· To expose participants to various efforts being made in and around Baltimore to improve the welfare of many different kinds of animals (not just dogs and cats).
· To encourage participants to think about how their food choices (buying animal products from humane farmers as opposed to from factory farms, etc.) are related to animal welfare.
· To encourage participants to take part in discussions about animal welfare initiatives and the advantages/disadvantages of methods being used in the area.
To encourage participants to take part in efforts to improve the welfare of animals after the trip and to give them a foot in the door for doing that by having them become trained BARCS volunteers and exposing them to other organizations that they can volunteer with. Also by exposing them to organizations and efforts that they can work with after the trip.
Click on the Media tab to view our video and the document tab to download the trip participant application.
The alternative school
break, a day in the life is a homelessness immersion experience. Students will
be living in a homeless shelter for the week so that they can see for
themselves what it’s like to be homeless in the city of Baltimore. Students
will get to know a few people who are staying at the shelter and hear their
personal stories. Students will also meet with various agencies that specialize
in helping the homeless in order to fully understand the daily struggles that
the homeless population in Baltimore goes through. Students will give back to the homeless
population through various forms of service during the week. After learning
about the political, social, and legal complexities surrounding homelessness,
developing personal connections with persons whom are experiencing
homelessness, and getting a taste of what it’s like to be homeless themselves;
students will collaborate to brainstorm ways that they can help end homelessness.
Click on the media tab to view my video and the documents tab to download the trip participant application.
Learn more about this issue at:
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/projects/awareness/awareness.html
This year’s Environmental Trip will have a focus on sustainability – how to live in such a way that you could continue to live in that way for an indefinite amount of time. The goal is to explore many different sides of sustainable living.
We will work with the Great Kids Farm to see how to grow your own food in an urban environment. We will work with Velocipede to learn about bicycle use and maintenance in the city. We will work with Parks and People to explore green spaces in Baltimore and take care of them. We will tour the EPA to see the policy side of green practices. We will also watch sustainable/green movies or documentaries.
It won’t just be work though! We will be hiking in the parks we take care of, enjoying those green spaces. We will go camping in the park too – surrounded by nature, surrounded by Baltimore. We will also play lots of games and build a strong group. We can also watch movies for fun – though the selection may be limited.
Check out the media tab to see my video and documents tab to download the trip participant application.
http://velocipedebikeproject.org/
http://www.gwynnsfallstrail.org/
At the Arc, students will have the opportunity to create connections with a demographic that is often misunderstood and stigmatized. Arc clients and students will spend time together at the Arc as well as on day trips to the humane society, the mall, and will participate in several other service projects. After spending time at the Arc trip members will have group discussions and be able to openly share about their experiences. This trip will provide students with a meaningful experience and a deeper understand of service.
Working with people with intellectual and physical disabilities may make some students uncomfortable at first, but the deepest growth happens when boundaries are broken and people live outside of their comfort-zones. By developing meaningful relationships with the clients at the Arc students will hear first hand accounts and gain a personal understanding of what life is like for someone living with a disability. By the end of the trip, students’ understanding of adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities will be challenged and team members will be able to identify common prejudices, stereotypes and social problems that face this demographic.
Click on the Media tab to view my video and the documents tab to submit an application.
Exodus 19 (NIV 2011)
1 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.
9 The LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.
10 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. Whether people or animals, they shall not be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”
14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”
16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountaintrembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”
23 Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”
24 The LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them.”
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
Reflection:
How incredible it is that God descends to the top of Mount Sinai. Yet only Moses and Aaron can go to the top of the mountain to meet with God. Such is the holiness of God that anyone else who even touches the mountain will be put to death.
But because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now approach God. By His Spirit, what was previously restricted to Moses and Aaron is now available to His church.
Response:
We are God’s kingdom of priests and His holy nation. We are His treasured possession. Let’s thank God that He extends this incredible privilege to us. Let’s also ask God to make us holy, as He is holy.
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