Urban immersion

Urban Immersion brings youth and adults to ODM for short-term trips to serve, learn, and interact with the neighborhood.

Every year, ODM hosts youth groups, school groups, and adult groups that come to serve at ODM for short-term trips. Our vision is to see lives transformed as people gain a bigger picture of the Kingdom of God in urban Denver. This happens through community engagement, educational activities, service opportunities, addressing biases, and the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Your group will have the chance to serve at ODM and other organizations in our neighborhood, interact with people experiencing homelessness, and learn about urban issues through a Christian worldview. We house groups in our dorm space on the Westside of Denver so that participants can be fully immersed in our unique urban landscape. We also host one-day immersion experiences for groups of all sizes.

We love to see individuals of all ages gain new perspectives as they engage in urban experiences. Email Jenn Overshiner for more info. Keep reading for details on our week-long and weekend trips.

Urban Immersion FAQ

Where will we stay? 
Teams stay at ODM's west church campus, Westside Church Internacional. Groups sleep in dorm space with access to two separate showers, a full kitchen, and gym space. Groups will need vehicles to travel to different locations around the city during their time with us.

How many people can we bring?
We have four bedrooms with a total of 20 beds, but have room for more on the floor and throughout other spaces at the church. WCI can host no more than 30 people. Groups must have a minimum of five people.

How much will my trip cost? 
Open Door Ministries charges groups $70/person/night, which covers lodging, food, programing, and service projects supplies. To reserve a date, we request that groups pay a $1000 deposit for the scheduled trip, which will be deducted from the final invoice. $1000 is the minimum charge, regardless of group size. 

How long should we stay?
We offer custom-made schedules from 1 day to 7 days. We recommend staying for 4-5 days in order to experience all facets of curriculum. Groups are scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

How do meals work? 
Your ODM hosts will meal plan and grocery shop before your team arrives. Please let us know if anyone on your team has specific dietary needs. Teams will be expected to prepare and clean up meals at Westside.

What time of year can we come? 
ODM hosts groups any time of the year! We also enjoy working with groups that want to join us for a day-long Urban Immersion experience. 

Is there an age limit?
We require that participants are at least of Middle School age. We have found that elementary school children are too young to participate in the service projects and educational activities.

Urban Immersion Activities

Urban Immersion is more than just a volunteer program – we desire to give teams a holistic view of what it’s like to do ministry in Denver. Our program is structured around three key attributes:
1) Community Involvement
2) Service Projects
3) Learning Opportunities

Downtown Scavenger Hunt
Set out in groups to complete various tasks and interact with people experiencing homelessness to learn more about what it’s like to live below the poverty line in Denver. 

Westside Scavenger Hunt
Discover the unique culture of the Westside of Denver by walking the neighborhood and engaging with the people you meet. (Groups do either Downtown or Westside Scavenger Hunt - they are similar activities)

Prayer Walk
Participate in a prayer walk through the neighborhood while learning about the ODM community and hearing about issues facing our city.

Homeless Outreach
Go through an outreach training with Open Door staff and then head downtown to have meaningful conversations with people experiencing homelessness in Civic Center Park. The purpose of this activity is to meet needs, break down barriers, and have conversations about Christ.

Service Projects
Serve alongside ODM as need arises. Projects may include gardening, painting, neighborhood cleanup, and deep cleaning. 

Engaging in the Greater Denver Area
Depending on length of stay and group number, we aim to introduce groups to other organizations working with those in poverty. Possibilities include: Denver Rescue Mission, Denver Voice, Mean Street Ministry, Christ in the City, The Drip Cafe, etc.

Urban Entry Video
Watch an Urban Entry video – they are 15 minutes long and encourage discussion about urban issues from a Christian perspective.

Attend an Urban Church
Attend Open Door Fellowship or Westside Church Internacional and experience church in an entirely new way! 

Sleep Outside
Spend one night sleeping outside on the ODM playground to gain some insight into what it’s like living on the streets in Denver. Sleeping area is fully enclosed from the street. This is an optional activity.

Bus Ride to Aurora
Experience what it’s like taking public transportation down Colfax. Then get a glimpse of what poverty looks like in the suburbs. 

Meal at Ethnic Restaurant
Dine at a multi-ethnic food court to experience delicious food, diversity, and support the refugee/immigrant community located in Aurora.

Learning Activities
Participate in hands-on learning activities that allow groups to look beyond their own needs and explore ideas of poverty and wealth distribution.

Devotionals
Start each day hearing a devotion shared from an ODM staff person or pastor.