A BorderLinks Trip sponsored by the Mountain Desert District of the Unitarian Universalist Association
The trip will be a service/learning/reflection journey for Unitarian Universalists (ages 16 and over) to engage in the issues of human rights and immigration at the Arizona/Sonora, Mexico border. We will visit with individuals and organizations that provide basic assistance to migrants, create community-based alternatives, and advocate for just policies on both sides of the border. We will meet with people who are directly affected by current economic and immigration policies, and we’ll be given tools and resources to work for justice. There will be ample time for worship, theological reflection, and fellowship while we travel the borderlands of Arizona.
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Basic Trip Information
Trip Flier: {docs}borderlinks-2013-flier{/docs}
Overview: {docs}borderlinks-2013-overview{/docs}
Testimonial from previous participants: {docs}borderlinks-2013-testimonial{/docs}
When: March 1-4, 2013
What: The trip will be a service/learning/reflection journey for Unitarian Universalists to engage in the issues of human rights and immigration at the Arizona/Sonora, Mexico border. We will visit with individuals and organizations that provide basic assistance to migrants, create community-based alternatives, and advocate for just policies on both sides of the border. We will meet with people who are directly affected by current economic and immigration policies, and we’ll be given tools and resources to work for justice. There will be ample time for worship, theological reflection, and fellowship while we travel the borderlands of Arizona.
Cost: $375.00, not including travel to Tucson, which is the responsibility of the participant
Maximum number of participants: 13
Registration deadline: February 11th, 2013. Registration is in two parts:
1. Registration with and payment made to MDD via mail. Download the registration form here: {docs}borderlinks-2013-registration{/docs}
2. Online registration filled out at www.borderlinks.org. From their website – click on the registration link on the right. Choose full trip registration option. The group name is MDD UUs. Group coordinator email is kierstinhomblette@gmail.com. Start date March 1, 2013. The registration form is fairly long and involved, so give yourself about 15 minutes to fill it out.
Participants are not considered registered until we receive their payment in the MDD Office.
If you are under 18 years old and not traveling with a parent but instead with an advisor, you must print and submit a registration form via mail and have your parent/guardian’s signature and your DRE’s signature on your registration form. You are not considered registered without these signatures.
Send completed registration form and payment to Mountain Desert District; Melanie Buck, Administrator, 2242 S. Albion Street; Denver, CO 80222. Note “Borderlinks Trip” in the memo line of your check.
Age range: 16 years+.
Program: We will start on Friday evening and finish on Sunday evening at the BorderLinks headquarters in Tucson. BorderLinks (www.borderlinks.org) is a non-profit educational group that has provided education, action, and awareness experiences on the border since 1988. See their website for more information about a typical delegation’s visit.
Transportation: Transportation to Tucson is the responsibility of participants. BorderLinks provides our transportation in Tucson and to/in/from Nogales, Mexico on Saturday and Sunday.
Housing: Accommodations provided by BorderLinks Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, in dorm-style rooms that sleep between two and four people per room.
Passport: Every participant will need a valid passport or passport card! Check NOW to make sure you know where your passport is and that it has not expired! You can find out more information about passports here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Food: Meals begin with Friday evening dinner. All meals are provided. Every effort will be made to honor vegan and gluten-free diets. Be aware that families in Mexico may host some of our meals on Saturday and Sunday and meal requests may be harder to honor. Please come prepared with supplemental snacks if you feel that is needed.
Translation: BorderLinks provides translators for the Saturday and Sunday portion of our trip. We will also bring our own translator along on the trip, to facilitate greater conversation and communication.
Pre-packet and preparation: Participants will receive a pre-packet with information on how to prepare and what to pack, several weeks before the trip. There will also be pre-trip reading and centering questions sent to you, to aid in your preparation and reflection.
Sample itinerary (actual itinerary will vary from what is listed, but this will give you a taste):
Friday
5:00 Gather at BorderLinks in Tucson. Check-in with registrar.
5:45 Dinner
6:30 Opening worship
7:00 Grounding ourselves in our community & preparing for our experience (Ice breakers, logistics, leader intros, small group work)
9:00 Closing – get a good nights sleep!
Saturday
7:30 Light breakfast
8:15 Centering
8:30-10:00 Orientation at BorderLinks office
10:15–11:30 Travel to Nogales, Sonora
11:45 Lunch
1:15 Small group reflection
2:30-5:00 Activities in Nogales
5:20 Dinner
6:30 Head to BorderLinks dormitories
7:30 Small group reflection
8:30 Evening worship
Sunday
7:30 Breakfast
8:15 Centering
8:30-12:00 Activities in Nogales
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Small group reflection
2:30 Hands-on activity
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Drive back to Tucson
8:00 Evening reflection
Monday
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Closing Worship and Reflection Time
10:30 End of official programming. Head to airport or additional time in Tucson