We know it’s a big step to send your student to camp for the first time. Although your youth leader is the liaison between you and us, we wanted to address some FAQs you as parents might have.
- Why should I let my student go on a TEAMeffort mission trip? Because they will come home more skilled and burdened for missional living. But also because they’ll grow more unified with their youth group, with deeper friendships and accountability developing over their week of serving together.
- How do I find out information about cost and travel? Stay up-to-date with your student’s youth leader. They will have all the information about when money is due and how much money is due. They’ll have the travel arrangements and a suggested packing list for you. All of that information is on our website too so feel free to check it out @teameffort.org.
- What will my student be doing while they’re away? They’ll be working on construction-based projects including painting, landscaping, wheelchair ramps, decking, roofing, drywalling, framing, sheds, and/or insulation. They’ll be seeking to build meaningful connections with the people they are serving.
- What if they can barely clean their room, let alone know how to do any of those things? On-site staff will guide them through the projects, with skilled help from a contractor available as needed.
- What is programming like for their spiritual discipleship? We provide resources (like personal and group devotions) on and off the mission site to help your student grow spiritually. The chapel programs include worship, a brief message from the Bible, and testimonies from our staff which are always impactful to students.
- How are the summer staff hired through TEAMeffort? Our college-aged summer staff are hired over a series of interviews focused on their spiritual walk and integrity. We receive references and perform background checks. The staff also goes through several days of training prior to summer. Your youth group will be paired with an amazing TEAMeffort staff member who loves Jesus and is dedicated to serving youth and impacting the community. The staff are able to remember the season of life your student is in and can relate to them in a mature way. Over the course of the week with TEAMeffort, our staff will build friendships with your youth group and provide assistance on the mission site.
- Will there be any opportunity for them to have free time? Your youth group will be serving on their mission site Monday through lunch on Thursday. They’ll have time to explore the area the rest of the afternoon on Thursday until evening chapel and will have all day and evening on Friday free. We have a list of free-time activities not far from where your student will be serving. Your youth leader will communicate what your group decides to do and how you can plan for that.
- Will they be serving with other groups? Yes. They will get the opportunity to meet, interact with, and worship alongside youth from other groups. By the end of their week with TEAMeffort, their group will have built lasting memories of shared challenges, accomplishments, and time with the Lord! However, the goal is that your students will spend the majority of time with their group to grow their relationships together as they prepare to come home.
- How can I support my student as they come home from camp? Your student may have responded in unique ways to God’s work in their hearts. As parents, we have found it best to let our students know that we understand it’s hard for them to come home from the excitement of camp and return to normal life and that we want to be there for them however they need it. We try to give them space and tell them that we want to hear about it when they are ready to share. As you know, it’s a big step of independence for them to be away from home and have maybe their most personal experience with God in their lives. If you are looking for some leading questions, you can ask them about the messages and testimonies they heard during chapel and what stood out to them. You could ask them what kind of conversations they had as a youth group and with their youth leader. You did an amazing job as a parent helping provide this mission trip for them! We will be praying for your group as they return home!
