NEW ORLEANS REBUILDING PROGRAM - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

Bring the Music Back!
New Orleans is still working to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. In conjunction with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, students will help build a Musicians’ Village in a neighborhood that was destroyed by the storm. Eighty brand new homes and a musical center are being built to enable displaced New Orleans musicians to return home and preserve their musical heritage. As music is at the heart of New Orleans, this project is of vital importance for the city’s recovery.

Foundation, Floors, Walls, and a Roof
At the Musicians’ Village, students assist in every phase of the construction process. From the foundation to the roof and everything in between, learn how to measure, hammer, cut, nail, and paint. Work alongside the homeowners while you listen to their past struggles and future goals. No construction experience is necessary, just bring a commitment to work, the desire to learn, and a strong will to help with these ongoing efforts.

Welcome to New Orleans
Before digging into work, students will tour the New Orleans metro area to gain a sense of the scale of the devastation that remains. During the tour, learn where and how the levee breaches occurred, and discuss the current state of the rebuilding process. While not working, students will have an opportunity to explore the extraordinary culture that they are helping to preserve. Walking through the French Quarter, listening to jazz on the Mississippi River, cruising through the swamp on an airboat, and feasting on some delicious Creole cuisine are just some of the many opportunities that await.

Come One, Come All!
Come on down to New Orleans by yourself, with a friend, or with a group. This is an extremely rewarding service project that plays an important role in helping fellow Americans in their time of need. Students will stay in a community center that is located in a friendly part of town and have direct connections to locals who are excited to tell you about The Big Easy. Full participation in this program will earn students up to 72 community service hours. For more information, please contact michael@rusticpathways.com.

Day 1 Tuesday
Arrive into Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) in New Orleans where your Rustic Pathways Staff members eagerly await you at the airport. Drive to the community center, meet the rest of the group, and enjoy a nice meal. Welcome to the Big Easy! Thanks for helping out.

Day 2 Wednesday
Tour New Orleans to see first hand the damage that Hurricane Katrina caused. Learn where the levees breached, how it happened, and gain a sense of the level of destruction that currently remains in New Orleans.

Day 3 Thursday
Begin your volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity this morning. After a safety orientation, pick up some hammers, paint brushes, and ladders and commence your volunteer efforts. After work, head to the Mississippi River and watch the paddleboats saunter along.

Day 4 Friday
Continue your volunteer efforts. This evening watch a documentary about Hurricane Katrina, its impact, and the recovery process. For dinner, enjoy a delicious plate of jambalaya.

Day 5 Saturday
Continue helping people return to New Orleans by building them houses and restoring hope in this great American city. This afternoon go for a walking tour of the French Quarter with your Rustic Pathways staff members and do some souvenir hunting in the French Market.

Day 6 Sunday
Enjoy a delicious brunch at the community center before you get your day going. Then explore the swamps of Southeast Louisiana and hopefully get a glimpse of sunbathing gators. Learn about the valuable role that wetlands play in coastal ecology and as a natural defense barrier during hurricanes.

Day 7 Monday
Continue your service project and talk to the locals whose houses you are helping to build. Listen to their stories about the storm and become amazed at the resiliency of New Orleanians. Tonight attend a neighborhood meeting to learn about the issues that citizens are facing in their rebuilding efforts.

Day 8 Tuesday
Return to the house you’ve been working on for another day of service. With each nail and each stroke of the paintbrush begin to see the fruits of your labor. Tonight, head over to a local music venue to listen to some great music and try your hand on the dance floor.

Day 9 Wednesday
In the morning help out around the community center and lend a hand to some of the neighborhood residents who have been working tirelessly to return to their houses and resume their old lifestyle. For lunch, enjoy one of New Orleans’ famous po-boy sandwiches. Then visit one of the local museums that has a Hurricane Katrina themed display on exhibition.

Day 10 Thursday
Return to Habitat for Humanity’s work site and continue siding, fencing, hammering, cutting, painting, and landscaping. Meet some of the local musicians who have already moved into the Musicians’ Village and begin to understand why this unique culture is worth preserving. Tonight, fresh seafood and gumbo are on the menu.

Day 11 Friday
Continue your volunteer work and see the tremendous progress that you have made during your stay in the Big Easy. After work, cool off at a local swimming hole and try yet another flavor at the snow-ball stand.

Day 12 Saturday
Today you will go on a New Orleans city tour. Visit the historic Garden District, the French Quarter, and the Backstreet Cultural Museum where you see the magnificent handmade Black Indian Mardi Gras costumes and talk to the proprietor of this local establishment. Today will be a day of great food, incredible music, and local exploration.

Day 13 Sunday
Attend a concert in the park to commemorate the victims of Hurricane Katrina and support the recovery process. Then head down to Cajun Country with the group to experience what life on the bayou is like. Grab a buddy and hop in a canoe to navigate around some of the surreal cypress trees that somehow manage to grow in water and are draped with Spanish moss.

Day 14 Monday
Spend one final day volunteering your energy towards the rebirth of this great American city. Finish the project that you began last week and take a moment to connect further with the other volunteers and the locals who are much appreciative of all of your support. This afternoon invite the neighborhood residents to the community center for a farewell dinner.

Day 15 Tuesday
Spend the morning with the friends that you’ve made in the neighborhood where you’re staying and enjoy one last hearty New Orleans meal before you return home and share your experiences with your friends and family.

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

Pack the following items in your carry-on luggage:

	» Airline Tickets
	» Identification
	» Health insurance card
	» Wallet with about $100
	» Sunglasses
	» Toothpaste
	» Toothbrush
	» Journal and Pen
	» Water Bottle
	» Snacks
	» Camera and film (bring all of your film in your carry on)

Pack the following items in your checked luggage:

	» Sleeping bag
	» Pillow
	» Lightweight long pants (2 pairs)
	» Underwear (7 pairs per week)
	» Socks (7 pairs per week)
	» T-shirts or tank tops (6 t-shirts per week)
	» Long sleeve t-shirt (one for Summer and 2 for Spring Break) » Sweatshirt » Swimsuits (2 swimsuits)
	» Lightweight rain jacket
	» Shorts (5 pairs)
	» Tennis shoes
	» Work shoes or boots
	» Sandals or flip-flops
	» Soap in a plastic dish
	» Biodegradable shampoo (pack in a zip-lock bag)
	» Personal First Aid Kit (optional)
	» Small bag for day trips
	» Sunscreen (pack in a zip-lock bag)
	» Chapstick
	» Aloe Vera (optional)
	» Insect repellant (one heavy in DEET and one natural citronella- pack in a zip-lock bag)
	» Hand sanitizer (2 small bottles packed in a zip-lock bag)
	» Handiwipes or towlettes
	» Hat for sun
	» Flashlight or headlamp with an extra battery
	» Towels (2 towels - not white)
	» Laundry bag or pillowcase
	» Medications- Bring with you whatever medications you will need during your trip, and you must disclose to your staff during orientation all of the medications that you are carrying.
	» Contacts and solution if necessary (packed in a zip-lock bag)
	» Small travel game like cards or dominos
	» Musical instruments are always appreciated if they can be easily carried
	» Frisbee, hackysack, or other fun, easy-to-carry items
	» A set of camping dinnerware – plate, bowl, cup, fork, knife, spoon (label these with tape or permanent marker to keep track of your own.)

Notes:
-Students will have their own sleeping pad at the community center.

Remember don’t be that person with way too much stuff. We will be working, playing, and exploring so think comfort, not style.
The people of New Orleans eagerly await your arrival!

1 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
2 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
4 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
5 - What costs are not included on this trip?
6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
7 - How does this program connect to other programs?
8 - How long is the flight to this country?
9 - What kind of food will we be eating?
10 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?

1.There will be bottled water on hand at the RP base. However, students are encouraged to bring large, “Nalgene” type water bottles to use throughout the day.

2. No visas are required to travel within the United States. Students will need a valid, government issued ID (i.e. Driver’s License, State ID card, Passport) to board a domestic flight. International students should consult their embassy.

3. Students will stay at the Louisiana Himalayan Association community center in Mid-City New Orleans. Rustic Pathways will provide 4 inch mats to sleep on and students are required to provide their own sleeping bag and pillow. The center is air-conditioned and has bathrooms on the premises. Students are not allowed to leave the property unsupervised but there is a large back yard and areas on-site to hang out. (Pictures Forthcoming)

4. No immunizations are required to travel to New Orleans.

5. The program fee covers all accommodation, food, and entertainment. However, students may want to put some spending money in their wallet or allowance as there will be opportunities for students to shop for souvenirs, purchase snacks, and try out different restaurants if they choose not to eat the group meal.

6. Students from the U.S. will fly unescorted to New Orleans. A Rustic Pathways staff member will be there when students walk out of the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Please remember to wear your Rustic Pathways T-Shirt!) If the staff member and student fail to meet up, be advised that the student should wait at baggage claim. Students will then depart the airport as a group for the RP base.

7. Students travelling to New Orleans in the summer have the ability to connect to nearly all other Rustic Pathways destinations. Please call our office 1-800-321-4353 for more information.

8. N/A

9. Breakfasts on work days will consist of cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, and fruit. During breakfast time, students are responsible for packing their lunch as well. PB&J, Turkey, Ham, Cheese, chips, fruit, cookies, etc… will all be provided. Dinner will be prepared by a local chef specializing in Creole cuisine. There will also be other assorted meals at local restaurants. Students will also have the ability to travel to the local store to buy snacks and sodas. Be sure to note any allergies or dietary requirements on your registration.

10. We cannot predict the exact ratio of boys and girls on the trip. Historically, the New Orleans program appeals to both genders.

ADDITIONAL FAQ’s

Is New Orleans safe? What neighborhood will you be in?

Yes. Rustic Pathways takes many precautions to ensure our students’ safety. Students are never out in the city unescorted by RP staff. Rustic Pathways provides our own transportation and therefore, with the exception of the occasional trolley ride, never utilizes public transportation. We do not visit the French Quarter at night.

The RP base is in Mid-City New Orleans. Though the neighborhood took on many feet of water following the storm, the neighborhood’s resiliency remains strong and inspiring. All buildings occupied by Rustic Pathways have been inspected for any potential safety issues. Though the neighborhood is generally safe, we do not allow students to leave the property unescorted.

Should I bring my musical instrument?

Though we have a busy schedule, there will be time to relax and jam. Many students are inspired by the music of New Orleans so feel free to bring your instrument if it is easy to carry. Rustic Pathways is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

To view press coverage immediately following Katrina, please visit:
http://www.nola.com/katrina/

For a visual breakdown of why and how the flooding occurred, please visit:
http://www.nola.com/katrina/graphics/wide.ssf?/katrina/graphics/flashflood.swf

To listen to WWOZ, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Radio Station, please visit:
http://www.wwoz.org/ontheair/stream/streamPopUp.html