Nashville, Tennessee
About: Nashville is one of the newest additions to the Service Learning Camps family. With Nashville's amazing city lights and rich culture of country music and barbeque, this is one of the best places to serve those who are affected by poverty, homelessness and hunger, and the realities of life in a booming city such as Nashville.
Area Coordinator: The SLC Area Coordinator for Nashville is Brady Banks. Brady is the founder of Turnaround Collective, a spiritually formative community for young(er) adults—and those young at heart—called to experiment with, re-establish, and re-invigorate the good news practices of Jesus in relationship with others. He uses pilgrimage, spiritual practices, and cohort intensive settings to lead individuals into their unique spiritual vocations. Brady has served as an executive for local and statewide nonprofits in Nashville, Tennessee and loves using his knowledge of Nashville organizations to create great experiences for SLC participant groups. He has an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School and is currently completing his DMin at Pacific School of Religion of the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. He is married to the Rev. Kristin Clark-Banks of Forest Hills United Methodist Church, father to Thaddeus, and dog-father to Henri. He's a live music fan and loves all things Tennessee sports.
Service Opportunities:
● Working to serve meals at Nashville Rescue Mission
● Helping serve individuals who are experiencing homelessness get access and time to shower
● Creating care packages for babies and families who are in the ICU
● Modifying the home of an individual with disabilities in order to make it more accessible
● Serving the city of Nashville on a Monday Night Street Outreach where you get the opportunity to connect with and serve those experiencing homelessness.
● Working in a community garden to provide healthy food for those who do not have easy access.
● Learning and serving at Thistle Farms, an organization that works to help provide those who have experienced prostitution or sex trafficking with an opportunity to create and sell their own products.
Twin Cities,
Minnesota
The Twin Cities is home base for Service Learning Camps: It is where it all began and always one of our most popular sites. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are situated on the Mississippi River which winds and between them, is joined by the Minnesota River and eventually bends Southward from here headed for the Gulf of Mexico.
The service sites in “the Cities” include Global Health Ministries, several community gardens, Loaves and Fishes, 2nd Harvest Heartland, Every Meal, Neighbors Inc, Open Door Pantry and many other community service agencies. Like most metro areas, the Twin Cities has agencies and organizations that serve those on the margins. Service Learning Camps partners with a good number of those.
The Area Coordinator for the Twin Cities is Jennifer Schloesser who has been with SLC since day one. Jenny is a mother of 5 who is as creative as they get when it comes to parenting. She is an active member of Augustana Lutheran Church where she was a super volunteer for Don Marsh when he served there and then moved naturally into leadership at SLC when it was founded in 2016.
A bit more about service sites:
Global Health Ministries collects donated hospital supplies and distributes them to countries who need them all around the world. It is a dynamic, fun place to serve and the staff/volunteers are the best.
Loaves and Fishes runs over 30 hunger sites around the Twin Cities providing thousands of meals each day for those who deal with food insecurity daily. Hunger is arguably the big issue in the Twin Cities.
Groups may also serve at agencies such as the Salvation Army, Friends of the Mississippi, and the Boys/Girls Clubs.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
About: Milwaukee is the hidden gem of the Midwest! With Lake Michigan access, amazing selection of food, and a rich history, Milwaukee sure is the an amazing place to bring your group for service & adventure. Although the city of Milwaukee is vibrant and historical, this is an area that struggles with homlessness as well “food deserts” where people in Milwaukee don’t always have access to food that will nourish their bodies.
Area Coordinator: The SLC Area Coordinator for Milwaukee is Stephanie Metzendorf. Stephanie is a current special education teacher who has 8+ years of experience serving youth and working as a youth director in an ELCA Lutheran Church. She has lived in Milwaukee for over 11 years and just adores the city! Stephanie is 23 years old and enjoys organizing individuals to serve and learn within a new environment.
Service Opportunities:
● Helping serve in one of the various food banks around Milwaukee
● Working in a community garden to cultivate, prepare, and preserve food and food traditions as a cultural art.
● Working to support congregations in the city of Milwaukee who serve those who need a place to worship
● Reading to kids during the summer in order to support the education growth of Milwaukee’s students as well as to support the families who are unable to stay home during the summer.
● Working to serve meals to those who are experiencing homelessness
● Helping to preserve our beautiful rivers in the Milwaukee area in order to revitalize surrounding areas as well as improve water quality in the Milwaukee area.
● Working to support an organization which provides personal items and haircuts to women who have been affected by sex trafficking
● Working to improve the houses of those who cannot afford traditional home improvements
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is the 4th largest city in Minnesota and is located at the Western tip of Lake Superior, which interestingly holds 5% of all the fresh water in the world! Duluth is the furthest inland ocean port in America, giving the city a unique seaport appearance and feel. Voted the top outdoor city in the US, Duluth is known for plentiful outdoor activities from hiking and biking trails, to ample parks, to its iconic Lake Superior beaches. It is one beautiful city!
Despite its beauty, however, Duluth has plenty of challenges. 17% of the population lives below the federal poverty level, while the rest of Minnesota averages 11%, meaning Duluth has become a hub for providing services to those in need. Service Learning Camps works with a variety of the area service providers to help meet the many needs present in the community.
Service partners:
Loaves and Fishes - Part of the Catholic worker movement, Loaves and Fishes provides family style hospitality and a variety of services to the homeless and underprivileged in its community.
One Roof Housing - “Enriching lives and communities one home at a time.” SLC volunteers help homeowners with light remodeling, painting and home repair.
Duluth Parks and Recreation - This SLC partnership sees volunteers help the city maintain many miles of trails, keep our beaches and shorelines clean, and beautify the plenteous parks in Duluth.
Harbor House - Across the bridge to our neighboring city, Harbor House is an organization providing housing and support to the homeless community. With multiple sites, they assist everyone from the homeless single dad, to the recovering young adult. The work we do with them is often incredibly rewarding.
There are a plethora of organizations SLC works with in work Duluth such as The Second Harvest Food Bank, Union Gospel Mission, CHUM, and the Salvation Army. There is plenty of need in Duluth.
Area Coordinator:
Sara Nichols is a youth minister and praise leader with a service heart and a love for adventure. She has lived in Duluth her whole life, so is very knowledgeable and familiar with the area, its needs, and the best adventures to have. You'll likely meet her new son, Elijah, and her sidekick, Ole the golden retriever, as you serve side by side together. She is energetic, passionate, and a great conversationalist who can't wait to meet you and your group in this beautiful place!
Salt Lake City, Utah
About: Come visit the mountains and all the Salt Lake area has to offer with this trip! Salt Lake is an amazing city which is nestled in a valley between two major North American mountain ranges, the Wasatch mountains and the Oquirrh mountains. Salt Lake City has an increasing homelessness population as well as several opportunities to serve those who need support in this area.
Area Coordinator: The SLC Area Coordinator for Salt Lake City is Stephanie Metzendorf. Stephanie is a current special education teacher who has 8+ years of experience serving youth and working as a youth director in an ELCA Lutheran Church. She has recently moved to Salt Lake City and is working to develop a new site in order to serve her new home. Stephanie is 23 years old and enjoys organizing individuals to serve and learn within a new environment.
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is a unique mid-western city that sits in the heart of the rust belt. Toledo is called the “Glass City” because that was the main industry. In recent years, Toledo has undergone a revitalization in which the people have learned to love it and own it. There has been a major emphasis on the arts, parks and sports. There is an award winning museum; a popular zoo and the brand new downtown Toledo Mud Hens baseball stadium. It is about 90 minutes from the Cedar Point amusement park.
Service Partners:
Like in many cities the needs in Toledo are many and varied. Poverty, hunger and homelessness are readily obvious. Interestingly, many of the service partnerships SLC works with are the area churches and include urban gardens, food pantries, a migrant camp, summer camps for children, the Martin Luther King Kitchen for the Poor, the HeART Gallery, The Neighborhood Health Association and, new this year, Standing Rush Marsh.
All of these service learning opportunities assure SLC groups of a challenging exposure to a variety of meaningful service learning experiences.
Area Coordinator:
Cassie Mugler is a Toledo born and raised young leader/educator formerly a teacher in the Toledo Public Schools and now serving as the NextGen Director in a local Lutheran congregation. Cassie loves Toledo and is an amazing resource for SLC groups.
Flagstaff and Phoenix,
Arizona
Coming Soon!
Area Coordinator: Don Marsh
North Shore, Minnesota
Since earliest days of living in the Duluth area and discovering the rugged beauty of the North Shore of Lake Superior, the area has been a favorite for Don Marsh. The rocks, cliffs, rivers and, of course, the lake itself hold a special place in my heart. So, it only made sense that Service Learning Camps would offer the area as a site for a memorable service learning experience.
Service Partners:
Service opportunities on the North Shore include partnerships with area state parks, Lake County Soil & Water Conservation, Master Gardeners, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, and Clover Valley Organic Farm. Lake County, which makes up a portion of the North Shore, has the largest population of 60+ community members in the state of Minnesota. One of our biggest partnerships is with Community Partners, who works to support the independence of people 60+ in the Two Harbors area.
Area Coordinator:
The Coordinator of the North Shore Service Learning Camps will be Jillian McCorison who is an experienced youth worker and dedicated wife/mother of a 4 year old son. Jillian will also partner with Sara Nichols in Duluth as the need arises.
Albuquerque, New Mexico (As Requested)
Albuquerque is available primarily during Spring Break time. The service in this beautiful city is varied. Beyond the majestic scenery, great food and the Rio Grande River; Albuquerque has significant needs like many urban areas. Poverty, hunger and homelessness probably top the list but when one adds issues of immigration and working with the Native American population, Albuquerque offers groups a variety of service opportunities second to none.
Area Coordinator: The SLC Area Coordinator for Albuquerque is Suzannah Jones. Suzannah Jones is the Office Coordinator in a local Lutheran Church. She has been involved in service learning since 1995. She can make it easy for you when deciding what activities you want to do while in Albuquerque.
Service Partners: Service sites in Albuquerque include:
New Mexico Ramps Project that provides those in need with access to their homes, Department of Senior Affairs: Home cleanup projects, Rio Grande Community Farm: Community garden and education programs, The Rock at Noon Day: Homeless Day Shelter serving meals each day, Storehouse New Mexico: Community Based Food Pantry, Mandy’s Special Farm: Working farm that serves those with disabilities and happens to be the coolest place on planet Earth, Plus several other community agencies and organizations.
Denver, Colorado
Denver is the most popular site for reasons that are obvious and for other reasons that might be surprising to many.
Denver offers the beauty and majesty of a vibrant city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The location offers Service Learning Groups a wealth of recreational opportunities that make a trip truly memorable. Hiking, biking, white water rafting and so much more is readily available to our Denver camps.
Service Partners: Service Learning Camps has a wealth of exciting partnerships with Denver area organizations that ensure participants have the experience of knowing for certain they are making a difference. The service organizations in the Denver area constitute an impressive gathering of remarkable leaders dedicate to their community. It is an honor to serve and learn alongside our Denver partners.
Some of our key partners include Metro Caring, Samaritan House, Project Cure, A Precious Child, The Food Bank of the Rockies, Brothers Redevelopment, Break Bread, Wholly Kicks and other big and small organizations.
Area Coordinator: The Denver Area Coordinator is Jen Engquist
Jen is a North Dakota native with a wealth of service learning experience. She currently serves as the Director of Brake Bread, one of the leading hunger serving agencies in Denver.
Madison: Born and raised in Colorado, Madison has had a love for the city and its blend of nature since childhood. A recent graduate of Colorado State University, she is ready to help make an impact in one community a a time.
Denver tends to fill up each year so fast action is often our recommendation. It also does cost a bit more as we house groups at Messiah Mountain Retreat Center rather than other options. Once MMRC is full, Denver is closed for SLC groups.
San Francisco Bay Area, California
The San Francisco Bay Area commonly known as the Bay Area, is a metropolitan region surrounding the San Francisco Bay in Northern California. It consists of nine counties that includes waterfront towns, dramatic beaches, fine wines and home to tech-savvy Silicon Valley (where Google, Facebook and Apple reside).
San Francisco is famous for its restaurants, Golden Gate Bridge, Ghirardelli chocolate, seafood and cable cars. The Bay Area has many National Parks, Redwood Trees, a gorgeous coastline along the Pacific Ocean and so many cultural neighborhoods that have THE BEST food ever!
Gold was discovered here and so was sourdough bread!
The Bay Area is home to 5 major league sports franchises:
NFL 49ers;
MLB Oakland Athletics, SF Giants;
NBA Golden State Warriors and San Jose Sharks (Hockey)
Colleges are all around as well: Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and San Jose State University
The Bay Area has vibrant energy in both life and ministry.
Diverse communities, faith, economics, education makes this place where God makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Your heart will be broken & healed as you serve here.
You will meet incredible people with stories that will amaze you.
This area is one of the toughest “mission fields” on our planet, YET GOD does amazing miracles through the love of Jesus reaching their hearts.
There’s a good chance you will leave your heart in San Francisco!
Ministry Opportunities:
● Service in painting, landscaping, repurposing rooms & buildings.
● Prayer while on public transport (giving out water to start conversations) and in neighborhood, cities and churches for communities
● Rescue Missions that shelter kids/women and mens through providing childcare while parents are in classes; creating food & clothing closets. Also opportunities to prep and serve food; and in warehouse receiving of donations and then giving out donations to local families
● Homeless ministries to those under our overpasses and roadways by providing food/hygiene kits, haircuts, and wellness checks with mobile showers while assisting in their “encamped” clean-up, sitting down & playing board games. We also assist thrift stores by sorting donations & displaying them in stores for the homeless to gather essentials.
● Outreaches with local anti sex-trafficking organizations; Celebrate Recovery, Teen Challenge, Food Banks, Local schools, After-school city community programs, Churches in both urban & rural settings.
Area Coordinator: Linda Vannoy-Castillo
A teacher, pastor, missionary, storyteller, author, conference speaker, life coach and adventurer who is passionate about glorifying God and helping people find purpose in Him. She’s a California Bay Area native who enjoys sporting colorful hair and riding motorcycles. Her heart for her “backyard” and the world was placed inside her as a young child by her single mom. She loves to say YES to Jesus to go anywhere at any time so that she can share the love and hope of Jesus to the “one” who is right in front of her. Come on an adventure with her as she shares her heart for those living in her community.
Come to California...and then maybe anywhere else in the world, too!
She lives life without borders!
Rochester, MN
Rochester is the third largest city in Minnesota and is home to the world famous Mayo Clinic Health System. You will enjoy the ease of navigating this well laid out city and enjoy the moderate prices of hotels and restaurants. Rochester is located just over an hour south of the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Throughout the week there are opportunities to enjoy the Thursdays on First street market, food vendors, and live music in a safe environment. Other team recreational activities include the free Oxbow Park and Zoo, river canoe and kayaking, Niagara Cave, free camp activities when we volunteer with a local camp, Foster Arends beach, and many others!
Service Area Coordinator: Jason and his family have called Rochester home since 2009. Jason's wife, Heather is a Rochester native and local school teacher. Jason has personally led over 120 short-term missions teams to Rochester, Belize, Cuba Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Israel, the Dominican Republic, and more since 2006. Jason taught elementary school out of college for 3 years before the Lord called him into short-term missions leading in 2006. He finds joy in connecting people and groups to great service and ministry opportunities! We hope you can serve with him soon!
Service Opportunities: There are three majors of categories of service opportunities in Rochester: 1. Non-profits 2. Churches 3. Small Business Owners Your group has the opportunity to serve with local non-profits like The Landing (homeless), Channel One (Food bank), the Exchange (Clothing Closet), Habitat for Humanity Restore (Thrift shop), Habitat for Humanity (House building), Camp Victory (Christian Camp), and more! We have several church partners in Rochester. Depending on the week, we will be helping with service projects around the building or ministry outreach such as Vacation Bible School, neighborhood park outreach, food services, and more. Rochester has several small businesses that support nonprofits and great causes in Rochester and abroad. City of Hope (T-shirt and printing), Trail Creek Coffee Roasters (coffee roasters), and others have desired volunteers to help them with some deeper projects they can't get around to because of lack of staff and budget. Only select dates are available, so please register early!