A nonprofit, international housing organization, Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. To accomplish these goals, people of all backgrounds, races and religions join together to build houses together in partnership with families in need.
Objectives: Cultural immersion with American teenagers; improve English comprehension with emphasis on oral skills; gain knowledge of American rural and camp life.
Who: Students 14 to 17 years of age
When: July 3-15 and July 17-29
Where: New York State Adirondack Mountains
Program Description:
A blending of community service and outdoor adventure, in this two-week program international students live, work and play alongside American teenagers. Students arrive at one of our New York summer camps on Sunday (either July 3 or 17) and prepare for their adventure. Early Monday morning, and chaperoned by two camp counselors, the group heads to the Saranac Lake area where they set up camp. During the weekdays, the group will help build a house with Habitat for Humanity and work with other local non-profit organizations. During the afternoons, evenings and weekends, the group will enjoy the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains by rafting, climbing and exploring some local towns.
The region of Saranac Lake lies in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. In addition to being surrounded by countless beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers, Saranac Lake is a historical, cultural and artistic hub of the Adirondack region. Nestled between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, it is just over two and a half hours from Albany, NY, Burlington, VT and Montreal, Canada.
Daily Schedule (Sample):
Sunday: arrive at camp at 2pm and spend the rest of the day getting to know each other.
Monday: Head for the Adirondacks to set up camp outside of Saranac Lake.
Tuesday: Work Day
Wednesday: Work Day
Thursday: Water rafting down the Hudson
Friday: Work Day
Saturday: Climbing in the Adirondacks
Sunday: Group chooses activity: bowling, hiking, swimming,, skating in the Olympic skating arena…
Monday: Work Day
Tuesday: Work Day
Wednesday: Work Day
Thursday: Farewell to Rollins Pond Campground and head back to Camp.
Friday: Finish any gear clean up and head home.