FAQ

About
Registration
Planning Your Trip
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  • What are Intergenerational Service Experiences? 
    • A 4 or 5 day alternative vacation experience spent at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center in beautiful Pennsylvania (located only 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh and Cleveland).
    • During the experience you will have the chance to participate in service experiences with local organizations that support human dignity, environmental sustainability, economic poverty relief, and affordable housing. 
    • Throughout the experience there will be time for personal and structured reflection with your Intergenerational Service Experience leaders. There will also be opportunities to enjoy all that Villa Maria has to offer including our Art House, Labyrinth, pool, and walking trails.
  • Who can participate in an Intergenerational Service Experience? 
    • These experiences are structured for people of all ages. Single people, young people, couples, families, empty-nester's, retired people...in short, all people are invited to take part in Intergenerational Service Experiences. 
    • By bringing together people of all ages, Intergenerational Service Experiences will be a time of enrichment, growth, and shared learning.
  • What are the goals of Intergenerational Service Experiences?
    • Community  Engaging with people and organizations with the active desire to love all of our neighbors. 
    • Spirituality   Exploring faith through social action, direct service, community, and prayer. 
    • Service   Sharing our gifts with our local and global communities. 
    • Social Justice  Upholding our commitment to respect the dignity of every person and to become a community that works to recognize and eradicate injustice.
  • Where will I stay during my Intergenerational Service Experience?
    • During your Intergenerational Service experience you will stay at the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center in beautiful western Pennsylvania. Lodging and meals will be provided, and there will be opportunities to enjoy our Art House, Labyrinth, pool, and walking trails. Learn more about the Villa Maria grounds. 
  • Where will I serve during my Intergenerational Service Experience?
        • There are 4 service sites for the 2011 Summer Intergenerational Service Experiences:
          • St. Vincent de Paul Society Dining Hall: Prepare and serve meals daily in this urban kitchen that has been a mainstay of hunger relief in Youngstown for decades.
          • Habitat for Humanity: Participate in a home construction project. Utilize and/or develop your skills as you work to provide affordable housing to a family with limited economic means.
          •   Rescue Mission Homeless Shelter: Take a tour of the shelter and their distribution facility, and participate in much need services for people who are homeless.
          •    Villa Maria Organic Farm: Put in a few hours of hard but meaningful labor on a working organic farm that distributes much of its produce to local poverty relief agencies, and learn about the benefits of organic gardening from professional farmers.
  • How can I find out more about Intergenerational Service Experiences?
  • How can I let others know about Intergenerataional Service Experiences?
    • Download our 2011 flyer and share it with your church group, friends, and relatives.
  • How can I register to participate in an Intergenerational Service Experience?
  •  What is the registration fee? 
    • July 10-July 14
      1 person per room $185.00
      2 people per room $153.00 per person
      3 people per room $142.00 per person
      4 people per room $137.00 per person


      July 31-August 3
      1 person per room $140.00
      2 people per room $116.00 per person
      3 people per room $108.00 per person
      4 people per room $104.00 per person

  • Are meals included in our registration fee?
    • Yes, all meals are included in your registration fee. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided cafeteria-style in the Annunciation Dining Room at Villa Maria. On some days lunch will be provided at your service site.
    • Snacks are available in Begel Hall, if you wish to bring snacks to share with the group during your Intergenerational Service Experience, please feel free to do so.
    • There will be one free evening when you may want to have dinner out at a local restaurant. A list of local restaurants will be available.
    • Please let us know about any dietary restrictions you might have before your service experience begins so that we can make accommodations with the dining staff.
  • Is there a deposit fee?
    • There is an initial $50 per person deposit that is due upon registration. 
    • 50% of the balance of your Intergenerational Service Experience is due by June 1.
    • The balance of your Intergenerational Service Experience is due by July 1.
  • When are my medical/liability waivers due?
    • Each member of your group attending the Intergenerational Service Experiences must complete a medical/liability waiver.
    • Forms are due by July 1.
  • What is the refund policy?
    • The $50 per person deposit is non-refundable, non-transferable.
    • Registration refunds (minus the $50 per person deposit) are available if you cancel at least 30 days prior to the dates of your Intergenerational Service Experience. 
  • How do I get to Villa Maria?
    • Our address is :2105 Evergreen Road, Villa Maria, PA 16155
    • You can visit our directions page to find directions from cities and airports near the Villa
  • What should I bring?
      • Sheets and towels will be provided in your room. Pillows are provided, but feel free to bring your own.
      • Sleeping bag (if you are planning on having more that two people stay in a room in Begel Hall)
      • Dress for the week is casual and relaxed. Service sites include Villa Maria Farm and a work site with Habitat for Humanity, so be sure to bring closed –toed shoes, jeans or shorts/t-shirt you don’t mind getting dirty, a hat, and sunglasses.
      • Bathing suit (Villa Maria has a pool and you will have free time if you want to swim.)
      • Toiletries (including flip flops for communal shower if desired).
      • Alarm clock (if desired, we will have a general wake-up call).
      • Water bottle (to bring with you to service sites).
  • What will housing be like?
      • All participants will have overnight accommodations in Begel Hall on the Villa Maria campus.
      • All rooms are spacious and private with single beds.
      • Bed linens and towels will be provided.
      • Bathroom facilities are shared.
      • Rooms with a private bathroom are available (for an additional fee).
      • Handicapped-accessible rooms are available.
  • What will the weather be like during my service experience?
      • Weather temperatures in July/August average from the mid 70s to high 80s—but these are only averages! Please check the local forecast (Villa Maria, PA Zip Code 16155) to make sure you are prepared
    • How will I travel to service sites during the service experience?
        • You will be responsible for travel to and from each service site during the Intergenerational Service Experiences. Printed directions will be available for each service site during your trip.
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