San Diego, California
Chicano Justice

Trip Type

Reach Trip - These trips are a mix of hands-on service and educational pieces. They teach about the topic through service and then focus on learning about how the justice focus is part of a larger, systemic issue. Learn more about the different between Connect Trips and Reach Trips by clicking here.

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Ages

High School Students, College Students, Adults​

 

Maximum Group Size

20 people, including adults

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Available Dates as of 9:00 AM, 11/20/2025​

• July 5 to 10, 2026

• July 12 to 17, 2026 Trip is Full

• July 19 to 24, 2026 - 8 spots remaining 

San Diego, California, often called "America's Finest City," is a place shaped by the beauty of the Pacific coast, its vibrant bicultural connection with Tijuana, and the richness of its diverse communities. As the birthplace of the state of California and a key site in the history of colonization and border formation, San Diego offers a unique lens into Latine and Chicano issues, where the history and ongoing struggles of these communities highlight deeply rooted questions of justice and equity.

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A Be The Neighbor trip to San Diego will introduce participants to the theme of Chicano Justice, exploring how culture, identity, and activism intersect with issues like immigration, labor rights, border dynamics, and community empowerment. Through partnerships with local organizations and cultural experiences, participants will meet activists, community leaders, and artists engaged in the Chicano rights movement and learn about systemic challenges faced by these communities, including struggles for political representation, cultural preservation, and civil rights.

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At the same time, participants will experience the resilience, creativity, and significant contributions of Chicano and Latine communities, especially their rich artistic and cultural traditions. Each encounter is designed to provide not only education but also inspiration, connecting local movements to broader struggles for justice across the country.

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Your group will be encouraged to reflect on how the issues you encounter are relevant to your own community and to develop a plan for continuing this work at home. Be The Neighbor weeks are learning and launching trips, meaning participants will 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 $10 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: 

 

• A simple breakfast, lunch and snack Monday morning through Friday morning

• A dedicated Site Director and Intern(s) to facilitate your week

• Fully planned service and educational experiences

• Theological reflections created to engage participants in connecting what they are learning to their faith

• Lodging, including showers, dedicated sleeping rooms, gathering rooms, and kitchens use - most sites include air mattresses or cots for all of your participants

• Costs covered for honorariums for speakers, activities, supplies for projects with community partners, and any entrance fees for educational experiences

• Discussion guides for small groups on Reach trips and small group interactive education led by BTN staff on Connect trips

• Journals for each participant

• Online orientation for your adult leaders 

• A t-shirt for each participant 

Please note that your group will be responsible for dinners and transportation during the week.