What’s included in the registration fee?
Great question—as a full-service mission provider, we give you all of the following:
- Lodging
- All meals, except for one evening meal where you have free time to explore the community
- Construction materials and project supplies, including their delivery to project sites
- Theme T-shirt for each participant
- Development of daily thematic, fun, faith-building programs
- Pre- and post-trip devotions
- Highly trained, mission-minded camp staff
- Comprehensive online Leader Manual and project preparation materials
- Program supplies for interactive activities
- Project selection, organization, and administration
- Unlimited customer support from professional and courteous staff
- Fund-raising ideas and FUND IT (web-based fundraising management tool)
- Mission Handbook for each participant (a personal prayer book and guide for the week)
Who can participate?
No special skills are required…just a willingness to serve. The minimum group size is one young person and one adult (21 or older) of the same gender.
What about adults?
Adults (age 21 and above) are a critical part of the mission experience. Adults provide safety, relationships, spiritual guidance, and discipline. And adults serve on project crews, shoulder to shoulder with young people. Please bring a minimum of one adult for every five youth. If you register both males and females, bring at least one adult male and one adult female. If additional adults want to come, bring ‘em. Or have them apply in our Join Our Team section to serve as staff volunteers for their week.
What about safety?
We're committed to providing consistent safety measures at our camps. Each adult (18 years and older) who participates in a Micah Experience camp must provide verification they completed the “Safe Environment” training provided by their local diocese, together with a background check verification within the past three years.
In addition:
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We complete multi-state criminal record searches on all camp staff
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Only adults listed by their church as designated drivers are allowed to drive to project sites
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Every project site is inspected for safety before camp
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When needed, safety tips are included in project descriptions
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Each camp includes First Aid and CPR certified staff
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Projects requiring protective clothing such as shoes, hats, gloves, and sunscreen are clearly identified
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Adult supervision (a minimum of one adult for every five young people) is present at each project site
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Local medical facilities are identified, and crews each have directions and contact phone numbers
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And much more...
How are crews organized?
A typical “crew” is a group of four or five young people and one adult. Some projects require multiple crews or slight modifications of crew size based on local partner and community needs. Project crews usually include 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.
What about transportation?
You need to provide transportation for your group to and from your mission trip. Also, during your mission trip, the vehicles you bring will be used to provide daily transport to and from project sites. Please ensure the number of seats and seat belts in your vehicles matches or exceeds the number of people you bring. Vehicles with at least six seats and seat belts are preferred. All vehicles, including chartered buses, must be available for transportation to sites during the week. If you intend to bring a large bus, please be sure your trip location can accommodate it. Check the trip description on the website.
Where do we stay?
Most lodging is in local schools, churches, or community centers (accommodations vary by trip). Accommodations will include areas for groups to room together by gender, a common eating area, and a program area. Showers will be available, though they may be indoor showers (locker room style) or may be outdoor (semiprivate, temporary) showers. Have all participants bring a swimming suit so they’re prepared for any showering situation. Participants will sleep on the floor and need to bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, and a twin-size air mattress. Facilities may or may not be air-conditioned, so consider bringing a small fan. Cell phone coverage may or may not be available, but there will always be an emergency phone onsite.
When do we pay?
To make it easier for fund raising, we’ve broken your payment into three convenient steps:
Deposit: A nonrefundable deposit ($50 per person for most trips) 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, 2010.
Payment 3: Your remaining balance is due May 15, 2010.
Early Bird Registration: This special offer lets you hold spaces free and delay the deposit until September 30, 2009.
Registration fees are in U.S. dollars and can be paid by check, money order, or credit card. Payment 2 and 3 are refundable when cancellations are made at least 30 days before the start of your trip.
Do you have references?
Absolutely! Don’t just take our word for it—give us a call (1.800.385.4545) and we’d be happy to connect you with other youth leaders who have served with us.
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. However, if you register for a trip 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. Call us. We’ll help.
What if I need to change the number of people I have registered?
You may alter (up or down) the number of participants you have registered to bring on your mission trip as long as there’s capacity at the location. However, there are a couple of things you want to be sure you know before you change anything:
- Deposits you’ve paid for any registered space are nonrefundable.
- Deposits can be used to add new participants to your group BUT cannot be transferred to an account balance or to another group.
- Registration amounts paid (less deposit amounts) are refundable when the Registration Team is notified at least 30 days before the first day of the trip. The entire fee will be forfeited for cancellations less than 30 days from the start of your trip.
All of this can be done by contacting your Registration Team at 1.800.385.4545, option #3.