​Ages
Middle School Students, High School Students, College Students, Adults​
Maximum Group Size
30 people, including adults
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Available Dates​
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June 20 to 25, 2027 - FILLED
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June 27 to July 2, 2027 - FILLED
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July 18 to 23, 2027 - FILLED
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This trip is also available for flexible length and timing trips from September to April. This could be a day trip, weekend trip, or week-long trip. Prices are adjusted based on the number of days.
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Austin, Texas, like many parts of the country, faces a growing crisis of food insecurity, with nearly 5 million Texans experiencing hunger, 1.7 million of them children. Despite the efforts of numerous organizations and congregations to support their communities, food insecurity persists, revealing a deeper truth: hunger in America is not a lack of food, but a failure of systems, policy, and access.
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By joining Be The Neighbor in Austin, participants will discover this city through the farmers, advocates, organizers, and neighbors working toward a future where everyone has enough. Through hands-on service at urban gardens, food pantries, and other organizations addressing poverty and hunger, groups will learn what food justice looks like in practice while directly supporting the initiatives already doing this work. You'll hear from experts and community leaders about the root causes of food insecurity, engage in advocacy through a mock legislative hearing at the Texas Capitol, and consider how issues of land, labor, race, and policy have shaped who has access to nourishing food and who doesn't. Austin offers a dynamic environment for understanding both the immediate and long-term actions needed to build a more just food system for all.
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Through hands-on service, storytelling, conversation, advocacy, and reflection, you'll be invited to listen, learn, and participate alongside the neighbors and organizations leading this work. Your group will explore how the challenges you're learning about show up in your own community and will develop a concrete plan for continuing this work when you get home. Be The Neighbor weeks are learning and launching trips. You'll leave equipped to live lives of love, service, and justice in ways that are relational, sustainable, and dignity-affirming.
Be The Neighbor’s summer programming begins on Sunday evening and concludes on Friday morning. You may stay an additional night to explore see the city in this location for an additional $30 per person. Check out is 10 am Saturday morning.
Trip costs follow our equitable pricing model. You can read more about it here. We want everyone to be able to participate no matter their financial realities. Regardless of which level you select, your trip includes:
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A simple breakfast, lunch and snack Monday morning through Friday morning
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A dedicated Site Director and Intern(s) to facilitate your week
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Fully planned service and educational experiences
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Theological reflections created to engage participants in connecting what they are learning to their faith
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Discussion guides for priviate group reflection
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Group interactive education led by BTN staff
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Lodging, including showers, dedicated sleeping rooms, gathering rooms, and kitchens use - most sites include air mattresses or cots for all of your participants
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Costs covered for honorariums for speakers, activities, supplies for projects with community partners, and any entrance fees for educational experiences
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A t-shirt for each participant
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Journals for each participant
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Online orientation for your adult leaders
Please note that your group will be responsible for dinners and transportation during the week.