The Program

1. Is Outtatown a "mission trip"?
2. What do you mean by "discipleship"?
3. Is it an academic program?
4. What is "experiential learning"?
5. What topics are covered in the teaching?
6. Is Outtatown similar to a YWAM DTS or a Capernwray Bible School?
7. Approximately how much of my time will be spent in classrooms?
8. Approximately how much of my time will be spent doing service work?
9. What kind of adventure activities can I expect?

Academic Credit

10. What kind of accreditation is offered through Outtatown?
11. Are the credits transferable to other colleges and universities?
12. Is it guaranteed that every Outtatown student will receive the credits?
13. What do I graduate with?

Admission Requirements

14. What are the admission requirements for Outtatown?
15. If I am admitted to Outtatown, am I automatically admitted to CMU Main Campus programs?
16. I have completed some University studies already. Can I still do Outtatown?
17. Is there an age requirement?

Cost of the Program

18. How much does it cost?
19. What is covered?
20. What is not covered?
21. Will I need to purchase any special equipment?
22. Does Outtatown qualify for student loans?
23. Can I raise support to go on Outtatown?
24. Can you suggest ways to pay for the year?
25. When do payments need to be made?

Faith

26. What denomination is Outtatown affiliated with?
27. Do I need to be a Christian to go on Outtatown?
28. Can I go on Outtatown if I am not Mennonite?
29. I grew up in a Christian home, but I am unsure of what I believe. Can I still go on Outtatown?

Community Life

30. What kind of accommodations will we stay in?
31. Will I get my own room?
32. Will I have telephone and email access throughout the year?
33. Do students get free time?
34. Can I bring a laptop or cell phone?

The Program

1. Is Outtatown a "mission trip"?

Yes and no. Outtatown is a discipleship school, which focuses on training students in what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Part of following Christ is to serve others, so on Outtatown there are many opportunities provided to do so. Each semester will include several short-term “mission trips” ranging from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, but much of the year is spent learning from instructors, or learning experientially through adventure opportunities.

2. What do you mean by "discipleship"?

In the bible, the disciples were essentially students of Jesus during his ministry. When we use the word “discipleship”, we are referring to the intentional process of learning how to be a student or a follower of Jesus in the modern day context.

3. Is it an academic program?

Academics play an important role in this program and students earn some university credit that can be transferred toward future studies. However, learning on Outtatown isn’t broken down into specific courses with evaluation tools such as essays or exams. Outtatown combines classroom and experiential learning, with every part of the 8-month experience being an integral element of the overall curriculum. For example, a conversation over coffee with a Site Leader or an opportunity serving food to the homeless are considered just as important to learning as a class on New Testament.

4. What is "experiential learning"?

Experiential learning in the Outtatown program is an attempt to merge cognitive with hands-on learning, faith with practice, and evangelical fervor with true community. With the world as their classroom, student learning will include: lectures by visiting instructors, selective reading and reflection, mentoring provided by site leaders, unique adventure opportunities, discussions with peers, and the insights of many people and experiences. Then, through research, study, discussion, assignments, and personal journaling, students will be challenged to identify and articulate what they have learned. Many students find that this unique educational approach contributes to a renewed “joy of learning” and to a greater sense of purpose for further education.

5. What topics are covered in the teaching?

Topics will vary somewhat from year to year, but examples for first semester teaching may include: Old and New Testament, Christian theology and ethics, Church history, Biblical interpretation, The nature of the Church and Christian worship, and How to be faithful to Jesus Christ in the context of the current world situation. Students will also receive some teaching about First Nations culture and current situation as well as poverty in Canada’s urban areas.

Topics from second semester will focus on history, culture and the current situation in both Guatemala and South Africa. Students going to Guatemala will also take Spanish classes and students going to South Africa will learn about Conflict Resolution.

6. Is Outtatown similar to a YWAM DTS or a Capernwray Bible School?

It is similar, yet unique. Outtatown is actually a combination of these types of schools. The original concept of Outtatown was to take the best parts of bible school and mission/discipleship training programs to create a school that would offer youth the best experience possible, and best prepare them for all future endeavors.

7. Approximately how much of my time will be spent in classrooms?

During first semester, there is approximately seven weeks of instruction, and during those weeks classes will usually be about four hours p/day. In Guatemala, there are six weeks of Spanish language classes, a Knowing Yourself module, and several unique sessions on culture and history. In South Africa, the majority of the first four weeks will be spent covering the topics of European migration to Africa, Apartheid, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and conflict resolution. There will also be a Knowing Yourself module as well as several unique guest sessions on HIV/AIDS and the current social situation.

8. Approximately how much of my time will be spent doing service work?

In first semester you will spend about 3 weeks doing service projects (inner city Winnipeg and Vancouver and First Nations ministry). In second semester you will spend 4-5 weeks with various ministries.

9. What kind of adventure activities can I expect?

Covered or partly covered by the program: Bungee jumping, canoe trip, hiking, skiing/snowboarding, volcano trekking (Guatemala only), abseiling (S.A. only), horseback riding, surfing, caving.

Possibly subsidized by the program (depending on group interest): mountain biking, rock climbing, white water rafting, shark diving (S.A. only), snorkeling, paragliding (S.A. only).

During free time, students are welcome to pursue other adventure activities at their own expense and Site Leaders will do what they can to help make it happen.

Academic Credit

10. What kind of accreditation is offered through Outtatown?

Students can earn up to 18 university credits through Canadian Mennonite University. For more information, see University Credit on our website.

11. Are the credits transferable to other colleges and universities?

Yes, but as is always the case with transferring credits between schools, the final decision will be up to the university that you want to transfer to.

12. Is it guaranteed that every Outtatown student will receive the credits?

No. Students must complete all assignments and put forth a satisfactory effort in the program to receive all credits.

13. What do I graduate with?

All students receive a certificate of achievement for completing the year. An official CMU transcript will be available to students graduating from Outtatown in 2007 or later, as long as they meet CMU Main Campus admission requirements based on a final high school transcript. Students who do not meet CMU Main Campus admission requirements will receive an Outtatown Credit Certificate, but will not be eligible for an official CMU transcript.

Admission Requirements

14. What are the admission requirements for Outtatown?

Entrance to the program requires a completed high school diploma and two references to help us know that the student will be suitable for this program, and that this program will be suitable for the student.

15. If I am admitted to Outtatown, am I automatically admitted to CMU Main Campus programs?

No. You must meet CMU Main Campus admission requirements, which are different than Outtatown requirements.

16. I have completed some University studies already. Can I still do Outtatown?

Yes. Many students decide to take a gap year in the middle of their studies to do Outtatown.

17. Is there an age requirement?

Students are typically between the ages of 17-22.

Cost of the Program

18. How much does it cost?

For current cost information, click here.

19. What is covered?

Food, accommodations, books, tuition, all travel (except flights to and from Winnipeg and to Guatemala or South Africa), many adventure activities, community events, museums, tours and cultural events.

20. What is not covered?

Health insurance, vaccinations, travel to and from Winnipeg and international locations, spending money, some optional adventure activities, internet café use, and laundry (when not provided at locations). When students are on home-stay weekends, or choose to go off-site during free time, activities, meals and travel are not covered.

21. Will I need to purchase any special equipment?

Students will need a sleeping bag, compact air mattress and large travel backpack. Some other items are recommended but not required. For more information, see our packing list.

22. Does Outtatown qualify for student loans?

Yes. Click here for more information.

23. Can I raise support to go on Outtatown?

Yes. We encourage students to partner with their local church to raise 1/3 of their tuition, which is considered the mission/service portion. Click here for more information.

24. Can you suggest ways to pay for the year?

Yes. Click here for our top 10 suggestions.

25. When do payments need to be made?

$500 Non-refundable deposit is due following acceptance.

First semester payment is due August 1st (includes books, tuition and ½ of room & board).

Second semester payment is due December 15th (includes ½ of room & board, missions & service portion and flight, minus deposit).

Faith

26. What denomination is Outtatown affiliated with?

CMU (and Outtatown) were formed by several Mennonite denominations, mainly Mennonite Church Canada and the Manitoba Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Click here to read the Statement of Faith.

27. Do I need to be a Christian to go on Outtatown?

No. However, Outtatown is a faith-based program, guided by Christian principles and ethics. The majority of the year is focused on learning more about what it means to follow Christ and looking at the world through a Christian worldview. Students who do not call themselves Christians are welcome, but asked to come with an open mind and a willingness to learn about Christian perspectives.

28. Can I go on Outtatown if I am not Mennonite?

Yes. Our students represent a wide variety of Christian denominations from across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

29. I grew up in a Christian home, but I am unsure of what I believe. Can I still go on Outtatown?

Absolutely. The Outtatown program is designed to give students an opportunity to explore faith, doubts, traditions, community, the bible, and what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. As long as students come with a good attitude, a commitment to abide by the guidelines of the program, and an openness to explore Christian faith, they are welcome.

Community Life

30. What kind of accommodations will we stay in?

In first semester, accommodations are usually at camps or retreat centers, but occasionally students will stay in hotels, hostels, tents, or on a church floor.
In second semester, accommodations are usually at camps and retreat centers also, but occasionally students will sleep in tents, huts, under the stars, or even in a cave.

31. Will I get my own room?

Probably not. Most times you will be sharing a room with 3-9 other students.

32. Will I have telephone and email access throughout the year?

Most places we stay have pay phones and either wireless internet hotspots or an internet café nearby.

33. Do students get free time?

An appropriate amount of free afternoons, evenings and weekends are built into the schedule to allow time for rest, doing assignments, and opportunities for students to take advantage of activities available at a particular location.

34. Can I bring a laptop or cell phone?

Yes. Students are invited to bring these items along if they can use them in a healthy way to keep in touch with friends and family. However, if having these items along becomes a distraction or enables an unhealthy attachment to people back home, we would encourage students to leave these items behind in order to be fully present in the Outtatown community.