Download Report

2015 Youth
mission trips
Jesus-Centered Service Experiences For Teenagers
Make Summer 2015 The Most
Transformational Yet
Inspiring Community
Service Trips
Powerful Home
Repair Trips
www.groupmissiontrips.com
Life-Shaping
International Trips
WHAT’S INSIDE
Table of Contents
Why We Exist / Statement of Faith
3
Overview
4
We Have Your Back
5
Choose Your Trip
6
Explore the Map
8
Reframe / 2015 Theme
10
Hear From Youth Leaders
12
Top 3 Reasons to Do a Youth Mission Trip
Getting Approval From the People Who Matter Most
Why Partner With Group Mission Trips?
Home Repair Mission Trips14
Community Service Mission Trips
24
International Mission Trips32
Trips for Youth Groups
Trips for Everyone
Meet Our Team
42
Registration Form
43
Build Meaningful Relationships
ENCOUNTER JESUS
WHY WE EXIST
Group Mission Trips is the
Leading Provider of Christian
Youth Mission Trips.
We leverage over 35 years of expertise to guarantee well-planned, stress-free mission trips for you. Group Mission Trips are designed
to give you an opportunity to spend your time in ministry—not organizing the details! Our experience in mission trips helps us refine
the process and eliminate the hassles of trip planning. We take care of the details so you can focus on what matters most: the spiritual
growth of your students before, during, and after the trip.
In 1976, Colorado sustained a catastrophic flood. The
following year, Thom Schultz, founder of Group Publishing,
organized church youth groups from across the country to
come to Colorado and help rebuild the homes and lives of
the flood victims. More than 300 teenagers and their youth
leaders, just like you, arrived in Colorado and worked on over
50 repair projects. As a result, Group Cares (formerly Group
Workcamps Foundation) was established as the nonprofit
partner of Group Publishing. Since then, over 300,000
mission trip participants have racked up more than 6
million volunteer hours serving people in need.
Week of Hope
Since that first event, one thing remains true: We strongly
believe in providing opportunities for teenagers to grow
closer to Jesus through serving others either in their own
backyard or halfway across the globe.
friends and youth leaders.
Today, Group Mission Trips has grown and offers several
unique multi-day mission trip experiences that take place
in the spring, summer, and fall:
Youth build friendships and meaningful connections while
caring for children and the elderly. Through heartfelt experiences and acts of kindness, youth share the love of Jesus and
bring hope to the lives they touch.
Workcamps
Gear up for these high-energy, home-repair mission trips during which youth work hard to improve the living situations of
people in need, while also building strong relationships with
Lifetree Adventures
Whether it’s your group’s first time out of the country, or
you’ve been serving internationally for years, Lifetree Adventures can match you up with a meaningful experience for your
group. From building a new house for a poor family in Costa
Rica, to travelling on a riverboat in the Amazon and serving
native villagers, our expert mission planners have covered the
details so your group can have a safe, impactful international
mission trip.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative Word of God. We believe there is one God, eternally existent
in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, in his virgin birth, in his
sinless life, in his death on the cross, in his bodily resurrection, in his ascension to the right hand of the Father,
and in his personal return. We believe people receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life through a relationship
with Jesus.
Give us a call at 800-385-4545 EXT 2 / PAGe 3
At Group Mission Trips, we provide fun mission trips through
Workcamp, Week of Hope, and Lifetree Adventures that will impact
your students in a spiritually powerful way. They’ll grow closer together
as a group and, more importantly, closer to Jesus. We cannot wait
to come alongside you in fostering transformation in your students
through one of our mission experiences.
Value-Packed
Experiences Include:
Plan now
to give your students a powerful spiritualgrowth experience next summer!
• Organized and simple pre-planning. Most of the
prep work is done for you…so you spend less time on
details and more time with your teenagers.
• Spiritual growth. A Jesus-centered focus helps
students deepen their faith. Last year, 94% of youth
participants said they grew closer to God on their
Group Mission Trip.
Call our group Mission
trips advisors at
800-385-4545 EXT 2
• More fun than you’ve ever expected.
Opportunities for fun abound as your group travels,
works, hangs out, worships, and meets new friends.
or visit
GroupMissionTrips.com
• Unique, Jesus-centered worship programming.
Pre-tested with youth and leaders, these powerful
programs will have a lasting impact on all participants.
MEET YOUR AdVISORS
• Team-building opportunities. We foster a great
ministry setting in which your youth group can forge
stronger friendships while they have a blast
serving together.
Our team of advisors is dedicated to
answering all of your questions and
getting you set for the mission trip your
students will never forget. Learn more
about them on page 42.
• Mature, trained staff you can trust. Our leaders
are the best of the best and are passionate about helping
youth grow in their faith.
Robin
Bri
Brent
WE HAVE YOUR BACK
11 FREE RESOURCES!
From phone calls from your Mission Trip Advisor to downloadable resources to help with Fundraising
and Trip Logistics, we’ve thought through it all. Join us next Summer and you’ll get the following:
1. LIVE: ReFrame
4-week pre-trip smallgroup curriculum
2. PRE-WRITTEN
LETTER TO PARENTS
Showcasing the value
of missions
3. MISSIONS
FUNDRAISING
E-BOOK
4. ONLINE
PLANNING TOOL
8. PERSONAL
TENURED ADVISORS
Built to take the stress out
of planning
To walk you through your trip
5. resources to
recruit youth
AND Adults
9. A TESTED
PARENT SUPPORT
MEETING AGENDA
6. THE BEST
PAYMENT PLAN IN
THE BUSINESS!
10. 3 steps to gain
the support of
adult leadership
7. Church
leadership
meeting agenda
Tested by senior pastors
Don’t let fundraising deter you from life-changing mission
experiences. Tony Myles offers valuable wisdom and helpful tips
for effective fundraising that won’t make you want to run away and
quit. Event ideas, organizational advice, and proven methods are all
inside the Missions Fundraising E-book!
DOWNLOAD AT http://bit.ly/fundraisingebook
11. TIPS TO GETTING
YOUTH TO SAY YES
TO SERVICE
AS A STUDENT
GROWS...SO CAN
THEIR MISSION
EXPERIENCES
SPECIAL
INTRODUCTION CAMP
JUST FOR PRETEENS.
GETS THEM STARTED IN JESUSCENTERED
MISSIONS.
Starting in 4th grade a student has an
opportunity to serve others in unique ways
every year for the next 10 years and beyond.
4TH GRADE - 6TH GRADE
WEEK OF HOPE
COMMUNITY SERVICE MISSION TRIPS
WORKCAMPS
HOME REPAIR MISSION TRIPS
LIFETREE ADVENTURES
INTERNATIONAL MISSION TRIPS
EVERY
CAMPER WILL HAVE A
JESUS-CENTERED EXPERIENCE
A WEEK OF HOPE
BUILT FOR PRETEENS
• INTRODUCTION INTO MISSIONS
• INTENTIONAL PROGRAM DESIGN
• A 4-DAY MISSION EXPERIENCE
22,000
STUDENTS EXPERIENCED
A GROUP MISSION TRIP
IN 2014
9TH GRADE | 10TH GRADE | 11TH GRADE | 12TH GRADE
7TH GRADE | 8TH GRADE
7TH GRADE-12TH GRADE
CHOOSE FROM 17
LOCATIONS
PRICE STARTS AT ONLY
$239/CAMPER
CHOOSE FROM 38
WORKCAMPS LOCATIONS
PRICE STARTS AT ONLY
$399/CAMPER
• 5 DAYS OF RELATIONAL SERVICE AND FUN
• JESUS-CENTERED PROGRAM
• WIDE VARIETY OF MEANINGFUL WORK
7TH GRADE-12TH GRADE
• HOME REPAIR EXPERIENCE FOR TEENAGERS OF ALL AGES
• 6 DAYS OF TRANSFORMATIONAL SERVICE AND FUN
• MEANINGFUL WORK WITH GREAT REWARDS
CHOOSE FROM 10
GLOBAL LOCATIONS
PRICE STARTS AT ONLY
$625/CAMPER
STARTING IN
7TH GRADE,
TEENAGERS CAN JOIN
A HOME REPAIR
MISSION TRIP.
9TH GRADE-ADULT
• JESUS-CENTERED PROGRAM
• EXPOSURE TO PEOPLE’S NEEDS GLOBALLY
• A MEMORABLE INTERNATIONAL
EXPERIENCE
LIFETREE
ADVENTURES IS OPEN TO
FAMILIES,
COLLEGE AGE,
YOUTH GROUPS, ANYONE.
where do
you want to
change lives?
Glyndon
Mission
Fort Collins
Garnett
Teec Nos Pos
San Diego
Mescalero
Austin
Community Service Youth Mission Trips
Austin, TX
Charleston, SC
Cincinnati, OH
Fort Collins, CO
Grand Rapids, MI
Indianapolis, IN
Kenosha, WI
Manassas, VA
Minneapolis, MN
Nashville, TN
Newark, NY
Orlando, FL
Pasadena, MD
Pittsburgh, PA
San Diego, CA
St. Louis, MO
York, PA
International Mission Trips
Alaska
Africa - Burkina Faso
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Haiti
Honduras
Peru
Puerto Rico
Home Repair Youth Mission Trips
Accident, MD
Brunswick, GA
Buffalo, NY
Cedar Grove, WV
Charlotte, NY
Elizabeth City, NC
Elizabethtown, PA
Garnett, KS
Glyndon, MN
Green Bay, WI
Greenwood, SC
Hammond, IN
Hannibal, MO
Hastings, MI
Keansburg, NJ
Lexington, NC
Mescalero, NM
Middletown, OH
Mifflinburg, PA
Millersville, MD
Mission, SD
Ocean View, DE
Parma, OH
Pocahontas, VA
Racine, WI
Red Lake, MN
Ripley, TN
Roanoke, VA
Rushville, IN
Scranton, PA
Seth, WV
Southern Pines, NC
Spencer, NY
Springfield, IL
Sunbury, PA
Teec Nos Pos, AZ
Waterloo, IA
Wintersville, OH
CUBA
Red Lake
Charlotte
Minneapolis
Green Bay
Racine
Kenosha
Waterloo
Sunbury
Spencer
Buffalo
Scranton
Grand Rapids Parma
Mifflinburg
Elizabethtown
Hastings
Keansburg
York
Middleton
Pittsburgh
Wintersville
Hannibal
Springfield
Indianapolis
St. Louis
Newark
Rushville
Accident
Cincinnati
Cedar Grove
Pasadena
Ocean View
HONDURAS
Millersville
Manassas
Seth
Pocahontas
Roanoke
Elizabeth City
COSTA RICA
Lexington
Southern Pines
Nashville
Ripley
Greenwood
ECUADOR
PERU
Charleston
Brunswick
Orlando
HAITI
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
PUERTO RICO
ALASKA
AFRICA BURKINA FASO
Give us a call at 800-385-4545 EXT 2 / PAGe 9
when Will My teenagers Connect
BEFORE THEIR TRIP / FREE PRE-TRIP CURRICULUM
2015 THEME
Reframe: A Jesus-Centered
Mission Experience
If life wasn’t so complicated, so difficult, so full of
pain, and disappointment. If choices were more
obvious with less at stake. If friends never let us
down. If churches had no cliques and drama. If
families could stay together, be the rock-solid support your students need. If we weren’t so human…
faith-building week, your group will see Jesus
clearly where they haven’t seen him before. They’ll
discover how to allow him to be the central
reference point of their lives.
Then, maybe, we could always keep Jesus in focus
and in the right perspective.
And all of this happens on-location as well, as your
teenagers Reframe the lives of others. Showing
them love and compassion. Fixing what is broken.
Bringing hope to an individual or a family whose
perspective may have become clouded by
disappointment or discouragement. Living
out a Jesus-centered life that puts others first.
But for now, all we can do is ask Jesus to help us
Reframe our perspective and re-orient our view
to place him, the Son of God, in the center.
Give your group one incredible week with each
other, with new friends, and with a Savior who has
reframed everything through his work on the cross.
This summer, your youth group can experience a
Reframe of their own hearts and minds in an unforgettable way. We’re going on location with Jesus,
taking a new look at not only what he did, but also
where he chose to do it, and what his actions and
words mean for us today. Through this powerful
Join us in 2015 for Reframe: A Jesus-Centered
Mission Experience.
FREE 4-WEEK REFRAME CURRICULUM, releaseD Feb. 2015
With Jesus at a Group Mission Trip?
DURING THEIR TRIP / 4 spiritual touch-points
Your teenagers will spend time with Jesus like never before. And they won’t dread that time, because it’s woven into
the day through four spiritual touch-points that occur naturally, as if Jesus were simply part of the day (which he is!)
The Morning programs
crew devotions
These brief, wake-you-up gatherings focus
students on Jesus—and set expectations for
the day: that Jesus will be there...that they’ll
serve him...and that great things will happen—
expectations that Jesus is delighted to meet,
day after day.
The Evening Program is an interactive worship
experience that is carefully crafted—and field-tested—
to ensure that your youth come face to face with Jesus.
Through singing, dramas, compelling video, and guided
activities, students make connections that prompt
deep, lasting growth—growth they’ll take with them
to live out back home.
the evening programs
youth group devotions
During the day, crews take a break at their
worksites to sit, enjoy a quick bottle of cold
water, and dig into what the Bible says about
the daily theme.
Each evening, just before lights out, you’ll meet with
your kids to talk through the day. To debrief what
they’ve experienced...what it taught them...and what it
means in their walk with Jesus.
The Jesus-centered questions asked during
Crew Devotions do more than just challenge
teenagers to grow in their faith. They also
transform serving a handicapped child or
painting a porch from work into worship.
And you’ll have stories from your own day to share,
too, because on a Group Mission Trip you’re an active
participant—not an observer who’s busy organizing the
next meal or scrambling for supplies.
Note: Additional post-trip resources also included
Week of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 11
top 3 reasons to do a youth mission trip
1
YOUR STUDENTS WILL
EXPERIENCE LIFE-CHANGING
SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
“My kids—both the youth group and my
biological kids—have experienced amazing
spiritual growth on mission trips,” says Gregg
McCaslin, a veteran youth minister.
“We think we’re going to do good things for
others, but the entire time God works on us, too.”
2
YOU’LL SUPER-SIZE
RELATIONAL TIME WITH YOUR
GROUP.
Our mission trips have built-in relational time.
When you let a mission trip organizer handle the
details, you’ll experience the trip alongside your
kids.
Group Workcamps. “I can go through the week
with my kids rather than leading the camp.”
3
YOU’LL SHIFT TO A
SERVANT-FOCUSED
MINISTRY.
“We first went on a mission trip in 2001 because
I had a small, floundering youth ministry,” says
Wenker. “A youth ministry friend told me, ‘You’ve
got to go to a Workcamp. It’ll transform your
group’—and it did.”
Wenker says many of her students grew up in the
church and “inherited” their faith from parents
and Sunday school teachers. “When kids go to a
Workcamp, their faith becomes their own,” she
says. “Kids get the message that Jesus died for
them, that God loves them, and that they can
share God’s love with the world.”
“All the organization is done,” says youth pastor
Jill Wenker of her mission trip experiences with
GETTING APPROVAL FROM THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER MOST
You’ve seen the light! You’re all-in for taking your teenagers on a youth mission trip.
Church Leaders
It may sound too good to be true, but youth
pastor Jill Wenker had zero problems getting
her pastor and church leaders on board with a Workcamp
mission trip.
“I showed them the Workcamps video from Group
Mission Trips, and that won them over,” she says. “I
stressed that safety is Group’s priority, that adult volPAGe 12 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
unteers have to pass background checks, and that
experts go from site to site to make sure things are
going well. That’s all it took.”
We’ve found that’s all it usually takes, and we’re
happy to send you the same video that warmed the
hearts of Jill’s church leaders.
Why Partner With Group Mission Trips?
With dozens of organizations lined up to help you organize a youth mission trip, why pick Group Mission Trips? Try these three reasons on for size…
Nobody has done youth
missions longer.
Nobody is better at keeping
first things first.
We’ve learned a thing or two during our 38 years
of organizing youth mission trips, and it shows.
Everything is thought out from start to finish,
says associate pastor Adam Just.
Mission trips aren’t about fixing houses. Or cleaning
alleys. Or hugging orphan kids.
That means from the moment you decide to
pitch the idea of a mission trip to your students
and your church board, Group’s experienced staff
is there for you with the tools you need to cast
vision, build enthusiasm, and raise funds. They
will also walk you through our online resources
for planning and registration, and set you up
with mission-trip-focused devotions that will
prepare your teenagers for their experience.
All that happens, but more important is the spiritual
growth of everyone involved. Group Mission Trips goes
the extra mile to encourage that growth with
built-in compelling morning devotions, worksite
devotions, and powerful evening experiences. Plus,
you go home with ready-to-use sessions to debrief
what your group experienced.
Nobody gives you more for
your money.
“I’ve talked with youth ministers who use cheaper
providers. All they get for their money is someone
lining up places to work. Group provides it all: support,
planning, programming, leadership, volunteers, and
lining up all the details. It’s all done, and it’s done well,”
says Gregg McCaslin, a veteran youth minister. Here’s
what veteran youth leaders have discovered about getting
all those people excited about a Group Mission Trip...
ADULT VOLUNTEERS
“Their big question was about
construction skills,” says associate
pastor Adam Just. “Once they understand there are
experts to help supervise repairs and that their role
is to be with the kids, they’re OK.”
The good news: We’ll help you reassure your
adult volunteers by providing clear, detailed job
descriptions so they know what to expect...and just
how rewarding their week at a Workcamp will be.
Students
This one is easy: Simply ask.
Share the materials we’ll give you with
your youth. Let them see how they’ll change lives,
serve God, and make a difference in the lives of specific people in specific ways.
You won’t believe how fast your students catch the vision. We’re happy to send you the tools you’ll need to
cast the vision in your church. Call us today.
38 CITIES
13,000 ATTENDEES
1 mission.
PAGe 14 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
home repair
mission trips
Workcamps are weeklong mission trips where your youth
group will work hard repairing homes for people in need,
while experiencing the amazing power of community to
accomplish God’s work.
Workcamps are high-energy and action-packed, yet
powerful and life-changing. The camps are BIG: Sometimes
upwards of 450 youth participate, creating lots of energy
and excitement throughout the entire week.
At Workcamps, teenagers come together to serve
individuals and communities while building strong, longlasting relationships with their friends and youth leaders.
In six short days, hundreds of students from youth groups
across the country repair and transform homes—and
strengthen and transform their own faith.
Workcamps began in 1977 as a home-repair project in
Loveland, Colorado, in response to the tragic flood of
the Big Thompson River the previous year. In July 1976,
more than 12 inches of rain fell within three hours near
Estes Park, overflowing and flooding the river. Ultimately,
the river became a raging wall of water that destroyed
hundreds of houses, washed away miles of roads, and
killed more than 140 people—the worst natural disaster in
Colorado history.
Learn more by calling Brent at
800-385-4545 EXT 2
And so the first Workcamps experience was born. Thom
saw a dramatic change in the hearts of youth and adults
serving the flood’s victims, and realized that the challenge
of helping others in need could ignite and strengthen the
Christian faith of teenagers and adults.
Since then, more than 300,000 people have participated
in a Group Mission Trips experience—logging more than
6 million volunteer hours. These participants have gained
a new understanding and deeper faith in Jesus by serving
others.
The mission opportunities keep growing, and the same
passion that prompted Thom Schultz to launch the first
Workcamp continues to help teenagers from all different
Christian denominations grow closer to God and take on
the challenge of service by helping people in need.
Turn the page to see more than 38 Workcamp locations
where your youth can serve next summer—and give your
teenagers a Jesus-centered summer experience they’ll
never forget!
workcamps home repair missions
One way their faith gets built is through daily challenges
to do something they may not have done before: painting a
house, using a chop saw or drill, or doing some other task
that can make students feel a little uncomfortable and
vulnerable—exactly where Jesus can speak to them.
After that flood, Thom Schultz, founder of Group
Publishing, asked church youth groups from across the
country to come to Colorado and help rebuild the homes
and lives of the flood’s victims. More than 300 youth and
their adult leaders responded, working on more than 50
home-repair projects.
TRANSFORM
HOMES & LIVES
Workcamps give youth groups a chance to serve people in need
through home repair, basic construction, and painting—but students
also build strong relationships with their friends and youth leaders.
Sometimes more than 450 teenagers participate in a camp, which
fuels the enthusiasm and excitement throughout the entire week!
fresh coats of paint
workcamps home repair missions
Fresh paint keeps houses from rotting and
becoming unsafe.
Before
PAGe 16 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
After
NEW, sturdy porches
Dangerous steps are transformed into a safe
patio for families.
Before
After
Before
After
safe wheelchair ramps
Week of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 17
workcamps home repair missions
A safe wheelchair ramp gives a disabled
person the freedom to live life.
MEET SIGNIFICANT NEEDS
We’ve been partnering with Appalachian and Native American communities for more than 30 years and
still have significant work to accomplish. In 2015, bring your teenagers and be a part of this special
service opportunity that will impact families for generations.
APPALACHIAN
workcamps home repair missions
An Appalachian Workcamp experience provides your group the opportunity to serve and meet the real
needs of real people—many of whom feel neglected and cut off from the rest of the world.
When you think of Appalachia, you may think of coal mining, hills, a strong culture, and West Virginia.
All are “true” traits but do not completely represent the area known as Appalachia. This region of the
U.S. covers an area from New York to Mississippi and Alabama, and it’s blessed with abundant natural
resources. However, people in the region have dealt with a long struggle of serious poverty-related issues.
For instance, some areas of Appalachia still do not have a consistent source of electricity or water.
Regardless of the situations
they face, the people are proud
of their history, homes, and
communities. Get to know these
people who are fiercely loyal and
committed to their communities.
Enjoy their deep cultural
connections and rich historical
roots. It will be an unforgettable
experience.
PAGe 18 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
LOCATIONS & PRICES
Cedar Grove, WV
July 5–11
$456
Seth, WV
July 12–18
$456
Pocahontas, VA
July 19–25
$456
Roanoke, VA
July 26-Aug. 1
$456
NATIVE AMERICAN
The best domestic cross-cultural experience.
One of the best things about taking your youth group on a mission trip is the opportunity for a cross-cultural
experience. And that’s one of the benefits of a Workcamp experience on a Native American reservation. It
provides your youth group an amazing cross-cultural experience without ever having to leave the country.
Group Mission Trips has been doing Workcamps on Native American reservations for decades. Our deep
relationships in these communities and with tribal leaders provides your group with an experience that you
will never forget. It’s not just about repairing the home of a family. It’s not only learning about a new culture
and history. It’s not simply how your group will grow in their relationship with Jesus. It’s about all of those
things—in one amazing experience.
LOCATIONS & PRICES
Teec Nos Pos, AZ
June 21–27
$456
Red Lake, MN
July 19–25
$447
Mescalero, NM
June 28–July 4
$399
Mission, SD
July 12–18
$447
Week of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 19
workcamps home repair missions
You will see true need here. Our Native American reservations contain some of the worst poverty in America…
with people living under conditions that rival those in the Third World. Some descendants of America’s first
citizens still live without running water or electricity. The work you do here will truly make a difference…for
both the people you serve and your kids’ lives.
dates & locations
senior high camps
workcamps home repair missions
MIDWEST
Glyndon, MN
July 26–Aug 1
$447
Green Bay, WI
July 12–18
$447
Hammond, IN
June 21–27
$447
Hannibal, MO
July 5–11
$456
Hastings, MI
July 19–25
$447
Middletown, OH
July 5–11
$456
Parma, OH
June 21–27
$456
Racine, WI
June 21–27
$399
Rushville, IN
July 5–11
$447
Waterloo, IA
July 19-25
$447
Brunswick, GA
June 14–20
$464
Elizabeth City, NC
June 14–20
$456
Lexington, NC
June 21–27
$456
Ripley, TN
July 5–11
$447
SOUTH
PAGe 20 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
NORTHEAST
Accident, MD
June 21–27
$456
Buffalo, NY
July 5–11
$464
Charlotte, NY
July 26–Aug 1
$464
Elizabethtown, PA
July 26–Aug 1
$464
Keansburg, NJ
June 28–July 4
$464
Millersville, MD
July 5–11
$456
Ocean View, DE
June 21–27
$467
Scranton, PA
June 28–July 4
$467
Spencer, NY
July 19–25
$464
Sunbury, PA
July 12–18
$464
Garnett, KS
July 5 - 11
$447
Springfield, IL
July 12 - 18
$429
Wintersville, OH
July 19 - 25
$429
Greenwood, SC
June 28 - July 4
$447
Southern Pines, NC
July 19 - 25
$456
Mifflinburg, PA
June 21 - 27
$464
jr/sr. high camps
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 21
workcamps home repair missions
Week of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
WHAT TO KNOW
What’s included in the registration fee?
Who can participate?
We want your trip to be as easy on you as possible. That’s
why we provide the following so you don’t have to:
We offer trips for both junior high and senior high
students. Participants that are at least 12 years old or
entering 7th grade in the fall of 2015 can attend a Jr/Sr
high Workcamp. Participants that are at least 14 years old
or entering 9th grade in the fall of 2015 can attend a senior
high Workcamp. No special skills are required.
• Lodging during the week
• All meals, except for dinner on your free night
• All supplies and project materials for each worksite
• Themed T-shirt for each participant
• Devotions to read before, during, and after your trip
Adults (age 21 and above) are a critical part of the
experience because they help provide safety, relationships,
spiritual guidance, and discipline. Please bring a minimum
of one adult for every five youth.
• Highly trained, mission-minded staff
How are crews organized?
• Comprehensive online Planning Center and project
preparation materials
A typical “crew” is a group of five young people and one
adult. Each crew usually includes participants from a
variety of churches so that they can meet new people. If
you’d rather have your teenagers serve with your own
group members, call us and we’ll gladly accommodate your
request.
• Development of Bible-based, thematic, fun, faithbuilding programs
• Fundraising ideas and support
• Site selection and organization
• Unlimited customer support from professional and
courteous staff
• Mission trip handbook for each participant (a
personal devotion book and guide for the week)
workcamps home repair missions
How many adults should we bring?
• Comprehensive safety training at the beginning of
the week
• Access to SimplyYouthMinistry’s TOOLS, the
ultimate task manager for youth workers
What about transportation?
You need to provide transportation for your group to and
from your mission trip. And during your mission trip, the
vehicles you bring will be used to provide daily transportation to and from project sites. If you intend to bring a large
bus, check with your trip advisor to be sure your trip location can accommodate it.
Where do we stay?
Most lodging is in local schools or churches. Accommodations will include areas for groups to room together by
gender, a common eating area, and a program area.
What happens if the trip I want is full?
All trips are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so
register early. However, if you register for a trip that’s full,
we’ll give you a choice: Join the waiting list for your first
choice, or register for your second-choice location. Call us.
We’re eager to help!
Learn more by calling BRI OR
BRENT at 800-385-4545 EXT 2
A TYPICAL WORKCAMP DAY
6:45 amRise and shine
7:00 amHot breakfast
8:00 am Morning program
8:30 am Depart for projects
3:30 pm Return to camp
5:00 pm Dinner 7:30 pmEvening worship program
8:45 pm Youth group devotions
“Workcamp has the perfect
combination of hard work and
faith-building. The youth know they
have done something worthwhile,
and they have a chance to share
their faith with peers in a safe and
supportive environment.”
9:30 pm Free time
Justin Kelly
youth leader in
White Bear Lake, MN
11:00 pm Lights out
We understand students in your ministry have a difficult time making up their minds about what they are
doing every summer. Our Payment Policy is designed to give you the most flexibility when reserving your
mission experience with Group Mission Trips.
To make it easier for fundraising and record-keeping, we’ve broken your payment into three convenient steps:
Payment 1: A nonrefundable deposit
($50 per person) is required at the time of
registration to reserve space on your trip.
Payment 2: 50% of your
group’s remaining balance
is due March 15, 2015.*
Payment 3: Your remaining
balance is due May 15,
2015.**
Register SOON! Here’s why: You can register your group without having to make a deposit until
October 31, 2014 with Early Bird Registration that begins June 1, 2014. This special offer lets you
hold spaces for free and delay the deposit until October 31, 2014.
* Registration fees are in U.S. dollars and can be paid by check, money order, or credit card.
** All payments are due, finalized, and non-refundable by the May 15, 2015 payment date.
workcamps home repair missions
PAYMENT POLICY
17 CITIES
8,000 ATTENDEES
1 mission.
PAGe 24 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
COMMUNITY SERVICE
mission trips
community service youth mission trips
Four or five days of service. A lifetime of rewards.
Week of Hope is an affordable summer mission trip
packed with practical acts of love and service. Your
students will build meaningful connections as they
serve people through local ministries and nonprofit
organizations.
Week of Hope meets the needs of all age groups—
wherever those needs exist. Projects might include:
• Providing meals to the homeless
• Tutoring poor or struggling children
• Helping to lead a day camp for kids
• Organizing a home or sprucing up a dilapidated home
• Painting a room or deep-cleaning a home
• Working with disabled children
• Sharing stories with a lonely elderly person in an
assisted-living facility
Learn more by calling BrI at
800-385-4545 EXT 2
Each day students will enjoy meaningful worship and
devotion times, plus opportunities for personal devotions.
They’ll spend time together and connect more deeply with
Jesus. Programs are led by a well-trained staff—but you
and your youth will have the chance to serve by leading
parts of each worship program. (Feel free to bring guitars,
drums, harmonicas, banjos, and great voices!) Along
with the the worship times, youth are able to serve other
participants by preparing meals and cleaning the lodging
facility daily.
Turn the page and take a closer look at this year’s Week
of Hope mission trips. Your group will be immersed in
the experience of being “others-directed” instead of
self-directed, and challenged to live as Jesus did—in
authentic, sacrificial relationships.
wEEK OF HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICE TRIPS
Teenagers will learn Christ-like empathy and compassion
for others as they meet the spiritual, physical, and
emotional needs of disadvantaged children, youth, and
adults. As students serve in the name of Jesus, they’ll
develop friendships with the people being served,
with teenagers on other teams, with members of their
own youth group, and, most importantly, with Jesus.
Denominational differences disappear as like-minded
youth work together for a common purpose. It’s awesome
to watch!
Your team’s acts of kindness will mean the world to the
people you serve. But the impact on your students will go
even deeper. Spiritual growth is a top priority at all of our
camps, and through meaningful worship and devotions,
the lessons learned will take root in the hearts of your
youth.
SERVING A COMMUNITY
wEEK OF HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICE TRIPS
At Week of Hope, campers provide helping hands to local nonprofit ministries. Your group may
serve meals to the homeless, work with disabled children, or share stories with a lonely elderly
person. Whatever role your students fill, their service will be felt in the community and will be
a shining example of Jesus’ love.
day camp programs
nursing homes
Play games with children and send the affirming
message that they matter.
Serve the forgotten in long-term nursing care
facilities.
PAGe 26 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
community service youth mission trips
homeless shelters
recovery programs
Serve hundreds of hungry homeless folks.
Serve nonprofit agencies that couldn’t operate
without your help.
Week of hope community service
Give attention and love to
disabled children.
Week of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
wEEK OF HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICE TRIPS
ASSISTED-LIVING
FACILITIES
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 27
DESIGNED FOR PRETEENS
PRETEEN 4
th
–6th graders
wEEK OF HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICE TRIPS
Preteen Week of Hope is a great mission experience that your 10- to 12-year-old students will never
forget! Helping younger students explore their faith is one of the most important and fulfilling
responsibilities you have as a leader. Research suggests that by the time kids are 13, their basic value
systems are set for life. We created
Preteen Week of Hope trips to
LOCATIONS & PRICES
respond directly to this aspect of
San Diego, CA
June 21–25
$219
your ministry.
Fort Collins, CO
June 14–18
$249
Orlando, FL
July 12–16
$219
Pasadena, MD
June 21–25
$249
Minneapolis, MN
June 28–July 2
$236
York, PA
July 12–16
$246
Charleston, SC
July 5–9
$246
Austin, TX
July 19–23
$246
Kenosha, WI
July 26–30
$236
“Over my long ministry career of working with preteens, I’ve seen service
projects and mission trips change thousands of young lives. That’s why I
was so excited when the team at Group Mission Trips called and asked me to
help them redesign their preteen experience. Together, I think we’ve created
something special for your students.” Kurt Johnston
Student Ministries Pastor, Saddleback Church
PAGe 28 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
LOVE OTHERS IN
PRACTICAL WAYS
JR/SR HIGH
community service youth mission trips
Your students will build meaningful connections as they serve people
through local ministries and nonprofit organizations. But the impact
on your students will go even deeper, as they will experience Christ-like
empathy and compassion first-hand.
SOUTH
Fort Collins, CO
$249
Austin, TX
$266
San Diego, CA
$239
Charleston, SC
$266
Nashville, TN
$266
June 14 - 19
Orlando, FL
$239
June 21 - 26
MIDWEST
June 28 - July 3
Cincinnati, OH
$256
Grand Rapids, MI
$266
EAST
Indianapolis, IN
$266
Manassas, VA
$266
Kenosha, WI
$256
Newark, NY
$266
Minneapolis, MN
$256
Pasadena, MD
$269
St. Louis, MO
$266
Pittsburgh, PA
$266
York, PA
$266
Week of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
July 5 - 10
July 12 - 17
July 19 - 24
July 26 - 31
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 29
wEEK OF HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICE TRIPS
WEST
Most Week of
Hope locations
are offered these
seven weeks:
WHAT TO KNOW
community service youth mission trips
What’s included in the registration fee?
We want your trip to be as easy on you as possible. We provide the following so you don’t have
to:
• Lodging during the week
• All meals, except for dinner on your
free night
• All supplies and project materials for
each worksite
• T-shirt for each participant
• Development of Bible-based, thematic, fun, faith-building programs
• Devotions to read before, during, and after your trip
• Highly trained, mission-minded staff
wEEK OF HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICE TRIPS
• Comprehensive online Planning Center and project preparation materials
• Fundraising ideas and support
• Site selection and organization
• Unlimited customer support from
professional and courteous staff
• Mission trip handbook for each participant (a
personal devotion book and guide for the week)
• Access to Simply Youth Ministry’s TOOLS, the ultimate task manager for youth workers
Who can participate?
We offer trips for preteen, junior high, and senior
high students. For preteen trips, participants
must be at least 10 years old or entering the fifth
grade in the fall of 2015. For junior/senior high
trips, participants must be at least 12 years old or
entering the seventh grade in the fall of 2015.
Learn more by calling BrENT at
800-385-4545 EXT 2
How many adults should we bring?
Adults (age 21 and above) are a critical part of
the experience because they help provide safety,
relationships, spiritual guidance, and discipline.
Please bring a minimum of one adult for every
five youth.
How are crews organized?
A typical “crew” is a group of five young people
and one adult. Each crew usually includes participants from a variety of churches so that they can
meet new people. If you’d rather have your teenagers serve with your own group members, call
us and we’ll gladly accommodate your request.
What about transportation?
You need to provide transportation for your
group to and from your mission trip. During the
week, the vehicles you bring will be used for daily
transportation to and from project sites.
Where do we stay?
Most lodging is in local churches or schools. Accommodations will include areas for groups to
room together by gender, a common eating area,
and a program area.
What happens if the trip I want is full?
All trips are filled on a first-come, first-served
basis, so register early. However, if you register
for a trip that’s full, we’ll give you a choice: Join
the waiting list for your first choice, or register
for your second-choice location.
Call us. We’re eager to help!
A TYPICAL WEEK OF HOPE DAY
6:45 amRise and shine
7:00 amHot breakfast
8:00 am Morning program
8:30 am Depart for projects
3:30 pm Return to camp
5:00 pm Dinner 7:30 pmEvening worship program
8:45 pm Youth group devotions
9:30 pm Free time
11:00 pm Lights out
“I am bringing a group to a Week
of Hope this summer because:
Plugging teens into missions is
such a reward. Seeing them bond
with each other and connect with
Jesus all while serving others is an
amazing way to get their feet wet
and give them a passion and
heart for others.”
We understand students in your ministry have a difficult time making up their minds about what they are
doing every summer. Our Payment Policy is designed to give you the most flexibility when reserving your
mission experience with Group Mission Trips.
To make it easier for fundraising and record-keeping, we’ve broken your payment into three convenient steps:
Payment 1: A nonrefundable deposit
($50 per person) is required at the time of
registration to reserve space on your trip.
Payment 2: 50% of your
group’s remaining balance
is due March 15, 2015.*
Payment 3: Your remaining
balance is due May 15,
2015.**
Register SOON! Here’s why: You can register your group without having to make a deposit until
October 31, 2014 with Early Bird Registration that begins June 1, 2014. This special offer lets you
hold spaces for free and delay the deposit until October 31, 2014.
* Registration fees are in U.S. dollars and can be paid by check, money order, or credit card.
** All payments are due, finalized, and non-refundable by the May 15, 2015 payment date.
Week of hope community service
PAYMENT POLICY
wEEK OF HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICE TRIPS
Tiffany Taylor
CHILDREN’S PASTOR
Commerce City, CO
40 ADVENTURES
1,500 TRAVELERS
1 mission.
PAGe 32 / LEARN MORE AT LIFETREEAdVENTURES.COM
26
INTERNATIONAL
mission trips
I’d like to introduce you to Lifetree Adventures by
getting to know you.
Are you a person with a heart to serve and a desire
to make your life count? Someone who wants to
serve internationally, but needs to know that your
efforts will make an impact long after you leave? Do
you want to grow in ability to serve Jesus in other
cultures and learn to pass that skill on to others?
Some mission efforts focus on helping the poor;
others concentrate on the personal spiritual growth
that occurs in the life of a participant. At Lifetree
Adventures, our focus is on both. We’ve partnered
with tenured ministries that are rooted in the
countries we serve. As you’re reading this, they are
passionately serving and loving their neighbors,
working to meet physical and spiritual needs in
Jesus’ name. When we arrive, we come alongside
their efforts. Because of these trusted, established
partnerships, you can know that your week of
service is truly helpful.
Our team—both local and abroad—has carefully
crafted the week, the conversations, and the
entire experience in a way that helps you grow in
New this year, we’ve created 5 mission events that
are exclusively “Youth Group Only.” Designed by
Group Mission Trips, these trips will have a similar
heartbeat and programming of a Workcamp or
Week of Hope, but will have the international
expertise of Lifetree Adventures. We are launching
these weeks with the youth leader in mind: We take
care of all the details of the trip so you can have an
incredible time of ministry and connection with
your students. Look for the label “Youth Group
Only” to find out more about these options. As
always, any of the other Lifetree Adventures trips
are for all ages, from 7 to 97 and beyond. Families,
youth groups, individuals, college students…all are
welcome.
We’ve taken thousands of people on mission trips
abroad, and we’ve seen Jesus do amazing things
both in and through the “goers” who take that extra
step of faith to go beyond their own borders. We
look forward to locking arms with you, your group,
and the Savior for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Learn more by calling ROBIN at 800-747-2157
OR VISITING LIFETREEADVENTURES.COM
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
If the answers to any of those questions resonate
with you, a Lifetree Adventure might be the perfect
match for your next mission experience.
your faith. Through guided discussions, candid
conversations, and a participant journal that are
all created by international missions experts, your
relationship with Jesus and understanding of what
he can do in and through you will never be the
same.
TRIPS FOR YOUTH GROUPS
Designed for youth groups, with the youth leader in mind. These combine strong, international grassroots partnerships
with Group Mission Trip’s Youth Ministry expertise.
HAITI
PUERTO RICO
$799 per person
$625 per person
(price does not include airfare)
(price does not include airfare)
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
June 20–27 Cap Haitien
Haiti still needs your help. Come serve with
Lifetree Adventures as we partner with an
outstanding ministry that provides critical
services for Haitians. Our partners in Cap
Haitien run an established seminary, training
Haitians to become pastors, leaders, and innovators in their communities. The seminary
is run by full-time missionaries, and we are
locking arms with these folks who’ve given their
lives to helping their neighbors. Through local
church partnerships, your group might run a
kids’ VBS program, or a multi-day youth camp.
Your group may also be involved in construction
and upkeep projects on the seminary grounds.
Whatever the service project, you’ll experience
what it’s like to see real need, and to be a part of
the solution in Cap Haitien.
PAGe 34 / LEARN MORE AT GROUPMISSIONTRIPS.COM
July 11–18
July 18–25
Juana Diaz
Ponce
Are you looking for a trip to broaden your
group’s horizons and expand comfort zones
but aren’t quite ready to deal with the hassle of
passports and expensive international flights?
Serving in Puerto Rico with your group is a
great option for a first-time “international”
mission trip. Even though Puerto Rico is a U.S.
territory, Spanish is widely spoken there and
it’s easy to forget you are still on American soil
while serving the many underprivileged people
who call this beautiful island home.
Passports are not needed to travel to Puerto
Rico, and flights are fairly reasonable, which
makes it a popular spot for youth groups or
first-time travelers. However, Puerto Rico is
the economically poorest part of the United
States, with children, teenagers, and the elderly
being particularly vulnerable to extreme poverty. When you serve with Lifetree Adventures
in Puerto Rico, you will provide much-needed
home repair, maintenance, yard work, and
cleaning to elderly or disabled individuals who
can no longer care for their homes effectively on
their own. Come be a part of what Jesus is doing
through the local church in Puerto Rico.
partnered with:
COSTA RICA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
$899 per person
$799 per person
(price does not include airfare)
(price does not include airfare)
June 20–27
July 11–18
San José
The Dominican Republic shares an island with
the country of Haiti, and has a population of
around 9 million people. Our local ministry
partner there has built in-roads and relationships with the Dominicans, sharing Jesus’ love
there for years. You and your group will come
alongside this ministry and help with basic
construction, vacation Bible school, sports
camps, and youth outreach events. Imagine your
students connecting and sharing Jesus’ love
with Dominican students, building life-impacting relationships in the process. Join us in the
Dominican Republic for a one-of-a-kind mission
experience.
Youth Ministry program, devotionals, and experience
on an international mission trip. Plan now to give your
students a powerful spiritual-growth experience next
summer!
give US a call at 800-385-4545 EXT 2 or visit
GroupMissionTrips.comWeek of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 35
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
Costa Rica has long been recognized as a spectacular tourist destination. However, there are
many areas of Costa Rica that have people who
live in extreme poverty. We’ve partnered with
local churches and ministries who are already
making an impact on the ground. If you travel
with us to Costa Rica, you’ll have the opportunity to serve those in need with your hands and
your heart. Some of the ministry opportunities
you may be involved in are construction and
repair of homes, vacation Bible school for kids,
and supporting local ministries through volunteer efforts. Bring your students and help make
a lasting difference in Costa Rica.
Santiago
TRIPS FOR EVERYONE
AFRICABURKINA FASO
$1,199 per person
(price does not include airfare)
HAITI
June 20–28
$799 per person
Burkina Faso, Africa,
is a landlocked country
located just north of
Ghana and west of
Nigeria. With recent
droughts, Burkina Faso
has slipped even further into extreme poverty,
as many citizens survive by sustenance farming. Our partner in Burkina Faso has been on
the ground striving to improve the community
living conditions, building inroads to share the
love of Jesus at every opportunity. Have you
ever dreamed of helping in Africa? If you travel
with us to Burkina Faso, you may be involved in
construction or other work projects, kids’ Bible
studies and outreach, or community improvement including teaching English or life skills to
community members. Bring an open heart and a
willingness to serve in one of the most desperate
areas of the world. (price does not include airfare)
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
July 11–18 Cap Haitien June 13–20 Gressier
July 11–18 Gressier
Haiti still needs your help. Come serve with
Lifetree Adventures as we partner with an
outstanding ministry that provides critical
services for Haitians. Our partners in Haiti are
established ministries and churches that are
in the trenches making a real difference in the
lives of some of the poorest people in the world.
By locking arms with long-term ministries like
this, we’re able to see a real impact. From orphanage ministry, construction, VBS and youth
programs, we’ve done the legwork to make sure
that you and your group have a meaningful
week of service in one of the most desperate
places in this hemisphere. Choose between Cap
Haitien on the north coast, and Gressier just
one hour west of Port Au Prince.
ECUADOR
$899 per person
(price does not include airfare)
June 20–27
Ecuador, located in the midwestern part of South America and
bordered by Columbia and Peru, is rich in tradition and diverse
cultures. Most of the Ecuadorian people are Mestizo, a combination of European (Spaniards) and indigenous Quichua Indians.
Our ministry partner has a variety of projects going on, reaching the local community with the love of Jesus. You may help
with construction or maintenance on ministry buildings, or
homes for the poor. You might serve in an orphanage or with
kids in the jungle communities, playing games with kids and providing
assistance as needed. You also might be part of a local soccer outreach
club, playing soccer and building relationships with Ecuadorians. Come
and be a part of what God is doing through the local church in Ecuador.
Our “standard” international trips that bring all generations together
for a week of serving those in need and growing in faith. Individuals,
families, youth groups, adult groups, college students, anyone...
cleaning to elderly or disabled individuals who
can no longer care for their homes effectively on
their own. Come be a part of what Jesus is doing
through the local church in Puerto Rico.
PUERTO RICO
$625 per person
(price does not include airfare)
March 7–14
June 13–20
July 11–18
July 18–25
Juana Diaz
Cayey
Cayey
Cayey
March 14–21 Ponce
June 20 – 27 Cayey
July 11–18
Ponce
Aug 1–8
Juana Diaz
Passports are not needed to travel to Puerto
Rico, and flights are fairly reasonable, which
makes it a popular spot for youth groups or
first-time travelers. However, Puerto Rico is
the economically poorest part of the United
States, with children, teenagers, and the elderly
being particularly vulnerable to extreme poverty. When you serve with Lifetree Adventures
in Puerto Rico, you will provide much-needed
home repair, maintenance, yard work, and
$799 per person
(price does not include airfare)
June 13–20
Santiago
The Dominican Republic shares an island with
the country of Haiti, and has a population of
around 9 million people. Our local ministry
partner there has built in-roads and relationships with the Dominicans, sharing Jesus’ love
there for years. You and your group will come
alongside this ministry and help with basic
construction, vacation Bible school, sports
camps, and youth outreach events. Imagine your
students connecting and sharing Jesus’ love
with Dominican students, building life-impacting relationships in the process. Join us in the
Dominican Republic for a one-of-a-kind mission
experience.
Week of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 37
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
Are you looking for a trip to broaden your
group’s horizons and expand comfort zones
but aren’t quite ready to deal with the hassle of
passports and expensive international flights?
Serving in Puerto Rico with your group is a
great option for a first-time “international”
mission trip. Even though Puerto Rico is a U.S.
territory, Spanish is widely spoken there and
it’s easy to forget you are still on American soil
while serving the many underprivileged people
who call this beautiful island home.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
TRIPS FOR EVERYONE
(CONTINUED)
PERU
$1,299 per person
(price does not include airfare)
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
March 7–13
June 27–July 3
July 18–24
June 13–20
July 11–17
October 10–16
You and your students are used to going to church
every Sunday and probably don’t think much about
how your church building came about. But in the
deep rainforest of the Peruvian jungle, your brothers
and sisters in Christ don’t always have the resources
to build their own houses of worship. When you
serve with Lifetree Adventures in Peru, you’ll have
the chance to work alongside a Peruvian missionary
team that has invested over a decade into the lives of
the indigenous Shipibo people. They have labored to
bring the gospel to many tribal villages and encourage the spread of the gospel. When it comes time to
build a house of worship, though, they invite you
to join their work. Help build a church for a small
Shipibo village while living for the week on a riverboat. You’ll serve alongside a growing church and be
able to take play breaks with the many children in
the village who are so curious about you and love to
play! Join us for an unforgettable jungle adventure
and be amazed that the same God you worship is also
worshipped deep in the Peruvian rainforest.
PAGe 38 / LEARN MORE AT LIFETREEAdVENTURES.COM
HONDURAS
$899 per person
(price does not include airfare)
March 7–14
July 11–18
June 13–20
You and your students have a deep passion
for making your faith real. That’s why you
want to go on a mission trip, right? Well,
join us in Honduras this summer and see
the many ways faith is lived out through one
church in Choluteca, Honduras. These humble servants run an orphanage, a bilingual
school, a prison ministry, a school for children with special needs, a child-development
center for at-risk and malnourished children,
a home construction ministry for families
who are living in shacks with dirt floors,
and several entrepreneurial ventures that
provide jobs to those who really need them.
You’ll come home inspired to reach deeper
into your community after spending time
with this dedicated group of Hondurans who
are committed to living out their faith. You
and your students will join them in serving
in any number of their ongoing ministries
and could help in a bilingual classroom, work
on constructing a new orphan house, or just
play with children who are very excited to
have you visit them. Join us in Honduras
and learn how the church is in action in powerful ways around the world!
COSTA RICA
$899 per person
(price does not include airfare)
March 7–14
March 14–21
July 11–18
July 18–25
San José
Grano De Oro
San José
Grano De Oro
$1,299 per person
(price does not include airfare)
March 14–21
July 18–25
June 13–20
In 1959, Castro’s revolution completely
transformed Cuba’s culture and government,
and the church was greatly affected. But in
the last decades, God has been at work, and
the church has been growing. And while the
relationship between Cuba and the United
States has had a troubled history, Americans
are permitted to travel to Cuba for certain
purposes—including religious, humanitarian, and educational. We have partnered with
strong local ministries in Cuba to give you
and your group a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve, partner, and make a difference
in Cuba.
Alaska
$799 per person
(price does not include airfare)
July 11–18
July 25–August 1
Alaska has both breathtaking scenery for tourists and hope-draining challenges for some of its elderly yearround residents. Your group is needed to bring hope in the form of landscaping and home-repair projects for
older families who are no longer able either physically or financially to care for their own property. You’ll
build a strong sense of community with your team while you tackle these meaningful service projects. By
the end of the week, you’ll be receiving as much blessing as you’re giving while you serve in the name of
Christ. Please come both to give your heart away and to have your breath taken away by the amazing beauty
of both the land and the people of Alaska.
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
Costa Rica has long been recognized as a spectacular tourist destination. However, there are
many areas of Costa Rica that have people who
live in extreme poverty. We’ve partnered with
local churches and ministries who are already
making an impact on the ground. If you travel
with us to Costa Rica, you’ll have the opportunity to serve those in need with your hands
and your heart. Some of the ministry opportunities you may be involved in are construction
and repair of homes, vacation Bible school for
kids, and supporting local ministries through
volunteer efforts. Bring your students and
help make a lasting difference in Costa Rica.
CUBA
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Saturday:
Travel to your destination
city and transfer to your
lodging for the first night
Sunday:
Experience worship in a
different culture and get to
know the ministry partner
Monday:
Begin service projects
Thursday:
Keep serving
Tuesday:
Continue to serve
Friday:
Complete your project
Wednesday:
FREE DAY TO EXPLORE THE
LOCAL AREA
Saturday:
Journey home
A Life-Changing Missions Experience…
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
“I had so much fun in India! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all six of my family members to be able to do
together. Lifetree Adventures made each day so great! They picked us up at the airport and had meals and transportation and hotels all pre-arranged so we didn’t have to worry about anything. There were about 28 people on
our team, and they were all so nice to us. We divided up into teams to minister to different slums each day.
The kids we met in the slums were amazing. They were so poor, but so happy. They loved having us visit them. And
I loved holding the skinny, malnourished babies and praying over them as they slept in my arms. I loved playing
games with the older kids and teaching them English or just coloring with them in the Lifetree Adventure coloring
books. They were so excited about the simple coloring book and crayons
we passed out.
I was really impressed by the local pastors who reach out to the people in
the slums day after day meeting practical needs, like passing out blankets and sweaters, and also teaching them about Jesus. We visited one
slum where no one had accepted Christ yet and the people were wild and
disrespectful, but people in the other slums who the local pastors had
been working with were kind, respectful, and eager to learn more. It was
amazing to see the difference.
I had such an amazing time with Lifetree Adventures getting to know
the other volunteers in our group, ministering to the precious kids,
and seeing so many beautiful places. I wish I could go back next year
and say hello to all the children there. They truly touched my heart.
After being in India, I came home with a whole new appreciation
for my life and a new sensitivity to the needs of others around me and
around the world. I also went home with a stronger relationship with not
only my family, but with the Lord.”
Sofie Rovenstein, 14 years old, India 2013
WHAT TO KNOW
How do I book my mission trip with Lifetree Adventures?
How strenuous are the activities?
Just call any one of our expert mission trip advisors at
800-747-2157.
While some adventures are more physically strenuous
than others, most Lifetree Adventures trips will include at
least four 8-hour service days in hot and humid environments. Team members should feel comfortable spending
multiple days working outdoors and standing most of that
time. Temperatures may be hot and humid, so you’ll want
to wear cool clothing and a hat, and drink plenty of water.
Service projects consist primarily of construction work,
but some trips include ways to help that aren’t as physically strenuous. You’ll have the chance to work at the level
of physical exertion with which you’re comfortable.
Is airfare from North America included in the
Lifetree Adventures price?
No, the Lifetree Adventures price does NOT include
airfare from North America. In-country transportation is
provided in the trip price. In Peru, our price includes the
airfare from Lima to Pucallpa. In Cuba, our price includes
charter flight airfare from Miami to Havana.
What travel documentation do I need?
All U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter a foreign
country and return to the United States. It must be valid
six months beyond your intended stay and have 1-2 blank
pages remaining. A passport is not required for trips to
Puerto Rico.
Visas are not required for most trips. For full information,
please ask your mission trip planner at time of booking.
Our trips are family-friendly, so kids can serve along with
adults. The minimum age is 12 years old when not accompanied by a parent or guardian. When parents are present,
children as young as 7 may attend. Teenagers traveling
unaccompanied without a group, parent, or guardian must
be at least 16 years old.
What’s your policy on deposits, payments,
and cancellations?
To reserve space on a trip, a nonrefundable $100 deposit
is due when you register. Final payment is due 60 days
before departure. Please visit our website for complete
details of our cancellation policy.
Most meals will be provided by our ministry partners,
who have been carefully trained to prepare safe and nutritious meals for our teams.
Are the trips safe?
The safety of your group is a top priority for us, as we’re
sure it is for you. In all the areas we serve, we take extra
precautions to make sure your group is as safe as they can
possibly be. Guided by our local, experienced ministry
staff partners, we avoid situations that are inherently
dangerous. We’re also proactive by choosing lodging facilities and transportation that are safe and reliable. If you
have specific safety-related questions about a particular
location, your mission trip planner will be glad to talk
with you about those specifics.
Are tips included in the cost?
Lifetree Adventures covers gratuities for all included
meals and activities, such as tips for porters, housekeepers, drivers, activity providers, local experts, and dining
room staff.
Are all meals included in the cost?
Most meals are covered as part of your registration. Please
see the detailed itinerary of your Lifetree Adventures trip
for any exceptions.
Learn more by calling ROBIN at 800-747-2157
OR VISITING LIFETREEADVENTURES.COM
LIFETREE ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
Is there an age requirement?
What types of meals are served?
MEET OUR TEAM
WE LOVE SERVING YOUTH WORKERS!
The Group Mission Trips team and our partner team at Simply Youth Ministry work closely
together and form a collection of super-hero support. We’re here to serve you.
PAYMENT POLICY
We understand students in your ministry have a difficult time making up their minds about what they are
doing every summer. Our Payment Policy is designed to give you the most flexibility when reserving your
mission experience with Group Mission Trips.
To make it easier for fundraising and record-keeping, we’ve broken your payment into three convenient steps:
Payment 1: A nonrefundable deposit
($50 per person) is required at the time of
registration to reserve space on your trip.
Payment 2: 50% of your
group’s remaining balance
is due March 15, 2015.*
Payment 3: Your remaining
balance is due May 15,
2015.**
Register SOON! Here’s why: You can register your group without having to make a deposit until
October 31, 2014 with Early Bird Registration that begins June 1, 2014. This special offer lets you
hold spaces for free and delay the deposit until October 31, 2014.
* Registration fees are in U.S. dollars and can be paid by check, money order, or credit card.
** All payments are due, finalized, and non-refundable by the May 15, 2015 payment date.
REGISTER NOW!
Here are your three easy options for registering:
1
2
Call 800.385.4545 EXT 2
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
(Mountain Time)
For International trips:
Register with your credit card
on: GroupMissionTrips.com
3
For International trips:
LifetreeAdventures.com
Call 800.747.2157
Fill out the registration form and
mail with a deposit check to:
Group Cares
1515 Cascade Avenue
Loveland, CO 80538
Sign up now and challenge your teenagers
with a week of Christian service and fun!
Choose a Group MISSION TRIP
[ ] Workcamps
[ ] Week of Hope
[ ] Lifetree Adventures
Primary Contact
Church Information
Name Church Name Please Send Correspondence to:
[ ] My Church
[ ] My Home
Address State City Daytime Phone
Zip [ ] My church has attended a previous Group
Email Address Mission Trip
First Option Date Fee Check Your Payment
Option Below
Second Option Date Fee [ ] Early Bird Registration
Select Your Mission Trip
This special offer lets you hold your spot and
pay no deposit until October 31, 2014.
Reserve Space
Space for participants under age 21 Please register a minimum of 1 adult for every 5
students. If you register both males and females,
[ ] Check Enclosed to Group Cares $
+
Check #/MO #
Space for adult participants sign up at least 1 adult male and 1 adult female.
=
Total registered participants [ ] Please contact me for my credit card information to finalize my registration.
Starting October 31, 2014, a $50 nonrefundable deposit is required from each participant. Deposits are non-transferable to camp balances. Please only register the number of
participants that you intend to bring. However, you can add more participants until the camp reaches its capacity by calling your Registration Team 1-800-385-4545, option 3.
Week of Hope & Workcamps 800-385-4545 EXT 2
Lifetree Adventures 800-747-2157
PAGe 43
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
Group Mission Trips
c/o Group Cares
1515 Cascade Avenue
Loveland, CO 80538
PAID
BOLINGBROOK, IL
PERMIT 1917
Give Your students a jesus-Centered
Experience They’ll Never Forget.
To register call 800-385-4545 ext 2 or visit GroupMissionTrips.com