FAQs — U.S. Mission Trips

  1. Who makes up the short-term mission teams?
    Youth groups and family groups serve for a week during World Vision's summer mission season in the U.S. Each summer attracts 800 to 1,500 people from churches representing a variety of denominations from across the country. The number of participants in a week generally ranges from 40 to 120. Groups also have the opportunity to serve for a long weekend or for a Saturday in the fall or spring.
  2. Who supervises the youth group participants?
    Each youth group must have one adult volunteer (age 21 or older) for every five minors. Adult volunteers are responsible for the safety and supervision of your team at all times. World Vision will provide additional guidance and consultation for your work project(s).
  3. How much does it cost?
    For youth groups, a weeklong mission trip costs $385 per participant, along with a per-group donation for building supplies. For family groups, the cost is $450 per participant, along with the building supplies donation, or $210 for children age 4 to10 years. The fee covers housing, meals, T-shirt, programming and a whole lot of fun! See Fees for cost details.
  4. Where do we stay?
    Housing is secured for your group by World Vision staff. Your team could be housed at a college dormitory, 4-H or Youth camp, church, community center, or public school.
  5. What do we do at night?
    Most evenings your youth group or family group will participate in a time of praise and worship followed by a fun, challenging, and thought-provoking program. The evening program helps participants learn about life in the community and what it means to be mutually transformed. One evening will be spent in fellowship and worship at a local church, while another will be spent at an old-fashioned community cookout. Group members will have time each evening to meet and share reflections on their day's experience.
  6. What do we bring?
    Bring clothes, bedding or sleeping bag, towels, construction tools, your friends and more. Review a personal packing list.
  7. When do we get there and when do we leave?
    Our weeklong mission projects begin on Sundays. Please arrive between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. You'll be packed and on your way home by 10 a.m. the following Saturday.
  8. Will we have any free time?
    Yes. You will have some free time each day. You also will have a day off to go canoeing, sightseeing, or participate in other adventurous activities.
  9. Who is World Vision?
    World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve those struggling against the negative effects of poverty, regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1950 and works in nearly 100 countries, including the United States.
  10. Why should a leader attend the youth group and family group leader visitation for Appalachia mission trips?
    The visitation will equip group leaders to prepare their participants for a meaningful and potentially life-changing experience in Appalachia. Leaders will get a better feel for their work project(s), learn more about the Appalachian people with whom they will be working alongside, and meet the community leadership that drives our project selection process. Leaders also will meet the World Vision staff who will be walking them through the mission trip experience. See Leader Training for more information.

 

For more information, please contact:

Kris Wamsley
Program Associate - Missions
P.O. Box 162
420 Chestnut Street
Philippi, WV 26416
1.800.478.9973
wvmissiontrips@worldvision.org