Youth Group Mission Trips

For projects in the U.S., you are responsible for your round-trip airfare/transportation to the project location and transportation on the project. For overseas trips, you are responsible for your round-trip travel/transportation to the city that corresponds to your location. Adventures will provide ground transportation upon your arrival.

Generally, we require a minimum of 20 participants to operate a project. The 20 participants can be made up of groups and individuals.

We are not doctors and have no medical training so we are not qualified from a medical perspective to say you should or should not get certain shots. We suggest that you determine which shots you may need by visiting the CDC website or consulting your local travel health specialist and reviewing their recommendations based on the country(ies) you will be visiting. Some countries require a Yellow Fever Certificate to enter, so pay particular attention to that.

You may or may not choose to receive all the immunizations recommended by the CDC or your physician. It is your personal decision what immunizations you receive, but we recommend you seek a medical professional's advice concerning that decision.

Do not purchase your airfare until you are directed to do so by your Admissions Representative. If a trip cancels due to lack of interest, Adventures will refund all money paid to Adventures but is not responsible for airfare and will not refund it.

Your Project Leader will be wearing an Adventures t-shirt, similar to the one you will receive prior to your departure date. You will be sent additional information from your Project Leader directing you to a central meeting location.

On the field, you will probably sleep on the floor. Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and air mattress (if applicable). Males and females will be separated for lodging. You will receive more information regarding your housing arrangements prior to your trip.

Yes, but it may not be in a traditional shower. You will have access to clean water.

You are welcome to bring your cell phone to take pictures, use as alarm clock, an ipod, etc. However, your cell phone may or may not have reception in overseas locations.

Please evaluate your reasons for bringing phones or ipods on this trip. You are on the trip to minister to others, to serve God, and develop a deeper relationship with God. Phones and other electronic devices may be a distraction to what God is trying to tell you.

That being said, we also realize phones can also be great ministry tools! We want you to take pictures and video of your trip. And don’t forget to tag them with #adventuresinmissions when you post them to social media. Please note: Adventures is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged electronic devices.

How much spending money you bring depends entirely on your personal spending habits and financial situation. Remember, all your meals will be covered by Adventures. So, extra personal money would be entirely at your discretion.

Remember when you're on the field in ministry, you represent God, Adventures, and local missionaries. Modesty is the key in guiding decisions of what clothes to pack; a good rule of thumb: when in doubt, don't bring it. A general packing list and our dress code can be found in your online profile after you apply. Depending on your location’s cultural norms, we may need to adjust the dress code. If this is necessary for your location, you will be sent a packing list applicable to your ministry location.

Be prepared to cover up tattoos or remove piercings if the host cultures/ministries find them offensive. If this is necessary, your leaders will let you know this when you get in country.

For information on applying for a passport for the first time, visit this website or make an appointment at your local post office. Generally, it takes approximately 4 - 6 weeks from the time of application for you to receive your passport. We must have your passport information before airline tickets are purchased so please get your passport ASAP. Sometimes it may take longer than 6 weeks to receive your passport, so apply now.

Generally, Project Leaders are adults who have led or participated in previous Adventures trips, and some Project Leaders are Adventures staff. During your trip, your Project Leader will be the liaison between your team and the ministry host, coordinating daily ministry schedules. The Project Leader also facilitates nightly debrief sessions, encouraging your team to respond to what God is doing during the trip. Our goal is for you to have contact with your Project Leader roughly 14 days prior to your trip.

We at Adventures In Missions take the responsibility and care of our participants very seriously.

The reality is the world can be an unsafe place. That truth is not limited to overseas travel. While we cannot guarantee safety, safety and security is a top priority for our programs. We set protocols to minimize risk while expanding each student’s exploration of God’s Kingdom.

Our staff monitors safety concerns and issues around the world, including organized protests, political uprisings, medical alerts, and natural disasters. We maintain active communication with our international contacts and will change locations if we believe the risk level in an area is no longer appropriate for our participants.

A deposit of $75.00 per person for domestic trips and $150 per person for international trips is required to secure each participant's space on the mission project. The remaining trip balance will be due in two equal installments. The first payment is due approximately 75 days prior to your trip start date and the second payment is due approximately 45 days prior to your trip start date. Please refer to our Financial Policy in your online profile for specific any additional financial deadlines and policies.

Short Term Missions Leadership Development aims to train well-qualified leaders to hear God's voice, facilitate quality ministry interactions, project professionalism, and provide the best logistical and spiritual leadership possible in each of our field locations. Each year, our volunteer Project Leaders serve in over 60 locations around the world. They work with Adult Trips, Family Trips, Youth Trips, Ambassador Trips, Disaster Relief Trips, Kingdom Journeys, and Custom Trip Requests. Project Leaders serve as point people, directing both the spiritual and logistical aspects of a mission project. They work in teams to facilitate groups of 15-50 participants or under the leadership of a Project Director to help even larger groups.

Want to join our top-notch leadership team and help participants take the Gospel to the lost, hopeless, and hurting around the world?

Qualifications:

• Age 21+
• Integrity and spiritual maturity
• High level organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Previous leadership experience
• Previous missions experience on an Adventures in Missions trip
• Attendance at annual Training Camp in Gainesville, GA

Application Process:

• Please contact Kelley Grunewald at kelleygrunewald@adventures.org for the Project Leader application.
• Submit TWO References (One should be from a pastor, small group leader, or spiritual mentor).
• Complete a Phone Interview
• Attend Training Camp
• Receive Certification as a Short Term Missions Project Leader