Leading theologians and pastors explore the importance of creating an environment where youth can develop trusted relationships with peers and adults, and the value of nurturing communities.
Teambuilding, Mission Trips and Service
Building a sense of community through team building, missions and retreats help youth to broaden their horizons.
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [Galatians 6:2]
Building a sense of community through team building, missions and retreats help youth to broaden their horizons, push their comfort zones, and allow them to participate in ministry in new and exciting ways. By connecting to something larger than themselves, young people and adult leaders alike engage in the process of holy transformation.
Training Modules
Leading theologians and pastors present a model for mission trips and offer practical advice on how to lead service days and mission trips that are truly transformative.
Curricular and Sample Materials
Articles and readings on the benefits of outreach, service and trip experiences for youth.
Resources for creating a virtual mission trip, service or camp experience.
This is a list of ideas for fundraising opportunities for retreats and mission trips.
This is an example of vespers for a mission trip to San Antonio, Texas.
This document contains several different vesper ideas for mission trips.
This is an example of vespers for a mission trip to Belize.
This is a sample of a document to create for parents with important details of mission trip travel.
Example of a packing list for a mission trip.
Example of a detailed itinerary for a youth group mission trip.
Example template for a mission trip budget.
Example of a detailed work plan for mission trip planning and execution.
Example of an itinerary for a weekend retreat.
This is a sample of an email directed at fundraising for retreats/mission trips.
Example of a thank you letter to a leader to be sent following a mission trip/retreat.
This is an example of a fundraising letter for mission trips/retreats.
Example of a letter to send to adult volunteers following a mission trip.
This contains denominational resources for mission trip locations and trip planning.
This is a partial listing of Retreat Centers in Connecticut.
This is a creative way of framing rules around youth group and/or mission trip expectations.
These are samples of forms that can be used for sign ups for mission trips or retreats.
This list provides just a few of the wonderful organizations who are ready and willing to work with youth groups for mission trips.
Example of a mailing to parents and youth inviting participation in a mission trip.
This list contains suggested questions to ask, items to check and things to think about on a site visit for a mission trip.
This is a sample health form to use for youth groups.
This is a lesson where youth can put their faith into action through service.
This is a an example of an all church service project for adults, families and youth.
This lesson is designed to support team building. This is particularly helpful in creating bonds before a mission trip.
This lesson is designed to be small group discussion(s) based on scripture.
If you have a large youth group and need to divide into teams, this lesson provides a guideline for how to make the team reveal fun and community building.
This is a lesson that emphasizes community building and is appropriate for middle or high school students.
Articles and Readings
Articles and readings on the benefits of outreach, service and trip experiences for youth.
Articles and resources on creating an environment where youth can develop trusted relationships with peers and adults, and the value of nurturing communities.