Wake Up the Earth Festival

CODE: VFP-STV08

Host Organization: Spontaneous Celebrations

Location: Jamaica Plain is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. Jamaica Plain, or "JP" as the locals call it, is a classic "streetcar suburb" that has evolved into one of Boston's most diverse and dynamic neighborhoods. The ethnically diverse area is home to many Latinos, young families, artists, activists and a growing gay and lesbian community. Boston is a popular city in the northeast known for its history, universities, sports teams, and easy access to New York City.

Km from New York City: 306 km
Km from San Francisco: 4339 km

Purpose:

Spontaneous Celebrations is a festival and community arts center in Boston, Massachusetts committed to art, activism, community, and the environment. Our organization hosts many community events, classes, dinners, projects, gatherings, meetings and children’s activities.  We run two large festivals a year.  Spontaneous Celebrations has developed a spirited, successful, and unique approach to community building.

Website: www.spontaneouscelebrations.org<http://www.spontaneouscelebrations.org>

 

WORK
Description: Wake Up the Earth Festival is our biggest festival which takes place on the first Saturday of May every year.  This year will be the 47th festival.  The original festival was to celebrate the stopping of a highway being built through our section of Boston.  Since then, the festival has raised awareness about the environment, labor issues and other political issues.  This year we are focusing on Climate Change and Climate Justice.  The volunteers will join the festival committee to organize, publicize and engage the community in the event. They will help prepare signs, banners, costumes, decorations, kids' activities, etc.  They will run workshops for children to prepare costumes and props for the parade that starts the festival. Volunteers will walk in the Carnival-like parade which starts the event.Volunteers will help during the event with logistics, set-up, and general support.  Volunteers will walk in the Carnival-like parade which starts the event.  After the event, the volunteers will be involved with breakdown, clean up and final analysis of the event.

We are hoping for volunteers to come to this camp who enjoy art, music, children’s activities, festivals and community events.  There will be a great deal of interaction with children.  It will be quite helpful if you have some experience with children.  Enthusiasm and positive energy is very important.

 

Study Themes:

Activism, Community Organizing, Climate Change and Climate Justice

 

 

ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers live in pairs or alone with local families close to Spontaneous Celebrations.  Accommodations will be communal and space will be shared. Breakfast will be eaten at the host families’ homes or at Spontaneous Celebrations.  Volunteers will take turns cooking lunch and dinner for the group at Spontaneous Celebrations and some meals will be provided from community members or restaurants. There is access to laundry nearby or in the homes. Be sure to tell the other volunteers and the co-leaders if you have any special diet needs.  Vegetarian and vegan options available.

 

 

LEISURE ACTIVITIES
There will be opportunities to explore the city during free time and engage with the community.  Leisure activities will be based on volunteer interest.  The host families homes and Spontaneous Celebrations are close to the subway to downtown.  Many community members will be involved in this event and will be helping before and after the event.

 

****(Bring music, games, photos, memorabilia, and recipes or other activities from your country to share****

 

 

ARRIVAL INFORMATION
 

Volunteers should arrive at Boston Logan International Airport.  In some cases, someone will be able to pick you up at the airport.  Please communicate all flight information in advance at the below emails or call.

If you arrive earlier you must find your own accommodations until the project starts.  Paula might be able to arrange a homestay one to three days early or after the camp if necessary.  Please notify Paula if you are arriving in Boston early and do not have specific accommodation.

You must send your arrival details to vfp@vfp.org and  pjcantor1@gmail.com
Please send the information to both emails.

 

If you have any specific questions, call Paula at 617-543-2534 or send her an email.

 

There will be opportunities to be picked up from the airport, but it is also easy to arrive on the subway.   If for some reason you cannot be picked up at the airport, the following are directions to take the subway to the stop which is one block from Spontaneous Celebrations and a few blocks from the host homes.

 

The subway stop closest is called “Stonybrook” and it is on the Orange Line.  (the “T” or subway system is broken into four colors.)  Make sure you get onto the Orange line to Forest Hills and get off at Stonybrook.

When you come out of the station, take a right.  Cross the street.  The next right is Danforth St.

Spontaneous Celebrations is at 40 Danforth St

** If you need to come by the subway, please let Paula know by phone or email so we can make sure someone is either at Spontaneous Celebrations or can meet you at Stonybrook.

 

 

WHAT TO BRING
Essentials:

- Passport and a copy of your passport

Insurance- Volunteers must obtain health and accident insurance for the duration of your travel and stay in the US. This insurance must cover you for all medical eventualities. You must bring your insurance card or receipts with you. If you cannot prove that you have insurance on arrival, you will not be allowed to take part in our workcamps. Some travel related insurance carriers are World Nomads, HTH Worldwide, and Global Rescue LLC

 

- Visa (if required)- be sure to make 2 copies: leave one at home and keep one with you in a safe place

- Student ID for possible discounts at museums or when traveling

- Any necessary prescribed medication and a copy of your prescription, and your doctors contact information (make sure to bring sufficient amounts of medication for the time you will be away)

- Sleeping bag and sleeping mat; pillow if needed

- Money/ Credit or Debit Card- Be sure to call your bank at home to tell them where and when you are traveling.

 

Other:

- Cell Phone- international calling cards can be bought in USA

- Camera

- Photos of home, family, and friends

- Games and Music

- Recipes from home-typical food

- Day pack

- Flashlight

- First Aid

- Spending money- Keep in mind that each person will spend different amounts, it is up to you to decide how much money you are willing to spend and where it is spent.  Each city has different prices, so depending on the location of your project the costs might be more or less expensive.  Here is an estimate of prices:

Meal at a Restaurant: $10-$25

Slice of Pizza: $2-$5

Soda: $1.50

Museum Entrance: $7-$20

 

 

 

VFP VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS
VFP hosts, staff and co-leaders work hard to ensure a rewarding and unforgettable experience in the USA. Please read the following expectations below.

●                 Every volunteer is an important and valuable part of the group. You are expected to be an active member, contribute to the work project, assist with cooking and cleaning, and participate in work and free-time activities. Please come prepared with recipes, photos, music, cultural information, group games and other information and activities to share with other volunteers and the community!

●                 Work activities will take place for about 7 hours a day, 5 days a week.

●                 VFP and your local hosts will provide many fun and cultural free-time activities during the project. If volunteers decide to travel to a different location as a group or plan their own free-time activities they will be responsible to cover the expenses. The camp leaders will be able to share how much free-time activities will cost.

●                 Co-leaders, workcamp hosts and work project leaders are there to help you plan activities, understand your tasks, teach you how to use tools and many other things. They are not there to solve all your problems! If you have concerns or issues please raise them with a leader and work with the leader to engage the group in finding a solution that works for everyone!

●                 Volunteers are expected to live as a group. You are expected to stay for the entire duration of the project and are not allowed to arrange your own activities and spend days or nights away from the project.

●                 Smoking use is on the decline in the USA and in most of the communities where you are serving you will not see people smoking. It is prohibited in many buildings and also public spaces. You must be 18 years old to purchase cigarettes in the USA.

●                 The drinking age in the USA is 21 years old! It is illegal to purchase alcohol for a person younger than 21. Excessive drinking is a major social problem and is an obstacle to overcoming the social and economic problems that afflict the world community today. Alcohol is not allowed at the work camp.

Any illegal drug use is strictly forbidden