SCORE Frequently Asked Questions
Can I participate in both a SCORE and a Scramble?
Can international students participate in SCORE?
When will I find out if I’ve been accepted in to a SCORE program?
How do I find out who else is on my SCORE trip?
When and where do I need to arrive for my SCORE trip?
What can I do with all my stuff?
I haven’t done a lot of long-term volunteering or volunteer trips before. Is that okay?
What is the cell phone policy?
What is the cost of the trip and when is the payment due?
I have a medical condition/ dietary restrictions. How can I let you know?
How do I know exactly what I'll be doing during the week?
Where will I be staying and working?
When and where does SCORE end?
How are meals going to be handled?
How does the program address safety issues?
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
The SCORE Application should only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Back to questions.
Can I participate in both SCORE and a Scramble?
Because SCORE runs from August 16th until August 23rd, the trips overlap with regular Scrambles. However, a student can sign up for Early Scrambles which run from August 11th or 13th until August 16th. Back to questions.
Can international students participate in SCORE?
Unfortunately, the international student orientation overlaps with the SCORE program, so international students cannot participate in SCORE. Back to questions.
When will I find out if I've been accepted in to a SCORE trip?
SCORE Applications opened on May 21st and are due by midnight on June 10th. Applicants will be notified by e-mail in late June. Back to questions.
Housing & Homelessness Leaders:
Lydia Collins
HEY SCORIES!
I’m Lydia Collins and I am from Madison, Wisconsin. This fall I am going to be a junior at Whitman and I’m majoring in Race and Ethnic Studies. Recently I went on a spring break service trip through Whitman to New Orleans, and I think I’ve really come to understand what “service” means, and I’m super excited to continue with it and participate in the Walla Walla community with all of you! This summer I’m working at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and I’ve been pretty busy with the recall of our current governor. I cannot wait to meet all of you!
See you soon, Lydia
Nicke Tacke
My name is Nick Tacke, and I am originally from Boise, ID. I will be a senior this year and am studying psychology and pre-med. This summer I am living in Baltimore, Maryland where I am working on a research project at Johns Hopkins. I can't wait to come back to Whitman where I enjoy exploring the ins and outs of Walla Walla cuisine and singing in the Testostertones (the all-male a capella group). As far as community service goes, I have worked on different projects ranging from tutoring elementary school students to rescuing streams from the evils of invasive plant species. Over spring break I went to New Orleans with other Whitman students to help reconstruct homes still damaged by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Whether a service project takes a semester, week, or just a couple hours, I have found through my experiences that volunteering is probably one of the most efficient ways to learn about the world and build lasting relationships with others. That is why I am so excited to lead a SCORE, and I am going to make sure our trip is a blast!
See you in August!
Nick
Sayda Morales
Hey SCOREers!
My name is Sayda Morales, and I am a rising sophomore planning on majoring in Sociology. I am also from the boogie-down Bronx, NY. At Whitman I am a member of the slam poetry team known as Almighty Ink; I am the Director of Events for Students for Education Reform; and I participate in as many volunteer opportunities as I can such as Cool the Schools and the Mentor Program. My academic interests include art history, japanese, and sociology. Outside of class, I enjoy improv. comedy shows, plays, IM softball, Reid Coffeehouse shows, concerts put on by on-campus bands, and lectures on anything ranging from human rights to environmental issues. I am so excited to lead a SCORE because I want to make sure your SCORE experience will be as incredible as mine was freshman year. I know the friendships we'll form will be long-lasting, and the memories we'll create will be unforgettable! So, get pumped, and count down the days (I know I am!), because SCORE is gonna be so much fun!
Food & Hunger Leaders:
George Felton
Dearest SCORE Participants,
My name is George Felton and I'm a rising sophomore from Seattle interested in Classics, Philosophy, and History! I'm very excited to lead a SCORE trip, namely because I get to meet all of you! My hobbies include philanthropy, snowboarding, reading, world domination, and gaming of all sorts. My spirit animal is the grizzly bear, and my favorite food is (unsurprisingly for a bear) sushi. I am one of three blonde-haired, red-bearded people on campus, and I can't wait to meet you all in August! Have a fun and rewarding summer!
Most Sincerely,
George
Kristen Whittington
Hey there Scoritos!
Kristen Whittington here, writing you from sunny Walla Walla. I travelled up here from Austin, Texas three years ago, fell in love with Whitman and haven't left the northwest for very long since. I'm headed into my junior year as an economics major with a math minor. Don't let that fool you though because outside of the classroom I love to bake/cook with my friends, dance in the car (or anywhere really), participate in the Storytime reading project, spend hours looking at food pictures on foodgawker (it's a guilty pleasure), and hang out with pals. I am so stoked to meet all of you and introduce you to the wonders of Walla Walla and have great volunteer bonding time (because really, there's no better way to bond than by doing some work together!)! I'll see y'all soon!!
Nick Chow
Nick Chow
Hey SCOREers! I'm Nick Chow and I'm a senior geology major that's going to be leading one of the amazing SCORE trips. Walla Walla is going to be pretty warm when you get in and it's going to be sweet. The trips will take you across and around the majestic town, and you'll get to know it pretty well with time. I'm pumped to be your first connection, and want to make it a memorable experience for everyone. All of that being said, I'm excited so you should hurry up and get here! I can't wait for all the good times.
Feel free to shoot me questions/ stuff by email. - chownh@whitman.edu
Environmental Justice & Sustainability Leaders:
Al-Rahim Merali
Hello!!! My name is Al-Rahim, and I am a rising senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology. This summer, I am working with The Heart Hope Institute, a non-profit organization in Bellevue, Washington (my hometown!) whose focus is cardiovascular research, education and outreach. At Whitman, I have been involved in several activities ranging from student clubs, dance, community service, intramural sports, and residence life! Whitman is truly a wonderful place, and I am SO EXCITED to acquaint you all with Walla Walla! You are so lucky to be a part of the score program -- I can assure you it will be one of your fondest memories at Whitman, and it will be a great opportunity for you to forge meaningful connections with fellow Whitties that will last a lifetime! I am so excited to get to know all of you, and I can't wait for all the memories to come! Have an amazing summer, and GET STOKED!! Much love, Al-Rahim :-)
Molly Emmett
Hello incoming SCORErs!
My name is Molly Emmett and I get to be one of your SCORE leaders this August! I'm a rising sophomore and a native of Long Beach, CA, a hometown I share with this guy called Snoop Dogg as well as the homies from Sublime. My academic interests include English, theater, and education. I am an active member of Whitman club volleyball as well as a participant in some intramural sports like basketball and the ever-popular flag football. My favorite season is autumn, I love the TV show Arrested Development, and I collect buttons. I went on a SCORE trip last summer and it was honestly one of the best weeks of my life. It got me involved in community service at Whitman right away, and I spent much of my free time last year volunteering in different capacities on campus, in Walla Walla, and even on a Spring Break Service Trip in Issaquah, WA. I had my fingers crossed all last year that I'd get picked to be a SCORE leader, and because my wish came true I get to share the experience with you fine folks! I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that we're going to have a blast working together, exploring together, and blaring loud music while we drive down Main Street together come August 18th.
I'm counting down the days!
Nate Higby
HEY INCOMING WHITTIES! My name is Nate Higby and I will be a sophomore this year! I haven’t declared my major but am debating between sociology and politics. I was born and raised in charming city of Portland but I’m spending my summer in the viking-infested (literally) hamlet called Poulsbo in Washington. This summer, you’ll find me volunteering, reading, cooking, and lawn-mowing. I am STOKED to lead a SCORE! There is no better way to get incoming freshmen acquainted with Walla Walla! I can’t wait to meet you all and to learn more about our community! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! See you all very soon!
Nate "abuser of the exclamation mark button" Higby
How do I find out who else is on my SCORE trip?
Once selected to participate in a SCORE, the Community Service Summer Intern will send students a link to the SCORE facebook group, where you can see who else is on a SCORE, ask leaders questions, and get excited! Back to questions.
When and where do I need to arrive for my SCORE trip?
SCORE participants need to arrive before 4:30pm on Thursday, August 16th at Reid Campus Center. Trip leaders will be able to pick up students who arrive on Horizon flight into Walla Walla. When students arrive, there will be check-in, orientation, dinner, and team building before the groups head out to their separate sleeping locations. Back to questions.
What can I do with all my stuff?
If you live close to Whitman and plan to have your family come to help you move in on the 23rd, we highly recommend you arrive with only what you absolutely need for your SCORE trip. If that is not a possibility, there will be storage provided on campus until you return from your SCORE trip. If you'll be storing things, please plan to arrive closer to 3:00pm on Thursday, August 16th. Back to questions.
I haven't done a lot of long-term volunteering or volunteer trips before. Is that okay?
SCORE programs are designed for anyone interested in getting to know the Walla Walla community outside the "Whitman bubble" while meeting new friends and other incoming students. Our trips will include both participants with a lot of community service experience and folks who are brand new to it. Back to questions.
Accepted students will receive a detailed packing list in August. Essentially, students will need work clothes, a good pair of work shoes (closed-toe, hard-soled), clothes for after work, toiletries, pillow, sleeping bag and pad (if possible), and a great attitude! Back to questions.
What is the cell phone policy?
To make sure that the SCORE trips are focused on service and inter-group bonding, SCORE participants will not have access to their cell phones during the trip. The Assistant Director of Student Engagment will keep them safe and sound in their office (to be returned at re-orientation), or you may store them in your luggage that remains on campus. However, you may use your trip leaders’ cell phones to call home during the evenings or for emergencies. Your pre-trip information sent out in August will include the phone numbers of trip leaders and coordinators so students can contact their families (and vice versa) during the SCORE trip. Back to questions.
What is the cost of the trip and when is the payment due?
The cost of participating in a SCORE is $375, which includes seven nights of lodging, twenty meals, transportation in the Walla Walla area, evening activities, trip leader expenses, a program t-shirt, and a small donation to our partner organizations. Payment will be due by July 1st. Pro-rated trips are available to students with significant finanical need. If you would like more information about this please contact Kelsie Butts, Community Service Coordinator at communityservice@whitman.edu. Back to questions.
I have a medical condition/ dietary restrictions. How can I let you know?
Accepted students be notified by June 25th and asked for additional information such as medical conditions or dietary restrictions that trip leaders should know about it. This additional information is due no later than July 15th. Back to questions.
How do I know exactly what I'll be doing during the week?
In August, SCORE students will receive a pre-trip packet, and included will be an overview of the week's itinerary. Back to questions.
Where will I be staying and working?
Participants will be sleeping at local churches in the Walla Walla area. All of our work sites are located in the Walla Walla Valley, none of them more than half an hour from the sleeping site.
Students will be driven by trip leaders to their work site every day. Please note that you will not be on campus at all during these trips. Back to questions.
When and where does SCORE end?
All SCORE trips will return to Whitman's Reid Campus Center on Thursday, August 23rd at 9:00am for new student arrival. Leaders will be available to help with storage pick-up and moving into residence halls. Back to questions.
How are meals going to be handled?
The majority of your meals will be prepared as a group at your sleeping location. There will also be opportunities to go out to eat at some local "student favorite" spots in town. All meals are included in the program fee. Back to questions.
How does the program address safety issues?
All participants are covered under Whitman's insurance policy. Trip leaders attend a two-day training and will be First Aid certified by the Red Cross. As none of the locations are remote, trip leaders will always have cell phone contact with campus. Back to questions.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
• If you cancel before July 10th, you will receive a full refund minus a $50 cancellation fee.
• If you cancel after July 10th but prior to August 1st, the Community Service Office will retain 50% of the trip fee.
• From August 1st throughout the duration of SCORE, all trip fees are non-refundable.
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