Urban Plunge to Baltimore, Maryland
January 9 – 16, 2027
Join a cohort of Franciscan-hearted young adults from across the country
from Franciscan campus ministries, colleges, and universities
for a week-long intensive immersion experience in service, faithful reflection, and justice.
What is an Urban Plunge?
Urban Plunges are short-term, high-intensity immersion experiences in U.S. cities. Urban plunges seek to challenge perspectives. Plunge into Baltimore, and with those on the margins, and connect your faith with service, reflection, and social justice. Hear from the voices that are helping to lead Baltimore toward hope and healing. Meet similarly-minded and passionate young people wrestling with “what is ours to do?” as Franciscan-hearted people.
Where will we plunge?
Baltimore was declared the “dirtiest city in America,” yet the city is innovating in areas of environmental restoration and justice, racial justice, violence interruption, and social service provision to migrants and the poor. Baltimore has much to teach us! The experience is geared toward students that have already participated in an alternative break with their university or are deeply interested in issues of justice.
Service Sites
Service and immersion sites will continue to evolve as FAN confirms with partners through February 2026. Possible partners include:
- BUILD, community organizing and power (here)
- Catholic Relief Services, global climate migration (here)
- Esperanza, Catholic Charities, welcoming immigrants (here)
- Filbert Street Garden, urban gardening and education (here)
- Franciscan Center of Baltimore, economic justice (here)
- Grief Ministry, Archdiocese of Baltimore, violence and pastoral care (here)
- Little Portion Farm, sustainable farming, the environment and faith (here)
- Masonville Cove Partnership, urban environmental restoration (here)
- Mr. Trash Wheel (here)
- Safe Streets, Catholic Charities, violence interruption (here)
- South Baltimore Community Land Trust, community-led organization (here)
Sample Schedule
Schedule will continue to evolve as FAN confirms with site partners through December 2026.
Winter: National Zoom Sessions to prepare for immersion trip
DAY 1 (Sat.): Arrival, Introductions, & Service
1pm: Arrival, Introductions, and Warm-Ups
DAY 2 (Sun.): Planet & Integral Ecology
Site Visits: Filbert Garden, Little Portion Farm, Masonville Cove
Speakers: Environmental Justice
DAY 3 (Mon.): Planet & Integral Ecology
Site Visits: Filbert Garden, Little Portion Farm, Masonville Cove
Speakers: Zero Waste, South Baltimore Community Land Trust
DAY 4 (Tues.): Peace & Violence Interruption
Site Visits: Archdiocesan Grief Ministry, ROCA, and Safe Streets
Speaker: Nonviolence and the Christian tradition
DAY 5 (Wed.): Global Migration
Site Visits: Esperanza and Immigration Outreach Service Center
Speakers: Immigration Lawyer (local); Franciscans Intl (global migration)
DAY 6 (Thurs.): Eco-Spirituality & Faith
Morning Nature Hike
Speaker: Eco-spirituality and sustaining fiaith and action
DAY 7 (Fri.): What’s next? & Campus Action Plans
Site Visit: Baltimore City Council and/or Maryland state capital to conduct legislative visits
Training: BUILD Training in Power
Group Planing: Campus Action Plans & Franciscan Justice Circles
DAY 8 (Sat.): Departure
Breakfast & Evaluations
10am: Closing Liturgy & Commissioning
Spring/ Summer 2027: National Zoom Sessions to continue to craft Campus Action Plans
Retreat House
Student participants will be housed in the Catholic Community of South Baltimore Retreat House (here) in bunk beds in shared rooms with shared bathrooms.
Faculty and staff participants will be provided single rooms with shared baths in an adjacent rowhouse.
FAN will seek to meet all requests for special accommodations within our capacity and budget. FAN will contact all participants individually to identify special needs (including accommodations, accessibility, dietary, etc.).
Where will we stay?
Student participants will be housed in the Catholic Community of South Baltimore Retreat House (here)— in bunk beds in shared rooms with shared bathrooms. Faculty and staff participants will be provided single rooms with shared baths in an adjacent rowhouse.
What is the cost?
The Franciscan Action Network is delighted to heavily subsidize the cost of this experience for students and staff. The cost of participation is $100/per person which covers lodging and meals (and local transportation in Baltimore if a campus van or vehicle is unavailable). Please note that transportation to and from Baltimore will be the responsibility of the host college, university, or campus ministry.
How do I apply?
Student leaders apply directly with campus ministry (or a related office) by November 1, 2026.
- October 2026: students apply to their campus office, by November 1.
- November 2026: campus submits group registration and fee of $100/participant, by December 1.
- December 2026: National Zoom preparation sessions.
- January 9-16, 2027: Urban Plunge to Baltimore (transportation provided by campus).
- February & March 2027: National Zoom follow-up sessions.
- October 2027: Students apply to campus office for January 2028 J-Break Urban Plunge.
Download the promotional flyer.
View sample application (due November 1).
Thank you to our generous sponsors.
