Lifeworks: China

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Lifeworks: China

Backed by over 30 years of experience, Lifeworks offers international community service projects that combine cultural immersion, travel, and outdoor adventure. Grounded in experiential education, Lifeworks is a non-competitive hands-on community service learning program where students can give back to the international community. The program strives for positive change in the world and transformational experiences for all those who participate.

The community service projects that students undertake range from human aid to environmental conservation to community development and any combination. By maintaining small groups of participants, students leave with a great feeling of accomplishment from having completed things themselves, and their self-reliance and confidence soar as a result. Volunteering, living, and learning as part of a small team provides a perfect environment to develop skills such as leadership, compassion, and communication. For teens ready to give something back to the international community while growing tremendously as an individual, Lifeworks will provide an experience of a lifetime.

Trip Description

During the China program, Lifeworks students work primarily with physically disabled children in privately funded orphanages. Students organize and implement sports and arts and crafts activities for the children, assist in providing direct care for the younger ones and help in the construction of a playground. It is an opportunity to work as part of one of the most needed efforts in China. Between projects, students will explore Beijing and visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City and the Terracotta warriors.

Staff Overview

The Lifeworks staff consists of avid world travelers, highly qualified professionals, and experienced facilitators and educators. The average age of the staff is 28 and all are first aid certified. Staff skills are program specific, such as holding a maritime license on ocean adventures, or having a background in teaching English.

Setting & Accommodations

Most Lifeworks students live together in volunteer housing or in a guesthouse near the children's home. Rooms are usually dorm-style, with 2 to 4 students sharing a room. Bathrooms may be private or shared, and usually have a western-style toilet and a simple shower. Not all housing is equipped with a washing machine, so be prepared to do your laundry by hand. Heat, power, air conditioning and hot water may be limited or intermittent, so do not count on them always being available!

When living in volunteer housing, students eat their meals there. At other times, students may eat at nearby restaurants or in dining halls. Most meals are simple, home-style local Chinese cooking, but you will certainly be treated to the occasional lavish Chinese banquet! You will be able to supplement your meals by shopping locally for fresh fruit, bread and other baked goods, milk, juice, yogurt and snacks. For the more adventurous, there are numerous delicacies available at small restaurants.

Safety Standards

All Lifeworks staff members are first aid/CPR certified. Many are Wilderness First Responders, EMTs or above In all locations, medical care is always relatively close at hand.

Lifeworks: China Session Dates

Session Name	Dates	Ages	Tuition	Get Info
Trip One	6/24/10-7/14/10	14-19	$4,670
Trip Two	7/16/10-8/5/10	14-18	$4,670

Trip Overview

Program Overview

Theme: Community Service
This Trip has Multiple Themes:
- Language Immersion
- Teen Tours
Trip Gender: Co-ed
Group Size : 16
Camper-to-Counselor Ratio: 5:1
Religious Affiliation: None