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Junior High
Program Information
Our
Junior High Program is FULL for Summer 2008
If you would like to be put
on a waiting list for Summer 2008 or contacted about Junior High programs for
Summer 2009 please contact Christy,
christy@sierraserviceproject.org.
FULL New for
summer 2008! Junior High
SSP!
For many years SSP has been
offering churches meaningful service projects for High School youth and now we
are taking a step into the realm of Junior High ministry! At the end of
the summer we will evaluate the Junior High pilot and make our plans for 2009.
The Junior High Program
this summer will be tailored to the needs of younger youth. This means taking
their energy level, attention span, and social needs into consideration.
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The Junior High week will be 5 days -
Monday through Saturday |
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The evening programs will be crafted to a
junior high audience |
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There will be more structured options for free
time. |
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Construction projects:
Safety is our top priority and special "junior high" appropriate construction
projects will be planned. (No power saws on worksites.) |
We would like to work with
the church leaders who sign up for the Junior High Program to help craft a
fabulous experience that will be safe in all ways, physical, emotional and
spiritual. This will include discussions about schedule, activities, and
construction limitations.
The Nuts and
Bolts Information for the Junior High Program
Who Participates
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Church youth groups from
all over the western states travel to our summer sites for an unforgettable
week of serving, learning, worship and fellowship! |
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Youth
from United Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Church of
Christ churches are all a part of SSP’s mission work. |
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SSP is open to all churches. |
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To participate in the Junior High Program, youth must be between
those entering the sixth grade and those entering the eighth grade.
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Adults
must accompany youth campers in the ratio of one adult per three youth campers
(1:3). |
When do these junior high
projects take place?
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This summer, the Junior
High Program will take place on weeks two and three. |
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Each session starts on
Monday afternoon and finishes on Saturday morning. |
The dates are:
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Week 2: July 7 - July 12 |
Week 3: July 14 - July 19 |
Week 4: July 21 - 26 |
Where do these junior high
projects take place?
Our Junior High Program
will take place at our Walker River, Nevada site.
Follow this link to read detailed information
about this site and the Walker River Reservation.
Small Size
Unlike many mission
projects, we are dedicated to creating a smaller group environment at our
service projects, with about 40 participants each week for junior high projects.
A smaller group creates a more intimate setting where youth are safe to grow in
their faith, create many new friendships and experience acceptance and love for
who they are right now on their personal journey.
Group size is limited
to a total of 15 youth and adults from any one church per site each week.
What kind of service work
is done?
We do repair
work on the homes in the communities we serve. The type of work ranges from
roofing and building wheelchair ramps to porches and painting. Projects for
junior high work teams will be carefully pre-selected for safety.
A Typical Day At SSP
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Wake-up takes place at 7:00am
followed by breakfast and an optional Spiritual Awakening. Work groups then
make their sack lunches, collect their belongings and tools and head out to
their work projects. |
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The work day is 9:00-4:00 with a break for
lunch and a Spiritual Sandwich (group discussion). |
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When groups return from the work day, it is
time for showers and free time. Free time is spent at the location where we
are housed and includes sports, crafts, cards, snacks and general hanging out
with new people! |
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Dinner is followed by community chore time and
evening program. Our evening programs consists of singing, groups building
activities, reports from the various work sites and programming related to our
summer theme. One evening is always devoted to learning about the local
community, including tribal culture, traditions, history and future. |
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After program it is time to put
bedding out and get ready for bed. The adult counselors have a nightly
meeting with members of the staff to share joys, concerns and share
information about the plans for the next day. |
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Bedtime is strictly enforced at SSP. We
typically sleep in a school gym and boys and girls are on separate sides. The
work we do at SSP is hard labor and everyone needs to get a good night of
sleep, every night. |
Safety and Supervision
Safety of every type – physical
and emotional – is our top priority. We want each youth to have the best
possible experience so we create an environment dedicated to safety, adequate
rest, nutritional meals and snacks, and lots of emotional and spiritual support
for everyone.
Vehicles
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At site,
groups will need to provide their own transportation to and from the worksites
each day. |
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Because
work teams are composed of six to eight people, minivans and cars work best.
For safety, SSP requires that passengers in vehicles do not exceed the number
of seatbelts. Our policy and the law requires that seatbelts be used by all
occupants. |
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15-Passenger vans have been shown to be very unsafe. We strongly urge you not
to use these vehicles. |
Adult
Volunteers Counselors
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Counselors
are a key element for a successful week for your group. They must be at
least 23 years old and be chosen for maturity and role modeling
capabilities. Counselors younger than 23 must be cleared and approved by SSP
in advance. |
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Any
counselor who has not attended a Counselor Training Session in the past must
attend a training session in 2008 (sessions are held in May). |
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Please
note:
counselor training will be the responsibility of the SSP liaison if there is
no session in your area. SSP will provide an outline and the training
materials. |
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All
counselors must pass a criminal background check prior to attending.
Counselor paperwork is due in the SSP office along with your final payment by
June 1, 2008. |
Fees and
Payments
The total
fee for each participant (youth and adult) is $310, payable in three
installments:
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Payment Type |
Due Date |
Amount |
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Deposit |
At registration |
$50 per participant |
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Second Installment |
March 1, 2008 |
$170 per participant |
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Final Installment |
June 1, 2008 |
$90 per participant
($59 for new groups) |
What do the fees cover?
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Accommodations |
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Meals
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Program
Supplies |
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Building
Materials and Tools |
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T-Shirt
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Supplemental Health Insurance (excess coverage only). |
Financial
Assistance
SSP has some
financial assistance available. The amount ranges from $50-$90 and is applicable
to the final payment. Contact us if you need an application form. Applications
are due in the SSP office by May 1, 2008.
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