Arcola Mills

Arcola Mills, six miles north of Stillwater, Minnesota, is one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the shoreline of the nationally designated wild and scenic St. Croix River.

The Arcola Mills Historic Foundation is a non-profit organization that was created at the bequest of Katharine Van Meier upon her death. Great care is being given to preserve the natural woodland beauty and historic building. The lumber-era Greek Revival mansion, built in 1847, is currently being restored with the future goal of restoring eight eclectic cottages.

Arcola Mills provides an area where individuals and groups are invited to participate in activities that explore the arts, nature, science, history, and a broad exchange of ideas. Arcola Mills is a place where respect and stewardship are valued.

Falcon BRIDGE Initiative (FBI) Leader

Justina Deering
Hometown: Champlin, MN

Favorite Quote: To thine self be true. –Shakespeare
(My 8th grade English teacher wrote it in my yearbook, and I haven't forgotten it since!)

Favorite place in River Falls: My favorite place in River Falls is the University Center. I can always find my friends there, and I work there so often during the week that it feels like my second home. I have become so familiar with the professional staff that they all feel like weird aunts and uncles now.

You can find SERVE 'n' LEAD applications at the Involvement Center Front Desk (located on the main floor of the University Center).

Please Note: The first 20 first-year students to sign-up with the completed intent form will be accepted into the program.  Deadline for the intent form is Friday, September 21st at 4:30pm.  You hand in intent forms at the Involvement Center Front Desk.

Any questions, please email Amy Lloyd at studentlife@uwrf.edu

Learn more about being a participant for Destination Domestic or an  advisor for Destination Domestic.

Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless----Cincinnati, OH

Journey to Greater Cincinnati Coalition to learn more about poverty and homelessness

For more information visit:http://www.cincihomeless.org

In the city of Cincinnati, there are between 1,300 and 1,500 people who are homeless each night, and the numbers keep growing. In just the past 15 years, homelessness has grown by 150%. Destination participants will be teaming up with the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and assist them as they make efforts to end homelessness in greater Cincinnati. Members of Destination will receive hands on experience that will help them understand the issues of homelessness. Some service opportunities that participants may encounter include: working in food pantries, assisting in homeless shelters, serving at the Boys and Girls Club, and working in soup kitchens. While working in Cincinnati, Destination participants will share the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless' goal to "eradicate homelessness with the respect for the dignity and diversity of its membership, the homeless and the community."

Hope CommUnity Center----Apopka, FL

Journey to Hope CommUnity Center to learn more about immigration

For more information visit: hcc-offm.org

Hope CommUnity is dedicated to empowerment of central Florida's immigrant and working poor communities through education, advocacy and personal growth. Although Apopka has a population of over 40,000 people the issues continue to go unrecognized even within the state of Florida. Over the years, to bring light and assistance to those in need, the organization has fostered the development of many self-help, community and worker organizations to meet basic human needs. Upon arrival the group will be introduced to their home stay family. Along their journey, Destination participants will learn of the many struggles Apopka has endured including poverty, immigration issues, unemployment, racial tension, gang violence, among other pressing issues.

**NOTE: This is an immersion experience. Destination participants on this trip will be placed with one other trip member in a local Hope CommUnity Center family where they will live for the week. Participants will interact with other Destination members throughout the week, while being truly immersed in the Apopka community.

Once Upon a Time Breakaway----Maryville, TN          

Journey to Once Upon a Time Breakaway to learn more about Native American Culture

For more information visit: http://www.onceuponatimebreakaway.com

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation is only a key piece of the larger Cherokee Nation, one of the largest Native American groups in the United States. At Once Upon a Time, nestled between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest, participants will be immersed in the Cherokee wisdom. Through work with Once Upon a Time, Snowbird Cherokee Community, Cherokee National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Sequoyah Museum, participants will have a variety of experiences. Some of these experiences include trail and creek maintenance, working and interacting with local residents, learning about the Cherokee history and lifestyle, making and canning blackberry jam and even hearing from Cherokee Storytellers. Through their various projects, Once Upon a Time focuses on the preservation of land and culture to create an unforgettable experience for students.

Plateau Restoration, Inc.----Moab, UT

Journey to Plateau Restoration, Inc to learn more about the environment 

For more information visit: http://www.plateaurestoration.org

Plateau Restoration, Inc. offers experiences that inspire students and involve them in significant projects that restore the health of critical wildlife habitats, while exposing issues that may never be apparent to a casual visitor of the Colorado Plateau. The program is field-based and involves project work related to native habitat protection and restoration. Projects may include any or all of the following aspects: trail delineation and elimination of social trails, fence building to protect re-vegetation in impacted sites and exotic species removal. Participants will be camping at the site to gain a deeper understanding and more illuminating experience of the issues at hand.

Jared Ley

Hometown: De Pere, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: "We build our temples for the tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountains free within ourselves" -Langston Hughes
Favorite place in River Falls: The swinging bridge leading into Glen Park.

Elise Koop

Hometown: Hastings, MN
Favorite Quote: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."  -Gandhi
Favorite Place in River Falls: Dish and Spoon Cafe

Joe Russella

Hometown: Eagan, MN
Favorite Quote: Live and Let Live
Favorite Place in River Falls: Glenn Park, down by the Kinni

Shanna Thomsen

Hometown: Waukesha, Wi
Quote: It's kind of fun to do the impossible. -Walt Disney
Place in RF: River Falls Theater!

Jenn Vogel

Hometown: Jefferson, WI
Favorite Quote: "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...it is about going out and dancing in the rain."
Favorite Place in River Falls: Anywhere near the Kinnickinnic River

Elise Koop and Cailin Turner
Destination Managers

Apply to be a participant

Applications for 2012-2013 will be available starting on Monday, October 1, 2012.

Apply to participate in Destination by clicking here

Any questions, please email Cailin Turner or Shanna Thomsen at studentlife@uwrf.edu.

Apply to be an advisor

Applications for 2012-2013 will be available starting Monday, October 1, 2012.

Fill out interest form to be an advisor by clicking here

Any questions, please email Amy Lloyd at studentlife@uwrf.edu.

Outreach360: Nicaragua

Outreach360 Overview:
Outreach360  is a non-profit organization headquartered in Glendale, Arizona. Since 1994, they have been working with orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children in the Dominican Republic. During that time, over 7000 volunteers have joined them for short term volunteer trips to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

Outreach360 Neighborhood Centers Strategy:

Outreach360 will adopt specific neighborhoods.  In each neighborhood we adopt, we will staff an Outreach360 Neighborhood Center.  The Neighborhood Center will provide training from pre-school through high school.

Service Team Projects:
A normal volunteer week consists of travel on Saturday to Jinotega, Sunday is orientation and prep day, Monday-Thursday are work days, Friday is usually a day for a volunteer field trip to see some culture, a visit to a women's black pottery co-operative and a trip to a organic shade grown coffee farm, and most volunteers travel home on Saturday.
 

Associated Costs:

The cost of the trip will be $1,800-2,000 depending on the cost of airfare.

First Payment: $100 is due by September 21st (application deadline) at the Involvement Center Front Desk (cash, check or charge)

Second Payment: $1,200 is due Monday, November 5th

Final Payment: $700 is due Monday, December 3rd

These costs cover: Airfare, ground transportation, meals, lodging, and travel insurance.  There will be a $10 fee when entering and exiting the U.S. Any costs due to mementos, snacks, or extra beverages will be the financial responsibility of the participants.

Destination International: Dominican Republic Trip Leader

Jenny Anderson
Hometown: Stanchfield, MN

Favorite Quote: A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up to make new trees.  - Lawrence G. Lovasik

Favorite place in River Falls: Lab Farm 1 in the spring with the foals.

Destination International: Haiti Trip Leader

Courtney Haas
Hometown: Coon Rapids, MN

Favorite Quote: There are many things in life that will catch your eye- but only a few things that will catch your heart. Pursue those!

Favorite place in River Falls: The Falls of River Falls and the Swinging Bridge

Thank you for your interest, applications are due on Friday, September 21st at 4:30pm.  Please click here to apply.

Please bring your first payment of $100 to the Involvement Center Front Desk (cash, check, or charge) by Friday, September 21st at 4:30pm.

Any questions, please email Shanna at studentlife@uwrf.edu.