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Summer Programs

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Each summer 1,500 youth and adults from over 125 groups participate in our summer programs. For the summer of 2020, we will serve in five site locations throughout Oregon, California, and Arizona, and offer week-long sessions between June 2020 and August 2020. Last summer, teenagers completed over 80 projects on homes and community centers. Outside of work projects, youth share in worship and explore the culture of the communities where they are serving. Three of the sites are located in rural communities, one in a Native American community, and one in an urban community.

Our mission is to enable youth to:

Build faith and strengthen communities through service to others.

Common to all SSP programs is service to the elderly, poor, and marginalized. Our service is offered without strings attached, with an attitude of respect and humility.

Download the 2020 Summer Information Packet.

Who Participates

Youth Groups

Each summer, volunteers from United Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Catholic, and other denominations are a part of SSP’s service work. While our program has roots in the United Methodist Church, we are open to anyone who wants to attend.

For youth to attend as a group, they must be accompanied by adult counselors. Groups are encouraged to invite youth who are not already part of the church to participate in SSP with your youth group. This is a great way to grow your local youth ministry program and do outreach in the community. Groups of any size can attend (within the maximum size set for that session). Some churches send multiple groups to different SSP sessions due to their schedule limitations.

Groups of youth and adults from schools or families are also invited to volunteer with Sierra Service Project. No group is too small; one youth and one adult make a group!

High School Program

Youth entering 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade in the fall of 2020, as well as 2020 high school graduates, are welcome to participate in our high school program.

Middle School Program

This program is open to youth entering the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades in the fall of 2020.

Combined Middle and High School Program

This program is designed for incoming 6th graders in fall 2020 through 2020 high school graduates. Mature youth will be given opportunities to lead and mentor younger youth throughout the week. Groups that comprise of only middle or high school youth are also welcome to attend combined sessions, with the understanding that there will be youth of many ages present, as well as a mixed level of SSP experience.

Individual Program

Most volunteers who participate in SSP are part of a group, but we want the SSP experience to be accessible to everyone! Volunteers who are not part of a group can also participate in SSP, by signing up as an individual. This program works especially well for:

  • Youth who do not have an adult who can participate with them
  • Volunteers unconnected with a church or youth group
  • Volunteers who are unable to attend with their group due to scheduling conflicts
  • Volunteers who want to attend more SSP than once during the summer
  • Young adults who want to participate as a volunteer

Depending on an individual’s age, they can participate in various types of SSP programs:

Intergenerational Program

Anyone going into 6th grade or older may attend an intergenerational session. Adult groups, college groups, staff alumni, families, youth groups, and groups with a mix in ages are all welcome to participate. We ask that anyone attending this program keep an open mind – it will not be a traditional SSP week! There will be volunteers of all ages present, as well as a mixed level of SSP experience.

2020 Program & Fee Schedule

This year we are offering many different types of programs, with varying costs and session lengths. Please call us if you have any questions about our program schedule!

Please note the program schedule may be subject to change by volunteer interest.

To prioritize making the SSP experience accessible to all, we offer substantial scholarships for youth in financial need.

Download the 2020 Summer Information Packet.

Have Questions?

Summer Locations

Locations Map

2020 Brochure

Downloads

"Really Rewarding Experience"

"Spiritual Experience"

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Summer 2020: High School | Middle School | Combined | Individuals | Intergenerational