The Second City. The City of Broad Shoulders. The Windy City. Chicago is the setting for our brand new community service and adventure program for students completing grades 6-8. Bringing a lot of hometown pride to the itinerary, we've designed this summer service program to showcase the best of Chicago while also allowing our groups to make a real, tangible difference to those in need. Click on Read More to see where the Windy City will take you, criss-crossing the city on segway, bike, and even sea kayaks! Windy City is one of RLT's newest middle school summer programs, designed especially for students ages 12-14.

Watch our Global Perspectives Video!

The Second City. The City of Broad Shoulders. The Windy City. Home of delicious deep dish pizza (a must to try) and the Blues Brothers, an infamous baseball rivalry between the Sox and the Cubs, a 260-foot spokeless Ferris Wheel on Navy Pier, and diversity beyond compare.

Chicago, known as the city of neighborhoods, is the backdrop for our newest service program focusing on hunger and homelessness. While learning about issues surrounding food in an urban environment, we’ll navigate the streets of Chicago from Greektown to Chinatown, and Little Italy to the Pilsen District. Distinct and beautiful, this is a city alive with diverse ethnicity to explore.

We lend a hand in soup kitchens, distribute food to those in need under the labyrinth known as the “loop”, and work on an urban farm. On the site of a former unkempt basketball court in Cabrini-Green a neighborhood transitioning from low-income “projects” to mixed-income housing, this community garden helps facilitate a thriving diverse community ensuring that residents are not cast aside in the process of transformation. The community farm strengthens the families and children, empowering neighborhood youth and residents to have increased economic opportunities through access to organic produce, nutritional education, and work-force training.

We travel the “City by the Lake” on Segway, riding the famous “El” and bike and sail along the coastal waters of Lake Michigan. In the evening from our hostel in the heart of the city, we travel by kayak on the river waters that run around Goose Island and below the towering skyscrapers through the middle of the city to the lake where the sky lights up with color and sound in a spectacular fireworks display. We enjoy movies and music in the famous Millennium Park and find there is no better way to learn, live, and see the Windy City.

Settling In

Arrive in Chicago and transfer to downtown hostel. Orientation. Prepare for the week.

Our Work

Work on an urban farm; distribute meals to homeless in the loop; work at a community shelter.

Our Play

Take bike and Segway tours of the city; sail on Lake Michigan and kayak beneath fireworks; explore the parks of the city

El Fin

Farewell banquet at a local restaurant; homeward bound.

A Certificate of Service indicating the number of hours worked will be issued upon completion of the program.