Spring Camden Trip is coming soon!

Our spring trip is less than a month away! 

Today the group is meeting together for a brief orientation about the trip. Here are a few resources that might help you to get ready for Camden.

DeSales Service Works: http://desalesservice.org/

On Being podcast on Poverty in America: http://www.onbeing.org/program/seeing-poverty-after-katrina/feature/history-poverty-america/2150

Camden Video from 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBBRQbtHEx8

 See below for some practical info about our trip.
Transportation We will be departing for Camden on Thursday, March 6. Students must be at Walsingham Academy at 5:15 AM on Thursday morning. We will drive in the big bus to Richmond, VA, where we will take the Amtrak train to Philadelphia.

 YOU MUST BRING AN ID FOR THE TRAIN. 

 Our train is #174, and it departs Richmond Staples Mill Station at 7:10 AM. We arrive in Philadelphia at 12:12 PM, and will be picked up at the train station for our short ride to Camden.

 We will return to Williamsburg on Amtrak on Sunday, March 9. Our train is # 99, and departs Philadelphia at 2:12 PM, arriving in Williamsburg at 8:23 PM.

Students should be picked up at the train station on Sunday evening.
(Amtrak arrival info; (800) 872-7245) The station is located at 468 North Boundary Street, near the public library and Post Office.

What to bring / not to bring:

Clothes:  Students are encouraged to pack simply, limiting their luggage to one bag. Bring a sleeping bag or blanket, and a pillow. Dress for our retreat is casual. Students should pack clothes appropriate for working (painting, cooking, etc.) and for the weather. Students must bring clothes appropriate for the weather. The weather is projected to be spring-like, but please bring a jacket in case it gets cold. Students should bring something appropriate for Church on Sunday – however this can be a nicer pair of jeans, etc. No need to bring anything very dressy.

 Cellphones, computers, iPads, etc. Students are encouraged to check in with their families by cell phone. In the interest of the retreat, however, calls should be limited so that students are able to fully participate in all activities. We ask students to stay off their phones during our activities. Students can feel free to bring iPods or video players for the train rides, but should leave these things behind during our service work each day.  

Meals and money All meals are included in our retreat stay. However, we will spend several hours on the train each way, so students are encouraged to bring spending money for meals and incidentals. Homework As this is a retreat, I strongly encourage students to leave homework behind if at all possible. I realize there will be time on the train to do work, but I also want students to be able to fully enter the experience and not to be worried about schoolwork. I leave this up to each student to decide.

 Students will be given a journal for this retreat, and may want to bring a Bible.