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For more than 30 years, Project Minnesota/León has brought groups to León, Nicaragua, from various schools, universities, churches, and other organizations. Groups have focused on a wide range of themes. Some groups have had a broad itinerary, with no theme. Groups have often been formally organized, but others have been informal groups of family and friends. Some of the past groups and themes are listed below.

Colleges and Universities

  • Augsburg College, physician's assistants group (theme: health care)

  • Augsburg College, students in the masters in leadership program

  • University of Minnesota, nurse practitioners (theme: health care)

  • Carleton College students

  • Macalester College students

  • United Theological Seminary students (biennial trips)

High Schools

  • Hopkins High School Spanish students (theme: arts and education)

  • Perpich Arts High School, sister-school relationship with Xuchialt Art School

  • High school Spanish teachers (theme: education)

  • Spanish-immersion school teachers

EducatORS

High school teachers and Carleton College students (theme: education in Nicaragua, exploring different grade levels; public, private, and Catholic schools; and teaching of English, sample trip flyer here)

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Churches and Synagogues

  • SpringHouse Ministry Center—First Christian Church of Minneapolis, Salem Lutheran Church, and Lyndale United Church of Christ (theme: environment and sustainability)

  • St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, intergenerational group (theme: culture and community development)

  • First Universalist Church, youth cultural exchange program, partnered with PML for 15 years

  • First Universalist Church, parents of teens who had previously participated in a youth trip

  • First Universalist Church (theme: women’s rights, including a visit with midwives)

  • First Universalist Church, men’s group

  • University Baptist Church, ongoing sister-church relationship with Second Baptist Church Monte Sion in León

  • Plymouth Congregational Church

  • Judson Memorial Baptist Church

  • St. Francis of Cabrini Church, intergenerational groups, traveling regularly for 10 years

  • Shir Tikvah Synagogue

Other Groups

  • Tonka Soccer Club (and Girl Scout Gold Star project), soccer clinic for elementary and high school girls

  • Long-time PML members

  • Bird watching group

  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency employees (theme: the environment)

  • Family group (theme: language and culture)

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