• 8:00am – 8:30am – Briefing

• 8:30am – 9:15am – Breakfast

• 9:30am – 4:00pm – TA for AICM School Teachers• TA for students of all grade levels• Eat lunch with students• Assist assigned teacher to the best ability

• 4:00pm – 5:00pm – Clean up, prepare to leave to New Mexico

• 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Dinner – Last meal with students at AICM

• 6:00pm – Leave AICM to New Mexico

• 6:00-10:30 Drive to Albuquerque, NM• Arrive at First United Methodist Church

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Itinerary: Day 5

• 8:00-9:00 Breakfast and pack up

• 9:00-9:30 Drive to Petroglyph’s

• 9:30-1:00 Albuquerque - Petroglyph National Monument

• 1:30-2:30 Lunch stop on the way to next stop

• 3:00-6:00 Scavenger Hunt - Old Town Albuquerque• Learn about the community

• 7:30-8:00 Dinner in Old Town

• 8:30-10:00 Debrief and stay at Berean Baptist Church

Itinerary: Day 6

• 8:00-9:00 Breakfast and pack up

• 9:00-12:30 Drive to Las Cruces, NM

• 12:30-1:30 Lunch in downtown Las Cruces

• 2:00-5:00 Serve at CAA (Community Action Agency) Food Bank Program

• 5:30-8:00 Serve and eat at El Caldito Soup Kitchen

• 8:30-10:00 Debrief and stay at Grace Covenant Church

Itinerary: Day 7

• 8:30-9:30 Breakfast and pack up

• 10:00-2:30 Drive to Tuscon, Arizona

• 2:30 Arrive at Catalina church/unpack

• 3:30-5:00 San Xavier del Bac Mission

• 5:30-8:30 Serve/prepare/eat dinner on the streets to the homeless with Catalina church members

• 8:30-10:00 Debrief

Itinerary: Day 8

• 8:30-9:30 Breakfast and pack up

• 9:30-1:30 Mountain Hike

• 1:30-2:30 debrief and eat packed sandwiches

• 3:00-9:00 drive to San Diego – dinner on the way

• 9:00 Camp out on the South Carlsbad State beach overnight

Itinerary: Day 9

• 9:00 – 10am breakfast and pack up

• 10:00 – 11:00 – Drive to Rock Church

• 11:00 – 1:00 – Sunday Service & Worship

• 1:30 – 4:00 – Lunch/Debrief

• 4:00 – 6:00 – Leave to APU

• 6:00 Arrive at APU

Budget• Meals

Breakfast= $5x25 people (9 days)= $1,125

Lunch= $7x25 people (9 days)= $1,575

Dinner=$10x25 people (9 days)= $2,250

Total = $4,950

• Housing

South Carlsbad State beach overnight (3 sites @ $25 each=$75)

Grand Canyon Campsites ($12 per space, 2 Spaces = $24 per night)

4 churches (4 nights= $400)

Indian Reservation   (2 nights= $200)  

Total - $699

Budget• Transportation

2 APU vans=FREE!

Gas (25 full tanks= $750

• Miscellaneous

Bonfire materials=$20

Excursions(Hikes, Petroglyph’s, Missions, Beaches, Grand Canyon=FREE!)

Emergency money= $300

TOTAL= $6, 719

• MAS Office 25%=$1679.75

$5,039.25 divided by 25 people = $200 per person

Method of Assessment• Application process

– Team leaders will be recommended by Faculty and Staff members and followed up with an application & interview. (2 male, 2 female)

– A later application process and interview for team members will follow. (21 spots)

– We will host a Congratulations ceremony along with weekly team meetings until Spring Break.

Method of Assessment

• APU’s Student Affairs Office will cover 25% of the cost to make the trip affordable for students.

• Two 15 passenger vans will be rented from APU for the trip.

• We ask that students bring a journal to reflect their thoughts and growth over the week.

Method of Assessment

• The Ministry and Service office will meet with the team leaders before and after the trip to talk about expectations & see if they were met.

• There will be a follow-up BBQ in May to help sustain the community that the team established over the week.

Questionnaire for follow-up meeting:

• Team Leaders for Students1. Do you feel you were personally challenged intellectually

and/or culturally at all?2. Did the trip meet or exceed your expectations?3. Did you find the interactions within the diverse communities

to be uncomfortable?4. Do you feel more positively connected to your teammates

than you did prior to the trip?5. Did you find the debriefings helpful?6. Did you feel it was worth your time and money?7. Were you able to successfully raise support to cover your

cost?8. Would you recommend this alternative spring break and

would you want to see it continue?9. What was your favorite aspect of the trip?10. Do you have recommendations for improvement?

“What are YOU doing this Spring Break?”

For more information contact:

Office of Ministry and Service Azusa Pacific University PO Box 7000 Azusa, CA 91702-7000 Email: dtaylor@apu.edu Phone: (626) 664-1790