NEW ORLEANS

REBUILD AND RESTORE

[TRIP LENGTH: 5 DAYS]

Itinerary can be customized to fit within your time frame or budgetary needs.

On this school service learning trip to New Orleans, students will learn about this unique culture while serving the local communities. Disasters come at the most inconvenient times and take people by surprise.  In 2005 Katrina hit right at the end of summer.  People who were involved in this natural disaster had to deal with a variety of issues including flooding, loss of electricity, extensive structural damage and a variety of other issues.  This trip will work with Project Restore and other conservation programs and connect with individuals in New Orleans to not only give back to the affected community but to understand the impact Hurricane Katrina had on the infrastructure and people.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in New Orleans

After arriving in New Orleans and meeting your Appleseed Expeditions Guide, the group will check into your accommodations. After dinner, the group will have a program orientation.

Day 2 and 3 – Rebuilding Project

The next two days will be spent working with a local organization to help with the ongoing rebuilding of the areas in New Orleans that were affected by hurricanes Katrina and Isaac. The group will be involved in an assortment of construction projects. Jobs performed on the houses will vary according to the scope of work and may consist of skilled or unskilled tasks, such as painting, flooring, sheetrocking, plumbing, carpentry, landscaping, etc. The students will have discussions following dinner on the day’s events and the poverty and aid distribution areas they visited.

 Day 4 – Wetlands Restoration Project

Today will be spent helping to restore the area along the coast that has been both hit by storm surge as well as the effects of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. Your group will help place biodegradable bags, with a soil mixture containing oil eating microbes and studded with Spartina marsh grasses and Black Mangrove. The marsh grass stabilizes the surrounding soil as it grows, while the mangroves provide a natural barrier against storm surge and valuable habitat for migrating birds and other animals.

Day 5 – The Journey Home

After breakfast the group will have a time of reflection and look back on the past few days. After this the group will pack up and head home.

Itinerary subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including availability with vendors, weather conditions and flight schedules.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Volunteer with Project Restore
  • Tour the French Quarter
  • Take an Airboat Ride in the Swamp
  • Help with Wetlands Restoration Projects
  • Tour the Mardi Gras Museum

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Qualified trip leader – Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts from naturalists to regional specialists who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes and local culture. Your guide is with the group 24/7 and also staying with you at the same hotel
Daily reflections lead by your tour leader
Overnight stays are in hotels with private bathrooms rated 4 star or more on Trip Advisor
All Meals are included but please note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
Tour Journal, T-shirt and Luggage tag
Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa.