FAQ
1. Transportation?
Catholic Mission Trips Inc. can work with you to set a budget that is right for each group. We can be as involved as coordinating flights or bus travel or we can leave that to you and charge much less for your event. We will work to meet the needs of each group. If you are flying in we will meet you at the airport and transport you to and from the airport and take care of any transportation during your mission trip.
2. What type of work will we do?
Every Catholic Mission Trips Inc. site is unique. We have some destinations that are “labor intensive” and others that are less labor intensive and more geared toward cultural immersion. Each destination is unique. Your group also has the opportunity to choose the type of work they would like to do by choosing the destination. If you would like a site that involves heavy manual labor then you might like some of our International or South Texas trips. If you would like to work in an orphanage then you might consider a Honduras trip. We really leave it up to you to decide what type of trip you would like to go on. You can also work together as a group and do some fundraising and choose what kind of work you would like to participate in. You can take on a house project or a chapel project. We like to give a lot of freedom to the group when trying to choose a mission trip.
3. Will we be working with other groups?
Unless your group reserves all of a week’s spaces (usually 45-50), your group will have the wonderful opportunity of serving alongside other Catholic Youth. Your youth will be divided into work teams. These teams may consist of youth from other Catholic churches. There will be 2 adults assigned to each group.
4. Are the sites safe? Food, water etc…
All students will be with adult chaperones while an any mission trip. We carry a 4 to 1 youth to adult ratio. We also offer CPR and First Aid training to all Catholic Mission Trip Staff. We also have every group go through a water orientation to explain what type of water is safe to drink and which type is not and an overerall Safety Orientation that addresses all saftey concerns.
5. Who leads a Catholic Mission Trips Inc. trip?
Catholic Mission Trips Inc. has staff members at each mission site. Some sites require more staff and others require less. Regardless of the site Catholic Mission Trips Inc will have a Mission Trip Director meet you at the border or at the airport and the director will take care of all of your groups needs during the trip. The staff is responsible for everything including food, lodging, ministry opportunities, work projects and supplies. They also lead evening reflection time and for those on the Mexico Trip the staff will lead the infamous Mexico Olympics!
6. How many adults can we bring?
Adult leaders play an important leadership role on our trips. A leader is to be at least 20 years of age and to be someone who is coming to minister to the teenagers in your group. We require a ratio of 1 adult leader for every 5 senior high school students. Because everything we do is geared towards youth, and we do not want to disrupt the work and feel of the week, we ask that you stay as close to this ratio as possible. If you bring students of both genders, you must have accompanying leaders of both genders. Each Adult will have to go through the Safe Environment programs within their respected Diocese to attend. Verification of Safe Environment standing must be presented for every adult 2 weeks before the trip. Groups will need to provide Catholic Mission Trips Inc. with written confirmation that adult leaders have been approved to work with youth and children.
7. What dates are available?
Catholic Mission Trips Inc. mission trips start on Sunday evenings and end on Saturday mornings. Some international trips are 10 day mission Trip. Visit our upcoming trips page for more details.
8. What does a mission trip cost?
Catholic Mission Trips Inc. trips are amazingly affordable. Most domestic trips are within $275-$350 per person. International trips start at $550.00 per person and go up from there. Cost varies by location. Cost per participant includes lodging, meals, project supplies, evening activities, a t-shirt, DVD video of the week, promotional materials and preparation guides. Don’t let the cost of a mission trip prevent you from arranging life-changing events for yourself or your parish youth! Most people get their trips paid for by doing fundraising or getting sponsors. There are many people out there who are willing to donate to help such a worthy cause.
9. What do we need to cross the border?
Per the U.S. Department of State travel website, “On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.” To learn more, please visit the website. For ease of travel, we recommend that each person obtains a passport.
