Spring break plunge is a varied program to provide a mix of time out in the community learning directly about Washington DC and its people, formal teaching from leaders in Biblical justice, and ample time for processing and reflection. We mix some times of direct service alongside a lot of learning and listening in the community through neighborhood walks, speaking with local leaders, and guided engagement with residents.
When?
Saturday morning-Wednesday late afternoon of your schools’ spring break.
Who?
We primarily welcome students from InterVarsity fellowships in the MidAtlantic region (DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania), but can include others with special requests. We usually have 15-30 students per week total.
This is a team-oriented program, designed to be experienced both personally but also to help engage where injustice and marginalization may be happening within our InterVarsity campus fellowships as well. Therefore, we highly recommend coming as a team of 3 or more from your fellowship. The greater and more diverse the representation, the more impact you will see on your InterVarsity fellowship culture and community.
Where?
Our spring break program is primarily hosted by St Teresa of Avila Church in the Historic Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast Washington DC. We’ve partnered with St Teresa church in this way since 2008 and are blessed tremendously by this partnership. The majority of the students will stay on-site at St Teresa of Avila in an old convent site, others will be housed off-site at another local church or ministry site.
If you require special housing or anticipate your needs may require something specific, please get a hold of us so we can help the program work for you!
Accommodations and Packing
It’s usually cold in February and March in Washington DC and we spend a lot of time outdoors. You’ll want warm clothing, an umbrella,
a warm jacket, and good walking shoes. We mostly walk and take public buses. We attend church Sunday at our host site so please
bring at least 1 set of nicer clothing for church.
We provide air mattresses to sleep on the floor at the church site (you’re welcome to bring your own or a cot if you’d prefer that) and there are showers on-site to use. You’ll also want to bring a Bible and a journal for reflection times.
Cost
The program is $270 and includes all food, housing, and transportation once you arrive at the program. We are prepared to accommodate a variety of dietary needs and restrictions (please disclose on your registration form). You’re welcome to bring personal spending money to visit our local shops and businesses (some amazing places nearby!), but you won’t need personal money to meet basic needs throughout the week. For scholarship opportunities contact your InterVarsity leader or staff person.
The Schedule
Spring break is a faster-paced program. Each day expect to be eating breakfast by 8/8:30am. Each day we’ll have at least one opportunity to engage the community (visit a neighborhood you haven’t been to before, visit and learn from a local ministry doing faith-based justice ministry, direct service with a ministry, etc.). With other students there will be times for teaching and training (for content, see more on our values/what we teach page) and ample time for discussion, reflection, and prayer. We seek to end our content each evening by 930/10pm.
Register Now!
