Change Up Sports | Join Us In Sierra Leone!

Change Up Sports VolunTeer trip
Sierra Leone
6.14.25 to 6.26.25

TRAVEL TO SIERRA LEONE WITH Change Up Sports
**The trip is now full! Please email kelly@letschangeupsports.org to be added to the waitlist!.**
Join us for our upcoming volunteer trip to the amazing country of Sierra Leone in West Africa! We hope that you will be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people in collaboration with our phenomenal partners while experiencing the beauty of Sierra Leone!

The 12-night trip (ten nights in-country and two nights of travel) will be from Saturday, June 14 through Thursday, June 26, and will take us to the capital city of Freetown and the surrounding areas on the Western Peninsula.

While in Sierra Leone, we will facilitate our second annual Softball for Success summer camp for 40 teenage girls ages 12 to 18 who are participants in the Softball for Success program. The program is a free community-based youth development and girls empowerment program that melds positive, inclusive softball instruction, practice, and games with holistic youth development activities. The initiative also reduces barriers to participation by providing meals and transportation as well as school supplies, athletic clothing, and personal care products to help ensure participants’ needs are met off the field. Softball for Success is the first and only softball program for teenage girls in the country, and the very first sports-based youth development program in Sierra Leone to use softball to engage vulnerable girls.

The six-day camp in June (from June 16 to June 21) will be a follow-up to our month-long Softball for Success winter session from January 25 to February 22, 2025 to continue to support the girls and ensure the sustainability and continuity of the program. During camp, we will engage the girls in softball skills and drills exercises in the morning. In the afternoon, we will accompany the girls as they take part in fun and educational youth development activities and field trips.

In addition, while in-country we will play friendly softball games with, and provide support and instruction to, the participants in our Softball Salone adult league and host a one-day youth softball and baseball skills clinic for young people in the community of Lakka. Plus, we will have the opportunity to see so many cultural and historical sights and experience so much of what Sierra Leone has to offer!
ABOUT The TRIP
learn more about What we will do While in Sierra Leone

Host Our Softball for success day camp
We will facilitate our second annual Softball for Success Summer camp for six days for 40 teenage girls. In the morning, we will run softball skills and drills clinics in a positive and inclusive way. In the afternoon, the girls will participate in fun and constructive youth development activities and field trips in and around Freetown. The camp will conclude wth a tournament and closing banquet.
Provide Adult Training + Coaching Support
We will play friendly softball games designed for teaching and learning with the participants in our Softball Salone adult league. Softball Salone is a free and inclusive mixed-gender adult slow-pitch softball league that enables adult coaches and players to enjoy the many benefits that recreational sports can offering while also helping the participants to become more familiar with the game so that they are better positioned to work with young people as softball coaches.
Facilitate a Community Softball Skills Clinic
We will run a one-day community-based softball and baseball skills clinic and school supply distribution with the young people in the community of Lakka, which the Softball for Success program participants will help to facilitate. The clinic will also include meals for all of the young people.
See The sights of Sierra Leone
We'll take time to see some of the world famous sights in Sierra Leone, including the beautiful beaches of the Western Peninsula, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum, Leicester Peak (the highest point in Freetown), Big Market, and other important historical and cultural locations. In addition, we will make sure to enjoy some amazing Sierra Leonean cuisine!
Meet The Team
See Who Is Joining us in Sierra Leone

Jonnae' M.
Sam R.
Tabatha L.
Rob W.
Quinn C.
Hannah B.
She-Are' M.
Adam H.
Shane W.
Taylor T.

Bryan G.
Erich E.
Stephen B.
Nicole C.
Heena D.
Steve O.
Kelly O.
Trip Itinerary
Saturday, June 14
Depart USA
Sunday, June 15
Arrive at Lungi Airport, Travel to Freetown
Afternoon: Freetown Keke Tour + National Railway Museum
Lodging: Stafford Lodge
Monday, June 16
Morning: Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Afternoon: Softball for Success Program Kickoff
Lodging: Stafford Lodge
Tuesday, June 17
Morning: Softball for Success Softball Clinic
Afternoon: Softball for Success Youth Development Activities
Lodging: Stafford Lodge
Wednesday, June 18
Morning: Softball for Success Softball Clinic
Afternoon: Softball for Success Youth Development Activities
Evening: Sunset at Leicester Peak, Hightest Point in Freetown
Lodging: Stafford Lodge
Thursday, June 19
Morning: Softball for Success Softball Clinic
Afternoon: Softball for Success Youth Development Activities
Lodging: Stafford Lodge
Friday, June 20
Morning: Softball for Success Softball Clinic
Afternoon: Youth Development Activities
Lodging: Stafford Lodge
Saturday, June 21
All Day: Softball for Success Youth Development Activities
Lodging: Stafford Lodge
Sunday, June 22
Morning: Community Youth Softball Clinic
Afternoon: Softball Games with Softball Salone Teams
Lodging: The Place Resort
Monday, June 23
Beach Day at Tokeh Beach
Lodging: The Place Resort
Tuesday, June 24
Morning: Buffet Breakfast at Hotel and Checkout, Stop at Big Market
Afternoon: Travel via Ferry to Lungi, Check into Hotel
Lodging: Lungi Gateway Hotel
Wednesday, June 25
Depart Freetown
Arrive in Casablanca, Morocco for Long Layover
Lodging: TBD by Airline
Thursday, June 26
Depart Casablanca
Arrive USA
*Itinerary is subject to change
Trip Cost + More Details
$975 (not including Airfare)

The cost of the 12 night trip (10 nights in country) is $975 not including airfare (see below for due dates and what is included).

For airfare, we have group airfare reserved on Royal Air Maroc from JFK to Freetown with a layover in Casablanca, Morocco in both directions. The airfare is $1,517 roundtrip. The departing flight leaves at 11:50am from JFK on Saturday, June 14. A roundtrip group shuttle from 30th Street Station in Philly to JFK is also included in the trip price. On the return flight, we will have a 20 hour layover in Casablanca (hotel stay included) which will give those who are interested the opportunity to explore this incredible city as a group. We will return to JFK at 9:50am on Thursday, June 26. The flight includes two checked bags (one of which we will use for donations that we will bring over). You may book your own airfare if you would like but you must arrive to Lungi Airport in Sierra Leone by 4:25am on Sunday, June 15.

In addition to the trip costs, all participants will be expected to fundraise to support the costs of our in-country programming, and will be asked to raise a minimum of $500 through their personal networks, as well as to assist with staffing group fundraising events and initiatives (bake sales, raffles, etc.). Everyone will be able to set up a personal fundraising page through Change Up Sport's Givebutter software, and we will provide you with templates, sample letters, language, etc. so that you have all of the tools you need to easily fundraise! The fundraising component is actually a lot of fun and we will provide lots of support.

PLEASE NOTE:
A valid passport that will be valid for six months after June 26, 2025 is required to enter Sierra Leone. If your passport will expire within the next year, you need to renew it before participating in the trip!

Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory to enter the country and you must present your yellow card vaccine certificate upon arrival (one dose provides lifetime validity). You must receive your dose at least ten days prior to departure. Required and recommended vaccines are not included in the cost but we will provide detailed resources for you regarding where you can receive vaccinations to make it easy for you! You will also need to take anti-malarial medication.

You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (one or two doses depending on vaccine PLUS booster) in order to participate in the trip to protect everyone's health and safety.

All lodging will have 24-hour electricity, running water, air-conditioning, and private bathrooms, and should have consistent wi-fi. Please note that all locations may experience brief intermittent power outtages.

What's Included
All Lodging (primarily shared rooms, all with your own bed and private bathrooms)
All In-Country Transportation Including Airport Transfers Via Ferry and Private Air-Conditioned Bus
All Meals (except for one lunch on your own during your free day at the beach)
Emergency Medical Travel Insurance through World Nomads
All Group Excursions and Entry Fees (including the Freetown Keke Tour, National Railway Museum, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and More)
Two New Change Up Sports T-Shirts
Group Transportation from Philadelphia to JFK Airport

What's NoT Included
Roundtrip Airfare
Sierra Leone Visa (gotten in-country via $80 cash upon arrival)
Sierra Leone Entry/Exit Fee ($25 each way)
Required and Recommended Vaccines and Anti-Malarials (C lick here for CDC vaccine info for Sierra Leone--note that Yellow Fever vaccine is required.)
Additional Personal Excursions Not Included on the Itinerary or Souvenirs
Additional Tips Outside of Included Meals
Alcohol
Passport or Passport Renewal Fees If Applicable (Your passport must be valid for SIX MONTHS after your departure date or you must renew it prior to travel.)
payment information

The trip is now full! Please email kelly@letschangeupsports.org to be added to the waitlist!
A non-refundable deposit of $175 to hold your spot must be submitted by Tuesday, February 4.
Spots are limited and are first-come, first-serve, so we recommend signing up and paying your deposit as quickly as possible once registration opens.
If there are still spots open after this date we will continue to add participants and accept deposits.
If there are not enough participants signed up by March 1, 2025 and the trip cannot run, we will refund your deposit. Otherwise, your deposit is non-refundable.
To make the trip accessible to more participants, we are offering installment payments. The due dates are as follows:
February 4, 2025: $175 deposit (non-refundable)
March 4, 2025: $200
April 4, 2025: $200
April 21, 2025: $1,517 (for optional group airfare)
May 4, 2025: $200
June 4, 2025: $200
Cancellation Policy: If you cancel through March 1, you will receive a refund of all payments made through that date (minus your $175 non-refundable deposit). If you cancel on March 2 or later, you do not receive a refund for payments paid. If we are able to fill your slot after your cancellation, we may be able to offer a partial or full refund but there is no guarantee. Note that if you choose to book your own flights and you cancel after you have booked your flights and wish to cancel, change, or seek a refund for your flights, that is subject to the policies detailed by the airlines at the time of your flight booking and must be pursued through them directly. Please note the airline's cancellation and change policy PRIOR to booking.
Questions?
Please Reach Out To Us!

kelly@letschangeupsports.org
267.225.8241
@letschangeupsports
@letschangeupsports