How affordable is a YouthWorks mission trip?
YouthWorks trips are amazingly affordable. Most trips are within $198-$288 per person. Cost varies by location and can be found under the Mission Trip icon by clicking on a specific star on the map or by clicking Grid View on the map page. Cost per participant includes lodging, meals, project supplies, evening activities, a gift given out on Friday, mission site leadership, promotion materials and preparation guides. Don't let the cost of a mission trip prevent you from arranging life-changing events for your youth! Scholarship opportunities are available. Call the Service Center at 800.968.8504 for details.

When can we go?
YouthWorks mission trips start on Sunday evenings and end on Friday mornings. Multi-Generational/Family mission trips start on Sunday evening and end on Thursday morning. Arrangements for sightseeing and recreational activities can be made for the time period prior to or following your mission trip. Check out each individual location on the website by clicking on a star on the map or call the Service Center for specific opening dates of mission sites.

Who can come?
YouthWorks mission trips are designed for youth groups or Multi-Generational Families. We do not register individuals. Each YouthWorks trip is categorized as a middle school, mixed, high school or Multi-Generational/Family.

2012 Middle School trips are open to those students who have completed 6th grade in spring 2012 through students who completed 8th grade in spring 2012.

2012 High School trips are open to those students who have completed 8th grade in spring 2012 through seniors who have graduated in the spring of 2012.

2012 Mixed trips are open to those students who have completed 6th grade in spring 2012 through seniors who have graduated in the spring of 2012.

College Age: YouthWorks summer mission trips are not offered for college-aged students.

Because of the YouthWorks' program and policies, agreements with ministry partners, and to be respectful of other groups, we do not allow individuals who are not in the grades the mission site is for attend the mission trip. The minimum group size is five. Refer to the Mission Trip icon and then the map for information on the age category of each specific site.

Can our adults go?
Yes! In fact, adult leaders play an important leadership role on our trips. A leader must be at least 20 years of age and to be someone who is coming to minister to the teenagers in your group. We require a specific ratio of 1 adult leader for every 7 students at High School sites, or a 1 to 5 ratio for Middle School and Mixed trips. Because everything we do is geared towards youth, and we do not want to disrupt the work and feel of the week, plan to bring no more or no less than this ratio. If you bring students of both genders, you must have accompanying leaders of both genders. Each group will need to conduct a national (multi-state) criminal and background check on each adult leader who is attending the YouthWorks mission trip. Groups will need to provide YouthWorks with written confirmation that adult leaders have been approved to work with youth and children. Click here to get answers to frequently asked questions about Background Checks.

Who leads a YouthWorks trip?
YouthWorks has four staff members at each mission site. They are responsible for everything including food, lodging, ministry opportunities, work projects and supplies. They also lead cultural evening activities and nightly club times. Our staff is mission hearted, well trained and eager to serve!

How do we get there?
Each group is responsible for transportation (vehicles, gas and mileage) to and from the mission site, as well as on site during your mission week.

What is a bus accessible site?
Bus accessible sites are sites that we have designated as locations that are conducive to the possibility of groups traveling on buses. We do not allow buses at all of our sites because of safety, the needs of the community and the problem of parking. Even if a site is designated as bus accessible, we still require that you provide additional transportation for participants during the week. Buses are defined as any vehicle that is larger than a standard 15-passenger van. Please contact the Service Center for specifics on transportation.

What do we need to cross the border?
For ease of travel, YouthWorks recommends that each person obtains a passport. However, also available to US groups is the U.S. Passport Card. It is a travel document that can be used to enter the United States from Canada (as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda) at land border crossings. It cannot be used for air travel. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book.
According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, “U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card”. Read more here: www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

Border Crossing Information
Canadian Residents: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/menu-eng.html
US Residents: www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Where do we stay?
Groups are housed in a local church, school or community building. Participants need to bring their own sleeping bags, pillows and sleeping pads or air mattresses that are twin-size or smaller (Puerto Rico has a slightly different requirement). All females and males sleep in separate rooms, including married adult leaders. Showers are available either on site or at a nearby location.

Are the sites safe?
All YouthWorks housing facilities are secure and all ministry opportunities are designed with students' safety in mind. All YouthWorks staff are CPR certified and First Aid trained.

Will we be working with other groups?
Unless your group reserves all of a week's spaces (usually 50-72), your group will have the wonderful opportunity of serving alongside other Christians. Your youth will be divided into small teams and joined with students from other groups to do ministry. An adult from your group will always be joined with your students. Your students will have the great joy of getting to know others as they serve Jesus together.

What type of ministry will we do?
Every YouthWorks site is unique. Our small town and reservation sites give your students an opportunity to love and lead children in a Kids Club program and to visit with the elderly in the community. They will also bring hope to local residents by repairing/painting homes. Our large and small urban mission sites partner with ministries that serve those in need. Each week offers a variety of services that might include working with homeless shelters, elderly homes, children's programs, home rehab ministries and more. Bring your students on a mission adventure this summer and see life change firsthand. To learn more about the specific ministry work at various sites, click on the star on the map under Mission Trips and then under Site Facts.

What if I don't know how many people to plan for?
Your registration count is flexible! Please see the Registration Process section for specific deadlines on when you can decrease your registration. Adding spaces can happen at any time, as long as we have availability. We encourage you to plan sign-up and commitment deadlines with your youth and families around the deadlines we have set.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kid's Club

Frequently Asked Questions about Service Partners

Frequently Asked Questions about Work Projects

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