Our work will primarily focus on wetland restoration as we strive to reach our goal of planting 5,000 Cypress trees and Bulrush grasses from December, 2025 through 2026. This work will include planting cypress trees and wetland grasses, erosion mitigation, habitat restoration including invasive plant and debris removal. Depending on need and the interests of the university service partners, this work could also include supporting home rebuilds, food banks, shelters, and after school programs. The wetland restoration work includes an educational workshop presented by local experts that explain the land loss issues facing Southern Louisiana and how that affects the whole Mississippi watershed. 

Our projects also immerse volunteers in the community where we learn from local leaders (and environmental experts from Southeastern University in Hammond LA who advise us on these projects) about issues facing these communities, its history and what it means to be active, engaged citizens. 

We are doing important work that makes a difference, but we also take the time to appreciate the rich culture of SouthEast Louisiana and New Orleans: Funky brass bands, Jambalaya, old growth cypress, a soulful culture that lives a rigorous joy with grit and resilience in the face of it all!

We also offer guided kayak tours of the backwaters of the bayou for up to 8 per trip (schedule and timing depending). 

Alternative Break Lodging Options

Louisiana Alternative Service Breaks FAQ

What is the ideal number of volunteers? 

Further Along wants to ensure that you and your students have the opportunity to join us for a vibrant service experience. The ideal number of volunteers for Further Along (from a project and cost perspective) is 15 (though we can accommodate up to 25-30), but our minimum number of volunteers is 10. Our goal is for you, us and our communities to have a quality experience with motivated volunteers vs. the quantity of volunteers. We will work with you to ensure you are able to assemble a team and have a great trip. 

When can we arrive? 

Generally, volunteer teams come in on Saturday but we certainly have flexibility on what works best for your team. Having Sunday as an exploration day gives time to walk the New Orleans French Quarter and attend the Congo Square drum circle -  a national park memorial where American music was born. 

Additional New Orleans treasures other teams have enjoyed include: Attend a gospel church service, hear local treasure Doreen Ketchens play in the street at 701 Royal St (11 AM - 1:30 PM). And if time allows, we also like to get volunteers to City Park to stroll among the old live oaks, the archetypal trees of the South that give witness to resilience and weathering the storms of life.

What can you add to the adventure and cultural immersion on our trip?

We can provide the Louisiana Cajun Jambalaya cooking class with some of our Cajun country neighbors near Swamp Camp for $10/person. 

We also offer kayak tours of the Cypress-Tupelo Swamp at Tickfaw State Park for $20/person. Here we explore the wonders of the swamp and pay respects to cypress elders aged at 500-1000 years old. Sequoias of the South!

We believe the community members and leaders we interact with tell great stories that speak to the grit and resilience of the culture. We also (schedules permitting) bring in local environmental experts from Southeastern University to answer questions and give more context to the work the volunteers complete. We take the time to listen!

What if our team doesn’t reach the required ten volunteer minimum?  

We want to support you reaching your target number of team members and being able to join us in Louisiana! If you can't get to ten participants, we can look into other options for example:  if we have another team coming we can blend your team in without having to raise the per person fee.

Can we still ride the Merry Green Marvel if we choose the bunkhouse option? 

Yes. We want to offer an option for students to ride the Marvel! If capacity allows, you can ride the bus to service and cultural sites without needing your own transportation. The cost for this would be an extra $18/day per volunteer. We can also possibly pick up a group and bring them to the farm, provide transportation through the term of service and then return them to campus.  Rates for this would be based on mileage and driver fee. We’d be happy to provide quotes for this service. You can also choose to stay on the Merry Green Marvel for your entire service experience. See the lodging options on the following page. 

What are the options and costs summary?  

See costs table above (Note: arrival date and the final number of days can be adjusted and coordinated with Further Along in advance.)

What are the options for trip dates?

We are open to hosting volunteer teams December 1st  - Mid April.

Are there ways we can support Further Along besides volunteering?  

Yes!  We of course love it when you show up with a heart dedicated to a week of service, bringing your own version of joy and humor to energize your team’s spirit! This is an incredible blessing to all of us. 

Beyond that we’ve had schools in the past, who had the means, donate to our non profit.  A big expense for our Plant 5,000 Trees initiative, is the actual cost of the trees. Each tree planted, along with tree guards and stakes, costs Further Along an average of $7.00 each. We’d be very grateful if your school considers donating toward this goal! We can discuss in more detail if you are interested. 

Further Along is also very grateful for, and encourages, social media posts, follows and emailing us written testimonials from students and staff that we can use on our site and in marketing materials.  And of course, if you have a great experience, we love you spreading the good word with other students and staff at your school and with any other schools you may interact with.

How much does the Further Along staff get involved with volunteer teams? 

We take our job as your hosts seriously!  We are always available to make this a memorable and meaningful service learning experience. That means we want you to have a comfortable, safe place to stay and enjoy scrumptious home cooked meals we prepare together. We’ll accompany you to work sites and work alongside you. We’ll welcome you with an opening circle and bid you farewell with a closing circle and always enjoy being a part of your reflection circles. Our staff combined has over 60 years of teaching and non profit leadership experience that we have a passion to teach and facilitate from. We also recognize the importance of each group having their own space as needed to build their group trust and process.

What’s a sample itinerary? 

The Merry Green Marvel Sleeper Bus Option:

Note: Itineraries for lodging at our volunteer center or at a local church/Further Along partner will vary especially if you provide your own transportation. We will review the itinerary with you prior to your arrival based on which option you choose. Also, times and work days are subject to change based on workflow, weather and the number of volunteers.

Below we’ve included a sample itinerary for a week of tree planting. Of course we can welcome your team on a Friday or Saturday too. With our Plant 10,000 Trees initiative, our projects will most likely be three to four days of planting mixed in with less strenuous projects such as serving at a local food bank or other nonprofits to mix up the work week and have a breather from planting. We view our jobs as extending to you our hospitality to welcome and support your heart of service.  Please don’t hesitate to speak up so we can best meet your needs!

Saturday

• Arrival / Welcomed onto Merry Green Marvel / Introductions and Orientation

• We’d be happy to prepare a meal as needed and facilitate other activities if time allows

Sunday

• 7:30 AM Wake  Breakfast 8:00 Leave 9:00 for New Orleans

• 10:30-11:30 AM Arrive at City Park Live Oaks walk around and take in the majesty of these old trees. This is where we like to do the opening circle.

• 12-12:30 PM Park the bus near the French Quarter where y'all can stroll and take in the wonders of the Quarter! I recommend the Jackson Square Riverwalk just across from Jackson Square (accessed via the steps from Cafe DuMonde) and check out the French Market while in the area. Lunch on your own in the Quarter.

• 2:00 PM Guided Tour through Studio BE (This requires an Additional Fee, currently general admission is $15). A docent led group tour is $75. 

• Studio BE is a vibrant, local nonprofit organization that focuses on education, empowerment, and the preservation of New Orleans Black history and culture, with a focus on young and emerging artists. A New Orleans landmark and cultural destination, Studio BE is a space for artists and the things they create and a space for the local community and the culture that comes from it.

• 3:30 PM Meet at Congo Square for a drumming circle. Here we’ll meet leaders of the Congo Square Preservation Society and get to be a part of a drumming circle that’s been going for nearly three hundred years!  

• 5:00 PM Reboard the Marvel for travel to overnight accommodations, prepare our dinner, reflections, and sleep.

Monday

• 6:30 AM Wake / Prepare breakfast eat, clean up

• 7:45 AM Depart for planting trees  Lake Maurepas

• 12:00 PM Lunch 

• 4:00 PM Finish work  

• Back to overnight accommodations, showers, dinner, campfire (if permitted), reflections, sleep

Tuesday

• Similar to Monday

Wednesday

• Similar to Monday

• Dinner with our Cajun neighbor Timbo / Possible Cooking class ($10 per volunteer to cover costs)

Thursday

• 6:00 AM Wake 

• 7:00 AM Breakfast 

• Work at Fuller Center and/or Our Daily Bread Food Bank in Hammond, LA. 

• Possible Kayak tour and/or evening visit to New Orleans for music and meal out

• Back to overnight accommodations

Friday

• 6:30 AM Wake 

• 7:30 AM Breakfast 

• More tree planting or other project

• Dinner 

• Closing Circle

Saturday

• Depart

What should I bring?

Here's a packing list for the team members. The key is to prepare for all kinds of weather.  Louisiana can get freezing temps in Winter and Spring as well as pushing into the 90s. Prepare for it all. Look at the forecast just before you leave to get an idea of what to expect.

• Water bottle 

• Long underwear or other inner layers (Think layers! If you’re warm you can peel a layer and then put back on if you chill)

• Hooded sweatshirt 

• Warm winter hat

• Sun hat (Super important. The sun cooks uncovered heads!)

• Shorts -  that you don’t mind getting dirty! (We are gonna get dirty, embrace it!) 

• Work pants long preferably light weight that dry out easily

• 4 pair warm socks

• Rain boots mid calf 

• Rain jacket and pants (pants not essential) - At times we may work in light rain 

• Pillow 

• Warm Sleeping bag (We have some sleeping bags we rent out for $20 /week per volunteer) 

• Sunglasses 

• A small towel 

• Work gloves (provided by Further Along)

• Personal hygiene kit 

• Make sure your phone has a flashlight or bring a small flashlight.

• Do not overpack!  Everything you need in a duffel or carry on bag. This is a service trip where simplicity is essential.   

• Sunscreen  

Note:

• Please bring your own group first aid.

• This list does not include what you need for traveling and walking about town.

What can I expect to eat on a Merry Green Marvel experience?

Note: All volunteers participate in the set up, service, breakdown and clean up of meals during their service week

We aim to satisfy a hunger that comes from a fulfilling day of planting trees!! Our offerings are nourishing, wholesome and when possible - fresh and organic. We serve in a buffet style that creates choices for meat eaters to vegans. Please let us know if you have any food restrictions.  We strive to create as little food waste as possible through encouraging you to take only what you can eat and we practice food composting. Here’s some common entrees:

Breakfast 

• Oatmeal Self Serve Bar: oatmeal with fresh fruit and nut choices, dairy and non dairy toppings, spice and sweeteners 

• Pancakes with fresh fruit and hand whipped cream, real maple syrup

• French Toast similar toppings as pancakes 

• Scrambled eggs with cheese and veggies

• Breakfast Burrito

Lunch 

• Prepare and bag your own lunch to carry to project 

• Choose from Breads, spreads, meats, cheese, veggie spreads, fruits, snacks

Dinner

• Build your own burrito

• Mash potato bar

• Pesto Pasta

• Pasta with red or white sauce

• Sweet Potato with peanut sauce

• All dinners have veggies!