Welcome to the Urban Action Trip! We are excited that you have decided to join us, and are looking forward to the opportunity to spend a week engaged in service and fun in the Portland community.

When is the trip?

Urban Action takes place from Thursday, August 21, 2008 through Wednesday, August 27, 2008. Please arrive at Lewis and Clark (or Portland International Airport, if coming by plane) no later than 11 am on Thursday, August 21, 2008. We will return to campus the following Wednesday, after a tasty breakfast. If you are planning to meet your family on campus for New Student Orientation, you can expect to be on campus and checking into your residence hall room by 2 PM on Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

Where will I live on the trip?

As we have for the past several years, we will be staying at a church in Northeast Portland. This year we will share space with the group from the Sustainable Action trip. The church will provide for an “indoor camping” experience. Yep, that means sleeping on pads or mattresses on the floor! There will be kitchen facilities on-site, where we will prepare our meals together. We will make our way to the local YMCA for showers several times during our stay. The church we use is centrally located and has always proven a very hospitable site for Urban Action.

What will I do during the trip?

The trip will focus on the major issues facing Portland and other urban centers, poverty and hunger. Each day we will engage in one, and sometimes two, service opportunities. The service projects include: tending to community gardens that provide fresh vegetables to low-income families, spending an evening at a drop-in center for the homeless, hosting a BBQ for formerly homeless people and working with a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. Because many of you are not from Oregon, we will also take a day to head to the Columbia River Gorge where we'll take a short hike and picnic, weather permitting. This trip will be a great opportunity to explore Portland, challenge our way of thinking, have a great time, and make new friends.

Potential Hazards:

Common injuries which could occur on this trip include: blisters on hands or feet, cuts on feet as a result of walking barefoot, accidental cuts from kitchen knives, burns on hands from handling pots on a stove without hot pads or gloves, and sunburn from not applying enough sunscreen while working outdoors or on a day hike. These are all preventable with a little caution and common sense. Tools that you may use at a work site need to be respected. Shovels, hammers, screwdrivers, and other items should be used carefully. Proper tool use will be explained before each job. Climbing any ladder should be done properly. Beware of electrical wires. Wear eye protection when using tools. Work gloves will be provided. Footwear should be sturdy enough to protect participant’s feet from injury.

The temperatures in Portland typically range from the low 60s to the high 80s (Fahrenheit) at this time of year. August is usually the driest month, but it has been known to rain, so bring appropriate clothing. Try to bring some clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

How will I make sense out of the experiences I have during the trip?

We will spend time together as a group reflecting on and discussing our service activities as well as having fun and making new friends. In the past, students have returned from this trip excited, energized, and more familiar with their new home!