Mission Trips

What's New

November 26, 2007

Leader Manuals Available!

June 18, 2007

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 Group Workcamps Foundation missions like?

A Group mission experience is an action-packed week of meaningful service offering your group the chance to perform hands-on help for needy families and individuals while taking part in daily devotions and inspirational Christian programming.
Our primary goal is the spiritual growth of all participants.
Participants come from churches of many denominations across the country. For more than three decades, Group Workcamps has been bringing enthusiastic teenagers into communities across the United States, Canada and beyond to express Christ’s love by helping people in need. Thousands of families have received help they probably would not have had, thanks to people like you.

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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 of 2008
Senior High Only Mission Trips: At least 14 years old, or entering the 9th grade in the fall of 2008
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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Do you provide spiritual growth programs?

Yes! You'll value and enjoy the daily programs designed by the ministry experts at Group Magazine. Surveys show it's a highlight of the week. We take the evening programs seriously…this is where campers connect their Christian faith to their service. The programs have been field-tested to ensure maximum impact and appropriateness for all Christian denominations. 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 and daily devotions help you shape your kids' service experience into a spiritual growth experience.
Also, if you play a musical instrument-bring it! There'll be opportunities for you to take an active role in the music worship for your mission.

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

Week of Hope (community service): Registration/Check-In time is between 3-4pm on Sunday. Check-out time is 9am (or before) on Friday.
Group Workcamps (home repair): Registration/Check-In time is between 12-2pm on Sunday. Check-out time is 9am (or before) on Saturday
Small Group Workcamps (home repair): Registration/Check-In time is between 3-4pm on Sunday. Check-out time is 9am (or before) on Friday
Service Expedition (international): Registration/Check-In and Check-out times vary based on location. Please see the Daily Schedule in your online Leader Manual available in November.
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'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. (i.e. Group Workcamp® - home repair; Small Group Workcamp – home repair; Week of Hope® - community service, Service Expeditions® - international service).
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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Who will be on my project team?

To ensure adequate supervision, adults serve on project crews alongside teenagers. At least on 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 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.

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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.
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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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 Christian mission trip.
In November, Group Workcamps 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 at these camps, so it is important to bring them.
International Service Expedition participants may be ask to bring some tools and supplies applicable to the projects being done. A list will be provided in the online Leader Manual in November. In addition, participants will need to bring a valid passport and may need inoculations.
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 Group Workcamps 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 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 international trips. Group Workcamps will arrange all ground transportation for international locations, other than Canada and Puerto Rico.

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What about safety?
Safety is a priority on your Foundation mission trip! Many precautionary steps have been taken to keep everyone safe:
- Group Workcamps completes national criminal background checks on all camp 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 camp
- When needed, safety tips are included in project descriptions
- Ladder safety training is important for all groups prior to attending a Group Workcamp®
- 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 camp 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 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 teenagers, adult (age 21 and older) staff and participants are 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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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 (excludes Puerto Rico) your registration fee includes international travel insurance. For details, review the travel insurance webpage or your trip description.

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How can I serve "behind the scenes" and What if I have extra adults?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Group Workcamps Foundation program…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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How are the trips staffed?

Group Workcamps (home repair): We’ve got you well-covered with 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.
Small Group Workcamps (home repair) & Week of Hope (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.
Service Expeditions (international): Staffing for international trips varies widely based on the location and projects. Staffing can range from a standard Group Workcamp, to a Week of Hope, to something in-between.

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How do I register?

Three easy options:
1. Web: Choose your location and select a date. Click “Register for this mission trip” from the Trip Locations description. 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

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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, 2007.
- Payment 2: 50% of your group’s balance is due March 15, 2008.
- Payment 3: The remaining balance is due May 15, 2008
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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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.
- 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 camp 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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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 camp. The entire camp fee will be forfeited for cancellations less than 30 days from the start of your camp.
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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Can I add people later?

Absolutely—provided your camp 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 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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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 camp.
The Leader Manual site also contains Additional Resources like an Adult Guide, Travel Tips, Pre-Camp Meetings and (in January) Pre-Camp Devotions to help prepare your group prior to camp.
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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