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 are Group Workcamps Foundation missions like?
  2. Who can participate?
  3. Do you provide spiritual growth programs?
  4. What's a typical day like?
  5. Is there free time to explore the area?
  6. Where do we stay?
  7. What is the food like?
  8. What projects will we be doing?
  9. What should I bring?
  10. Do I need to get immunizations?
  11. Will I need a passport and/or visa…and if so, how do I obtain these?
  12. How will transportation work?
  13. What about safety?
  14. What about insurance?
  15. How do I register?
  16. When do I have to pay and what if I have to cancel?
  17. What happens if the trip I want is full?
  18. Can I add people later?
  19. I just registered! Now what?

  1. What are Group Workcamps Foundation missions like?

    A Group Workcamps mission trip is an action-packed service adventure offering you the chance to perform hands-on help for needy families and individuals while deepening your relationship with God. Participants come from churches of different denominations across the country.

    For more than three decades, Group Workcamps has been offering mission opportunities to enthusiastic people that desire to express Christ’s love by helping people in need. Thousands of families have received help they probably would not otherwise have received, thanks to people like you.

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  2. Who can participate?

    Adults age 18 and older at the time of trip departure.

    Feel free to come individually or organize a group from your church.

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  3. Do you provide spiritual growth programs?

    Yes! Each evening, everyone will gather for a time of intimate, interactive, God-centered worship and devotional time...coordinated by a staff member.  This is an integral part of the mission trip experience designed to pull together the spiritual aspects of your time in service to others.

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  4. What's a typical day like?

    A "typical" day involves serving others, "God Sightings", daily devotions, and inspirational/interactive worship programs.

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  5. Is there free time to explore the area?

    In order to experience the unique qualities of the community you are serving, some participants choose to plan an excursion for before or after their mission trip.

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  6. Where do we stay?

    Lodging varies by location, please review the trip desciptions for details. Lodging may vary from retreat centers, to hotels, to boats. With safety in mind, we tap the knowledge of local partners to secure appropriate lodging.

    Accommodations are based on at least two people per room. Some lodging accommodates more people per room which may necessitate rooming together by gender.

    The facilities may or may not be air-conditioned, so plan accordingly. You might want to bring a small battery-operated fan. Although cell phone service may be limited in some areas, feel free to bring your cell.

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  7. What is the food like?

    You’ll enjoy three meals a day…a blend of American and indigenous foods. The variety of food options may be less than you are accustomed to in the United States.

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  8. What projects will we be doing?

    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. Please review trip descriptions for details.

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  9. What should I bring?

    You may be asked to bring some basic project supplies. And, don't forget work gloves, bug spray, sunscreen, and modest clothing appropriate for a Christian mission trip. Please remember that you are entering another culture where people will have conservative standards of dress and also not have access to the variety of clothing we are accustomed to in the US. Your dress should reflect a respect for conservative culture and Christian modesty standards. It is best to dress in a way that does not call attention to yourself. A packing list will be provided after registering for a trip.

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  10. Do I need to get immunizations?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend becoming familiar with what steps to take and who to contact in case of a medical emergency while you are traveling. We recommend that you consult with your physician, local health department or the CDC web site www.cdc.gov/travel for information on required and recommended immunizations for the country where you will be traveling.

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  11. Will I need a passport and/or visa…and if so, how do I obtain these?

    A passport is required for all travel outside the United States. If a visa is needed for your particular trip, we will let you know and provide instructions on how to apply for your visa. Please apply early to make sure that you will receive your passport in plenty of time. You can go to http://travel.state.gov for details on how and where to apply.

    If you prefer to have your passport and/or visa application processed for you, here are some options. There is an extra charge for these services:

    International Visa Service
    20 Joice St., Suite 2
    San Francisco, CA 94108
    415.326.8472
    Fax: 415.788.8472

    VIP Passport Services, Inc.
    800.876.8472
    info@vippassports.com

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  12. How will transportation work?

    In order to give participants maximum flexibility in managing trip costs (using frequent flyer miles or points), airfares will typically be handled as follows...review trip descriptions for details on a particular location.

    Trips taking place in the Western Hemisphere (Latin & South America, Caribbean): Participants will be responsible for travel to a designated city within the host country. There the leadership team will greet you. All in-country transfers are part of your registration fee and will be taken care of for you.

    Trip taking place outside the Western Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, and Asia): Participants will meet at a designated hub city (i.e. Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, etc). There the leadership team will greet you...and all subsequent transfers "to" and "in" the host country will be taken care of for you (transfer costs are included in your registration fee).

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  13. What about safety?

    Safety is a priority. When planning travel, lodging, and projects safety is always a primary concern. Local medical facilities are identified ahead of time, and travel insurance is included in your registration fee to accommodate medical needs.

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  14. What about insurance?

    All participants need to have sufficient medical insurance. You should bring a copy of your insurance card with you.

    As part of your registration fee, Group Workcamps purchases a group travel insurance policy through Brotherhood Mutual's Passport to Ministry program. The coverage includes:

    • $1,000,000 Liability Lawsuit Coverage (liability-based lawsuits brought in another country)
    • $5,000 Criminal Allegation Defense Reimbursement
    • $1,000,000 Supplemental Coverage for Vehicle Liability (not for damage to vehicle)
    • $50,000 Medical Benefit for Accident or Sickness (no deductible)
    • $50,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment
    • $5,000 Medical Emergency Family Reunion (two visitors for up to 7 days)
    • $10,000 Hospital Admission Deposit Advance
    • Foreign Medical Referral Service
    • Medical Monitoring Service
    • Prescription Drug Replacement Service

    Medical Assistance up to $250,000 for:

    • Dispatch of a Doctor or Specialist (physician travel expenses)
    • Emergency Medical Evacuation
    • Medically Necessary Repatriation
    • Return of Mortal Remains

    24-Hour Travel Assistance (benefits verification and claims assistance, embassy and consular information, emergency cash advance, emergency family travel assistance, emergency message transmission, foreign legal access, return of rental vehicle, return of traveling companion/dependent, translation and interpretation)

    Security Assistance Services (contingency political evacuation planning, political evacuation, security crisis center, travel security information)

    You will receive a policy brochure before your departure.

    If you desire to purchase additional coverage or other benefits such as Trip Cancellation and Interruption, Trip Delay, Baggage Loss, and Baggage Delay, you can purchase coverage directly from our online travel insurance partner (not Brotherhood Mutual), or from another provider of your choice. Any additional insurance purchased becomes the "primary" insurance, and Brotherhood Mutual the "secondary" insurance.

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  15. How do I register?

    Two easy options:

    Mail: Print a registration formand mail it along with a deposit check to: Group Workcamps Foundation, P.O. Box 275; Loveland, CO 80539. Please make payable to Group Workcamps Foundation.

    Call: 1.800.747.2159, Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm (Mountain Time) and use your credit card

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  16. When do I have to pay and what if I have to cancel?

    Payment 1: A $250 per person, non-refundable deposit is required to reserve space on a mission trip. Forfeited deposits can not be transferred to another person.

    Payment 2: 50% of your balance is due 120 days before departure date. Cancellations made 120 days to 76 days before departure will result in forfeiture of the deposit plus 50% of payment 2.

    Payment 3: Your remaining balance is due 75 days before departure date. Cancellations 75 days or less before departure date will result in forfeiture of the entire trip fee.

    NOTE: Registration fees are in U.S. dollars and can be paid by check, money order, or credit card. It is important to make all payments on time. If payments are late, your spot(s) may be cancelled to make room for others on waitlists. At the time of the last payment, participant names must be finalized. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation packet that includes travel release forms that you will need to return to Group Workcamps.

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  17. 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.

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  18. Can I add people later?

    Absolutely—provided the trip hasn’t been filled to capacity and it is more than 75 days from trip departure.

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  19. I just registered! Now what?

    After receiving your deposit, we’ll send you a confirmation letter. We fill follow-up with detailed document with a clothing list, equipment list, visa application (if required), invoice, insurance information, participant release agreement, and other information pertinent to your trip.

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Group Workcamps