Florida: Habitat for Humanity Lake Sumter

Community Partner: Habitat for Humanity Lake Sumter

Trip Dates: March 9-16, 2024

Location: Eustis, Florida

Number of Participants: Maximum of 30

Price: $500

Included in participant fee:

All logistical and travel expenses: Roundtrip transportation (charter bus to and from Orlando, Florida), rental vehicles for local transportation (damage/insurance coverage included), gas for rental vehicles, parking for rental vehicles, toll fees incurred during travel and overnight lodging for entire week at Habitat for Humanity’s volunteer housing.
Project/service fees OR donation to community partner for facilitating week of service/alternative break experience.
Buck-I-SERV supplies/swag: Individual items (t-shirts, water bottles, pens, and reflection booklets for each group member) and group items (first aid kit, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, deck of playing cards, and thank you card for community partner).
Buck-I-SERV Events and Training: Spring Kick-Off and Welcome Back events with catering and pre-trip education and training.
Some meals and group activities: The group will be provided a small budget to use for group meals and group activities. Participants should plan to bring money for out of pocket expenses.

Travel and Housing:

Participants will travel to and from Orlando, Florida via charter bus.
Upon arrival in Orlando, the group will pick up rental vehicles to use for transportation throughout the week.
Participants will stay at Habitat’s volunteer housing for the duration of the trip.
A packing list will be provided to participants and discussed during pre-trip meetings leading up to departure.

What to expect:

Habitat for Humanity focuses on eliminating substandard housing through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies, and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Currently there are over 1,700 Habitat affiliates in the United States.
Students will work on the construction of the homes and do not need to have construction experience. Volunteer responsibilities could include landscaping, installing drywall, cabinets, siding, insulation, painting, framing, etc. Volunteer hours will be approximately from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
During spring 2024 trip, participants will primarily work on a new construction project for a 55+ housing community.
Group members will stay in Habitat’s nearby volunteer housing with bunk beds, bath houses, and a commercial kitchen.