South Carolina: Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Community Partner: Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Trip Dates: May 4-11, 2024

Location: Charleston, South Carolina

Number of Participants: 10

Price: $500

Included in participant fee:

All logistical and travel expenses: Rental vehicles for roundtrip transportation (damage/insurance coverage included), gas for rental vehicles, parking for rental vehicles, any toll fees incurred during travel, and overnight lodging for entire week (exact location TBD).
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: Summer Kick-Off and Welcome Back events with catering and pre-trip education and training.
Most meals and group activities: The group will be provided a 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 drive to and from Charleston, South Carolina in rental vehicles.
Housing for the trip is currently TBD. Expect accommodations to either be a local church or volunteer/retreat housing site in Charleston. Past accommodations have been coordinated at the James Island Presbyterian Foundation Mission House.
A packing list will be provided to participants and discussed during pre-trip meetings leading up to departure.

What to expect:

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System provides outstanding health care, trains America’s future health care providers, and conducts important medical research.
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System services more than 75,000 Veterans in a region that includes more than 15,000 square miles.
Service will take place from approximately 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day. Students will be working in various wings of the hospital assisting with tasks such as visiting and building relationships with patients, transporting patients to and from appointments within the hospital, restocking supplies in the rooms, and supporting other administrative/organizational projects/needs. Students will also have the opportunity to visit with veterans as well as their families and friends and partake in many fun activities with them.