Florida Programs

You must be a theological student to participate in the Jacksonville program!

In Northeast Florida, warm and sunny most of the time, a heartfelt welcome awaits you in Jacksonville; the “Gateway to Florida”, intersected by the beautiful St. John’s River and bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and its pleasant beaches only 15 miles away.

The day you arrive, December 19^th, you will be picked up at the airport or bus/train station and be brought to the church. There you will meet the other members of the program, share the evening meal, become oriented to the plans ahead, and begin to build a team. That first night will be spent at the church in a dormitory or ‘slumber party’ arrangement. The next morning after breakfast and before worship, you will meet your first week’s host family, and will go home with them after worship.

On December 21^st and 22^nd, activities are planned, leaving from the church, to explore the area. This can include visiting the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, a day at the beach, exploring several historical sites, a boat trip on the St. Johns River, and picturesque Christmas activities in the Riverside community.

Christmas Eve there are three services at the church, and we hope that you will be willing to share in some of the leadership of one or another of these services. Christmas day will be a chance to experience some of the family traditions of your hosts.

On Saturday, December 26^th, you will come back to the church and work with our church’s cook and others to prepare a meal for the host families and to meet your next host family. You will go home with the new host family, to stay with them until January 2^nd. There will be planned activities again on the 28^th to the 31^st. New Year’s eve and day are again festival days in the American tradition. We will be sure to get you back to your departure site on January 2^nd.

It is our commitment at Riverside Presbyterian Church to provide a loving and welcoming environment in which International Students who are unable to travel to their homes during the Christmas holidays can rest and experience the peace of the season with an American family.

Program Size	10 Theological Students
Program Type	Homes
Accommodations	Single - Male and Female First night spent at church, then two home stays of a week each.
Dress	Temperatures vary greatly 40-70 degrees F Native garb will be welcome, particularly for Christmas eve and dinner on the 26th, but is entirely optional. “Dress casual” will be dressy enough for anything.
Suggested cash for optional personal expenses	Whatever you feel you need to buy, souvenirs, etc. All meals will be provided.
Program Dates	December 19, 2009 to January 2, 2010
Airport	Jacksonville
Train Depot	Jacksonville
Bus Depot	Jacksonville
Driving Directions	On request
Weather Forecast	Try to check just before traveling for unusual conditions-but weather can be very mild, or distinctly frosty.
Local Attractions	St. Johns River, Cummer Art Museum, the beaches, Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, Kingsley Plantation, Fort Caroline historic site