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BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS |
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PARENTS • Past Trips Upcoming Trips The Spirit of B3 The Basics BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS is open to high school students willing to work with and for those less fortunate. Students come from a number of schools in the Northeast, and the number of schools whose students participate in B3 expands each year.  Team Structure and Adult Advisors Work groups consist of approximately 34 students and 6 adult Advisors. Each Advisor is assigned 5 or 6 students in the fall. Throughout the year leading up to the spring trip, each team meets frequently to begin the team-building that will be needed on the worksite, and individual Advisors meet with his/her team of students to develop a relationship and to address any concerns of the students or parents. At the actual worksite, all students and Advisors function as a single team; however, the Advisor-advisee relationship remains. To join B3, students and parents must complete an Application and be accepted into the program. Paying the Bill The cost of 2008 trip to Guatemala is $2,500 per child, which covers all ground and air transportation, visas and taxes, meals, lodging, excursions, and building supplies. Students must earn a substantial portion of their way in order to participate; parents are not allowed to simply to write a check. Instead, you should encourage and help your child participate in the various fundraising endeavors and activities fostered by B3. Scholarship funds are available to encourage a diverse group of students on each trip. Throughout the year, your child will need to meet specified funding milestones - it is your responsibility to monitor your child's progress. The last thing we want to do is ask a child to leave B3 because he or she has failed to meet a funding milestone. 
Health and Safety The safety of children and advisors is, of course, our biggest concern. Each worksite and lodging has been personally inspected by B3. A critical element of accepting a worksite is the availability of adequate medical facilities. The small group size (34 students and 6 advisors) along with a 6-to-1 student-to-advisor ratio insures that you child is well looked after. Parents can do their part by accurately listing all medical and emotional conditions your child may have, and any medications they are using. You will be asked to complete two (2) health forms, one in the initial application, and a final form submitted shortly before the trip. Behavior - Drinking, Drugs, Sex, Smoking This is easy - not allowed under any circumstances at any B3 function. Violators will be sent home immediately at the parent's expense. Click here for a list of B3 Rules and Regulations. Parent Involvement The work trips occur during high school spring breaks; however, both students and parents are actively involved in B3 activities throughout the school year -- attending and participating in meetings, leadership training courses, fundraising ventures, and community service projects. B3 is not merely a teen tour but rather a year-round commitment and frame-of-mind. There are countless ways that parents can become involved in B3. Our fundraising efforts (car washes, tag sale, plant sale, B3 date book, etc.) require substantial parent volunteer hours. Please take the time to complete the Parent Volunteer section of the B3 Application, or call B3's office to volunteer. Attending the monthly meetings with your child is also critical to the success of B3 and your child's trip. Please make every effort to attend these meetings because important information and updates are discussed. All meeting dates are posted on the CALENDAR page. Packing List and Passport Teenagers are, well, teenagers. They need your help and experience in things like packing and making sure their passports are current. With approximately 350 students and 60 advisors, there is only so much that the B3 office can handle. Please become actively involved in your child's preparation. Information on B3's upcoming trip is available on the UPCOMING TRIPS page. |
8 Willard Road • Norwalk, CT 06851 USA Tel: (203) 847-5220 • Fax: (203) 847-5112 Email: info@buildersbeyondborders.org |