Spring Break Urban Immersion

Friday, March11 – Sunday, March19, 2017

Participant Application

Spring Break Urban Immersion will be an intense 5day service trip within St. Louis that explores the history and current social issues related to poverty through a specific lens of society. Participants will collaborate with community partners who address poverty and the trip’s specific lens. The Gephardt Institute seeks applicants who exude excitement to engage in St. Louis, a willingness to be uncomfortable or wrong, openness to share oneself and learn about others, and a commitment to grow and be changed. Please complete this application thoroughly and thoughtfully. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Dugan, Coordinator for Student Engagement and Service, at or 314.935.3943.

Housing and Homelessness

  • Explore coalitions that address homelessness on a micro, mezzo, and macro level.
  • Partner withMission St. Louis, a community empowerment-oriented organization in Old North, Urban Strategies, a community leadership, policy,and change organization located downtown,Biddle Center, a shelter near downtown St. Louis,, and the City of St. Louis Homelessness Office, located within the Housing and Urban Development Dept.
  • Trip participants will be provided housing downtown.

Education Systems

  • Explore education options, community engagement, child advocacy, and community collaborations involving public, charter, and private elementary schools.
  • Partner withKIPP: Wisdom, a charter school in Fox Park, Adams Elementary, a public school in Forest Park Southeast, City Academy, a private school located in the Penrose neighborhood, andOakhill Elementary, a public school located in Bevo Mill.
  • Trip participants will be housed near Tower Grove Park.

Priority Applicationdeadline: Friday, December 2, 5pm

Final Application deadline: Friday, January 27, 5pm

Application Checklist

Complete the Spring Break Urban Immersion Application

You must include all information in order to be considered. Be sure to complete both sides of each page.

Read and sign the Participant Commitment

Answer the Application questions

Answers should be typed and attached to your application.

Provide one reference who knows you well and can speak to your character

References can come fromadvisors, professors, WU staff, RCDs, mentors, RAs, or WUSAs.

Mark your calendar for the key dates below.

Key Dates

Application Deadline / Priority Deadline: Friday, December 2, 5pm
Final Deadline: Friday, January 27, 5pm
15-minute Interviews / Priority Deadline: December 4-9
Final Deadline: January 28-February 4
Selection / Priority Deadline Monday, December 12
Final Deadline: Monday, February 6
All applicants will be notified via email after 5:00pm.
Acceptance and completion of Participant Forms online / Acceptance (via email): Tuesday, February 7
Complete forms (online): by February 8,11:59pm.
Access forms at
Four (4) Pre-Trip Trainings / All trainings are 90 minutes. Training time and location TBD.
Housing: Tuesdays, Feb 14, Feb 21, Feb 28, March 7
Education: Wednesdays, Feb 15, Feb 22, March 1, March 8
Spring Break
Service Trip / Departure and return dates and times will differ based on needs and availability of our community partners. Tentatively:
Housing and Homelessness: Friday, March 10-Wednesday, March 15
Education Systems: Sunday, March 12-Friday, March 17
NOTE: This is a full-time commitment, with no opportunity for studying.
Three (3) Post-Trip Trainings / All trainings will be 90 minutes. Time and location TBD.
Housing: Tuesdays, March 21, April 4, April 18
Education: Wednesdays, March 22, April 5, April 19

Spring Break Urban Immersion Participant Application

Full Name:______Student ID:______

Email:______Cell Phone: ______

Sex:______Academic Year:______GPA:______

(2.5 minimum. 3.0 preferred)

Primary School:______Major(s):______

Dietary Restrictions______

Name and Email of one WU reference who can speak to your qualifications for participating in Urban Immersion (preferably faculty/staff, but RA & WUSA names will be accepted):

______

Reminder: If you are accepted, youmust complete the Service Trip Participant form by visiting gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/trips. These forms will ask for insurance, emergency contact, and additional information. You will not be officially enrolled in the Spring Break Service Trip until these forms are complete.

Fee: The cost of Urban Immersion is $200 and includes all costs associated with participation. Financial assistance may be available for those with financial need.

Safety and Health

Spring Break Service Trip will involve elements of physical labor and bodily strain, including extensive walking and standing, climbing stairs, lifting and carrying heavy items, and conducting labor-intensive work such as painting, hammering, and sanding. Please provide information about medical or health needs that might preclude you from any of these activities. If you prefer, you may contact Tim Dugan to provide him this information directly.

Spring Break Urban Immersion Participant Commitment

Trip Commitment:

Being an effective service trip participant requires time, energy, and commitment. Participants are expected to participate in all aspects of the Urban Immersion service trip, including seven 90-minute trainings, reflections, and assignments. In order to be successful, participants must actively engage their peers, leader, hosts, and community partners. Trip commitment includes participation in service, reflection, education, and interaction; willingness to learn about St. Louis, oneself, and others; and openness to new perspectives toward service and community engagement.

Drug and Alcohol Free Commitment:

The Spring Break Urban Immersion is an alcohol and drug free program. Being drug and alcohol free allows participants to focus on learning through cultural immersion, relationships, and thoughtful reflections and discussions. This is also required for the safety and well-being of participants and the communities in which they will serve. Violation of this policy will result in immediate termination from the program. Violators will be expected to make a formal apology to the program’s community partners and will not be considered for future service trips conducted by the Gephardt Institute.

By signing below I have read, understand and agree to the Urban Immersion safety and health risk, trip, academic, and drug and alcohol commitments. I agree to pay the $200 participant fee being directly charged to my student account unless I request an alternate form of payment. I understand that failure to uphold these commitments may result in my removal from Urban Immersion.

Signature: ______Date: ______

Spring Break Urban Immersion Application Questions

Please type your answers to the following questions on a separate sheet of paper and attach them to your application packet.

  1. Explain the difference between civic engagement and community service? (200 words)
  1. What do you hope to gain from this experience? (200 words)
  1. Anything else we should know? (optional)