Canadian residents pay in Canadian funds at the current exchange rate of 1.27
Returning Summer 2023
Although this program is not operating this summer, you can still add it to your favorites and consider it for summer 2023.
New Orleans Volunteer Program for Teens
Over the past few years, thousands of people in New Orleans have lost their homes due to hurricanes. Rebuilding efforts have been ongoing, but recent natural disasters, most notably Hurricane Ida, a category 4 storm that hit the region in August of 2021, have left much work to be done. This summer community service program for teens is an opportunity for participants to work together under the direction of SBP and their AmeriCorps members on an active build site and directly help displaced families return home. When not helping to rebuild these homes, we’ll be enjoying the highlights of New Orleans and learning about the rich history and culture of the area. All in all, this teen summer program offers an incredible experience with a meaningful project, a sense of community, hands-on homebuilding skills, teamwork, and fun!
About This Program
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What It’s Like
The perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion and unforgettable adventures.
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Age Requirement
Participants must be age 14 or older by the start of this program.
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30 Service Hours
A letter of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the program.
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Recognition
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
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Service Projects
We work directly with SBP, and everybody participates together in each project.
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Accommodation
Hotels.
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Meals
Includes breakfast and dinner daily, plus 4 lunches.
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Activities
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
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Transportation
Travel in passenger vans driven by our staff.
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Group Size
Up to 24 participants.
Program Highlights
- • Help rebuild homes as part of disaster recovery efforts.
- • Learn valuable home improvement skills like drywalling and painting.
- • Explore the French Quarter on a guided segway tour.
- • Experience the iconic New Orleans swamplands on an airboat tour.
- • Work under the guidance of SBP’s AmeriCorps volunteers.
- • Learn about the history of slavery and civil rights on a plantation tour.
- • Make a difference in the lives of the families affected by disaster.
- • Learn how to cook traditional Creole dishes.
Service Projects
Activities
Accommodations
New Orleans, Louisiana
In the heart of everything the Big Easy has to offer and with an outdoor pool and fitness gym to help us relax, the Homewood Suites by Hilton New Orleans French Quarter is the ideal place to recharge after busy days of volunteering and having fun.
More Details
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
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Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
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How are roommates assigned?
On our Active Teen Tours, Global Adventures and Community Service programs rooming rotation is as follows:
Giving everyone a chance to make new friends creates a cohesive group and one of the most warm and welcoming social environments in our industry! To promote this we’ve found the best system is for the program director to assign the rooms for the first and second stops. For the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers and any friends who enrolled can room together. All participants will be assigned a different roommate for the second stop. Roommates are assigned based on gender identity. After the first two stops, choice of roommates is always up to you!On our Pre-College Enrichment programs & Career Experiences rooming is as follows:
We assign independent travelers with another independent traveler for the duration of your stay. Any friends who enrolled together can room together. Roommates are assigned based on gender identity.