ISAS Prospectus

Immersion programs, service learning, and outdoor adventure are state of the art pedagogical tools that attract and develop today’s college student. In the hands of skilled experiential educators, these approaches to interpersonal and academic growth are unparalleled. Since the fall of 2007, Summit Adventure has woven service learning and outdoor adventure into an off-campus college program designed to develop relationship-building Christian young adults. We call this innovative Christ-centered program ISAS – Immersion Service and Adventure Semester. ISAS will be based in California’s High Sierra and the cities and mountains surrounding Quito, Ecuador.

Thousands of students over the years have come to Summit Adventure demonstrating a glaring lack of proficiency in leadership, interpersonal communication, cross-cultural awareness, spiritual growth and physical fitness. As a result, we are focusing ISAS on these five competencies through the courses listed below. We call these 3-credit courses “pillars” because they are foundational to a student’s ability to build relationships in ministry and life.

ISAS’ 5 Core Courses / Academic Pillars:

  1. Leadership Education
    Three credit hours, 2-300 level, suitable for equivalent courses in the general education curriculum, electives, or as major courses. This course will allow each student to develop a coherent personal philosophy of leadership and explore first-hand the challenges of implementing that philosophy in real situations. Critical exploration of a variety of leadership models will be integrated with practical application. Each student will be challenged to think through and develop a distinctly Christian model of leadership. A semester’s worth of expeditions, service, cross-cultural ministry and close knit communal living will help forge a personal philosophy of leadership that corresponds to a Christian worldview and effectively advances the Kingdom of God.
  2. Small Group and Interpersonal Communication
    Three credit hours, 1-300 level, suitable for equivalent courses in the general education curriculum, electives, or as major courses. In this course, you will study small group behavior and interpersonal communication within the contexts of current theory, praxis, and Christian community. Course content includes the study of group dynamics, small group leadership, conflict resolution, non-violent communication, and the application of interpersonal interaction theories. Learning occurs in small group travel in mountains, rural settings, and international venues via class discussion, practical experiences, and communal living.
  3. Cross-Cultural Ministry
    Three credit hours, 2-300 level, suitable for equivalent courses in the general education curriculum, electives, or as major courses. During this course, students will interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. These interactions will help broaden their perspectives on people and cultures different from their own. Students will become more effective witnesses for the Gospel because they have successfully transferred learning about others in different cultures back to home and school. They will see firsthand that the Kingdom of God is not only American and ministry must be undertaken with this global perspective. Language acquisition and home stay weeks in Ecuador are included to broaden the cultural immersion experience.
  4. Spiritual Formation
    Three credit hours, 1-200 level, suitable for equivalent courses in the general education curriculum, electives, or as major courses. This course provides a hands-on framework for spiritual growth during ISAS. It will draw heavily on the spiritual disciplines to complement the cross-cultural, service, and adventure learning the students will experience during the semester. Students will have many opportunities to deepen their faith in a variety of individual and corporate settings. This course is intended to be highly practical because walking closely with Jesus Christ involves much more than engaging the intellect- we must involve our hearts and “hands” as well.
  5. Outdoor Physical Education
    Three credit hours, 1-200 level, suitable for equivalent courses in the general education curriculum, electives, or as major courses. This course will focus on physical education skills including rock climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, back country navigation, and wilderness camping. Students will be challenged both physically and mentally as they learn the various skill sets enabling them to become comfortable in the outdoors. The course will take place in the beautiful and rugged high country of the Sierra Nevada, California and the high altitude peaks of the Andes in Ecuador.

Which Students and Majors Would Enroll for ISAS?

ISAS seeks to integrate students from a variety of Christian colleges and universities. All pillars are specifically designed to suit as many students as possible, either as general education equivalent courses, elective courses, or major courses. Because each school has a unique curriculum, the following are examples for how ISAS courses might fit within an institution.

ISAS Courses as General Education Courses:

Christian Life and Ministry (Azusa Pacific University)
Fitness and Wellness for Life (Whitworth College)
The Art of Leadership (Azusa Pacific University)
Introduction to Communication (Asbury College)

ISAS Courses as Elective Courses:

Outdoor Living Skills (Asbury College)
Religion and Culture (Pepperdine University)
Spiritual Formation (Fresno Pacific University)
Philosophy of Faith and Learning (Montreat College)

ISAS Courses as Major Courses:

Leadership and Group Dynamics (Montreat College)
Group Dynamics and Facilitation (Eastern Mennonite University)
Cross-Cultural Ministry (Whitworth College)
Cross- Cultural Communications (Westmont College)

ISAS Application Form