FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT YAKAMA CHRISTIAN MISSION TRIPS
AKA “SAGE QUESTS”
WHAT IS A SAGE QUEST?
A sage quest is a learning-service opportunity.
Sage is a rather common word on the reservation, while the word Quest is not. However, they work well together. Sage speaks to the wise, perceptive, or clearheaded. Quest is pilgrimage where uncertainty and risk are bounded by sacred. Pilgrimage, Phil Cousineau notes, “is an ancient tradition of the transformative journey to a sacred place.”
Sage and quest come together to speak to the artful experience of seeking wisdom.
What are the Trip dates?
Sunday, March 26 – Friday, March 31, 2017
What will our group be doing?Learn more at
Learning: The “learning” component typically connects issues of injustice found on the reservation or “off”-reservation justice issues that affect the landscape of the reservation.We will be engaging in important daily workshops exploring topics such as human justice issues of race, culture, ethnicity, dominant culture, privilege, economics, sustainable agriculture, and ecological responsibility. These are conversations, which at time push edges, but even in times of difficult and sometimes uncomfortable conversations or goal is to maintain a community in harmony.
SERVING:The “serving” component of the weeklong experience is to have folk engage in hands on work that will directly engage injustice felt on the reservation. This work is specific to the needs that have arisen in the last year, so the work changes from year to year. As of early fall 2016, it appears work of 2017 will center on building a greenhouse, planting two-acres of vegetables, weeding, harvesting, and delivering vegetables to three reservation foodbanks and the reservation homeless shelter. Additional work may be with Yakama Nation wildlife, working on elderly homes and property, and enhancing the White Swan community park.We spend at least one day working in the wider community. We expect this work to occur at the homeless shelter, the community park and local churches who provide resources to the White Swan community, and on community homes.
The question Yakama asks of us is “How deep can we go?”
Who can attend?
Any middle or high school youth currently active in the First Christian Church and is welcome to attend. Each youth is allowed to invite one friend to go with. Every traveler needs parental permission to attend the trip.
What is the cost? The total cost per person is $385. A $75 deposit is due upon registering in order to reserve your spot.
Is there financial assistance available?We don’t want money to be a restrictive element in your decision making process. The youth group has already been fundraising this year and will continue to do so, helping to make the trip more affordable for everyone. Some additional scholarships are available upon request.
How will we prepare for this trip?
On Sunday mornings in March, during our education hour(10-11am), students will be walking through an introduction to the issues of race, culture, ethnicity, dominate culture, and power, and the spiritual intersections with all the above. By talking through these areas, we will get a chance to better understand where our group is and what reactions you might experience during your week.
We hope to have 1 fundraising opportunity and 1 more group-bonding (game day or a lock-in overnight) before we depart for Yakama.
Please participate in these activities as much as you are able.
Chaperones will be meeting behind the scenes to plan meals, evening devotions, and gathering necessary supplies.
Please watch e-mail and snail mail for more specific details on trip preparation.
Where do we stay?
Most groups stay at the Farm in tents or the barn. However, because each week is tailored to your group, some will stay at the “Grange” (Inside and with Bunk beds for twelve folk) in White Swan, roughly 20 minutes from the Farm. Where we stay in March is dependent upon the weather. We are likely to stay at the Grange, due to high winds and rains.
What do we bring?
Personal: sleeping bag/bedding, towels, personal items, hiking/work boots, a sweatshirt, modest (no short shorts or spaghetti straps, please) clothes you don’t mind getting dirty/painted/ripped, work gloves, a hat, sunscreen, camera, daypack, journal, earplugs, and a WATER BOTTLE. Closed-toe shoes are a must for work! Workers will be asked to visit Yakima and obtain work shoes prior to working should they not have a pair of closed-toe shoes with them. See more detailed list attached.
What shouldn’t we bring?
Pilgrimage time is one of reflection. So while we have a list, it isn’t so much about what to bring or what not, but rather how to best allow time to have an experience different from that of home.
IPods, pop/soda/coke, snacks/candy, walkie-talkies (if you bring them for the drive out, please leave them in your vehicles…), inappropriate clothing (think: conservative school district rules- no skimpy tops, short-shorts, no obscene or offensive graphics), tobacco products, and cell phones (you know, except for the leader, leave them in the car). We know some of these items are nearly impossible to leave behind, please do your best to create a time of reflection to get the most out of your experience.
How are our meals managed?
The Farm provides you with a suggested menu for the week when you arrive. The menu will reflect the local produce available depending on the time of year. We encourage, as much as possible, to buy food from local farmers and ranchers first and the “local” chain-store second. If there is more than one group during a week, folk will work together to prepare meals and cleanup afterward. Good meals are the result of good community and there is nothing like preparing food and eating together to build great community.
What happens when we return?
The group is invited to lead worship for First Christian Church on Sunday, April 23, 2017. We will have a lock in on Saturday, April 8 to plan our report. More details to come.
What justice work and continuing education work that we engage in
after we return is up to us.
What else should we know?
Pets. We recommend you leave your pets at home. However, if you wish to bring a pet with you, please keep four things in mind: 1) If fluffy has a taste for skin (especially curious-kid skin), leave him/her at home. 2) If you arrive in an RV, generators are not allowed to run on-site. If Fluffy is a Malamute, your RV is not well ventilated, and it’s 100 degrees outside, Fluffy may not be very comfortable. 3) There are coyotes, bears, and cougars in the area. We cannot guarantee that if Fluffy comes with you, Fluffy will be leaving with you. 4) Fluffy must remain leashed at all times.
Phone service: For the most part.
Internet service: WiFi at the Farm is not the best and only available to one group leader. If you stay at the Grange there is no WiFi available.
RV’s: Generators are not allowed to run onsite.
What does a typical week look like?
Sunday
5pm Arrive and Settle In
7pm Evening Devotions
10pm Lights Out
Monday
6am: Breakfast & Lunch Prep (for those off Farm);Farm Chores (for those on Farm)
7-8am: Travel (for off Farm folk);Open (for on Farm folk)
8-9am: Conversation (Learning)
9am:Farm Work Projects and Food Planning(Fencing, Forging, Haying, Animal care, Corrals)
12-1pm Lunch
1pm: Clean up Projects and Travel
2pm: Yakama Cultural Center
3pm: Open
5pm: Dinner
7pm:Evening Devotions
10pm: Lights Out
Tuesday
6am-9am Same as Monday
9am Community work project: Noah’s Ark Homeless Shelter, White Swan Park, Local Home.
12-1pm Lunch
1pm Community work project
3pm-10pm Same as Monday
Wednesday
6am-9am Same as Monday
9am Tour of Reservation & possible speakers
12-1pm Lunch
1pm Tour & Speaker
3pm-10pm Same as Monday
Thursday
6am-9am Same as Monday
9am On Farm Work Projects
12-1pm Lunch
1pm Auction Yard
2pm Conversation
3pm-10pm Same as Monday
Friday
6am-9am Same as Monday9am Clean-up and Goodbyes12pm On the road