Collegiate Challenge

A Collegiate Challenge trip may be the best school break you will ever have. What other program gives you and your friends an opportunity to travel to Georgia and spend a week building a home! Not only do you help people in need–it’s also fun! You’ll have the chance to improve your carpentry skills, connect with new people in a new place and put your faith into action by making a real difference in Habitat for Humanity’s work of eliminating substandard housing.

 

Macon, GA has a rich musical history; we are the home of The Allman Brothers, Jason Aldean, Otis Redding, and Little Richard and others. Our downtown area is very college age-friendly with many live music venues and restaurants and shops. We are close to Atlanta and the beach at Savannah. We are currently in a Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative where we have served 40 families in the Lynmore Estates Neighborhood through a combination of new and rehab construction, weatherization, and critical home repairs. 

 

Visit the national Collegiate Challenge website for general information and to register with the national organization.

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What are the age restrictions?

Participants must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer.

 

What are group size limitations?

The maximum group size is 10. We cannot accept more than 10 participants per week. If a group has fewer than 10 participants, another group may fill the other slots for that week.

 

What costs are involved in a Collegiate Challenge trip?

• Program Fee – A $30 per person non-refundable, non-transferable program fee is due within one month of registration. This fee covers supplemental medical insurance and program costs. This check should be made payable to Habitat for Humanity International and mailed to the Collegiate Challenge program team: Collegiate Challenge, Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498

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• Affiliate Contribution – Our fee is $100 per person. The amount is paid directly to our affiliate so that we can purchase building materials. ​

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• Transportation – Groups are responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs. Even if your group is flying to the site, rented vehicles will be needed to transport the group throughout the week. Please note: Collegiate Challenge supplemental insurance does not cover participants as they travel to and from their Collegiate Challenge host affiliate site. Please take this into consideration when arranging transportation.

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• Food – We plan at least one meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner – during your stay when you will be able to mingle with staff, partner families, and board members. Other than that one meal, groups are responsible for providing their own food. We recommend budgeting $6 to $10 per person per day for food if you will be preparing your own meals. All Collegiate Challenge accommodations will include a place for participants to prepare meals. Extra costs should be added if you plan to eat at restaurants.

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Where will we be staying?

Macon Area Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challengers will stay at our partner church, Southside Community Church, 4162 Roy Ave. Macon GA.   We provide cots and ask that you bring your own, bedding, and bath linens.  The Community Center is an open room with bathrooms and 2 shower stalls. Wi-Fi is available. It is recommended that all guests bring shower shoes, soap, and toiletries. There is a kitchen for groups to prepare meals, but you will need to bring cookware, plates, napkins, paper towels, etc.

 

What is the schedule like during the week?

• Participants should go directly to the Southside Community Center on Sunday. Be sure to call ahead and make sure they have an estimated arrival time for your group.

• Volunteers work Monday through Friday. Most groups arrive on Sunday, work Monday through Friday, and then depart early Saturday morning.

• Groups should expect to work from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day.

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Will we have a chance to tour the area?

Groups can use Sunday or weekday evenings to tour Macon and the surrounding areas. To make arrangements to use one of your scheduled workdays to tour the area, contact our Volunteer Coordinator in advance.

 

 

Any other questions, please feel free to contact Ivey Hall at ihall@maconhabitat.org.