THIS SUMMER
BE A CHANGE MAKER
YOUTH MISSION 2023
JULY 9-15 | ERIE, PA
*To pay a deposit or make a payment, visit the Give Page and select Mission Reg- HS from the drop-down menu, and note Youth Mission Trip and the participant's name in the memo line.
This summer, St. Matthew's Youth will partner with Group Mission Trips in Erie, PA to repair and transform homes while deepening their faith and building new relationships with their peers and youth leaders.
The types of home repair projects range from painting, to building decks and wheelchair ramps, and other general home repairs, but the service projects often are secondary to the spiritual growth that happens when teenagers step out of their own worlds and serve those in need. Beyond the physical transformation that happens in communities, teenagers bring the hope and light of Jesus to the residents they serve.
Youth will also enjoy indoor and outdoor games, sharing meals together, and participating in morning and evening worship and study programs.
TYPICAL DAY
6:45 AM Wake-up call
7:00 AM Hot Breakfast
8:00 AM Morning program
8:30 AM Depart for sites
12:00 PM Lunch and on-site devotions
3:30 PM Return to camp
5:00 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Evening program
8:30 PM Youth Group devotions
9:00 PM Free time
11:00 PM Lights-out (midnight Friday)
COST
Tuition for the week is $500; Included in tuition are lodging, meals Sunday-Saturday morning (except dinner Wednesday which we will cover with barbecue), a camp t-shirt and materials for your worksite.
A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to register
Final balance is due 3/5/2023
Scholarships and payment plans are available
JESUS-CENTERED
MORNING & EVENING PROGRAMS,
GROUP & CREW DEVOTIONALS
Every year, the Group Mission Trips team dedicates extensive time and energy to create a new Jesus-centered program experience through morning and evening programs, crew devotions, and youth group devotions (included in participant handbooks).
Youth have the opportunity to serve by leading parts of each worship program through music, drama, Scripture reading, and other hands-on experiences. Feel free to bring guitars, drums, harmonicas, banjos, and great voices!
ABOUT GROUP MISSION TRIPS
Part of Group Cares, Group Mission Trips is a non-profit organization which provides domestic and international short-term Christ-based mission experiences around the U.S. and the world for 15,000 people.
Group Mission Workcamps are 6-day missions where participants get the opportunity to not only repair homes for a person/family in need but also create/build and strengthen relationships with people on their work crew, people from St. Matthew’s, and of most important, God.
FAQ's
Where (and when) are we going?
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Our 2023 Mission Trip will be July 9th - July 15 to Erie, Pennsylvania; Erie is about 6 hours away from Sterling in Northern, Pennsylvania.
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Many businesses and industries have vacated the area in recent years, leaving residents unemployed or underemployed. As a result, many homes have fallen into disrepair.
Who can participate?
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This is a Middle School/High School Camp; Campers aged 11 years OR 10 and entering 6th grade through age 20 are permitted to attend this camp.
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Adults - Persons over age 21 will be adult participants; we need 1 adult for every 5 campers attending; we will need adults of both sexes.
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While participants aged 18-20 are legal adults in the secular world, they will still be considered campers.
What will we be doing?
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Many elderly and disabled residents need assistance with exterior projects. Many projects will include replacing gutters, building/replacing wheelchair ramps/decks, and sprucing up many weather-beaten homes with a fresh coat of paint or repairing siding.
What does the week look like?
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Saturday, July 8th - We will meet at St. Matthew’s to pack our belongings for the week; we will use a van or a small truck pending on the number of people attending
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Sunday, July 9th - Depart St. Matthew’s at 7:00 a.m; we will stop for lunch (and the bathroom when needed) along the way. Once we arrive we move our stuff into our rooms for the week; there will be a series of meetings and an evening program (after dinner) where we meet other campers we will be working with and find out our projects for the week.
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Campers will be put into “crews” of 5-7 campers with an adult that Group Missions assembles prior to our arrival. They assembly groups based off information you provide on your child’s registration form.
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Each evening ends with Youth Group Devotions; we assemble with just St. Matthew’s Campers and reflect on the day. Lights Out by 11:00 p.m.
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Wednesday is a half-day; all Crews return from their worksites by 12:30. Each Parish has the afternoon to themselves to fellowship together. We will go to a nearby State Park and barbecue dinner; the Park also has a lake with a beach for swimming, kayaking and canoeing.
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Saturday: 7:00-8:00 Breakfast, 8:00 Pack and depart Erie, 2:30- 3:30 Vehicles arrive back at St. Matthew’s
What do I need to bring?
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A list of specific supplies will be provided as we get closer to July; supplies will include:
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“Work Clothes” - clothing you don’t mind getting paint, dirt saw dust or sealant on
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Clean clothes for after the work day
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Water bottle and sun screen
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General toiletries
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Spending Money (for lunch to/from Erie), a “Mission Trip Store” store where campers can buy Group Mission Trip (Sweatshirts, T-shirts, etc).
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Cot or air mattress; pillow and/or sleeping bag
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Supplies for at the worksite TBA
My child is a little apprehensive, can they be with a friend?
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We can be accommodating!
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One of the benefits of a Mission Trip is to meet new people; however, we know some campers are going to be apprehensive about attending a Mission Trip if they don’t have a friend (or adult they know) with them.
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Any requests to make a camper feel more comfortable, such as being with a friend or with an adult from St. Matthew’s, should be made to Jae Mitchell by June 15 so the staff at Erie can make the proper arrangements prior to our arrival.
How do I register?
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Fill out an initial registration form HERE
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Put down your $50 deposit, make the payment online and select Mission Trip from the drop-down menu HERE.
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Our Mission Trip coordinator, Jae Mitchell will send your information to Group Missions, and you will receive an email confirming your registration.
Does my Tuition cover everything?
Tuition only includes everything we do when we get to Erie; we need to get there (and back). We need to fundraise money for vehicles (and fuel). We also need to pay for our Wednesday activity and other expenses we may incur during the week.
Fundraisers will include:
•Change Jar collection
•Silent Auction/Talent Show in March
•Bake Sales at Giant