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facility basics / location / What to Pack / Space Sharing Trip Information Packet In this packet, you will find all kinds of information about your trip, from what to pack, what the neighborhoods are like, and what to expect when you get here. As always, any additional questions can be directed to the Program Manager at 202-387-6615 or pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net.
What does The Pilgrimage look like? The Pilgrimage is set up in a dormitory style. Enough bunk beds to sleep 40 people are separated into three rooms. There is a common room with couches for gathering, reflection and just hanging out. We have movies, games and books for you to enjoy, but sorry, no cable TV! A small dining area and kitchen are available for your eating needs. The kitchen has everything one needs to cook, except the food! Grocery stores are located nearby if you need to purchase supplies. There are bathrooms with showering facilities to keep you clean. And if you are really ambitious, we even have a laundry area where you can wash your clothes!
The Pilgrimage is in the heart of Washington, DC. It is located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. Dupont Circle is full of restaurants, shops and other attractions. Plus, The Pilgrimage is within walking distance of Georgetown, Adams Morgan and Embassy Row, which also offer many opportunities for exploring. It is easy to get around the city from our location. The Metro (DC subway system) is only a couple blocks away and many bus lines pass right by The Pilgrimage. Safety is always a priority for us at The Pilgrimage, and although The Pilgrimage is in the city, it is very secure. The neighborhood is quiet and friendly. People are always out walking!
What Will We Be Doing? While staying at The Pilgrimage, groups have the opportunity to experience many new things. Most groups participate in some form of service activity. They volunteer at soup kitchens, shelters, building sites, food delivery programs, day care centers, food banks and community gardens. They help different organizations in the DC area and learn from their experiences. Speakers are often invited to The Pilgrimage to share information with groups. Some groups venture to Capitol Hill to visit their congressperson. They ask him or her to pay special attention to issues affecting the poor. Finally, DC is filled with monuments, museums, sporting events and cultural activities. Even though groups work hard during their stay, free time to explore is always scheduled. More information on the service opportunities can be found on the Programming page of our website. Neighborhood, museum, and cultural information can be found at the end of this packet in the “Other Adventures in DC” section.
facility basics / location / What to Pack / Space Sharing Here are the basics of what is available at the Pilgrimage and a few thoughts on supplies that you need to bring. Kitchen Facilities
Supplies Available at the Pilgrimage
Things You Need to Bring
Pilgrimage Rules: The 12 Best Ways to Live at The Pilgrimage
Sharing Space at the PilgrimageAt times, especially during January through August, a Pilgrimage group may be sharing space with another Pilgrimage group. If we have groups sharing space, we do our best to have two groups of roughly the same ages. So for example, we try to avoid a junior high group and a college group sharing the space at the same time. We like to see sharing space as a way of building community between different groups, justice interests, life journeys, and denominations. Like any type of community building, sharing space takes some work and effort from everyone involved. When we know that you will be sharing space, we will exchange the phone number/email of the group leader so that you can contact each other. If you have questions or concerns about sharing space, please do not hesitate to call us at The Pilgrimage. Questions to ask other group leader when Some group dynamic questions
Some practical questions
facility basics / location / What to Pack / Space Sharing Issue Education Issue education is an essential part in preparing for a service activity. If a group is not educated about the issue that they will be working with, many problems may develop. However, if a group is prepared and has discussed the issue, the whole experience will be more meaningful and rewarding. There are many different things that are included in the broad topic of “issue education.” The first thing that should be discussed is background about the area you will be visiting. Basic things like geography, weather, general population, and interesting facts are good places to start. Follow this with discussions about the actual service activity. Begin with general questions and discussions and then delve in farther by discussing feelings and possible situations and reactions. Suggestions for good ways to prepare your group through issue education can be found later in this packet. Issue Education Activities and Questions Activities
Questions to ponder that may lead to activities
Service When volunteering or participating in a service project, it is easy to focus on the actual activity itself. However, it is important to remember that education and reflection are two other components of service that are just as important. In order for your group to have the most rewarding service experience, we encourage you to lead your group through all three stages. This will allows students to see that service does not occur as an individual activity. Rather, service is a way of life. In order to make the most of a service experience, one must be open to learning as much as possible. Service is not just going out and helping other people. Rather, it is aiding people as you learn from them. Encourage group members to leave their comfort zone and talk to as many people as possible during the project. Every person has a story and many of them are quite amazing! Hopefully, group members will realize that they have more in common than they thought with the people that they are “helping.” However, it is important to remember there are many cultural differences that may need to be respected while you are completing the project. Be aware of these in order to make the most of the experience without creating an us vs. them atmosphere. Reflection Reflection is essential to a successful service project. If a group participates in a service project and does not reflect on what they did, it is not likely to stay with them for very long. However, if someone is able to process what they have experienced and learned, it could be a life-changing opportunity. Refection is an opportunity to see how the service project that has just been completed, affected each person. It is an opportunity to look inside oneself and see what service actually means to an individual. Reflection also provides the opportunity to examine how service will fit into an individual’s life in the future. Reflection can be done at the end of each day or at the end of the week. It can be individual or group based. Ideas for reflection can be found on the Reflections page of our website. We encourage all groups to participate in some form of reflection during their stay here at The Pilgrimage. Other Adventures in Washington, DC Many groups staying at the Pilgrimage chose to explore many of the sites and sounds of this great city! Below are links to many different sites providing you with more information about getting around town, museums, theaters, sporting events and general information sites.
facility basics / location / What to Pack / Space Sharing Tourist Attractions
Sporting Events
Theater DC NeighborhoodsWashington, DC is not only the Nation’s Capital, it is also a city of neighborhoods. It is unique because it is steeped in rich history and has a very eclectic population. People from all across the United States come to Washington, DC to live and work. During your stay, explore the different neighborhoods, visit some of the monuments and roam around one of the many museums! Dupont Circle The Pilgrimage is located in Dupont Circle. It is an area that is full of shops, restaurants, galleries and other fun things to do. Walk around and look at many of the old row homes that line the streets! Adams-Morgan Adams-Morgan is only a short bus ride from the Pilgrimage. This is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Washington, DC. The local restaurants and shops on Columbia Road and 18th Street express this diversity. Ethnic food can be found at every corner and Ethiopian food is the specialty. Young professionals and Latino families dominate the population in this neighborhood. Foggy Bottom Foggy Bottom is the home to George Washington University. It is only blocks from The Pilgrimage. The Kennedy Center and the Watergate Building can also be found in this neighborhood. Georgetown If you travel straight down P Street you will hit Georgetown. It is home to Georgetown University, but that is only one feature of this neighborhood. There are many shops in the Georgetown Park Mall, as well as specialty shops like Urban Outfitters and restaurants lining the streets. If you have time, drive around the residential section. You might just spot famous people such as Mia Hamm, Madeline Albright and the Clintons. Embassy Row Up and down Massachusetts Avenue, there are flags of various countries waving outside. That is because it is Embassy Row. Although not all of the embassies are located on this street, it is where to find the vast majority of them. Capitol Hill Guess what is located in Capitol Hill? You guessed it, the Capitol Building. The Supreme Court, Congressional office buildings and the Library of Congress can be found in this neighborhood. Shaw Howard University is located in this neighborhood. It is the heart of the African American community in DC. If you are looking for some amazing chili, be sure to visit Ben’s Chili Bowl! facility basics / location / What to Pack / Space Sharing
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