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Service Immersion Trips... 
Going abroad on a service immersion trip can create more memories than a vacation. This unique opportunity allows you to experience a new country and culture, and work alongside people who live a markedly different life than Americans. You may be motivated to go on a service trip to help others and end up surprised at how it helps you. We are looking for participants who have either proven their commitment to service through past experience or who are able to clearly express their commitment to service.
Interested in joining us? Just complete this 4-step process:
1: Choose your trip below
2: Complete and submit the online application below
3: Interview (You will be contacted)
4: Make Your Deposit (minimum $250)
Early bird pricing ends May 31st, 2023.
Regular registration ends September 30th, 2023.
Support YMCA service trips with a donation:
Holy Land (October 6-15, 2023)
Collapsible
ABOUT THE TRIP:
Walk amongst the living stones of the Holy Land. Immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of this spiritual place. See geographic landscapes come to life. Participants will spend time exploring important historical, religious, and cultural sites.
WHAT WILL WE DO?
Take a personal journey of faith as we explore and visit authentic historical sites, through our partnership with East Jerusalem YMCA. Discover their cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. Service opportunities include picking olives, learning about the YMCA vocational training center, visiting a refugee camp, and praying for their work and rehabilitation programs.
Visit and explore the cities of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Capernaum, Hebron, Jericho, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Tiberias. We will be touring the Nativity Church, Al-Ebrahimi Mosque, the Mount of Temptation, Via Dolorosa, the Holy Sepulcher, the Dead Sea, the Church of Annunciation, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Sea of Galilee, and more!
Build new friendships with fellow participants, the YMCA and communities in the Holy Land.
HOUSING, MEALS, TRANSPORTATION
Participants will stay in dormitory-style bedrooms at the YMCA and in a hotel in Tiberias. Most meals are provided on-site and, along with airfare and all transportation, are included in the program fee. Internet access is also available. The YMCA is within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores, ATMs, and public transportation.
HOW TO APPLY:
Anyone who wishes to participate in the service trip must complete the online application form, available on the website, no later than July 31, (Holy Land trip). Space is limited so register early.
To participate, you must be 18 or older, or have a parent/guardian participating. No knowledge of Hebrew or Arabic is required.
Trip Cost:
| Early Bird (Members) |
Early Bird (Program Participants) |
Regular Cost (Members) |
Regular Cost (Program Participants) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4,500 | $4,800 | $4,800 | $5,100 |
Deposit of $1,700 due NO LATER than July 31, 2023.
Interested but concerned about cost? We have scholarships available for students! Click here.
Need More Information? Questions?
Questions? Please contact: Francisco_Townsend@fwymca.org or 260.918.2150
Chile (December 26, 2023 - January 7, 2024)
Collapsible
ABOUT THE TRIP:
Escape winter and engage in a life-changing experience working with urban underprivileged youth and children in Valparaiso, Chile!
TRIP LEADERS:
Julie and Francisco Townsend have served as leaders on this trip since 2012. Passionate about the culture and people of Chile and fluent in Spanish; their past experiences living and working for the YMCA in Valparaiso, Chile provide a unique focus for the trip.
*To participate, you must be 18 or older, or have a parent participating. No knowledge of Spanish is required.
WHAT WILL WE DO?
Service opportunities include everything from construction, repairs, and beautification of the local YMCA school, serving meals to the homeless, and leading activities for the urban youth at a camp in the Andes Mountains. Participants will also be immersed in the culture and language of the area. You will spend some time exploring important historical and cultural sites in Valparaiso and Santiago, Chile. Learn about the international YMCA and how it serves the city’s urban youth and families! Begin life-long relationships with fellow participants and the people and communities in Valparaiso, Chile.
HOUSING, MEALS, TRANSPORTATION
Participants will stay in dormitory-style bedrooms at the YMCA. Most meals and transportation are included in the program fee. Internet access is also available. The YMCA is within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores, ATMs and public transportation.
Trip Cost:
| Early Bird (Members) |
Early Bird (Program Participants) |
Regular Cost (Members) |
Regular Cost (Program Participants) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,900 | $3,200 | $3,200 | $3,500 |
Deposit of $1,700 due NO LATER than September 30, 2023.
Interested but concerned about cost? We have scholarships available for students! Click here.
Need More Infomation? Questions?
Please contact Francisco Townsend at 260.918.2150.
Chile Patagonia (December 26, 2023 - January 7, 2024)
Collapsible
ABOUT THE TRIP:
Escape winter and engage in a life-changing experience through the YMCA's international service immersion trip to Chile. Work one week with urban underprivileged youth and children in Valparaiso, Chile and enjoy the next week at the site of the World’s 8th Wonder, Torres del Paine National Park! It was declared a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978 and is internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful, unique and purest places on the planet. It is a place of mirrored lakes, cascading rivers, waterfalls, snow-capped mountain peaks, forests and incredible wildlife, all of which make it an unequalled destination for hikers, wildlife observers and adventure sportsmen alike.
TRIP LEADERS:
Julie and Francisco Townsend have served as leaders on this trip since 2012. Passionate about the culture and people of Chile and fluent in Spanish; their past experiences living and working for the YMCA in Valparaiso, Chile provide a unique focus for the trip.
*To participate, you must be 18 or older, or have a parent participating. No knowledge of Spanish is required.
WHAT WILL WE DO?
After a week of service in Valparaiso, participants will travel to the South of Chile to experience one of the 8 Wonders of the World. Participants will also be immersed in
the culture and language of the area. You will spend some time exploring important historical and cultural sites in the World Heritage city of Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Santiago.
Trip partipants will learn about the Valparaiso, Chile YMCA and how it serves the city’s urban youth and families. You will also build sustainable relationships with fellow participants and the people and communities in Chile.
HOUSING, MEALS, TRANSPORTATION
While in Valparaiso, participants will stay in dormitory-style bedrooms at the YMCA. Most meals and transportation are included in the program fee. Internet access is also available. The YMCA is within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores, ATMs and public transportation.
| Early Bird (Members) |
Early Bird (Program Participants) |
Regular Cost (Members) |
Regular Cost (Program Participants) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4,500 | $4,800 | $4,800 | $5,100 |
Deposit of $1,700 due NO LATER than September 30, 2023.
Interested but concerned about the cost? We have scholarships available for students! Click here.
Need more information? Questions?
Please contact Francisco Townsend at 260.918.2150.
Chile (March 8-17, 2024)
Collapsible
ABOUT THE TRIP:
Escape winter and engage in a life-changing experience working with urban underprivileged youth and children in Valparaiso, Chile!
TRIP LEADERS:
Julie and Francisco Townsend have served as leaders on this trip since 2012. Passionate about the culture and people of Chile and fluent in Spanish; their past experiences living and working for the YMCA in Valparaiso, Chile provide a unique focus for the trip.
*To participate, you must be 18 or older, or have a parent participating. No knowledge of Spanish is required.
WHAT WILL WE DO?
Service opportunities include everything from construction, repairs, and beautification of the local YMCA school, serving meals to the homeless and leading activities for the urban youth at a camp in the Mountains.
Participants will also be immersed in the culture and language of the area. You will spend some time exploring important historical and cultural sites in the World Heritage city of Valparaiso as well visiting Vina del Mar and Santiago, Chile among others.
Learn about the international YMCA and how it serves the city’s urban youth and families. Build life-long relationships with fellow participants and the people in Valparaiso, Chile.
HOUSING, MEALS, TRANSPORTATION
Participants will stay in dormitory-style bedrooms at the YMCA. Most meals and transportation are included in the program fee. Internet access is also available. The YMCA is within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores, ATMs and public transportation.
| Early Bird (Members) |
Early Bird (Program Participants) |
Regular Cost (Members) |
Regular Cost (Program Participants) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,700 | $2,900 | $2,900 | $3,100 |
Deposit of $1,700 due NO LATER than November 15, 2023.
Interested but concerned about cost? We have scholarships available for students! Click here.
Need more information? Questions?
Please contact Francisco Townsend at (260)918-2150
