Summer Immersion Program? Start Now!

The term "Immersion experience" comes from Katie Covey's Full Circle; Fifteen ways to grow lifelong UUs (2004). Immersion experiences are longer than an overnight where working hard together, stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in the group brings a greater sense of self, and community. The transformative nature of an immersion program will likely change the dynamics of your group in amazing ways.

If you think your youth group would benefit from an immersion experience, follow these tips for creating a successful program.

Communicate a clear mission and vision:
Supporters, financial and otherwise, need to know exactly what they’re supporting. Most importantly, all youth and youth allies participating need to have a clear understanding of the goals of the program and their role in making it happen.

Partner with another organization or build relationships within the community:
While it might cost more to partner with an organization, it is invaluable to have someone on the ground that is familiar with the area and communities you’ll be working in. If you choose not to partner with another organization, build relationships with the folks you’ll be working/staying with before your trip. The experience is only as real as the people who share them.

Congregational support is crucial to success:
It is the organizers’ job to promote the benefits of the immersion experience in their own congregations. Financial support is important but emotional and spiritual support will really show participants their efforts are worthwhile. The most successful programs are those that the congregation is proud to support.

Plan ahead and know that practice makes perfect:
The transformational effects of an immersion program begin in the planning stages. While a once in a lifetime immersion experience will likely be transformational, an annual event can become more fine tuned each year.

Multiple ways of funding will ensure economic access to all participants:
No youth should be prohibited from going because they can’t afford it. Get creative, think small and think big. A combination of small monthly bake sales and large community events with higher admission prices will allow anyone who want to contribute to your endeavors an avenue to do so. Also, think outside the church.

Organize leadership roles and delegate tasks:
Part of the experience is discovering your potential as a leader. While it is important for safety sake to have one or two ultimate decision makers, identify leadership opportunities for participating youth.

Make it truly intergenerational:
Intergenerational means that youth and adults alike are learning and working side by side. Each participant, no matter their age plays both roles, teacher and student. The bonds developed during an intergenerational immersion program will last well past the experience itself. Remember that healthy boundaries between youth and adults need to be set by adults and made explicit to youth.

Measure the impact and tell the story:
Set measurable goals that can be accomplished within the time frame of your trip. Continue the process by sharing what you’ve learned with your community, supporters and future participants, it will help participants synthesize what they learned.

Stay informed and connected.

Full Circle; Fifteen Ways to Grow Lifelong UUs. Katie Covey, 2004.
We Would Be One; a History of Unitarian Universalist Youth Movements. Wayne Arnason & Rebecca Scott, 2005.

Jennica Davis
Youth Ministry Consultant
Mountain Desert District
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(801) 201-6260

Posted Sunday, 31 October 2010 15:50 Written by Jennica Davis