Site Visit Checklist – What to Look For
General Partner Questions
- If an existing program, what is their typical schedule and how open are they to personalizing for our group?
- Do they require an orientation?
- When can we arrive/need to depart?
- Who will be involved with us during the week?
- What do we need to understand about the community/communicate to our kids to set expectations and rules?
Work Projects
- How many possible projects?
- What is the scope of work?
- Is there enough work to keep a team busy for the week?
- Do we need to bring our contractors?
- Do they have a system in place for materials/supplies or do we have to purchase/manage?
- Fees and what’s included
- Opportunities to interact with homeowners/community
- How accessible are the sites and how close are they to each other?
- Would we need port-a-johns, dumpsters, storage containers?
- Does the partner have certain work protocols?
Lodging
- Housing option for arrival weekend/final weekend
- Space/rooms and # ppl per room
- Spaces for vespers
- Recreational space/activities – inside and out (courts, firepit, activities, etc)
- Space for commissioning (possibly)
- Parking
- Fees and what’s included
- Bathroom/shower facilities
- Food options available – can they provide meals, can they handle special dietary needs, place to store special foods and meds?
- Lodging options for logistics/contractors
Housing for main portion of trip
- Common area/meals/worship spaces
- Spaces for vespers
- Space for nurse/sickbay
- Recreational space – inside and out (courts, firepit, etc)
- Parking
- Fees and what’s included
- Bathroom/shower facilities
- Requirements for cleaning/chores
- Space/rooms and # of ppl per room
- Food options available – can they provide meals, can they handle special dietary needs, place to store special foods and meds?
Worship/Spiritual Partner(s)
- Is there a natural partner for us to worship with?
- Opportunities for post-worship fellowship?
- Opportunities for relationship during the week?
- Youth group we can interact with?
Community Partners
- If projects are homes, will homeowners be around during the week?
- Any fellowship opportunities during the week?
- Any cultural opportunities with the community?
- Is a final celebration appropriate/viable and if so, what is the best timing and program?
Leisure Activities
- What are the most famous attractions/activities of the area – anything “not to be missed” or that most groups do?
- Restaurants that can accommodate group of our size
- Team night options
- Good local spots for special treats
Other
- Nearest walk-in clinic(s)/access to doctors
- Nearest hospital
- Nearest food shopping/other shopping
- Nearest Home Depot/Lowes
Airports
- How large are the airports? (maps)
- Is there group check-in? What will the check-in process look like?
- Food options in the airports
- Are rental car companies in the airport or do you take shuttle? Hours of rental company desks