FAQs

FAQs

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 is The Micah Experience like?
Who can participate?
Do you provide spiritual growth programs?
What time do we check in and when do we 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?

What is The Micah Experience like?

The Micah Experience® is an action-packed week of meaningful service offering your group the chance to perform hands-on home repairs for needy families and individuals while taking part in daily devotions and inspirational Catholic programming. Participants come from parishes across the country.

Group Workcamps works with Catholic youth ministry experts from across the country to make sure programming is on-target.

The primary goal of The Micah Experience is the spiritual growth of all participants through service to people in need.

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Who can participate?

Teenagers: 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 teenagers. 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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Do you provide spiritual growth programs?

Yes! You'll value and enjoy the daily programs designed by the youth ministry experts at Group Magazine, with the help and advice of Catholic youth ministry experts from across the country. We take the evening programs seriously…this is where teenagers connect their faith to their service.

You'll appreciate fresh, fun, high-impact, interactive experiences that involve music, video, drama, stories, slides, and hands-on activities.

Evening programs lead directly into youth group devotion time, where you can add your individual touch to the program experience. Together, the evening programs, liturgy, and daily devotions help you shape your kids' service experience into a spiritual growth experience.

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What time do we check in and when do we check out?

Registration/Check-In time is between 12-2pm on Sunday. Check-out time is 9am (or before) on Saturday.
Please note, 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 others, "God Sightings", daily devotions, and inspirational/interactive worship programs. Your camp 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

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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”.
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Can I arrive late or leave early?

No. It's critical for all participants to be in attendance from start to finish of your mission trip. 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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Where do we stay?

Most lodging is in local schools, churches or community centers (accommodations vary by camp). 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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What projects will we be doing?

You and your teenagers will be performing home repairs for people in need. Projects may include interior and exterior painting, building and repairing porches and wheelchair ramps, building or repairing steps, and weatherization and other home repairs.

All projects and crew assignments will be determined when you arrive, and will depend on the needs of the community and 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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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.
Typically, project crews consist of a mixture of participants from a variety of parishes. If you’d rather have your teenagers serve with your own group members, call us and we’ll gladly accommodate your request.

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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 home repairs, elderly, disabled or disadvantaged people must have a need they can't meet on their own. Regardless of your project, you'll be involved in meaningful work that really makes 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. A few items to note are: a single size air mattress or foam pad for sleeping, one large water jug and cooler per adult, workgloves, and modest clothing appropriate for a mission trip.

In November, participants will be provided a tool list 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 on these trips, 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 to the event. 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.

Out of consideration for parishes banning the use of 15-passenger vans for safety reasons, we ask that you bring other suitable transportation to accommodate at least six passengers.

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What about safety?
Safety is a priority on your mission trip! Many precautionary steps have been taken to keep everyone safe:
- The Micah Experience completes national criminal background checks on all mission trip staff
- All registered adults (21 & older) must acquire national criminal background checks through their parish, and verify a “clean” status to The Micah Experience
- Only adults listed by their parish as designated drivers are allowed to drive to project sites
- Every project site is inspected for safety before the mission trip
- When needed, safety tips are included in project descriptions
- Ladder safety training is important for all groups prior to attending a mission 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 mission trip includes staff who are First Aid and CPR certified
- Separate adult shower times have been set aside.
- 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 teenagers) is present at each project site
- Local medical facilities are identified ahead of time with directions and phone number provided to participants.
- Out of consideration for parishes banning the use of 15-passenger vans for safety reasons, please bring other transportation suitable for at least six passengers.
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What about criminal background checks for adults?

To provide the safest environment for teenagers, adult (age 21 and older) staff and participants are must pass a national background check through a qualified service provider. Your parish will need to arrange for a qualified service provider run a National Criminal Indicator Database Search that includes Social Security Number verification. Your parish will purchase and retain the background checks, and send us 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 domestic and international 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 lifeblood of The Micah Experience. Your help changes many 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. All staffing is handled by Group Workcamps Foundation.

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How are the trips staffed?

We’ve got you well-covered with a trip Director, Program Leader, Song Leader, Spiritual Leader (Priest) 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 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: The Group Workcamps Foundation, P.O. Box 275; Loveland, CO 80539

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.

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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"
- Construction materials or project supplies, including delivery to project sites
- Theme T-shirt
- Development of thematic, fun, faith-building programs and daily devotions from the ministry experts at Group Magazine, with the help of Catholic youth 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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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 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 start of your mission trip. The entire mission 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 mission trip hasn’t been filled to capacity.
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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 accommodations/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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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 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 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).

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