My introduction to UWP

My first contact with Up with People occurred on May 30, 2009. I was volunteering at a local running race and so was Cast A '09. After the race I was approached by a cast member who was eager to tell me about the UWP program and answer questions I had about it. My initial appeal to UWP was the traveling! However, discussion of international travel was not the direction that our conversation took. I quickly discovered that this is a truly unique world tour, one that facilitates inspirational acts. Up with People is on a mission to IMPACT the communities that it travels to on tour! I was so excited by the prospect of participating in Up with People that I decided to spend the next day observing the cast as they prepared for and performed their signature show at the Fox Theater in downtown Tucson.

On May 31st I got a backstage tour of the Up with People performance. I was a part of a small group that learned about the technical and physical preparation going into every performance. Along the way I met many staff members and cast members, all were happy to meet me and carried a positive glow about them. Being around so many positive people makes you feel great inside.

Even before the performance had begun, I decided to begin filling out my application to become a future cast member. If I had $15K in my bank account I would definitely be heading to Denver in 4 weeks to go on tour with Cast B '09... but I don't. It will be a challenging process to earn/ raise enough money to participate in Cast B ’10, a challenge that I am excited to take on. It is for a great cause!

The following Wednesday, the day I was accepted into UWP for Cast B ’10, I had a great time hanging out with some of the cast during the day. I got to toss a Frisbee with them and listen to stories about how they learned about UWP, how their time on tour has been, and some great tips on preparing for my time on tour. THANKS!

To everyone I was able to meet in Tucson, I will miss you and I really hope we can meet again… maybe when I am on tour in your city hehe To everyone in Cast A ‘09, Way to Go! Keep it up as proud UWP alumni.

PEACE!

What is Up With People?

Up with People was founded in 1965 right here in Tucson, Arizona. The mission of Up with People is "to spark people to action in meeting the needs of their communities, countries and the world while building bridges of understanding as a foundation for world peace". Each 5 month cast brings together about 100 young adults from 20-30 nations. While on tour we will travel to a different location each week. At each location we will stay with host families from that location and witness first hand the culture of the region. At each location we will have the opportunity to participate in community service projects, volunteer at local events, and travel with both our cast and our host family. Also, at each location we will give a high energy performance featuring dance, music, and song!
We will begin our journey in Denver, spending 4 weeks meeting the other cast members and learning the performance. Then we will go on tour! I do not know where my cast will be going... but wherever it is, I will let you know as soon as I find out. The cast on tour now traveled within the United States, Mexico, and Taiwan! The next cast will travel in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Past casts have traveled all over the globe!