Group workcamps
Group Workcamps

FAQs

Below are some answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Please click on the question you wish to see the answer to, or you can print all questions and answers.

  1. What mission trip options do I have?
  2. Where do I find provider-specific FAQs?
  3. Who can participate?
  4. Do you provide spiritual growth programs?
  5. What is a typical day like?
  6. Can I arrive late or leave early?
  7. Where do we stay?
  8. Who will be on my project team?
  9. What projects will we be doing?
  10. How are the projects chosen?
  11. What transportation do we need to provide?
  12. What about safety?
  13. What about criminal background checks for adults?
  14. What about insurance?
  15. How can I serve "behind the scenes"...and what about extra adults?
  16. How do I register?
  17. When do I have to pay?
  18. What does the mission trip fee cover?
  19. What happens if the trip I want is full?
  20. What if I need to cancel individuals--or my entire group?
  21. Can I add people later?
  22. What if my group has a special situation?

  1. What mission trip options do I have?

    There are many options to serve. You can choose to go on a Group Workcamps trip, or go on a trip with Simply Youth Mission Trips or The Micah Experience…both organized by Group Workcamps.

    Preteen – Group Workcamps

    The #1 goal of these trips is to help preteens grow in their Christian faith through service to people in need. Programming is developed by the children’s ministry experts at Children’s Ministry Magazine. Trip locations are within the United States.

    Youth - Group Workcamps

    The #1 goal of these trips is to help teenagers grow in their Christian faith through service to people in need. Programming is developed by the youth ministry experts at Group Magazine. Participants may choose from domestic and international locations. Senior high-only and junior/senior high trips are available. Types of trips are as follows:

     Youth – Simply Youth Mission Trips

    The #1 goal of these trips is to give teenagers the opportunity to share and demonstrate their faith with people in need through practical acts of service. Group Workcamps handles registrations, organizes the trips, and nails down the details. Doug Fields’ Simply Youth Ministry works with Group Workcamps on programming. Trip locations are within the United States. Senior high-only and junior/senior high trips are available. Types of trips are as follows:

    Youth – The Micah Experience

    The #1 goal of these trips is to help Catholic teenagers grow in their faith through service to people in need.  The Micah Experience is for parishes desiring a uniquely Catholic experience, rather than the ecumenical experience at Group Workcamps. Group Workcamps develops and organizes the trips with programming help and advice from Catholic youth ministry experts from across the country. Trip locations are within the United States. Senior high trips are available. 

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  2. Where do I find provider-specific FAQs?

    To view provider-specific FAQs, please view the navigation choices within the desired provider site, or use the convenient links below:

    Group Workcamps: Preteen

    Group Workcamps: Youth

    Simply Youth Mission Trips

    The Micah Experience

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  3. Who can participate?

    Group Workcamps: Preteen

    • Ages 10-12 or entering the 5th grade.

    Group Workcamps: Youth

    • Junior/Senior High Combo: Ages 12-20 or entering the 7th grade in the fall
    • Senior High - Ages 14-20 or entering the 9th grade in the fall

    Simply Youth Mission Trips: Youth

    • Junior/Senior High Combo: Ages 12-20 or entering the 7th grade in the fall
    • Senior High - Ages 14-20 or entering the 9th grade in the fall

    The Micah Experience: Youth

    • Senior High - Ages 14-20 or entering the 9th grade in the fall

     

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  4. Do you provide spiritual growth programs?

    Yes, you'll enjoy daily evening programs, project site devotions with your crew, and evening devotions with your church group.  We take programming seriously, since this is the opportunity to connect service to spiritual growth.  Surveys show it's a highlight of the trip.

    Be sure to check out the FAQs associated with your particular trip provider for more details.

    Group Workcamps: Preteen

    Group Workcamps: Youth

    Simply Youth Mission Trips

    The Micah Experience

     

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  5. What is a typical day like?

    A "typical" day involves serving others, "God Sightings", daily devotions, and inspirational/interactive worship programs. Your camp schedule will look similar to this: 

    Youth
    6:45 a.m. Rise and shine!
    7:00 a.m. Breakfast and gather supplies for the day
    8:00 a.m. Morning program
    8:30 a.m. Leave for project sites
    Serve at your project locations
    3:30 p.m. Return to lodging site for clean-up and free time
    5:00 p.m. Dinner
    7:30 p.m. Evening program
    Youth group devotions, free time and prep for bed
    11:00 p.m. Lights out 

    Preteen
    6:45 a.m. Rise and shine!
    7:15 a.m. Breakfast
    8:00 a.m. Morning program
    8:30 a.m. Depart for service project sites
    9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. Serve in the community, eat lunch, have devotions
    2:30 p.m. Return to the lodging facility
    4:00 p.m. Hospitality tasks/free time/meal preparation
    5:00 p.m. Dinner
    6:00 p.m. Games
    7:00 p.m. Evening program
    8:30 p.m. Church group devotions
    10:00 p.m. Lights out

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  6. Can I arrive late or leave early?

    No, it's critical for all participants to be in attendance from start to finish.  Arriving late or leaving early creates complications and negatively impacts other participants...so plan to arrive on time for registration on the first day and stay through checkout on the final day.

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  7. Where do we stay?

    Most lodging is in local schools, churches or community centers (accommodations vary by trip). Accommodations will include areas for groups to room together by gender, a common eating area, and a program area. Showers will be available, however, they may be indoor showers (locker room style) or they may be outdoor semi-private, temporary showers. Please, make sure all campers bring a swimming suit to be prepared for any showering situation.

    The facilities may or may not be air-conditioned, so plan accordingly. You might want to bring a small fan. Pay phones may be available; however, there will always be an emergency phone onsite. Also, although cell phone service may be limited in some areas, feel free to bring your cell.

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  8. Who will be on my project team?

    To ensure adequate supervision, adults serve on project crews alongside young people. At least one adult serves with each crew of five youth. Crew sizes may vary based on projects and community needs.

    Group Workcamps: Youth / The Micah Experience: Typically, project crews consist of a mixture of participants from a variety of churches. If you’d rather have your teenagers serve with your own group members, call us and we’ll gladly accommodate your request. Do consider having your teenagers work with members of other youth groups. Although it’s a bit uncomfortable at first, they’ll have the opportunity to meet other Christians and make new friends. Every year participants evaluate this as one of the highpoints of their mission experience. 

    Group Workcamps: Preteen / Simply Youth Mission Trips: To encourage church group bonding, you will be placed on a crew with people from your own church group. Depending on church group sizes, you may have people from another church on your crew as well. Crews form your church will most likely be working on projects in different locations (your entire church group may not be together on the same project site).

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  9. What projects will we be doing?

    You'll find out what specific project you'll be doing when you arrive. Your service projects are based on the type of mission experience your group chooses. Check out the provider-specific FAQs for more details:

    Group Workcamps: Preteen: community service

    Group Workcamps: Youth: home repair, community service, international service

    Simply Youth Mission Trips: home repair, community service / minor repair

    The Micah Experience: home repair

    All projects, and crew assignments, will depend on the needs of the community at the time of your arrival, and based on the skills of the participants. Because we are focused on meeting the most pressing needs of the communities we are serving, we're not able to guarantee specific service projects.

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  10. How are the projects chosen?

    All projects are coordinated with people right in the communities where you serve--people who know where the real needs exist. To qualify for a project, individuals or agencies must have a need they can't meet on their own.

    Home repair trips focus on residents who are elderly, disabled or victims of financial or social hardship. Community service trips focus on partnering with local churches, service agencies and even homeowners in need of motivated and caring volunteers to serve people in need. International trips are often a blend on home repair and community service.

    Regardless of the mission trip you choose, you'll be involved in meaningful work that really makes a difference in the lives of those you serve!

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  11. What transportation do we need to provide?

    You’ll need to provide transportation for your group to and from your mission trip location. Also, during your mission trip, vehicles you bring will be used to provide daily transport to and from project sites. Please ensure the number of seats and seatbelts in your vehicles match the number of people you bring to camp. Vehicles with at least six seats and seatbelts are preferred. All vehicles, including chartered buses, must be available for transportation to sites. If you intend to bring a large bus, please be sure your trip location can accommodate it. Check your trip description. Transportation varies for Group Workcamps international trips. 

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  12. What about safety?

    Safety is a priority! Many precautionary steps have been taken to keep everyone safe:

    • National criminal background checks are completed on all trip staff
    • All registered adults (21 & older) must acquire national criminal background checks through their church, and verify a “clean” status
    • Only adults listed by their church as designated drivers are allowed to drive to project sites
    • Every project site is inspected for safety before the mission trip begins
    • When needed, safety tips are included in project descriptions
    • Ladder safety training is important for all groups prior to attending a home repair trip
      Participants are not required to work in conditions that make them feel unsure or unsafe
    • Safety goggles are required when appropriate, and power saws are only used by participants age 18 and older
    • Each trip includes staff who are First Aid and CPR certified
    • Protective clothing including shoes, hats, gloves and sunscreen may need to be worn (depending on the service you choose)
    • Adult supervision (a minimum of 1 adult for every five youth) is present at each project site
    • Local medical facilities are identified ahead of time with directions and phone number provided to participants.

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  13. What about criminal background checks for adults?

    To provide the safest environment for young people, adult (age 21 and older) staff and participants must pass a national background check through a qualified service provider. Your church will need to arrange for a qualified service provider run a National Criminal Indicator Database Search that includes Social Security Number verification. Your church will purchase and retain the background checks, and send Group Workcamps Foundation verification that all adults are eligible to attend. Forms and details will be provided in the spring.

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  14. What about insurance?

    All participants need to have sufficient medical insurance, whether traveling domestically or internationally. Each person must bring a copy of his or her insurance card with them. If you have participants without adequate medical insurance and/or if you desire to purchase trip protection insurance, you can purchase low-cost domestic and international insurance online through our insurance partner…or you can purchase it from another insurance provider of your choice.

    If you are taking an international mission trip with Group Workcamps your registration fee includes international travel insurance--excludes Puerto Rico.

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  15. How can I serve "behind the scenes"...and what about extra adults?

    Volunteers are the lifeblood of mission trips for young people.  Your help changes thousands of lives each summer!

    If you have extra adults going with your group (more than the 1-to-5 adult/youth ratio), or if you have a week or more you'd like to serve this summer, please consider serving on staff.

    As a volunteer staff member, your registration fee is waived and you can work in a variety of roles you may be gifted. Check out the "Join Our Team" section or call 1.800.385.4545, option 4.

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  16. How do I register?

    Registrations are on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Trips remain open for registration as long as space is available.

    Three easy options to register:

    1. Web: Choose your location from the trip grid.  Click on the date field of your chosen location to view the trip description.  Click "Register for this mission trip". Use the secured online registration form and a credit card.

    2. Mail: Print a registration form and mail it along with a deposit check to: Group Workcamps Foundation, P.O. Box 275; Loveland, CO 80539

    3. Call: 1.800.385.4545, Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm (Mountain Time) and use your credit card

    * If you have already registered for a mission trip and would like to add or drop participants, please call your Registration team at 1.800.385.4545, option 3.

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  17. When do I have to pay?

    Because fundraisers can’t all happen at the same time, we’ve broken payment into three convenient steps:

    • Payment 1: A non-refundable deposit ($50 per person for most trips) is required to reserve space on a mission trip. Early Bird Registration lets you delay the deposit until September 30th, 2008.
    • Payment 2: 50% of your group’s balance is due March 15, 2009.
    • Payment 3: The remaining balance is due May 15, 2009 

    Registration fees are in U.S. dollars and can be paid by check, money order, or credit card. Registration fees, less deposits, are refundable when cancelled at least 30 days before the start of your trip.

    Note: Payments may vary for some international trips...please reference the trip location description for specifics of your location.

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  18. What does the mission trip fee cover?

    Lodging
    All meals, except for one evening meal during the time set aside for you to "explore the area"
    Construction materials or project supplies, including delivery to project sites
    Theme T-shirt
    Development of thematic, fun, faith-building programs and daily devotions from ministry experts.
    Comprehensive project preparation materials and online Leader Manual
    Program supplies
    Project selection, organization and administration
    Highly trained camp staff
    Unlimited customer support from professional and courteous staff

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  19. What happens if the trip I want is full?

    All trips are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so it pays to register early. If you register for a trip that’s full, we’ll give you the option of being on a waitlist for your first choice, or registered for your second choice location.

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  20. What if I need to cancel individuals--or my entire group?

    If you wish to cancel your group or reduce the number of participants, contact our Registration Team at 1.800.385.4545, option #3. When canceling a participant, the deposit will be forfeited. Forfeited deposits can’t be transferred to an account balance or to another group. However, forfeited deposits can be used to add a new participant to your group.

    Registration amounts paid (less deposit amounts) are refundable when the Registration Team is notified at least 30 days before the first day of the event. The entire fee will be forfeited for cancellations less than 30 days from the start of your event.

    Please note this my vary for some international trips...please reference your trip description for details about your particular trip location.

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  21. Can I add people later?

    Absolutely—provided your trip hasn’t been filled to capacity.

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  22. What if my group has a special situation?

    Please let our Registration Team know if your group has any special situation that may require specific accomodations/adjustments. (Examples include: youth or adults with disabilities, extreme dietary/allergy concerns, group/individuals that need to remain together, etc.)

    You can reach our team at 1.800.385.4545, option 3, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

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Group Workcamps