Senior High Program Information

Creating servant leaders since 1975

Welcome to Christian service-learning for youth groups at its best.  We hope that you will be one of over one hundred churches that will join us for a life changing experience this summer.

Our Senior High Summer Program consists of three different project experiences, all lasting one week.  During the week, we will be repairing homes, sharing in worship, and exploring the culture of the communities where we will be living.  Our traditional project takes place on Native American reservations.  We also offer an urban service project in South Los Angeles, California.    For more information about Honduras, click here.  For more information about Alternative Spring Break, click here.

See photos from Summer 2009!

Registering your Group for 2010

There are still a few spots left to register your high school group for SSP this summer.  Availability is limited.  If you are new to SSP and just now trying to figure out a summer service project for your youth groups, Please check out our Current Availability to see where spaces are available.  We offer a special 10 percent discount to first-time groups.  Also, because we have a lot of space there, we are offering a special $50 discount (per person!) to groups registering for the 4th of July week at our Los Angeles site.  Please call our office to talk to someone about signing up your group!

General Information

Who Participates

Church youth groups from all over the western states travel to one of the summer sites for an unforgettable week of serving, learning, worship and fellowship!  Youth from United Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Church of Christ churches are all a part of SSP’s mission work. SSP is open to all churches. SSP is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. To participate, youth must be between those entering the ninth grade and those who have just graduated high school.

Small Size

Unlike many mission projects, we are dedicated to creating a smaller group environment at our service projects, with about 60 participants each week. 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 30 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.  No construction experience is needed, but you’ll be amazed at all of the work that our youth teams complete!

Where do these summer projects take place?

2010 tentative summer projects:

Native American Reservations:

Navajo Nation, Northeastern Arizona

Fort McDermitt Reservation, Nevada/Oregon border

Indian Valley, Greenville, California

Yurok Reservation, Klamath, California

Wiyot Reservation, Loleta, California

And:

South Los Angeles, CA

Tijuana, Mexico

Read more to learn details of each of these project locations.

When do these projects take place?

      Week 1: June 27 – July 3

    Week 2: July 4 – July 10

    Week 3: July 11 – July 17

    Week 4: July 18 – July 24

    Week 5: July 25 – July 31

    Week 6: August 1 – August 7

All program weeks start on Sunday afternoon and end on Saturday morning

A Typical Day At SSP

 • 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.

• The work day is 9:00-4:00 with a break for lunch and a Spiritual Sandwich (group discussion).

• 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!

• 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. In LA, we take a tour of the city, visit social agencies and have local speakers.

• 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.

• 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

• At site, groups will need to provide their own transportation to and from the worksites each day.

• 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.

• 15-Passenger vans have been shown to be very unsafe. We strongly urge you not to use these vehicles.

• We have a van rental agreement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car that you can take advantage of if you choose.  Click here for rates and booking information.

Adult Volunteers Counselors

 • 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.

• 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). 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.

• 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, 2010.

Fees and Payments

$335 per participant.  To encourage new SSP groups to enroll we are offering a $30 discount.  This will apply to the final payment.

What do the fees cover?

• Accommodations

• Meals

• Program Supplies

• Building Materials and Tools

• T-Shirt

• 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 for financial assistance are due in the SSP office by May 1, 2010.

2010 REGISTRATION PROCESS

Download the Registration Packet.  This contains what you need to get started, including all the above information about fees, adult counselors, vehicles and the registration process.

• Determine the number of spaces you want to reserve. Adults must accompany youth campers in the ratio of one adult per five youth campers (1:5).

• Complete all areas at the top of the registration form. The contact person (SSP Liaison) will be the person the SSP office sends information to by mail and e-mail.

• Indicate your preferred choice of week and site on the registration form.

• Sign, date, photocopy your registration form along with a single check for the deposit of $50 per participant. We do not accept individual checks – please send one check from your church for the deposit.

There is no need to use registered or priority mail. We will contact you to confirm that we have received your paperwork. Note: It is possible to add additional youth to your group if space is available. Additions must be cleared with the SSP office.  If you have questions, please call us at 916-488-6441. You can also email us at director@sierraserviceproject.org.