Although Hurricane Katrina has long since blown over New Orleans, the city is still recovering from the deadly storm that struck nearly four years ago. A group from St. Olaf Lutheran Church will take part in the ongoing relief projects.

Twenty-four students and six adults will travel to New Orleans on July 21 for an intense service experience at the ELCA National Youth Gathering. They will join more than 36,000 other Lutherans from around the country to serve the people of New Orleans, learn about the city’s culture and worship together.

All participants will help out in one of five areas: health and wellness, literacy, housing, environment, arts and culture and wealth and poverty. St. Olaf’s group will focus on the environment and fragile ecosystem of New Orleans.

“We’ll be planting trees, cleaning up parks. . . and maybe clearing out some plants that are killing the wetlands,” explained, Elise Chesley, St. Olaf’s youth ministry director.

Chesley has visited New Orleans one other time since Hurricane Katrina struck, and she realizes the amount of work still required before the city completely recovers. She believes that close to half of the city’s original citizens have still not returned to their homes.

“I think it will be interesting to see all the work that still has to be done down there,” said Sam Johnson, who will be traveling on the trip.

The theme for the program, which is held every three years, is “Jesus Justice Jazz,” and also involves gatherings at the Superdome with speakers Don Miller (author of “Blue Like Jazz”), Pastor Jay Bakker, Viola Vaughn and Bishop Mark Hanson, and musical groups such as Skillet, Group 1 Crew, The Katinas and Agape.

The students going on the trip each had a goal to raise $675, which they collected through various fundraisers such as Lenten meals, bake sales and car washes. Altogether, with support from individual donators and the St. Olaf Foundation, the St. Olaf team raised $13,000.

“They’ve been working really hard all year raising money,” Chesley said.

Their hard work has only just begun, though. The mission trip promises to immerse the volunteers in service, community and worship.

Chesley has already sensed the group is fired up.

“I’m really excited; the kids are really excited,” she said.

And with a hurricane of 36,000 volunteers heading south to provide relief, New Orleans has reason to be excited, too.

Participants going to New Orleans are Kalle Akkerman, Heather Belknap, Rich Belknap, Tyler Belknap, Alix Borland, Kaitlynn Carroll, Elise Chesley, Ashley Crump, Lisa DeBoest, Morgan Deboest, Tim Erickson, Felicia Finley, Corey Gerdts, Ron Gerdts, Dylan Golberg, Michael Gosha, Emily Hagen, Anthony Jax, Sam Johnson, Chris Konken, Pat Konken, Aaron Mehus, Marysa Moe, Alyssa Ramlo, Andy Schafer, Ben Schulz, Jim Schafer, Allison Simonson, Mark Thorson and Lucas Tischer.