S.O.U.L. trips are university sponsored mission trip experiences for students, faculty and staff of Saint Mary’s University. The trips take place over the fall and winter academic breaks and go to destinations around the USA and internationally. Students interested in participating in one of these trips must fill out an application and turn it in to the Office of Campus Ministry. The trips vary in cost, depending on destination; some scholarships are available for those who need them. |
What: SOUL stands for Serving Others United in Love.
When: SOUL offers one trip over October break, eight trips over February break, and one trip at the end of the school year.
Who: All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to apply. In order to apply for the international trip, however, one previous mission trip experience (not necessarily through SMU) is required.
Why: to provide short-term opportunities to
...step outside one's comfort zone;
...experience another culture;
...foster awareness of the causes of poverty, oppression, and marginalization;
...build relationships amongst the mission group and between the mission group and members of the community being visited.
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Applications
If you would like information on or are interested in taking part in any of the trips you see listed here, please stop by the Office of Campus Ministry and pick up an application. Applications are due in Campus Ministry by Nov. 21 (SM 136, P.O. #42).
Once accepted, you will be required to attend several meetings in preparation for your trip as well as a meeting and project after the trip.
Registration Fees
Registration fees must be paid in full by January 22 for domestic trips. For those that are unable to pay by the deadline, payment plans and scholarships are available.
Payment Plans & Scholarships
For students unable to pay the full cost of attending a S.O.U.L. trip, Campus Ministry offers payment plans and scholarships. The purpose of these scholarships is to defer some of the cost in order to make trips available to all students.
If you are unable to afford the cost of going on a trip but would like to discuss the option of a payment plan or scholarship, please contact Eric Schmidt in the Campus Ministry office.
Fundraising
Fundraising opportunities and tools will be available for students wishing to defer some of the cost of trips. Money raised will be put toward your registration fee.
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Applications are made available over a month before trips depart. All February break trips this year are full. Keep your eyes open for information about the May trip to come.
The SOUL Council reviews the anonymous applications and places participants on trips based on a number of factors that make the trip function well, one being the individual's preference. You will know your trip status before you go home for Christmas break via e-mail.
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If you have any questions about S.O.U.L. and the trips that it sponsors, please see the members of the S.O.U.L. Council or the Campus Ministers.
S.O.U.L. Council 2006-2007
Lisa Boris
Kaitlin Depuydt
Amy Glasgow
Laura Holupchinski
Josh Kanuch
Ryan Langr
Eric Sonnek
Advisors
Eric Schmidt
Rebecca Sallee
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SOUL Council Members are responsible for
- Attending an Orientation Retreat at the beginning of the year
- Attend meetings every other week to plan, promote, and publicize SOUL trips
- Take on year-long tasks, depending upon your gifts, such as
- PR and Posters
- Budget and Senate Communications
- Fundraiser planning and execution
- T-shirt design and ordering
- Thank you gifts and cards
- First year members of the SOUL Council will lead one October break trip
- Lead at least one February break trip
- Attend and work with large group orientation and reunion meetings
- Facilitate small group meetings for individual trips
- And other duties as they come up and are assigned
Lastly, the Council operates by consensus. SOUL Council members must be willing to spend the time it takes to come to good decisions, and to abide by decisions made in this fashion, after they have been made. |
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