UN VERANO CON ARISE
Welcome to…
Un Verano con ARISE A Summer with ARISE
Nineteen years of Youth creating community through service.
Each summer, ARISE invites volunteers from all over the USA and Mexico to join community youth to provide six weeks of learning and fun for children during their long, hot summer. This program “Un Verano con ARISE’ is a cross- cultural opportunity for you and young adults to serve the communities of South Texas and learn about each other. For a week or more, each group works, learns, and reflects together, guided and supported by the community residents and staff of ARISE. In addition ARISE provides opportunities for groups to meet the people of each community, sharing meals and special days and arranges field trips and visits to explore the border region.
ARISE is a community development group that is run by, for and from the people of each of the three communities it serves. These communities, called “colonias, are economically impoverished but are working together to improve life for their neighbors and their families. the staff of ARISE and the people of this community, welcome you with open arms and thank you for being willing to share your summer and skills with us.
Outline of program
٭ Each volunteer session last one week (Sat – Sat) Additional sessions available.
٭ Room and Board provided. Volunteers assist with cooking and cleaning
٭ Volunteers plan and carry out summer activities for children ages 3 ½ - 14 (older kids play sports)
٭ Volunteers choose from 3 ARSIE sites available, committing to that site for the week.
Sites can also be assigned if there is no preference.
٭ Limit 6 volunteers + chaperone per site, larger groups will be harder to accommodate.
For more information on – Questions and answers see page 3; Week’s schedule see pg. 5
Important goals for the Summer Program
▲ To support a cross-cultural volunteer effort to serve the children of ARISE communities through
Creative, social, and educational activities.
▲ To foster understanding for different cultures and communications between the volunteers and the community.
▲ To develop leadership within each individual volunteer and community youth
▲ To work, learn and enjoy working together.
Requirements for Participation in the Summer Program
☼ Open to new experiences, different cultures, and the joy of working with the children.
☼ To commit to planning and providing for a week (or more of age appropriate activities for the
children of the community.
☼ Create a team of volunteers that is prepared to work, share and joy working together.
☼ Be ready to meet and include youth volunteers from the community.
☼ Have and adult chaperone for each group.
☼ Questions and Answers about UN Verano Con ARISE ☼
1. Where will I sleep? What will I eat?
ARISE Provides for you room and board while you are her. Each group sleeps in the ARISE Center where it volunteers. Accommodations, food, and drink are basic but comfortable and plentiful. The community prepares the midday meal. Your volunteer group is responsible for preparing its
own breakfast and dinner. Cleaning up after each meal and the morning is also the group’s
responsibility. Remember, that your group is living together as a community for a whole
week. Sharing, cooperating, and communication will be important.
2. What is the weather like?
Hot, Hot, Hot and strong sun! Very humid. Be prepare to bring hats, bandanas, sun block and light breathable clothing. We do not have air conditioning. In addition it will be very dusty with the wind blowing. And there are usually a lot of mosquitoes.
3. What should I bring?
Pack light but adequately, there is not a lot of space for extras. See list for packing. Remember that our work is outside in the open most of the day. Make sure you pack those necessities for the sun & outdoors. Flip flops are not recommended for your work. Wear sturdy shoes (sneakers, sandals with straps)
4. What will I do all day?
Most of your day will be very full with two sessions of children’s activities and an educational
activity mid-day (see weeks schedule. ARSIE hopes to provide you a good mix of work, enjoyment rest and reflection.
5. Will I have any free time?
See above. Fee time is limited mostly to after 7pm. How ever there are recreational and learning activities planned each mid – day.
6. Will I get to go to Mexico?
Yes at least one trip crossing the border into Mexico is planned. Make sure you bring your pass port or birth certificate plus another photo ID.
7 How much money should I bring?
Money is no necessary. If you would like to purchase extra snack and a few momentos, $50 should be
sufficient it is up to each individual. Note: other students think this is not enough because they want
to bring mementos for their love ones.
8. If my group is split between centers will I see the other volunteers in my group?
ARISE will try to provide time in the evening for the group to meet as a whole, eat and reflect
together.
9. Will I meet any one my age?
Each group will be joined by youth volunteers from the community. They will work side by side
with you in the children’s program; accompany you on the field trips, and share reflection and
recreational activities.
The following is an example of what a day would look like during your stay at ARISE
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MONDAY
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AS CONVINIENT
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Get up, prepare breakfast, clean up and get ready for the day.
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Don’t forget your sun block & hat
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Morning
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8:30 – 11:30
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Summer program
Ages 3 ½ - 9
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11:30 – 1:00
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Lunch provided by the community everyone cleans up
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After noon
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1:00 – 3:00
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Educational Experience
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Note in some centers ages of children vary from 6 yr old to 20 yr old.
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4:00 pm – 7:00
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Summer Program ages 10 - 14
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Evening
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7:30 - 9:00
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Prepare Dinner & Reflection
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At home with youth volunteers
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To view photos from un verano con ARISE 2010 click
here
