Upcoming Tours & Programs
January
Let’s Speak Spanish!
Spanish Classes Begin
Let's Speak Spanish is designed to build conversational skills for beginning to advanced Spanish learners. Using a unique combination of entertaining videos, targeted learning tools, and intensive group conversation practice, Let's Speak Spanish can give a jump start for learners seeking real world conversation opportunities. All classes meet on Zoom.
monday, january 12, 4pm
Webinar
Summer Internship Program: Webinar
Interested in applying for BCA’s summer 2026 Borderlands Ambassador Internship Program? Join us for this informational webinar and learn about an opportunity to participate in a life-changing immersion experience into the wide range of issues, perspectives, and cultures in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. We will answer your questions about the program and the application process.
wednesday, January 14, 10-11:30am
Borderlands Literature & Film Circle
Interview with Seth Michelson, author of “Hope on the Border”
Join us on Zoom for our monthly BLFC. Seth Michelson is an award-winning poet, translator, and professor. He has published twenty-three books, including collections of original poetry, poetry in translation, and anthologies, as well as numerous essays, articles, and book chapters on poetry, often focused on intersections of poetry and state violence. We will discuss his book, “Hope on the Border: Immigration, Incarceration, and the Power of Poetry.”
wednesday, January 14, 2-3:30pm
Borderlands Forum
“How Did We Get Here? 2025 U.S. Immigration Policy at the Southern Border and Within” with Alyson Ball
Join us for this free event at the United Methodist Church of Green Valley and broadcasted live on Zoom. Alyson Ball will review what occurred during 2025, explore how border issues influenced the national situation, and discuss how national policies are impacting both the southern border and interior communities nationwide.
wednesday, january 21, 9am-5pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Nogales, Sonora
On this tour we will visit two of our partner nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora and learn about the value of “social investment” in cultivating community with our neighbors. For lunch we will enjoy the best burrito ever, featuring Sonoran tortillas at Burrito Hass. Then learn about the vast city of Nogales, Sonora as we tour the various neighborhoods. We will end the day with coffee and flan at La Roca.
monday, january 26, 10am
Special Event
Why you need to make a will, how to make a will, and how to leave a legacy gift to your favorite nonprofit
Join us at our office this free event. We will be joined by Melissa (Mimi) Petro. Mimi is a partner with Udall Law Firm, L.L.P., Tucson's oldest law firm. Her practice focuses on real estate, business law, and estate planning.
january 27-28
Multi-Day Borderlands Tour
Tohono O’odham Cultural Center & Ajo, Arizona
Join us for an overnight tour of the town of Ajo, a cultural, historical, and humanitarian aid hub. On the way there, enjoy a private tour of Himdaq Ki. In Ajo, we’ll stay at the lovely Sonora Desert Inn and tour Ajo’s murals, artist housing complex, town center, and other historic sites, as well as the Ajo Humanitarian Aid office to hear about migration in the area. This tour is full! Click below to join the waitlist.
wednesday, february 4, 8:30am-5:30pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Nogales, Sonora
On this tour we will visit two of our partner nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora and learn about the value of “social investment” in cultivating community with our neighbors. For lunch we will enjoy the best burrito ever, featuring Sonoran tortillas at Burrito Hass. Then learn about the vast city of Nogales, Sonora as we tour the various neighborhoods. We will end the day with coffee and flan at La Roca.
Wednesday, February 11, 10-11:30am
Borderlands Literature and Film Circle
Jason de León, “Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling”
Join us on Zoom for our monthly BLFC. We will be joined by Jason de León, discussing his book about the men often flattened into villains by the media: the smugglers themselves. Jason reveals a world shaped by extreme poverty, policy-driven violence, and a desperate hope for survival that defines life in the clandestine migration industry.
Thursday, February 12, 8:30am-5:30pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Gastronomy of Nogales, Sonora
Join us on this tour and be delightedly surprised at the level and diversity of the epicurean offerings in Nogales, Sonora! We will visit and sample specialties at five restaurants across the city and our local guide will teach us about the traditional diet of Sonora and the present culinary evolution.
Monday, February 16, 2-3:30pm
Borderlands Forum
Sonoran Desert Journeys with Joanne Coutts
Join us at the Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson for this forum and optional map-making activity. Cartographer Joanne Coutts will discuss using historical and contemporary maps to learn to navigate, identify place names and speak about the desert in a way that honors and values the land, the water and all the humans and non-humans who call the desert home.
february 19-23
Multi-Day Borderlands Tour
Kino Bay Tour
Located on the edge of the Sonoran Desert and shores of the Gulf of California, this region contains incredibly rich, diverse, and unique desert, marine, and island ecosystems. During this five day educational tour, participants will experience the Bahia de Kino region and learn about community-based conservation initiatives, species monitoring, indigenous knowledge, and bio-cultural history. This tour is in partnership with the Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural & Ecological Studies. This tour is now full. Click below to join the waitlist.
thursday, february 19, 8:30am-5:30pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Nogales, Sonora
On this tour we will visit two of our partner nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora and learn about the value of “social investment” in cultivating community with our neighbors. For lunch we will enjoy the best burrito ever, featuring Sonoran tortillas at Burrito Hass. Then learn about the vast city of Nogales, Sonora as we tour the various neighborhoods. We will end the day with coffee and flan at La Roca.
thursday, february 26, 8-11am
Borderlands Ambassador Program
Breakfast & the Border featuring Elizabeth Shakman Hurd
This annual event features a keynote speaker, conversations with former BCA interns, and a breakfast buffet. All proceeds fund BCA's Summer 2026 internship program. Our keynote speaker Elizabeth Shakman Hurd is Professor of Religious Studies and Political Science at Northwestern University where she chairs the Department of Religious Studies.
wednesday, march 4, 8:30am-5:30pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Nogales, Sonora
On this tour we will visit two of our partner nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora and learn about the value of “social investment” in cultivating community with our neighbors. For lunch we will enjoy the best burrito ever, featuring Sonoran tortillas at Burrito Hass. Then learn about the vast city of Nogales, Sonora as we tour the various neighborhoods. We will end the day with coffee and flan at La Roca.
wednesday, march 11, 8am-6pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Magdalena, Sonora
Join us for a comprehensive introduction to Magdalena, a “pueblo mágico” with centuries-old traditions. Our tour guide is Father Vicente López, who leads the Patronato de Kino de Tucson. We’ll see the historic plaza and church, view Father Kino’s remains, have a traditional Sonoran lunch, view murals, and end visit a nearby village for homemade tortillas. There will be time to shop as well.
wednesday, march 18, 8:30am-5:30pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Nogales, Sonora
On this tour we will visit two of our partner nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora and learn about the value of “social investment” in cultivating community with our neighbors. For lunch we will enjoy the best burrito ever, featuring Sonoran tortillas at Burrito Hass. Then learn about the vast city of Nogales, Sonora as we tour the various neighborhoods. We will end the day with coffee and flan at La Roca.
Saturday, march 21, 8:15am-3pm
Borderlands Day Tour
Ultimate Murals Tour in Tucson
Join us for this exciting new tour! We’ll drive all around downtown Tucson to view at least 50 murals. As we go we will learn a bit about the Tucson art scene and get some fun history in as well.
thursday, march 26, 8am-4:30pm
Borderlands Day Tour
Historic Patagonia Schoolhouses
Enjoy a day adventuring to the Patagonia area and visit two historic schoolhouses, the Patagonia Elementary School (1914-2014) and the Lochiel School (1882-1972) located at the US-Mexico border at the edge of the San Rafael Valley. Learn about the efforts to honor these histories and hear the stories that have been passed down through many generations. Pack your own picnic lunch and join us for the beautiful drive through the Patagonia Mountains.
march 30-april 6
Multi-Day Tour
Oaxaca Tour
BCA and Connect@Oaxaca invite you on this week-long journey to explore the true heart of Mexico’s vibrant arts traditions in Oaxaca during Semana Santa. Each day will bring you closer to the creative people whose lives are devoted to mastering art forms that are appreciated around the world, touching on important issues of authenticity, ingenuity, and invention.
wednesday, april 1, 9am-5pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Nogales, Sonora
On this tour we will visit two of our partner nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora and learn about the value of “social investment” in cultivating community with our neighbors. For lunch we will enjoy the best burrito ever, featuring Sonoran tortillas at Burrito Hass. Then learn about the vast city of Nogales, Sonora as we tour the various neighborhoods. We will end the day with coffee and flan at La Roca.
wednesday, april 15, 9am-5pm
Cross-Border Day Tour
Nogales, Sonora
On this tour we will visit two of our partner nonprofit organizations in Nogales, Sonora and learn about the value of “social investment” in cultivating community with our neighbors. For lunch we will enjoy the best burrito ever, featuring Sonoran tortillas at Burrito Hass. Then learn about the vast city of Nogales, Sonora as we tour the various neighborhoods. We will end the day with coffee and flan at La Roca.
monday, april 20, 9am-12:30pm
Borderlands Day Tour
The Renaissance of Nogales, Arizona
This walking tour is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the cultural vibrancy of Nogales. Our guide, Evan Kory, is a Nogales native and historian. We will visit historic and cultural sites and view the murals near the border wall.
wednesday, april 29, 8am-3pm
Borderlands Tour
Amerind Museum Tour
Join us for a trip to Dragoon, Arizona where we will have a private tour of this extraordinary museum, art gallery, and research center dedicated to archaeology, Native cultures, and Western art. We will also take time to enjoy the museum grounds surrounded by the spectacular boulders of Texas Canyon.
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