Home > Academic Courses and Programs > Appalachia Seminar: Fall Appalachia Seminar: Spring > Project Sites>ASPI
Site Description:
ASPI's focus is to find solutions for increasing environmental problems through research and advocacy for public policies which favor the environment. ASPI's philosophy involves living simply in ways that are healthy for the earth and for ourselves. While litter clean-up has been the main service component of this site in the past, students have also been involved in organic gardening, maintenance of the cordwood house and other buildings, and the promotion of a local recycling campaign. Students can anticipate getting down and dirty (literally) while engaging in their clean-up projects. Learning is emphasized, with students exploring the roots of environmental problems and thinking critically about current and possible solutions. In addition to learning about sustainable living and assisting in ASPI's projects, students will have the opportunity to eat dinner with local residents and attend social events such as bluegrass concerts and barn dances.
Site Resources:
Site Contact:
We discourage students from directly contacting the site; all reservations are made through the Center for Social Concerns. Further emergency contact information will be provided to students upon enrollment in the seminar.
Deborah Bledsoe: deborah_bledsoe@yahoo.com ; 606-256-0077
Lodging:
Students lodge in a facility that is separate from the work site where a kitchen with a refrigerator, oven, and range is available. Showers are provided. Students bring their own bedding (sleeping bag, pillow, and/or blankets and sheets).
Travel:
Students will arrive at the site between 4:00–6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, and will return the following Friday, October 21.
Personal Expenses:
Students must pay for their own meals while they travel from Notre Dame to the site on Sunday and back to Notre Dame from the site on Friday or Saturday. Students are requested to bring enough money to pay for these 2-3 meals, and it is also suggested that students bring extra spending money for personal purchases during their immersion. The availability of ATMs varies with each site, and so in the interest of avoiding fees or running out of money, it is suggested that students have a reasonable amount of cash on hand before the immersion.
Meals:
Students will use Center credit cards to purchase groceries and prepare their own meals.
