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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.
- What are Simply Youth Missions Trips like?
- Who can participate?
- What is the spiritual programming like?
- When do we check in and check out?
- What's a typical day like?
- Is there free time to explore the area?
- Can I arrive late or leave early?
- Where do we stay?
- What projects will we be doing?
- Who will be on my project team?
- How are the projects chosen?
- What should I bring?
- What about electronic devices?
- What transportation do we need to provide?
- What about safety?
- What about criminal background checks for adults?
- What about insurance?
- How can I serve "behind the scenes" and what if I have extra adults?
- How are the trips staffed?
- How do I register?
- When do I have to pay?
- What does the mission trip fee cover?
- What happens if the trip I want is full?
- What if I need to cancel individuals—or my entire group?
- Can I add people later?
- What if my group has a "special situation"?
- I just registered! Now what?
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What are Simply Youth Missions Trips like?
Simply Youth Missions Trips involve six action-packed days of meaningful home repair service for your youth group. You’ll make friends with teenagers from other Christian denominations…from across the country. You’ll experience “Lifestyle Evangelism”…sharing Jesus’ love with individuals and families in need through practical acts of service. Plus, through daily devotions and high-impact evening worship times, your teenagers will make the important connection between service and their faith.
Doug Field's Simply Youth Ministry has partnered with Group Workcamps Foundation to organize these mission trips. Group Workcamps has been at the forefront of youth group missions for more than 30 years, serving more than a quarter million participants…and they know a thing or two about planning mission trips that work. We are bringing together the strengths of these two organizations to enhance your youth ministry, giving you an outstanding, meaningful mission experience.
As our trusted partner, Group Workcamps will handle registrations, organize the trips, and nail down the details. We'll work with them on the evening programs and devotions.
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Who can participate?
- Junior/Senior High Mission Trips: At least 12 years old, or entering the 7th grade in the fall
- Senior High Only Mission Trips: At least 14 years old, or entering the 9th grade in the fall
- Adult Participants (age 21 and older): Adults serve on project teams with youth. Bring a minimum of 1 adult for every 5 youth. If you register both males and females, bring at least 1 adult male and 1 adult female.
We'll do our best to accommodate the special needs of participants. Simply call our Registration Team 1.800.385.4545.
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What is the spiritual programming like?
Daily devotions and worship times are a highlight of the mission trip…and we’ve taken care of all this for you. The programming is thematic, building from one day to the next. The Simply Youth Ministry team works with the Group Workcamps team on the programming and devotions. Many youth leaders continue the theme in youth group meetings after returning from their trip. The result: teens make the important connection between their service and their Christian faith, realizing the importance and satisfaction of sharing Jesus’ love by meeting the needs of people.
Expect devotion times in the morning (before going to your service projects), during lunch (at your service project), and in the evening (after the evening worship time). Evening devotions are a great time to add your individual touch to the evening program and the days’ activities.
The programming has been field-tested to ensure maximum impact and appropriateness for all Christian denominations. Each evening, you'll experience fresh, fun, high-impact, worship times that involve Scripture, music, video, drama, stories, slides, and hands-on activities.
Programs are lead by a youth ministry professional and worship leader. Also, if you play a musical instrument-bring it! There may be opportunities for you to take an active role in the music.
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When do we check in and check out?
Registration/Check-In time is between 3-4pm on Sunday. Check-out time is 9am (or before) on Saturday.
Please note that it's critical for all participants to be in attendance from start to finish of your mission trip.
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What's a typical day like?
A "typical" day involves serving resident at their homes, seeing God work in the lives of teenagers, adults and residents, daily devotions, and inspirational/interactive worship programs. Your trip schedule will look similar to this:
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 -
Is there free time to explore the area?
An afternoon is designated for your group to relax and explore the local area during. Your group is free to decide how you want to spend afternoon, although the staff typically have some suggestions. Plan to purchase your own dinner, while you are out exploring. Review the schedule in your online Leader Manual (available November) to find out your “exploration time”. -
Can I arrive late or leave early?
It's critical for all participants to be in attendance from start to finish. Arriving late or leaving early creates complications and negatively impacts the mission community—so plan to arrive on time for registration on the first day and stay through checkout on the final day. -
Where do we stay?
Most lodging is in local schools, churches or community centers (accommodations vary by camp). Accommodations 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 on-site. Also, although cell phone service may be limited in some areas, feel free to bring your cell.
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What projects will we be doing?
Projects differ on community service versus home repair trips. You'll find out what specific project you'll be doing when you arrive. All projects and crew assignments depend on the needs of the community at the time of your arrival, and upon the skills of the participants.
On Community Service / Light Construction trips, you'll experience projects like:
- Maintenance, weatherization, painting, and facility spruce-up
- Assisting the elderly
- Tutoring struggling children
- Conducting a kid's Bible club
- Serving at a food bank
- Staffing activities at camps for disabled children
- Improving the community in other important ways. Stay flexible!
On Home Repair trips, you’ll experience projects like:
- Interior and exterior painting
- Building or repairing porches and wheelchair ramps
- Building or repairing steps
- Weatherization and other home repair projects
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Who will be on my project team?
To ensure adequate supervision, adults serve on project crews alongside teenagers. At least one adult serves with each crew of five teenagers. Crew sizes may vary based on projects and community needs.
To encourage youth group bonding, you will be placed on a crew with people from your church group. Depending on church group sizes, you may have people from another church on your crew as well.
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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.
We partner with numerous organizations and agencies to meet the urgent needs of the community while providing a wide variety of meaningful service experiences. Your service will make a difference in the lives of those you serve!
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What should I bring?
The online Leader Manual (available in November) will provide a full list of what to bring. It’s pretty much what you would expect—including a single-size air mattress or foam pad for sleeping, one large water jug and cooler per adult, work gloves, sunscreen, and modest clothing appropriate for a Christian mission trip.
In November, participants of home repair trips will be provided a tool list (for home repair trips) in the online Leader Manual. Some items to bring will include: ladders, painting supplies, construction tools including circular saws, electric drills, hammers, etc. Participating groups provide the only tools at these camps, so it is important to bring them.
Please don't bring alcohol, illegal drugs, expensive jewelry and clothing, computers, electronic games, toy guns, fireworks or firearms.
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What about electronic devices?
Experience has shown that use of some electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, etc.) on a mission trip become a distraction to the owner and disruptive to the experience of other participants. These devices often isolate participants and interfere with their ability to fully engage in the community. They can also present a safety hazard on worksites when people talk on their cell phones or listen to music through ear buds or headphones. In addition, many of these electronic items are costly and are easily lost, broken, or stolen. So, the Code of Conduct states:
I will not text message or use my cell phone, iPod, MP3 player, etc. on worksites or during worship programs. I may use my cell phone to call the camp office or respond to an emergency.
If misused, youth leaders, adult participants and staff have the right to confiscate these electronic devices and give them to the appropriate youth leader to hold.
Many churches choose to impose stricter guidelines for their own group. Our recommendation for youth is to leave the electronic gear at home.
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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. Vehicles with at least six seats and seatbelts are preferred. All vehicles, including chartered buses, must be available for transportation to sites.
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What about safety?
Safety is a priority! Many precautionary steps have been taken:
- 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 to Group Workcamps.
- 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 event
- Prior to attending a home repair trip, ladder safety training is important for all groups
- When needed, safety tips are included in project descriptions
- 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 event includes staff who are First Aid and CPR certified
- Some projects may require protective clothing including shoes, hats, gloves and sunscreen
- Adult supervision (a minimum of 1 adult for every five teenagers) 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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What about criminal background checks for adults?
To provide the safest environment for your teenagers, 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 verification that all adults are eligible to attend. Forms and details will be provided in the spring.
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What about insurance?
All participants need to have sufficient medical insurance. 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 insurance online through our insurance partner…or you can purchase it from another insurance provider of your choice.
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How can I serve "behind the scenes" and what if I have extra adults?
Volunteers are the critical to the success of Simply Youth Missions. Your involvement makes a big impact. 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. Trip staffing is handled by our trusted partner Group Workcamps. Check out the "Join Our Team" section or call 1.800.385.4545, option 4. Be sure to let Group Workcamps know you are interested in serving on a Simply Youth Missions trip.
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How are the trips staffed?
Community Service: Your trip will be run by two highly-trained, college-age, ministry-minded project and program staff members...along with typically two additional volunteer staff.
Home Repair: Your trip will include a trip Director, Program Leader, Song Leader, and up to 14 additional trained staff to handle project materials, project assignments, office, program multi-media, project site coaching…and more.
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How do I register?
Three easy options:
- Web: Choose your Simply Youth Mission location and click “Register for this trip” from the Trip Locations description. Use the secured online registration form and a credit card.
- Mail: Print a registration form and mail it along with a deposit check to: Group Workcamps Foundation, P.O. Box 275; Loveland, CO 80539. Check should be payable to Group Workcamps.
- Call: 1.800.385.4545, Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm (Mountain Time) and use your credit card
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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 $50 per person, non-refundable deposit is required to reserve space on a mission trip. Early Bird Registration lets you delay the $50 per person 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. All payments are payable to Group Workcamps Foundation for processing.
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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"
- Project supplies
- Theme T-shirt
- Development of thematic, fun, faith-building programs and daily devotions from Simply Youth Missions and Group Workcamps.
- Comprehensive project preparation materials and online Leader Manual
- Program supplies
- Project selection, organization and administration
- Highly-trained trip staff
- Unlimited customer support from professional and courteous staff
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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 a waitlist option.
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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 the Group Workcamps 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 start of your mission trip. The entire trip fee will be forfeited for cancellations less than 30 days from the start of your trip.
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Can I add people later?
Absolutely—provided your trip hasn’t been filled to capacity. -
What if my group has a "special situation"?
Please let the Group Workcamps Registration Team know if your group has any special situation that may require specific accommodations/adjustments. (Examples include: youth or adults with disabilities, extreme dietary/allergy concerns, group/individuals that need to remain together, etc.)
You can reach the team at 1.800.385.4545, option 3, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
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I just registered! Now what?
The "primary contact", specified on your registration form, will receive a confirmation packet mailed to the address provided. Inside the confirmation packet will be directions and a password to your on-line Leader Manual where you can find vital information about your mission trip.
The Leader Manual site also contains Additional Resources like an Adult Guide, Travel Tips, Pre-Trip Meetings and (in January) Pre-Trip Devotions to help prepare your group prior to your mission trip.
In the spring, each participant must complete a Participant Information Form and sign a Participation and Release Agreement agreeing to a Code of Conduct (If participant is under the age of 21, a parent/guardian will need to sign also).
