ission trips m

m er a k e j e su s r e a l n e x t su m m
3 Unique Youth Adventures
Meaningful Community Service Trips
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Powerful Home Repair Trips

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Life-Changing International Trips

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180 TRIPS INSIDE

RESERvE YoUR SPoT ToDAY!

2013

WHATS INSIDE

THE #1 WAY TO IGNITE FAITH IN YOUTH

ningful ild mea r heyll bu T a deepe ipsand us. lationsh re Jes on with connecti

seand orm a hou eyll transf Th eir heart. nsform th od will tra G

Group Mission Tr

ips: where youth

encounter Jesus

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Choose Your Trip Explore The Map Expect Jesus Hear From Youth Leaders
The Top 3 Reasons To Do A Youth Mission Trip Getting Approval From The People Who Matter Most Why Partner With Group Mission Trips

2 4 6 8

At Group Mission Trips, our priority is making your mission trip powerful and life-changing for your students, and seamless and easy for you. We work hard to cover all the bases for you, so you can maximize time with your group.
HERE IS WHAT YoU GET:
Easy pre-planning and an organized experience. We sweat every detail so you can spend a quality week with your kids. Spiritual growth. Last year a whopping 94% of students said they grew closer to God through their experience with Group Mission Trips. Unmatched non-denominational Christian worship programming, pre-tested with youth and their leaders to help your kids grow closer to Jesus, and each other. Team building opportunity, so your youth group members can draw closer to one another in a unique ministry setting. Leadership by mature, trained staff you can trust. Our leaders are the best of the best: trained, thoroughly screened, and passionate about helping youth grow in their faith.

Community Service Mission Trips Home Repair Mission Trips International Mission Trips One Day Service Events Book Your Trip

10 18 26 32 37

More fun than youve ever expected. You and your group will have a great time as you travel, hang out, work, worship and meet new friends.

PLAN NOW TO GIvE YOUr STUDENTS A POWErFUL SPIrITUAL GrOWTH ExPErIENCE NExT SUmmEr! CALL 800-385-4545 Or vISIT GrOUPmISSIONTrIPS.COm.
1

CHOOSE YOUr TrIP

Four Powerful Jesus-Centered Youth Missions Experiences
Community Service Mission Trips
At Week of Hope, your students learn Christ-like empathy and compassion for others while preparing meals at a homeless shelter, serving disadvantaged children, visiting with lonely elderly residents, and more.

Home Repair Mission Trips

A Workcamp is a big, high-energy mission trip where your group will work hard repairing homes for people in need, and experience the amazing power of community to accomplish Gods work.

International Mission Trips

Lifetree Adventures takes your group around the globe to provide help in Haiti, Peru and Puerto Rico, and learn what it means to meet Gods call by serving others in great need around the world.

A Day of Service
At a Big Day of Serving, youth groups come together in a community near where they live to serve a neighborhood in need, and experience the amazing results of what can be accomplished together in just one day.

Choose from over 120 trips

S TA R T I N G AT o N LY

Choose from over 40 locations

S TA R T I N G AT o N LY

Serve in Haiti, Peru or Puerto Rico

S TA R T I N G AT o N LY

Events in cities across America

S TA R T I N G AT o N LY

$229

$399

$599

$29

See page 10

See page 18

See page 26

See page 32

PICk YOUr PLACE! PACk YOUr BAGS! CHANGE LIvES!

Loveland Denver Las Vegas Red Mesa San Diego Mescalero

Enumclaw

Hawley

Sturgis

Minneapolis Racine Kenosha

Rochester Muskegon Grand Rapids Buffalo Jamestown

Newark Elmira Tioga Center Shamokin

Nashua

Omaha

Hastings Parma Harbor Creek Dubuque Medina Chicago Pittsburgh Akron Davenport York Lima Wintersville Yorkville Rochester Middletown Williamsville Oakland Frostburg Indianapolis Clay Troy Cincinnati Clendenin Lynchburg St. Louis Garnett Mount Vernon Buckner Bluefield Lexington

Wood River Junction Danbury

Keansburg Trenton Burlington Norristown Smithsburg Millersville Manassas Hopewell

PERU

Elizabeth City

Nashville Jackson

Atlanta Charleston

PUERTo RICo HAITI

Valdosta Orlando

Austin

West Palm Beach

Community Service Youth Mission Trips

Austin, TX Charleston, SC Cincinnati, OH Denver, CO Grand Rapids, MI Indianapolis, IN Kenosha, WI Las Vegas, NV Loveland, CO Manassas, VA Minneapolis, MN Nashville, TN Newark, NY Orlando, FL Pittsburgh, PA San Diego, CA St. Louis, MO York, PA

Home Repair Youth Mission Trips

Bluefield, WV Buckner, KY (Louisville) Buffalo, NY Burlington, NJ Clay, WV Clendenin, WV Davenport, IA Elizabeth City, NC Elmira, NY Frostburg, MD Garnett, KS Harbor Creek, PA Hastings, MI Hawley, MN Hopewell, VA Jackson, TN Jamestown, NY Keansburg, NJ Lexington, NC Mescalero, NM Middletown, OH Millersville, MD Mt. Vernon, IL Muskegon, MI Norristown, PA Oakland, MD Omaha, NE Parma, OH (Cleveland) Racine, WI Red Mesa, AZ Rochester, IN Rochester, NY Shamokin, PA Smithsburg, MD Sturgis, SD Tioga Center, NY Trenton, NJ Troy, MO Valdosta, GA Williamsville, IL Wintersville, OH Wood River Junction, RI

International Mission Trips

Haiti Peru Puerto Rico

A One-Day Youth Mission Event

Akron, OH Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL Danbury, CT Denver, CO Dubuque, IA Enumclaw, WA Indianapolis, IN Lima, OH Lynchburg, VA Manassas, VA Medina, OH Nashua, NH Nashville, TN San Diego, CA West Palm Beach, FL Yorkville, IL

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4

See page 18

See page 26

See page 32
5

ExPECT JESUS
Where Will My Kids Connect With Jesus at a Group Mission Trip?
Everywhere...
Your teenagers will spend time with Jesus like never before. And they wont dread that time, because its woven into the entire day through four spiritual touch points that occur naturally, as if Jesus were simply a natural part of the day (which He is!)
Spiritual Touch Point 3

The Evening Programs

The Evening Program is an interactive worship experience that is carefully craftedand field-tested to ensure that your kids come face-to-face with Jesus. Through singing, dramas, compelling video, and guided activities your kids make connections that prompt deep growth. Lasting growth. Growth theyll take home to live out in your youth group.

Spiritual Touch Point 4

Youth Group Devotions

Spiritual Touch Point 1
Each evening, just before lights-out, youll meet with your kids to talk through the day. To debrief what theyve experienced...what it taught them...and what it means in their walk with Jesus. Your kids will come to these devotions bursting with stories they cant wait to share. Theyll tell you how theyve seen God at work. Explain what theyve learned about Jesus. And quietly share what theyve discovered about themselves. And youll have stories from your own day to share, too, because on a Group Mission Trip youre an active participantnot an observer whos busy organizing the next meal or scrambling for supplies.

The Morning Programs

These brief, wake-you-up gatherings focus kids on Godand set expectations for the day: that God will be there...that theyll serve Him...and that great things will happen. Expectations thatday after dayGod is delighted to meet.

Spiritual Touch Point 2

Crew Devotions
During the day, crews take a break at their worksites to sit, enjoy a quick bottle of cold water, and to dig into what the Bible says about the daily theme. The Jesus-centered questions asked during Crew Devotions do more than just challenge kids to grow in their faith. They also transform painting a porch or serving a handicapped child from workto worship.

Where is God at a Group Mission Trip? Hes working in and through you 24/7... and your kids will be amazed how good that feels.

WHAT Do YoU STAND FoR?

Sports? Fun? Grades? Myself? Nothing?
The answers to that question are endless. But a persons ultimate answer says it all. About themselves, their priorities, and even their destiny. What will your teenagers give as their answer to What do you stand for? Youll find out as that question guides the theme for Groups 2013 mission trips. Through the Morning and Evening Programs, Crew Devotions, and Youth Group Devotions, each student will be challenged to think about what they stand for, and allow Jesus to speak into their answer. As campers delve into stories of Jesus, each student in your group will see how people in the Bible answered that profound question, and discover their own answer in the process.

WHAT YOUTH LEADErS SAY

The Top 3 Reasons To Do A Youth Mission Trip
Meetings. Retreats. Bible studies. Counseling sessions. With so many other youth group activities already on your plate, why add a youth mission trip to the mix? Three reasonsall of them sure to deepen your ministry to youth...
1. Your students will experience life-changing spiritual growth.
My kidsboth the youth group and my biological kids have experienced amazing spiritual growth on mission trips, says Gregg McCaslin, a veteran minister of youth and discipleship. We think were going to do good things for others, but the entire time God works on us too. Youth groups can do things in their own neighborhoods and should, he says. But theres bonding that happens on a mission trip. The road trip to and from the workcamp is great for our kids. experts to help supervise repairs and that their role is to be with the kids, theyre okay. The good news: well help you reassure your adult volunteers by providing clear, detailed job descriptions so they know what to expectand just how rewarding their week at a Workcamp will be. says Adam, who has that information in hand courtesy of the materials provided by Group.

Students
This one is easy: just ask. Share the materials well give you with your youth group. Let them see how theyll change lives. Serve God. Make a difference in the lives of specific people in specific ways. Then ask your youth group which Group Mission Trip location looks like a winner and stand back: you wont believe how fast your kids catch the vision. And then watch what happens as God works in and through them. Were happy to send you the tools youll need to cast the vision in your church. Call us today at 800-385-4545.

Parents
Workcamps promotes the fact that worksite safety is a top priority, says volunteer youth leader Dan Hemberger. And its trueGroup backs it up. The training and safeguards provided on a Group Mission Trip go a long way toward reassuring parents. Adam holds a parents meeting about a month before his mission trip to address parental concerns. They care about safetyand where their kids are staying,

3. Youll 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, Youve got to go to a Workcamp. Itll transform your groupand it did. Wenker says many of her kids grew up in the church and inherited their faith from parents and Sunday school teachers. When they go to a Workcamp my kids faith becomes their own, she says. Kids get the message Jesus died for them, that God loves them, and that they can share Gods love with the world.

2. Youll super-size relational time with your group.

Much of ministry time with kids is actually structured programming. Thats fine, but not typically where the good stuff happenswhere kids open up about their lives. A mission trip builds in long stretches of relational time. And, if you let a mission trip organizer handle the details, youll experience the trip alongside your kids. All the organization is done, says youth pastor Jill Wenker of her mission trip experiences with Group Workcamps. I can go through the week with my kids rather than leading the camp. McCaslin points to the road trip as another plus of mission trips.

SoWhy 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 does youth mission trips better.
Weve learned a thing or two during the 36 years weve organized youth mission tripsand it shows. Group Mission Trips has a long history of doing mission trips, says associate pastor Adam Just. Everything is thought out from start to finish. Which means from the moment you decide to pitch the idea of a mission trip to your kidsand your church board Groups experienced staff is there for you with the tools you need to cast the visionbuild enthusiasmand raise the funds. Theres a great support network, says Dan Hemberger, a volunteer youth leader who is especially impressed with Groups online resources for planning, registration, and preparing kids for their mission trip experience. We use the pre-trip devotions religiously says Dan, who describes Groups online assistance as a virtual hug. tra mile to encourage that growth by building in compelling morning devotionssmall group worksite devotionsand meaningful evening experiences. Plus you go home with ready-to-use sessions to help you debrief what your group experienced serving Jesus. At Group Mission Trips the focus is on God, says Gregg McCaslin, a veteran minister of youth and discipleship. Thats what Im looking for in a mission experience: help us serve, keep us focused on God, and Im good to go.

Getting Approval From The People Who Matter Most

Youve seen the light! Youre all-in for taking your kids on a youth mission trip.
But unless your church leaders, adult volunteers, parents, and kids agree, its going to be one empty church bus sputtering off on a mission trip next summer. Heres what veteran youth leaders have discovered about getting all those people excited about a Group Mission Trip I showed them the Workcamps video from Group Mission Tripsand that won them over, she says. I stressed that safety is Groups priority, that adult volunteers have to pass background checks, and that experts go from site to site to make sure things are going well. Thats all it took. Weve found thats all it usually takesand were happy to send you the same video that warmed the heart of Jills church leaders.

Nobody gives you more for your money.

Ive talked with youth ministers who use cheaper providers, says Gregg. All they get for their money is someone lining up places to work. I like that Group provides it allthe planning, programs, support, leadership, volunteers, and lining up details. Its all done and its done well. For what we pay, Group Mission Trips is a great deal, says Gregg. Were totally happy, totally satisfied.

Church Leaders
She knows it sounds 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.

Nobody is better at keeping first things first.

Mission trips arent about fixing houses. Or hammering together wheelchair ramps. Or hugging neighborhood kids. All that happens, but more important is the spiritual growth of everyone involvedand Group Mission Trips go the ex-

Adult volunteers
Their big question was about construction skills, says associate pastor Adam Just. Once they understand there are

Youll be satisfied, too. Let us prove it to you. Contact Group Mission Trips by visiting GroupMissionTrips.com or calling 800-385-4545.

COmmUNITY SErvICE mISSION TrIPS

non-profit organizations.

Group Mission Trips has a long history of doing mission trips. Everything is thought out from start to finish.
ADAM JUST, ASSOCIATE PASTOr, ST. JOHnS CHrISTIAn CHUrCH

community service youth mission trips

Five days of service. A lifetime of rewards. Week of Hope is an affordable summer missions trip thats packed with practical acts of love and service. Your students will focus on building meaningful connections as they serve the needs of people through local ministries and

Whatever the service, your teams acts of kindness will be rewarding to your group, and mean the world to the people you serve. Bigger still, however, is the impact it will have on the students themselves. All our camps place spiritual growth as a top priority. Through meaningful worship and devotions, the lessons learned will take root in the hearts of your youth. Each day, your students will enjoy meaningful, thematic worship and devotion times, plus individual group devotions. You and your young people will have lots of chances to spend time together and connect more deeply in your Christian faith. Programs are led by well-trained staff leaders - but you and your students will have the opportunity to serve by leading worship music and other parts of each worship program (feel free to bring guitars, drums and great voices!). Turn the page and take a closer look at this years Week of Hope mission trips. Your group will be immersed in the experience of being others-directed instead of selfdirected, and challenged to live as Jesus did, in authentic, sacrificial relationships.

WEEK oF HoPE

Your youth group will learn Christ-like empathy and compassion for others as they serve and meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of disadvantaged children, youth and adults. This is a week thats all about developing relationships with the people youre serving, with the new friends youll meet, with your own youth group and most importantly, with Jesus. You serve in the name of Jesus. Denominational differences disappear, and friendships quickly develop as like-minded youth work together with a common purpose. Its awesome to watch. 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 children 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

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DATES AND LOCATIONS

community service youth mission trips

WEST
Denver, Co Loveland, Co Las vegas, Nv San Diego, CA $252 $252 $229 $248

SOUTH
Austin, TX Charleston, SC Nashville, TN orlando, FL $262 $266 $266 $229

All Week of Hope locations are offered these seven weeks

June 16 - 21 June 23 - 28 June 30 - July 5 July 7 - 12 July 14 - 19

mID-WEST
Cincinnati, oH Grand Rapids, MI Indianapolis, IN Kenosha, WI Minneapolis, MN St. Louis, Mo $252 $262 $262 $252 $252 $262

NOrTHEAST
Manassas, vA Newark, NY Pittsburgh, PA York, PA $266 $266 $262 $262

July 21 - 26 July 28 - Aug 2

At Group Mission Trips, the focus is on God. Thats what

What about trips for Preteens?
Preteen Week of Hope is for your 10 -12 year old students and is a great mission experience they will never forget! Helping kids explore their faith is one of the most important and fulfilling responsibilities you have as a childrens or youth leader. research suggests that, by the time theyre 13, your kids basic value systems are set for life. We created Preteen Week of Hope trips to respond directly to this aspect of your ministry.

Choose a Preteen trip during these weeks:

June 16 - 21 Loveland, CO June 30 July 5 Minneapolis, Mn Charleston, SC July 7 - 12 Austin, TX July 14 - 19 York, PA Orlando, FL July 21 26 Pittsburgh, PA July 28 August 2 Austin, TX York, PA

Im looking for in a mission experience. My kidsboth the youth group and my biological kidshave experienced amazing spiritual growth on mission trips.
GREGG MCCASLIN, MINISTER OF YOuTH AND DISCIPLESHIP, CONCORDIA LuTHERAN CHuRCH

CALL 800-385-4545 Or vISIT GrOUPmISSIONTrIPS.COm

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SErvING A COmmUNITY
community service youth mission 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. However they serve, the impact will be felt in the community and be a shining example of Gods love.

GRAMS Serve non-p rofit agenci es that couldnt op erate witho ut your help .

RECovERY

PRo

NURSING Ho
Se

en in longrve the forgott

MES

term nursing

care facilities

S FACILITIE ED LIvING to disabled children. ASSIST d love

Give atten tion an

Serve hund

HoMELESS

reds of hun

SHELTERS
gry homele ss folks.

DAY CAMP PRoGRAM S

Play games with child ren, and send the affirming message that the y ma tter.

CALL 800-385-4545 Or vISIT GrOUPmISSIONTrIPS.COm

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WHAT TO kNOW
community service youth mission trips

Whats included in the registration fee?

We want to make sure your trip is as easy on you as possible. That is why we provide the following so you dont have to: 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 Development of Bible-based thematic, fun, faithbuilding programs Devotions to read before, during and after your trip Highly trained, mission-minded staff 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)

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 thats full, well give you the option to be on the waiting list for your first choice, or register for your second-choice location. Call us. Well help.

When do I have to pay?

Fundraising takes time, and sometimes more than one effort, so weve broken your trip costs into three convenient payments: EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: This special offer lets you hold your spot and pay no deposit until September 30th, 2012. REGISTRATION AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 A nonrefundable deposit of $50 per person is required at the time of registration to reserve space on your trip. PaYmeNT #2 - maRCH 15, 2013 50% of your groups remaining balance is due. PaYmeNT #3 - maY 15, 2013 Your remaining balance is due.

Who can participate?

We offer trips for preteen, junior high and senior high kids. Participants must be at least 10 years old or entering the 5th grade in the fall of 2013.

Does Group Mission Trips have references?

Absolutely! Dont just take our word for it-give us a call (1.800.385.4545 option 2) and wed be happy to connect you with other youth leaders who have brought their kids on a Week of Hope mission trip.

How many adults need to chaperone?

Adults (age 21 and above) are a critical part of the mission experience. Adults 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. Call us and well gladly accommodate your request.

A T y p i c Al DAy
6:45 am 7:00 am 8:00 am 8:30 am 3:30 pm 5:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:45 pm 9:30 pm 11:00 pm WAKEy-WAKEy Breakfast Morning program Depart for projec ts Return to camp Dinner Evening worship program youth Group devotions Free time lights out

My favorite thing about working with Group Mission Trips is the expertise they bring to the table. I have taken hundreds of students on mission trips and they are consistently amazing.
ROB DYER, YOuTH LEADER, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHuRCH

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.

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.

CALL 800-385-4545 Or vISIT GrOUPmISSIONTrIPS.COm

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HOmE rEPAIr mISSION TrIPS

Workcamps are week-long, home repair Christian mission trips where your youth group will work hard repairing homes for people in need, and experience the amazing power of community to accomplish Gods work. Workcamps are high-energy and action-packed, yet powerful and life-changing. The camps are big: some have upwards of 450 youth participate which creates big energy and excitement throughout the entire week. At Workcamps, youth groups come together to serve individuals and communities, while building strong, longlasting relationships with their friends and youth leaders. In six short days, hundreds of kids from youth groups across the country will repair and transform homes while strengthening and transforming their own faith. Part of the faith building comes in the form of the daily challenges. now we dont mean were going to ask kids to scale a tree with a chainsaw but we do want to challenge them to do something they may not have done before. For some, that might be painting a house for the first time; for others, they may learn how to use a chop saw or drill. Whatever the case, sometimes getting a little uncomfortable and vulnerable is exactly where God wants us. 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 of 1976, more than 12 inches of rain fell within three hours near Estes Park, overflowing and flooding the river. Ultimately, the Big Thompson river became a raging wall of water that would destroy hundreds of houses, wash away miles of roads in the

We first went on a mission trip because I had a small, floundering youth ministry. A youth ministry friend told me, Youve got to go to a Workcamp. Itll transform your groupand it did.
JILL WEnKEr, YOUTH PASTOr, UnITED CHUrCH OF CHrIST

blink of an eye, and kill more than 140 people. It was the worst natural disaster in Colorado history. 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 floods victims. Over 300 youth and their adult leaders responded and arrived in Colorado, working on over 50 home repair projects. And so the first Workcamps experience was born. Thom saw a dramatic change in the hearts of youth and adults serving the floods victims, and realized that through the challenge of helping others in need, the Christian faith of teenagers and adults was ignited and strengthened. Since then, more than 6,000,000 volunteer hours have been logged by 275,000 people who have participated in a Group Mission Trips experience. These participants have gained a new understanding and deeper faith in Jesus by serving others. The mission opportunities continue to grow, and the same passion that prompted Thom Schultz to launch the first Workcamps continues to help teenagers from all different Christian denominations grow closer to God, and take on the challenge of serving by helping people in need. Turn the page and take a look at over 40 Workcamp locations where your youth can serve next summerand give your youth a God-centered summer experience theyll never forget!

W o R KC A M P S

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DATES AND LOCATIONS

WEST
omaha, NE Sturgis, SD Mescalero, NM Red Mesa, AZ *

SENIOr HIGH CAmPS

June 16 - 22 July 7 - 13 July 14 - 20 July 14 - 20 $434 $399 $399 $454

NOrTHEAST
Norristown, PA oakland, MD Rochester, NY Buffalo, NY Keansburg, NJ Harbor Creek, PA June 23 - 29 June 23 - 29 June 30 - July 6 June 30 - July 6 July 7 - 13 July 7 - 13 July 21 - 27 July 21 - 27 July 21 - 27 July 28 - August 3 July 28 - August 3 July 28 - August 3 $451 $451 $442 $442 $451 $451 $451 $454 $451 $442 $442 $451

mID-WEST
Rochester, IN Racine, WI Parma, oH Davenport, IA Muskegon, MI Hawley, MN Troy, Mo Hastings, MI June 16 - 22 June 16 - 22 June 23 - 29 June 23 - 29 July 7 - 13 July 14 - 20 July 21 - 27 July 21 - 27 $429 $442 $442 $429 $442 $442 $442 $429

Millersville, MD Trenton, NJ Shamokin, PA Burlington, NJ Tioga Center, NY Frostburg, MD *

Jr/Sr HIGH CAmPS

Smithsburg, MD June 16 - 22 June 23 - 29 June 30 - July 6 June 30 - July 6 July 7 - 13 July 7 - 13 July 7 - 13 July 14 - 20 July 14 - 20 July 21 - 27 July 21 - 27 $451 $399 $429 $451 $442 $434 $442 $429 $451 $442 $451 Jackson, TN Williamsville, IL

SOUTH
Elizabeth City, NC valdosta, GA Lexington, NC Buckner, KY Hopewell, vA June 16 - 22 June 23 - 29 June 23 - 29 June 30 - July 6 July 28 - August 3 $442 $442 $442 $399 $429

Wood River Junction, RI Middletown, oH Mt. vernon, IL Clendenin, Wv * Garnett, KS Elmira, NY Wintersville, oH Jamestown, NY

APPALACHIA
Bluefield, WV * Clay, Wv * July 7 - 13 July 21 - 27 $458 $442

CALL 800-385-4545 Or vISIT GrOUPmISSIONTrIPS.COm

21

* No Buses
20

TrANSFOrm HOmES & LIvES

At Workcamps, youth groups serve people in need through home repair, basic construction and painting while building strong relationships with their friends and youth leaders. Some camps have upwards of 400 kids participate which creates big energy and excitement throughout the entire week!
Before

A NEW PoRCH
Dangerous steps are transformed into a safe patio for families.

After

Before

sabled r ramp gives a di A safer wheelchai om to live life. person the freed

A WHEELCHAIR R

AMP

After

s to Your group will be split into crew

accomplish amazing projects for

people in so much need.

Before

Fresh paint keeps houses from rotting and becoming unsafe.

After

A FRESH CoAT oF PAINT

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WHAT TO kNOW
Whats included in the registration fee?
We want to make sure your trip is as easy on you as possible. That is why we provide the following so you dont have to: Lodging during the week All meals, except for dinner on your free night Supplies and project materials for each worksite Themed 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 camp staff Comprehensive online Planning Center and project preparation materials Fundraising ideas and support Site selection and organization unlimited customer support from professional and friendly staff Mission trip handbook for each participant (a personal devotion book and guide for the week) Comprehensive safety training at the beginning of the week

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 thats full, well give you the option to be on the waiting list for your first choice, or register for your second-choice location. Call us. Well help.

When do I have to pay?

Fundraising takes time, and sometimes more than one effort, so weve broken your trip costs into three convenient payments: EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: This special offer lets you hold your spot and pay no deposit until September 30th, 2012. REGISTRATION AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 A nonrefundable deposit of $50 per person is required at the time of registration to reserve space on your trip. PaYmeNT #2 - maRCH 15, 2013 50% of your groups remaining balance is due. PaYmeNT #3 - maY 15, 2013 Your remaining balance is due.

Does Group Mission Trips have references?

Absolutely! Dont just take our word for it-give us a call (1.800.385.4545 option 2) and wed be happy to connect you with other youth leaders who have brought their kids on a Workcamps mission trip.

Who can participate?

We offer trips for both junior high and senior high kids. no special skills are required.

How many adults need to chaperone?

Adults (age 21 and above) are a critical part of the mission experience. Adults help provide safety, relationships, spiritual guidance, and discipline. Please bring a minimum of one adult for every five youth.

We worked, we played, we prayed, we sang, we shared, we cried, we grew. We grew in relationship with each other, we grew in relationship with our residents, and we grew in relationship with JESUS!
CHERYL GREISS, YOuTH DIRECTOR, REJOICE LuTHERAN

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.

A TypicAl DA y
6:45 am 7:00 am 8:00 am 8:30 am 3:30 pm 5:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:45 pm 9:30 pm 11:00 pm WAKEy-WAKEy Hot Breakfast Morning program Depart for projec ts Return to camp Dinner Evening worship program youth Group devotions Free time light s out

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. If you intend to bring a large bus, please refer to page 20 to be sure your trip location can accommodate it.

Where do we stay?
Most lodging is in local schools or churches. Accommodations include areas for groups to room together by gender, a common eating area, and a program area.

CALL 800-385-4545 Or vISIT GrOUPmISSIONTrIPS.COm

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INTErNATIONAL mISSION TrIPS

Pack your passport and broaden your groups horizons! Join groups from other churches to live out Gods love in Haiti or Peru where youll minister to those in need. You and your students will have the opportunity to make an eternal difference in the lives of people you serve. You may build a church, play games with needy children, help feed entire neighborhoods, or teach good hygiene to people who want to learn. You and your students will encounter poverty firsthand. Youll see the pain that true need brings, and better understand the daily struggles that face much of the worlds population. As your teenagers engage with people in need, they will develop a heart for service and a deeper desire to pursue God. At Lifetree Adventures, well help you plan the most meaningful short-term mission trip your youth group has seen, all with relative ease on your part. Well provide you with everything from itinerary planning to specific service project plans once youre there. Youll get great fundraising tips and secrets, all the marketing materials youll need to recruit for your trip, and well even help with what to pack and what not to pack.

My Lifetree Adventures trip was amazing and beyond my expectations. We saw God move in awesome ways. I loved playing with the Peruvian kids and building their church, and loved the opportunity to be a blessing to those less fortunate. our group was great too...so much laughter!
JIM QUIGLEY, PErU 2011

Whether youre traveling to earthquake-stricken Haiti or the rainforests of Peru, well be with you every step of the way to provide meaningful service in the name of Christ. We know youre a busy leader and so its our goal to lift some of the weight from your shoulders when it comes to planning an international short-term mission trip. Youre probably not an expert in the country where youll serve, so thats where we come in. Were experts in the locale to which youre traveling. Well book you and your group to stay in safe, quality accommodations. We have translators to help you communicate with the local people. One of our personal trip leaders will accompany you and your group every step of the way. We know the transportation system and we understand the local culture and customs. You and your group will be supported by our well-trained staff as you enjoy faith-building programs that help your teenagers translate their international service adventure into life-changing spiritual growth.

L I F E T R E E A Dv E N T U R E S

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DATES AND LOCATIONS

Peru 2013 - $1,199
June 8 - 14 August 17 - 23 June 22 - 28 July 20 - 26
On this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, sail deep into the Amazon jungle aboard the Evangelista II. Surround yourself in the incredible sights and sounds of the Ucayali river. From the port of Pucallpa, board your houseboat and sail upstream to work with the Shipibo people. You can also choose to start your trip with an optional excursion to the UnESCO World Heritage site, Machu Picchu. Visit www.LifeThe Peru mission trips are all about building: building churches, building faith, and building relationships with the Shipibo people who live in the villages along the Ucayali river. Despite Perus economic success in recent years, major challenges remain. Half of all Peruvians still live in poverty. Thats why your Lifetree Adventures mission trip here will make such a huge difference. By participating in this mission, your kids solidify a caring view of the world, and grow closer to God as well as to one another. Theyll have a brand new lens through which to view life, and make a tangible difference in the lives of the Shipibo people. Your role on this trip could be to build a church or to educate the Shipibo people about the role water purification plays in their very survival. Youll teach young mothers about hygiene and nutrition and the spread of disease. Youll grab a hammer and build a church. A nd all of these jobs require no special skills. Just bring a willing heart and well teach you what youll need to know. Be part of a ministry expedition to serve, share experiences, and learn from the villagers. Your openness to help educate, develop relationships, take part in construction projects and be a part of church activities, will make an impact on their community as well as on you. COuNTRY FACTS 53% of the population is living below the national poverty line. 45% of deaths in the country are of children under five. 37% of Peruvians lack sustainable access to safe sanitation. Peruvian women represent as much as 80% of a familys labor force. treeAdventures.com for information about Machu Picchu.

Dec 28 - January 3

Haiti 2013 - $699

March 16 - 23 June 22 - 29 June 8 - 15 November 9 16 June 15 - 22

acquired three acres to build the clinic, as well as additional lodging for the medical personnel that will staff it. Were looking for kids and youth leaders who have a heart for service to join our team, and want to provide meaningful work to our ministry partners many facilities. These trips allow Christian youth to get involved with a brand new experience that will change the lives of others,

Haiti mission trips are just one of the international mission trip experiences available to youth from Lifetree Adventures. More than two years after the devastating earthquake, Haiti is still in desperate need of your help. Over 1.5 million people are still homeless. Over 50 hospitals or clinics collapsed or are still unusable. Billions of dollars have flowed into the country but how its being spent is questionable. Hands-on aid seems to be the best opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of Haitians. Bring your youth group and join Lifetree Adventures to help rebuild in Haiti. Were partnering with an outstanding ministry that provides a variety of services to Haitians. Some of our trip participants will help make way for a life-giving maternity clinic that will be built later this year. They recently

as well as their own. Join us on our next trip. Youll grow closer to God as well as the people with whom you work. Most of all, you and your youth will help change the lives of people who need you. HAITI BY THE NuMBERS 7.0...the Richter scale magnitude of the Haiti earthquake. 13%...of the population of Port-au-Prince was killed in the earthquake. 15...the number of years it will take to rebuild Port-au-Prince. 1.5 million...left homeless by the earthquake. 500 million...or more dollars donated by American citizens.

CALL 800-747-2157 Or vISIT LIFETrEEADvENTUrES.COm

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DATES AND LOCATIONS

Puerto Rico 2013 - $599
June 15-22 June 22-29
35 miles wide and 100 miles long, with people who need to prepare themselves for the effect of hurricanes each season. By traveling to Puerto rico, you can bring hope to the people of Caguas by repairing and restoring homes, and serving in the communities parks and gardens. Your labor of love will demonstrate the love of Jesus to the residents The city of Caguas is just 20 miles from the beautiful port city of San Juan. The lush hillsides, the wonderful white sand beaches, and the only rainforest on U.S. soil make Puerto rico an amazing mission trip opportunity. But you certainly do not have to look far to see the tremendous need of the people. Proud and generous, the people of Caguas will impress you with their willingness to tell you their story and show you their modest homes many of which are damaged from the wear and tear of this sometimes harsh environment. Puerto rico is an island about PuERTO RICO FACTS Puerto Rico is a u.S. Territory No Passport Required to Serve u.S. Dollar is the Currency Median Household income at $18,000 is half that of Mississippi, the poorest state in the u.S. Spanish is the primary language of the people of Caguas that you serve.

WHAT TO kNOW
How do I book my mission trip with Lifetree Adventures?
Just call any one of our expert mission trip planners at 1.800.747.2157 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (MST)

What types of meals are served?

Most meals will be provided by our ministry partners. They have been carefully trained to prepare safe and nutritious meals for our guests.

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.

What meals are included?

Most meals are included as part of your registration. Please see the detailed itinerary of your Lifetree Adventures trip for any exceptions.

Can you accommodate special dietary needs?

Lifetree Adventures will make every reasonable effort to accommodate some special dietary needs at no additional charge. Unfortunately, we may not be able to accommodate all special dietary needs requested. Please contact your mission trip planner in advance of your departure to advise us of your needs.

What travel documentation do I need?

All U.S. citizens will 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. Visas are not required for most trips. For full information please ask your mission trip planner at time of booking.

Are tips included?

Lifetree Adventures has taken care of gratuities for all included meals as well as activities such as tips for porters, housekeepers, drivers, activity providers, local experts, and dining room staff for included meals.

Is there an age requirement?

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.

What about deposits, payments, and cancellations?

To reserve space on a trip, a non-refundable $100 deposit is due when you register. Final payment is due 60 days before departure.

How strenuous are the activities?

Some adventures are more physically strenuous than others but most Lifetree Adventures trips will include at least four 8-hour service days typically in hot and humid environments. Guests should feel comfortable spending multiple days working outdoors and standing most of that time. Temperatures may be hot and humid, so wear cool clothing and a hat, and drink plenty of water. Service projects consist primarily of construction work but some of our trips include ways to help that arent as physically strenuous. Youll be given the opportunity to work at a level of physical exertion with which youre comfortable.

CALL 800-747-2157 Or vISIT LIFETrEEADvENTUrES.COm

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SINGLE DAY YOUTH mISSION EvENT

Want your youth group to be part of something amazing something bigger than themselves? They can. Bring them to the Big Day of Serving, a one-day event where hundreds of teens gather in a local community near you to serve people in need. The Big Day of Serving is a series of local one-day events across the nation where neighborhoods are transformed by a swarm of Christian kids eager to help people in need. On a practical level, the Big Day can be seen as an introduction to missions. If youre new to youth ministry, this event can be the stepping stone youre looking for to help form relationships and friendships within your group. Or, if youre a youth ministry veteran, the Big Day is a great way to start preparing for your upcoming summer mission trip. Itll re-energize your youth group and continue to help them develop a servants heart. Projects at the Big Day might include: Cleaning city blocks, alleyways and parks Helping with landscaping and planting community gardens removing graffiti Painting and tackling minor home repairs

our students worked so hard! It was amazing to see them tearing out fencerows and cleaning up trash...and then discussing how the Gospel ties into it all. As I saw some of them begin to get the meaning behind why we serve others, it was beautiful.
JASOn AnDErS, YOUTH LEADEr

The best part? Big Day events are local (within minutes or hours from where you live), easy (you simply show up and serve) and affordable (for the cost of $29 per person, your group has access to an all-inclusive service experience.) After more than 30 years of organizing youth mission trips, we know there are so many unmet needs. And we know theres power in kids coming together to serve people. Visit GroupMissionTrips.com to find an event near you, and watch your group transform a neighborhood in need. Dont see an event near your hometown? If youd like to find out how you can bring the Big Day to your community, wed love to talk to you! Well talk through the process of how the Big Day is organized locally, and how we work together to bring transformational change to a neighborhood in need. Call 800-366-8948 or email info@TheBigDayofServing.com and ask to speak with someone about bringing the Big Day to your city.

T H E B I G DAY o F S E R v I N G

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DATES AND LOCATIONS

WHAT TO kNOW
Whats included in the Big Day of Serving registration fee?
Site selection and organization a morning kickoff rally to start the day All supplies and project materials Lunch Devotional materials for mid-day break Neighborhood block party celebration A t-shirt for each participant Highly trained, mission-minded staff

What about tools?

There may be some specific tools requested based on each location. Be sure to refer to GroupMissionTrips.com for location specific tool information.

How is the community where Ill be serving involved in the Big Day?
The local community, with the help of the Big Day of Serving, coordinates all the local arrangements, selecting projects, food, security, materials, tools, etc. Donations for food and building materials come from local vendors and volunteers. Planning and implementing the event come from community volunteers and the staff at the Big Day of Serving.

What is the cost?

Early Bird Registration: $29 per person Regular (within 30 days of the event) and day-of-event registration: $40 per person

What should I know about transportation?

All groups must bring adult drivers with vehicles that can be used, if needed, for transporting your group to and from the projects. If your group charters a bus, please have it available for use in transporting participants to and from project sites. Some event locations cannot accommodate large vehicles so if you intend to bring a large bus, please be sure your location can accommodate one.

Who can participate in The Big Day of Serving?

Any youth, grades 6 -12. Feel free to encourage your kids to bring along a friend too!

How many adults should I bring?

FALL 2012/ SPrING 2013

Akron, OH Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL Danbury, CT Denver, CO Dubuque, IA Enumclaw, WA Indianapolis, IN Lima, OH Lynchburg, VA Manassas, VA Medina, OH Nashua, NH Nashville, TN San Diego, CA West Palm Beach, FL Yorkville, IL

Please bring a minimum of one adult (age 18 and above) for every five youth participants. If other adults want to come, bring them along too! Just make sure to register them with your youth group. You may even want to open it up to your kids families.

What are others saying about the Big Day of Serving?

Give us a call (800-366-8948) and wed be happy to connect you with other youth leaders who have brought their kids on the Big Day of Serving experience!

So just how will we be serving?

Participants in the Big Day of Serving will complete a variety of projects in a single day. The projects are selected by the local leadership team to lift up and revitalize an entire neighborhood. Projects may include cleaning city blocks, alleyways, and parks, removing graffiti, landscaping, planting community gardens, painting, and some minor home repairs.

A TypicAl DA y
7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:30 AM 12:00 pM 3:00 pM 4:30 pM check in Kickoff Rally Depart for projec ts lunch & Devotions Block part y celebration Depart for Home

What does serving in a neighborhood mean?

The work will be concentrated in a relatively small area to maximize the impact of the Big Day event - preferably a city neighborhood that may encompass homes, parks, vacant lots, schools, nursing homes and more.

Will I be working with the people in my group?

Yes. Each youth group will be placed together as a team to serve on a project site. And many projects will be big enough that multiple youth groups will be working on them together. Its a great chance for you to get to know other Christians in the community!

CALL 800-366-8948 Or vISIT GrOUPmISSIONTrIPS.COm

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Will security & medical personnel be on site?

As necessary, security and medical staff will be available.

WHY WE ExIST
Group Mission Trips is the Leading Provider of Christian Youth Mission Trips.
We leverage 36 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 administrative details! All our years of experience in mission trips has helped 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.

rEGISTEr NOW! 1 2 3
Here are your three easy options for registering:
Call 800.385.4545 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
(Mountain Time)

Register with your credit card on: GroupMissionTrips.com

Fill out the registration form and mail with a deposit check to: Group Cares 1515 Cascade Avenue Loveland, CO 80538

First and foremost, our mission trips are about spiritual growth. Something exciting happens in these unique environments. Your kids will step out of their comfort zones and into a place where, alongside their peers, they put their faith into practical action! Theyll also experience powerful, innovative evening programs. We never take short cuts that would jeopardize the spiritual impact on your kids. Year after year, our programs consistently challenge and inspire young people to grow in their faith with Jesus Christ. In 1977, 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 floods victims. More than 300 kids and their youth leaders, just like you, arrived in Colorado, and worked on over 50 repair projects. That same year, Group Cares (formerly Group Workcamps Foundation) was established as the non-profit division of Group Publishing. Since then, 300,000 mission trip participants have racked up more than 6 million volunteer hours serving people in need. Since that first event, one thing remains true: we strongly believe in providing opportunities for kids to grow closer to Christ through serving others either in their own backyard or halfway across the globe.

Today, Group Mission Trips has grown and offers four unique types of mission trips that take place in either the Spring, Summer or Fall and range from one day experiences to seven day mission trips:

Sign up now and challenge your teenagers with a week of Christian service and fun!
CHooSE A GRoUP MISSIoN TRIP
[ ] Workcamps [ ] Week of Hope [ ] The Big Day Of Serving [ ] Lifetree Adventures

The Big Day of Serving

A one-day service event where kids gather to serve and transform a neighborhood in need in their local communities. The Goal: One Day, One Cause, One Million Kids.

Week of Hope
Focuses on providing trips that build friendships and meaningful connections while caring for children and the elderly. Through heartfelt experiences & acts of kindness, youth will share the love of Jesus & bring hope to the lives they touch.

PRIMARY CoNTACT
name Please Send Correspondence to: Address City Daytime Phone State Email Address Zip [ ] My Church [ ] My Home

CHURCH INFoRMATIoN
Church name

Workcamps
Week-long, home-repair mission trips where youth work hard repairing homes for people in need, while building strong relationships with friends and youth leaders.

[ ] My church has attended a previous Group Mission Trip

Lifetree Adventures
Provide an opportunity for youth to serve on an international level. Travel to Peru, Haiti, Puerto rico, or even choose your own location, and share the love of Jesus globally!

SELECT YoUR MISSIoN TRIP

First Option Second Option Date Date Fee Fee

CHECK YoUR PAYMENT oPTIoN BELoW

[ ] Early Bird registration
This special offer lets you hold your spot and pay no deposit until September 30th, 2012.

RESERvE SPACE
Please register a minimum of 1 adult for every 5

Space for participants under age 21 Space for adult participants + Total registered participants =

[ ] Check Enclosed to Group Cares $ Check #/MO #

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.

students. If you register both males and females, sign up at least 1 adult male and 1 adult female.

[ ] Please contact me for my credit card information to finalize my registration.

Starting September 30, 2012, a $50 nonrefundable deposit is required from each participant. Deposits are not transferrable to camp balances. Please only register the number of participants 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. Upon registration youll be asked to sign our Terms and Conditions to complete the registration process.

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GRoUP MISSIoN TRIPS c/o Group Cares 1515 Cascade Avenue Loveland, CO 80538

nOn-PrOFIT OrGAnIZATIOn U.S. POSTAGE BOLInGBrOOK, IL PErMIT 1917

PAID

GIvE YOUr kIDS A GOD-CENTErED ExPErIENCE THEYLL NEvEr FOrGET.

To register call (800) 385-4545 or visit GroupMissionTrips.com