Upcoming Trips
The following trips will be offered Spring 2013. Students will be placed on trips which fit their topic of interest. 2012-2013 locations will be assigned after trip placement. While all trips are currently listed as "driving" destinations, the status may change to flying destinations when the trip locations are assigned.
Trip Descriptions
TaB Immigration and Urban Poverty
- Dates: 03-23-2013 to 03-29-2013
TaB Immigration will focus primarily on issues related to the Latino immigrant community in the U.S. and their struggles to gain citizenship. TaB Immigration members will learn about both sides of the immigration debate, while analyzing the roles globalization, racism, and nativism play in immigration legislation from a historical perspective. Members will also analyze how these laws have a profound impact on children and education, the American economy, and the development of local communities. The trip will focus on the intersections between urban poverty and immigration, developing a deeper understanding of how the two topics overlap and affect one another.
TaB Youth Homelessness
- Dates: 03-23-2013 to 03-29-2013
This trip will examine the issue of youth homelessness. Participants will learn about the various cultural, socioeconomic, and political factors that lead to youth homelessness as well as different organizations that are working towards a solution to this growing problem. During the week participants will volunteer with organizations that provide services to those facing homelessness and will learn about the unique issues homeless youth face. Participants will critically reflect on the volunteer experiences throughout the week and be able to relate these experiences to issues facing the Salem community.
TaB Immigration
- Dates: 03-23-2013 to 03-30-2012
On this TaB trip students will have the chance to explore the complexities of immigration issues in the U.S. and come away with deeper awareness and concern for the politics, policies and people affected by immigration. During the trip students will meet with immigrant service and advocacy groups and engage in dialogue and community service with the intent of learning about the historical aspects, institutional nature and systemic roots of the injustices surrounding immigration. Students will be expected to actively participate both mentally and emotionally to connect with our local immigrant community in a way that is more humane and reflective. The hope for our participants is that they will be motivated to continue their involvement and interest in current immigration issues.
TaB Urban Poverty
- Dates: 03-23-2013 to 03-29-2013
On this trip, TaB participants will delve into the issues of poverty with an urban community in the United States. Students will be involved with organizations active in combating poverty, participate in discussions about the importance of the roles of these organizations, and interact with those facing poverty for numerous reasons. Throughout the week, participants will reflect on and critically analyze the issues of poverty presented not only in the city they will work in but also with the community at large through the lenses of globalization, racism, and economic circumstance.
TaB Sustainability
- Dates: 03-23-2013 to 03-29-2013
This trip will take students through an educational, service-based week to gain an understanding of sustainable practices happening here in the Willamette Valley. Creative sustainable ideas, companies and industries are sprouting here in our local community. This trip will showcase the local systems that are working to create a society aiming to be carbon neutral, locally fed, and powered by renewable energy in the future. Service projects will give insight to the importance of preserving our environment, not only for our health, but also for our existence and way of living. The discussions will cover an understanding of how we as a individuals can play our part by supporting local systems.