Location:

Fresno, United States; Quito, Ecuador

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester, Spring Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Summit Adventure Immersion Service and Adventure Semester (ISAS) gives students opportunities to immerse themselves in powerful outdoor adventure and cross-cultural service learning. The High Sierra of Central California and the Andes around Quito, Ecuador provide the settings for academic courses in leadership, communication, spiritual formation, cross-cultural ministry, and outdoor physical education. These courses offer up to 16 credits which can be transferred directly to any student’s college or university. Three months of Christ-centered adventure-based learning and community living in high mountains and foreign cultures will change you forever.

ISAS Program Components Leadership Education – 3 credit hours Small Group and Interpersonal Communication – 3 credit hours Cross-Cultural Ministry – 3 credit hours Spiritual Formation – 3 credit hours Outdoor Physical Education – 4 credit hours LST 3083 Outdoor Leisure Pursuits LST 3033 Backcountry Skills and Techniques LST 4842 Backpacking and Nature Awareness LST 4023 Field Experience in Recreation KIN 4013 Organization and Administration of HPER KIN 1012 First Aid KIN 2021 Advanced First Aid PEAC 2861 Hike/Camp THEO 1003 Spiritual Formation MSSN 4313 Cross Cultural Communication SPCM 3033 Interpersonal Communication

Immersion programs, service learning, and outdoor adventure are state of the art pedagogical tools that attract and develop today’s college student. In the hands of skilled experiential educators, these approaches to interpersonal and academic growth are unparalleled. Since the fall of 2007, Summit Adventure has woven service learning and outdoor adventure into an off-campus college program designed to develop relationship-building Christian young adults. We call this innovative Christ-centered program ISAS – Immersion Service and Adventure Semester. ISAS will be based in California’s High Sierra and the cities and mountains surrounding Quito, Ecuador. Thousands of students over the years have come to Summit Adventure demonstrating a glaring lack of proficiency in leadership, interpersonal communication, cross-cultural awareness, spiritual growth and physical fitness. As a result, we are focusing ISAS on these five competencies through the courses listed below. We call these 3-credit courses “pillars” because they are foundational to a student’s ability to build relationships in ministry and life.

Setting Description:

3 Weeks: Wilderness Expedition, including Rock Climbing, Backpacking, and Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California 6 Weeks: Local Service Placements, Academic Coursework, and Outdoor Trips at Summit Adventure’s Basecamp in Bass Lake, CA 6 Weeks: Service and Mountaineering in Ecuador 1 Week: Final reflection and Transference at Summit’s Basecamp

Cost:

$15,000