Project Endeavor
Community Service
In Southern California
Project Endeavor Volunteer @ SoCal
Your summer home is nestled beautifully along the Southern California coastline – the best of all possible settings for the ultimate summer experience! And if all the sun, sand and surf weren’t enough, you’ve got the cities of LA, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, Malibu and all the best that SoCal has to offer just down the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s an endless summer of enrichment and adventure decked out in real California style!
SoCal is famous for its warm sandy beaches, the perfect setting for your ultimate summer experience! Dynamic, culturally diverse and breathtakingly beautiful, SoCal combines the finest the California coast has to offer.
- Service Projects with Habitat For Humanity Restore, Tree People, LA County & More
- Earn 60 Community Service Hours
- Beautiful Beaches
- Red Carpet Movie Premiere
- Upscale Residence Halls @ UCLA
- 10:1 Student-to-Staff Ratio
- Evening Activities & Weekend Adventures are always Included
- A Summer of Giving Back, Hollywood Style
2022 Dates & Tuition
Transportation is not included in tuition.
Weekday Schedule
-
8:30 am - 9:15 am
Breakfast -
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Volunteering -
12300 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch -
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Volunteering -
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Break/Chill Time -
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dinner -
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Evening Activities -
11:00 pm - 12:00 am
Residence Hall (Social Time) -
12:00 am
Goodnight (Individual Suites)
Classes run Monday through Friday.
Safety
At Project Endeavor, we believe safety comes first. That’s why we maintain an ten-to-one student-to-staff ratio – one of the lowest in the industry! This lets us offer unmatched attention and unique personalized programs.
As part of our commitment to student safety, Project Endeavor staff members live on every student-occupied floor and accompany students on all activities and excursions.
The Residence Hall at UCLA adds an additional element of security, as well. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day with trained personnel for your comfort and convenience.
Travel to SoCal*
We recommend that students fly nonstop to Los Angeles (LAX) International Airport. There they will be met by Project Endeavor staff members, who will escort them to comfortable, air-conditioned shuttles for the brief drive to campus.
Of course, parents are also welcome to drive students to Project Endeavor directly.
Contact our office for further information on any of these travel options.
*Transportation is not included in tuition.
Commuter Option
ACA offers a commuter option for students who do not require accommodations. Commuter students join the program weekdays from approximately 9:30 AM until 5:00 PM.
Session 1 Schedule:
Week 1: July 11 – July 15
Week 2: July 18 – July 21
Session 2 Schedule:
Week 1: July 25 – July 29
Week 2: August 1 – August 4
Please Note: Lunch is included in the cost of tuition.
Community Service
“Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living.” ACA’s Service Learning course embodies this Albert Einstein quote providing, rewarding opportunities to spend time helping to make SoCal an even better place for its citizens and visitors. Our goal is to encourage our students to realize the power they have to grow as individuals while contributing to an environment of cultural understanding and mutual respect.
Earn up to 80 hours of community service! Upon completion, every participant receives a certificate highlighting the total number of hours volunteered and projects completed.
Past ACA Service Partners & Projects Include:
- Food Pantry
- Beach Clean Up
- Gardening
- Habitat for Humanity
- ReStore
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Support Our Troops
Around Town & Beyond
With the Pacific Coast in the background, the activities are endless and Project Endeavor helps you find the ones that interest you the most. Spend your evenings and weekends exploring spectacular cultural and entertainment destinations.
Evening and weekend activities are yours to enjoy. Head to the beach, check out the 3rd Street Promenade or browse the celebrated shops of Rodeo Drive. You will have the opportunity to socialize and build friendships while you enjoy the fun and excitement of Los Angeles’ nightlife. Many popular hangouts are located just steps from campus, and the welcoming crowd of lively locals and visitors creates an unforgettable energy!
Evening & Weekend Activities
- Soak up the sun at Santa Monica Beach and jump the truly gnarly waves
- Hoop it up at the ACA 3-on-3 basketball tournament and find out who rules the court
- Shake the sand out of your hair after a classic game of touch football and beach volleyball on Zuma Beach
- Get to know California at its best during ACA’s welcome scavenger hunt – our mad dash around Malibu!
- More than a zoo, it’s an animal sanctuary – admire the animals at the Los Angeles Zoo
- You have some big shoes to fill as you walk among the stars on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame
- See how your hands and feet compare to Hollywood elites like Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, and Robert Downey Jr. in front of Mann Chinese Theater
- See the gods at the Greek and Roman collections of the Getty Museum
- Gaze up at the Hollywood sign as you browse the fashionable boutiques on Melrose Street
- Devour a Dodger Dog while watching one of the most storied teams in MLB history
- Pump some iron and get big on Muscle Beach
- Have your caricature drawn on the Venice Boardwalk and pick up a pair of hip new shades
- People-watch at Palisades Park; it doesn’t get much more iconic LA than this
- Savor a latte while exploring the scene on the famed Abbot Kinney Boulevard
- Cool off and chill out at ACA’s awesome beach party
- Ride the dazzling Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier
- Hit all the fashionable boutiques and watch out for the paparazzi on the energetic Rodeo Drive
- Rub elbows with celebrities at the Malibu Country Mart
- Sunset hikes, karaoke nights, bowling, laser tag, mini golf, ultimate Frisbee, bonfires and more exciting activities and events are all part of your summer with Project Endeavor!
The Finest Fitness Facilities
You’ll have access to state-of-the-art workout facilities such as the renowned John Wooden Center and plenty of other athletic and recreational options during your stay. You can lace up your running shoes for a jog on campus, or hit the gym to pump some iron or get moving on an elliptical trainer. Outdoor tennis courts, basketball courts and plenty of other options are sure to keep you busy. Of course, a game of touch football or a little Frisbee is always a campus classic. One of the most exciting things about LA is you never know who you may run into whether it’s Kobe Bryant shooting hoops in the Wooden Center or Real Madrid practicing out on the soccer fields.
You will have time to take advantage of all the outstanding options available at the John Wooden Center, which include:
Squash Courts
Indoor Jogging Track
Weight Room
Basketball Courts
Cardio Room
Accommodations in LA
Rest easy, because Project Endeavor understands the importance of being comfortable in your home away from home. We provide our students with private accommodations that offer the comforts you expect with the safety and security you demand. You’ll live, study, and play at UCLA with an amazing group of like-minded creative students and resident advisors in dorm-style housing. We pride ourselves on the fact that our residential amenities, top-quality food service and fitness facilities offer our students the very best. Our goal is to consistently create an environment where you’ll be able to concentrate on getting the most out of your summer – staying relaxed, refreshed and ready to excel.
Staying in LA has its privileges, which is why so many celebrities call it home. You’ll kick back in comfort at UCLA, enjoying in-suite bathrooms, Internet access, weekly housekeeping, linen service and much more. These rooms definitely serve up cool California style!
Excellent Eats
Choices, choices, choices! With Project Endeavor, you never have to worry about going hungry. From home-style meals served at breakfast and dinner to lunch options that let you enjoy favorite restaurants, no pre-college summer program gives you as many dining options!
Your tuition includes includes three meals Monday to Friday and brunch & dinner on weekends.
WEEKEND ADVENTURES
Complete your Project Endeavor experience with exciting weekend adventures.
SOCAL SEASIDE WEEKEND
Santa Monica Pier– A favorite for Hollywood movie scenes, this California icon comes alive at night. Take a ride on the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel or stop by the famed aquarium to get nose-to-nose with the ocean’s most fearsome predators!
Third Street Promenade– The world-famous strip features designer boutiques and award-winning restaurants, all in the heart of Santa Monica. The outdoor mall is full of colorful street entertainers and dancers enjoying perfect California weather.
Palisades Park– Stunning ocean views makes this the perfect place to savor nature. If the fast pace of LA living and Hollywood glamour get to be a bit much, this is an ideal spot to chill out.
The Grove– For shopping, dining and simply living life, you can’t do better than the Grove. Make sure to sample some of the freshest fruits and veggies next door at the original Farmers’ Market, an LA landmark.
Hollywood Walk of Fame– This entertainment icon immortalizes more than 2,400 stars along a two-mile stretch of Hollywood Boulevard. Take a stroll and spot your favorite TV and movie stars.
Mann Chinese Theater– The most sought-after theater for Hollywood premieres, this famed theater has witnessed the debut of silver screen favorites like Avatar, Titanic and Due Date.
Zuma Beach– Stunning views along the Pacific Coast Highway lead to three miles of pristine beach that has been a favorite for movie producers. Feeling active? Grab a volleyball and try your skill on the same beach the pros have competed on for decades.
Universal City Walk– LA comes to life at the City Walk. Grab a bite at one of the famous restaurants and then hit the trendy shops before bracing yourself for thrilling activities, all set under the beautiful California stars.
VENICE
Venice Beach– LA’s most iconic beach known for its bohemian spirit, Venice is a buzzing beach town. Free-spirited Venice Boardwalk is the site of funky shops, street performers and colorful murals. There’s also a skate park and Muscle Beach outdoor gym. Abbot Kinney Boulevard features foodie hot spots, stylish boutiques and coffee bars.
San Francisco Extension
Add 5 days to your Project Endeavor Program
Add to your California experience and explore the wonders of San Francisco! (supplemental tuition required)
You’ll remain in the secure company of trusted Project Endeavor staff members, as well as many of the friends you’ve made on your Project Endeavor program. Of course, you’ll also enjoy the comfortable accommodations and superior guidance you’ve come to expect from Project Endeavor.
From the majesty of the Golden Gate Bridge to the natural beauty of Muir Woods, the City by the Bay is no doubt one of the prettiest on the Pacific, if not all of America! And for things to do, San Francisco is second to none.
- Fisherman's Wharf – Set overlooking beautiful San Francisco Bay, Fisherman’s Wharf features great shopping, some of the freshest seafood in the country, and amazing street performers of incredible variety. Fisherman’s Wharf has been THE place to be in San Francisco since 1946!
- Pier 39 – Located on Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 packs a serious punch! You can see the sea lions, take a whale-watching tour, find your way through the incredible Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze, thrill to the ride of your life on RocketBoat, or ride the movies (you heard us!) at the Turbo Ride 4-D Experience. This place is FUN!
- Alcatraz – Formerly the home of America’s most notorious prison, Alcatraz Island also has astonishing marine life, rare flowers and plants, and buildings dating back to the Civil War. There’s no end to what you can learn and see.
- Japanese Tea Garden – Take a trip that feels like you’ve gone across the ocean and back in time. The five-acre Japanese Tea Garden is an enchanting and fascinating experience – not to be missed!
- Golden Gate Bridge – Completed way back in 1937, this fantastic bridge remains a technical marvel and the most recognizable symbol of San Francisco. Put on some comfortable shoes and walk the 1.7 miles across for a view you won’t believe!
- Union Square – San Francisco’s shopping paradise! Be it in fashion, food or anything else, you’ll find all the very best names. A great place for serious shoppers or to just walk around and take in the sights.
- Chinatown – Breathtaking in its scope of history, beauty, art, architecture (and food!), spending part of your day in San Francisco’s Chinatown is an exotic vacation in and of itself.
- Muir Woods to Stinson Beach Hike – Take an unforgettable hike through the majestic Redwood forest to the stunning views of the California Coast. Along the way you’ll see eye-popping ravines, lush and diverse plants, and wildlife of every sort. An absolute must for the hiker or nature lover!
- Ghirardelli Square – Shops, restaurants and – of course – chocolate! One of San Fran's historic sites, it’s an ideal place for people-watching, putting a dent in your credit cards, and noshing on decadent desserts.
- Cable Car – Originally an alternative to horses on the slippery San Fran slopes, the cable car system is a must for anyone wanting a timeless tour of this beautiful city. It’s Frisco's favorite way to get around!
- Stanford University – Set in the tech capital of the world, Palo Alto, Stanford is noted as one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
- University of California, Berkeley – The oldest campus of the University of California system, UC Berkeley is one of the nation's top public universities. Be sure to check out the cafes, shops and music stores on Telegraph Avenue.
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