Urban Plunge to Baltimore, Maryland
February 28 – March 7, 2026
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 eco-justice and faithful reflection.
Join us!
Applications are due December 19, 2025.
Claire Fisher is FAN’s Advocacy Associate. Claire is also a recent graduate of Saint Bonaventure University (’25) and is now serving her Franciscan Mission Service year with FAN in Washington D.C.
Program Description:
Plunge into Baltimore with the Franciscan Action Network!
See, reflect, and take action for a more just world!
The Franciscan Action Network is offering a spring break Urban Plunge to Baltimore, Maryland, in March 2026 (February 28 – March 7, 2026). Franciscan campus ministries, colleges, and universities are invited to nominate student and faculty participants for this exciting and immersive experience in environmental justice and faithful reflection.
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. Trip participants will visit and serve at impactful Baltimore city nonprofits, including: Filbert Street Garden, the Franciscan Center, Little Portion Farm, Masonville Cove, Safe Streets, and more. Join us!
Student leaders are encouraged to apply directly with campus ministry (or a related office) by December 19, 2025.
“Where the poor are concerned, it is not talk that matters;
what matters is rolling up our sleeves and putting our faith into practice
through a direct involvement, one that cannot be delegated.”
Pope Francis, Sixth World Day of the Poor, Nov 2022
Retreat House:
32 bunks!
Reflection time!
Timeline:
- December 2025: students apply to their campus office by December 19.
- January 2026: campus submits group registration and fee of $100/participant by January 16.
- February 2026: National Zoom preparation sessions
- February 28 – March 7 2026: Urban Plunge to Baltimore (transportation provided by campus)
- April & May 2026: National Zoom follow-up sessions
- September 2026 – May 2027: Implement Campus Action Plans & Zoom Sessions
- December 2026: Student applications to campus office for March 2027 spring break Urban Plunge.
Campus Resources:
More Information:
Student Participants & Campus Action Plans
We are delighted by your interest in joining FAN’s 2026 Urban Plunge cohort!
During the Urban Plunge, you will be invited to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Franciscan spirituality, integral ecology, and eco-justice, and form relationships nationally with other student leaders in your cohort. Participating campuses will be invited to draft a Campus Action Plan for implementation during the 2026-2027 academic year. FAN is eager to support you and your fellow student leaders in the March 2026 cohort! More information and Campus Action Plan templates are coming soon!
Applications are due on December 19, 2025, to the sponsoring office on your campus. FAN hopes to attract freshman, sophomore, and junior student leaders. FAN is happy to discuss requests for exceptions for seniors at the request of the sponsoring campus office. You will be notified of your application status the week of January 9, 2026. Your campus minister or leader will submit your campus’s group registration by January 16, 2026.
We hope to see you soon in Baltimore!
Sponsoring Campus Office
Thank you for your interest in the FAN’s 2026 spring break Urban Plunge experience! We are thrilled to be offering this opportunity to your student leaders full of immersive learning, spiritual development, and community building – all in the rich city of Baltimore. We hope you consider joining us too and accompanying your students in this experience. You are welcome!
CAMPUS TIMELINE
December 2025: students apply to campus office (view sample application) by Dec. 19, 2025.
January 2026: campus submits group registration for 2-5 students and/or faculty and staff and fee of $100/participant (register your group here) by Jan. 16, 2026.
February 2026: National Zoom preparation sessions
February 28 – March 7 2026: Urban Plunge to Baltimore (transportation provided by campus)
April & May 2026: National Zoom follow-up sessions
September 2026 – May 2027: Implement Campus Action Plans & Zoom Sessions
December 2026: Student applications to campus office for March 2027 Spring Break Trip
** Please email Nora Collins with any questions (ncollins@franciscanaction.org).
Student Applications and Group Registration
Dec 19, 2025: Student applications are due to campus minister or leader. VIEW SAMPLE APPLICATION.
Dec 19, 2025 – Jan 9, 2025: Campus reviews applications and notifies students of their application status by January 9.
Jan 9, 2025 – Jan 16, 2026: Campus receives formal commitments from students by January 16.
Jan 16, 2026: Campus submits group registration and fee of $100/participant (students & staff) to the Franciscan Action Network by January 16. REGISTER YOUR CAMPUS GROUP HERE.
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 all lodging, meals, and local transportation in Baltimore. Please note that transportation to and from Baltimore will be the responsibility of the host college, university, or campus ministry.
Sample Schedule for Urban Plunge (March 2026)
Schedule will continue to evolve as FAN confirms with site partners through February 2026.
Winter: National Zoom Sessions to prepare for immersion trip
DAY 1 (Sun.): Arrival, Introductions, & Service
1pm: Arrival, Introductions, and Warm-Ups
Service: Franciscan Center
DAY 2 (Mon.): Planet & Integral Ecology (Day 1)
Site Visits: Filbert Garden, Little Portion Farm, Masonville Cove
Speakers: Environmental Justice
DAY 3 (Tues.): Planet & Integral Ecology (Day 2)
Site Visits: Filbert Garden, Little Portion Farm, Masonville Cove
Speakers: Zero Waste, South Baltimore Community Land Trust
DAY 4 (Wed.): Peace & Violence Interruption
Site Visits: Archdiocesan Grief Ministry, ROCA, and Safe Streets
Speaker: Nonviolence and the Christian tradition
DAY 5 (Thurs.): Global Migration
Site Visits: Esperanza and Immigration Outreach Service Center
Speakers: Immigration Lawyer (local); Franciscans Intl (global migration)
DAY 6 (Fri.): What’s next? & Campus Action Plans
Morning Nature Hike
Training: BUILD Training in Power
Site Visit: Annapolis, MD state capital, to conduct legislative visits
Group Planing: Campus Action Plans & Franciscan Justice Circles
DAY 7 (Sat.): Departure
Breakfast & Evaluations
10am: Closing Liturgy & Commissioning
Summer/ Fall 2026: National Zoom Sessions to continue to craft Campus Action Plans
Service and Immersion 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)
Retreat House
Student participants will be housed in the Catholic Community of South Baltimore Retreat House in bunk beds in shared rooms with shared bathrooms. More information on the retreat house is here.
Faculty and staff participants will be provided separate, 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.).
For questions, please contact Nora Collins (ncollins@franciscanaction.org).
Thank you to our generous sponsors.
