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)
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)