Brought to you by the 2023 program planning team: Eric Scott, Katie Goetz, Maggie Guekguezian, Olivia Sheaffer, Gage Neumann, and Veronica Russell
Join us on the journey from acorn to oak: discover the surprise and delight of ‘Branching Out.’
As we explore the ‘Branching Out’ theme, our goal is to establish and fortify connections: with ourselves, with the people in community around us, and our sense of purpose or the divine. We extend beyond our comfort zones, stretching and growing both in visible and invisible ways. The process of growing brings expansion, and inevitably distance from the place where growth first began.
“As we challenge ourselves to ‘branch out,’ we embrace ways to both fortify our existing communities and seed new ones.”
We will explore how our dynamic ‘ecosystems’ of community interact with each other. This summer, we invite you to see the forest amidst the trees; to explore the big picture of how our actions connect with the actions of those around us. Like the canopy of a tree, we challenge ourselves to consider what tangible impact we have left on those around us: both how we have cared for those in our community during our time together, as well as those who seem to be on the periphery.
By the end of the week, we hope volunteers will take away rich connections and inspiration to grow in new ways. We will build intentional community within ourselves, among one another, and with new connections we may not have expected. As we challenge ourselves to ‘branch out,’ we embrace ways to both fortify our existing communities and seed new ones.
Editor’s Note: You’re invited to ‘branch out’ and join us as a volunteer for a week at SSP summer 2023! There is plenty of space still available for both youth and adult volunteers in any of our three partner communities. Contact us at info@sierraserviceproject.org with questions, or register now.