Castaway Summer Camp Info

Guatemala Trip Information Monday, August 3rd – Monday, August 10th, 2015

General Information: We will be serving with Next Step Ministries in Sumpango, Guatemala. We have space for 25 participants comprised of 18 Students, and 7 Leaders (and parents).

History: For the last six years Hinsdale YL has been partnering with Next Step Ministries (NSM) which has been hosting and leading our Spring Break Mission Tour trips. This summer, Hinsdale YL is looking forward to working alongside NSM and their local partners in Sumpango. This summer we will bring our eighth Hinsdale work team to serve in Guatemala.

Our Work: Partnership is the key to sustainable missions. And nowhere is partnership greater than in Sumpango, Guatemala, located about an hour from Guatemala City. Primarily a Mayan community, this town is full of vibrant people nestled in the middle of beautiful rolling hills. Sumpango is home to Next Step’s community partner, Betty Merida. Betty is a local Guatemalan who felt God calling her to place her roots in Sumpango, a community that alongside its beauty, struggles with poverty, education, and a lack of hope. Betty moved to Sumpango in 2012, adopted a 4-year old son, and began to pour her life into local churches and families. She is determined to win this community over for Christ through the local Church. Betty has a vision for the Church to be a place of hope for Sumpango. Next Step is excited to work alongside Betty as we build and expand a local church building, serve at a local HIV orphanage, build home additions for over- crowded families, and hit the streets for powerful home visits where your students will have the opportunity to pray and share faith with many Guatemalan families. Regardless of the actual physical labor, or the relational ministry side of the community we will be serving, our students will gain a broader view of God and the world at large. This is a ministry service opportunity which will contribute directly to making a difference in the lives of others, and in the lives of our students.

Who’s Going: Reserved for Juniors (Class of 2016) to be Senior students. Staff, Leaders and Parent Participants David Knecht – YL Director of Missions and Discipleship Leader – YL (TBD) Anneke Stremler – YL Staff Associate Pam Knecht – YL Adult Participant Parent – YL (TBD) Leader – YL Adult Participant (TBD) Parent – YL (TBD)

Who can go? Priority will go to current juniors to be seniors who have been actively involved in Young Life. We have a limit of 18 student spots, and a total of 25. Students applying will be given consideration based on previous Young Life experience and content of their personal trip application. Consideration may also be given to selected current Seniors who we unable to attend last year. Unfortunately, we only have a few Adult Spots available. Priority is given to adults who are willing to actively engage in YL’s ministry to high school students in 2015-16 (and beyond), according to the gifts you have been blessed with. We apologize in advance if we cannot include everyone.

Guatemala Mission Trip Check-List: (all items must be complete before departure!) □ Registration CLOSES Friday June 5th. All Paperwork and Deposits are due by 5pm. □ Money Due (per person): *$1,650 total cost / Checks (Tax Deductible) payable to… Young Life $500 deposit by May 16th (Along with copy of your Passport & Trip Application) $500 June 1st $650 July 1st * Scholarships, Fundraising, and Payment Plans are available. If other financial or payment arrangements need to be made, please contact David Knecht for more information.

Pre-Trip Required Meetings: Throughout May, June and July, there will be approx. 4 Pre-Trip Gatherings that we would like participants and families to prioritize so we can build our community in preparation to work together in Guatemala. Short of saying these are required meetings, I always ask Student & Adult Participants AND Parents, to set a high priority for our gatherings. Even though most parents do not come on the trip, we need parent help in prioritizing these meetings when scheduling family & outside activities. The reason is that we meet so few times as part of our prep, a Student or Leader’s absence impacts not only your trip prep, but it also impacts the whole team. Unlike many other YL trips, this trip starts when you Sign Up, NOT when you get on the plane. Not participating in these gatherings will make this a less rich experience for each participant. We need you at every step! If participation in these meetings is (or will be) a problem, please consider one of the other YL summer trip options. Details and schedules will be coming in May. Thanks! Fundraising: There will be at least two Fund Raising Opportunities this summer; a Fund Raising Letter, AND Coffee Sales. If a student participates in fundraising they can apply those funds to their trip balance. We seek to assist and make it possible for every student to be able raise the funds necessary to participate. We feel this is an experience where it is appropriate to send out a letter seeking support. Starting immediately, we will have Fund Raising Letters that each participant can choose to take advantage of to help “raise” a portion of the trip cost. This is not required, but we feel it is an important step so each student has a vested interest in funding this experience.

Next Step Ministries Participant Registration Form: We will need a completed NSM Participant Form. This is an On-Line Form. Instructions for accessing this will be sent separately.

Passports and International SOS: Please make sure ALL Passports are current. Apply for new Passports NOW – approximate time to process is 6 weeks! You can pick up this form at the Hinsdale Post office (630) 323-1491. Fee is $140 for processing. (An additional fee of $60 to have expedited.) International SOS Young Life is a member of International SOS and registers each participant with them before our trip. International SOS offers us assistance and advisors to help if there is an emergency, or we need routine advice when traveling outside of the country.

Vaccine Reminders: It is necessary for everyone to have an updated Tetanus Booster (within the last five years) Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B shots are highly recommended, but not required. Malaria shots are NOT required.

Email Distribution List: This will be the method of communication we will use to let you know of our trip status.

Airport Transportation: As the date approaches, we will make arrangements to carpool or take a school bus to and from the airport. Please let us know if you can assist in this process.

Travel Itinerary: We will be flying UNITED Airlines with a connection in Houston to Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Monday, August 3rd Flight # UA 1441 Depart Chicago O’Hare- 5:17A ; Arrive Houston- 7:55A (connect to) Flight # UA 1500 in Houston- 9:15A; Arrive Guatemala City- 11:02A

Monday, August 10th Flight # UA 1504 Depart Guatemala City 2:06P; Arrive Houston- 6:08P (connect to) Flight # UA 435 Depart Houston 7:05P; Arrive Chicago- 9:54P

Where do we stay in Guatemala: Hotel la Villa, Kilometro 48 Carretera Interamericana, // Sacatepequez, Guatemala

On-Site YL Contact: In case of emergency during the trip, Betty Merida - In Country Coordinator: 001 502 5834 1715 Joy Hartl - Guatemala Team Leader: Contact Office for Number Beth Heneghan - Next Step Office: 608 -514-4051 Email: [email protected] Nick Cocalis - Next Step On Call Director: 608-213-2650 Email: [email protected] David Knecht – YL Director of Missions: 630-347-9611 Email: [email protected]

Local Contact Information: Young Life House 836 W Hinsdale Ave. Hinsdale, IL 60521 David Knecht Anneke Stremler Mary Stadler YL Director of Missions & Discipleship YL Staff Associate YL Office Administrator [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cell: (630) 347-9611 Cell: (630) 217-5632 Office: 630-325-5212