Committing to come on a mission trip is a huge decision. We've designed this page with your questions in mind. From the big questions about what we believe in to the specific details it takes to pull off a safe trip, we try to cover the things you might be wondering about. Click on the topics below to find a series of related discussions within that topic.
Can't find the answer to your question? Fill out our Contact Form and our staff will get back to you right away!
OUR MISSION & PURPOSE:
In general, why does YouthWorks exist? We exist to create a space where teens from Mexico and the U.S. come together and live side-by-side for a week. As we see it, this is a profound example to the church, and the world, of what it is to be a part of the large body of Christ. It’s obvious that our teens are more globalized and informed than ever. This reality asks us as a church to think in new ways about ministry and relationship. While we will serve the Nazarene churches and communities surrounding these churches during the mission week, we also place a high emphasis on genuine interactions between the participants from both cultures. We hope, through service projects and daily camp life, to foster an environment where it is safe to ask tough questions about our predominant worldviews and build real relationships that provide some answers.
What can I expect from teh YouthWorks office? The YouthWorks staff is committed to a quality mission done with integrity, sensitivity, and humility. We handle the pre-trip communication and registration so that you can focus on spiritually preparing your church team. The moment you check-in with us at Point Loma Nazarene University, we manage the logistics of transportation, food, housing, and schedule. Then as a group, all participants and staff will unite with the Mexican participants at the camp in Tecate, Mexico for a week of deep conversation and daily service in the community with your small group, worship within camp and at local Nazarene churches in Tijuana, and developing friendships across all levels.
Who is YouthWorks connected to? YouthWorks is dependent on and so grateful for our connections to the Nazarene church at large. The Nazarene leadership team in Baja extends an invitation to us to join its churches in the compassionate work they are already engaged in. We are the official mission agency of the Southwest Region NYI Council, the Southwest arm of the newly installed Border Initiative, and a student ministry sponsored by PLNU. We also rely on Nazarene Work & Witness to give us insight into the mission strategies of the whole church. Our service to the teens that participate in our program is intentional and informed by a strong network that is invested in the empowerment and witness of local churches and pastors.
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LOCATION AND THE WEEK PLAN:
Where will we be for the week? The Nazarene district in Northwest Baja owns a large campground in Tecate, Mexico, which is about 30 minutes east of Tijuana and 15 minutes south of Campo, CA. We will sleep in dorms at the campground. During the day, we will travel to Tijuana, Mexico to minister with the several Nazarene churches in the city. Tijuana is immediately across the border from San Ysidro, CA.
Does the campground have bathrooms with showers? Yes.
What should we pack? A complete personal packing list will be in the Welcome Packet you receive once you apply. If there are items requested for donation, you will be notified in advance.
What does the week look like? When we arrive at camp, Mexican teens and youth leaders will join us. The first few days will be spent in travel, training, sight-seeing, and team-building. From Monday through Thursday, you can expect to wake up, eat breakfast, serve in Tijuana the bulk of the day, return to camp to clean up and eat dinner, meet with your small group to discuss the day, and have some free time before lights out. You will receive a full schedule in your Welcome Packet once you apply.
Who will be in my small group? We create diverse teams of both teens from Mexico and the U.S. If you come with your youth group, you most likely will be split out across groups to enable building new relationships. 4-5 PLNU leaders will lead each small group, along with adult leaders and youth pastors from your home churches. You can expect your group to have 15-20 members.
What happens in small groups? Because we believe that the best growth happens when we are out of our comfort zone, we create small groups/service teams comprised of people from various churches in the U.S. and Mexico. This diversity allows for rich dialogue and challenges us to seek God in the midst of ideas that may be new and unsettling to us. PLNU student leaders and adult youth leaders present questions and offer their own insights as a guide for each discussion.
What will we do in Tijuana with the churches? In your small groups, you will do a variety of community ministries. We are already planning outreaches in city parks, a city-wide worship service, and visits to compassionate centers.
How will we get to our locations? From PLNU to camp, we will travel in PLNU buses. Every day, from camp to our ministry sites in Tijuana, we will travel in Mexican charter buses. All personal vehicles will remain at PLNU under supervision of PLNU's Public Safety.
How can I be ready for the week? Visit our Participant Resources page for all the information we can think up that you'll need to be ready.
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PARTICIPANT AGE LIMITS:
Who can participate in YouthWorks? YouthWorks is designed for high school students. Youth pastors and sponsors, as well as parents are, of course, welcome and are a necessary part of our leadership structure.
What do you consider "High School" age? We allow students who are just entering and exiting high school, as well as all the other years in between!
Do you allow children/teenagers younger than high school age to participate? We evaluate child/pre-teen participation on a case-by-case basis. We will only consider exceptions if at least one parent/legal guardian has also registered to attend. Even then, discretion and final decision belongs to the YouthWorks staff. Please contact the office directly regarding child/pre-teen involvement.
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APPLICATION PROCESS:
How do I apply to go on YouthWorks?
Go to our Application Resources page. At first, all you need to do is download and submit a Reservation Contract to hold your spot(s). When you're ready to submit applications for specific participants, visit the applications page, select the type of application that you need, and download the form.
What are the deadlines for applying?
Reservation Contract: April 1, 2008
Application Form (one for each group member): May 1, 2008
Payment-in-Full: June 1, 2008
How much does it cost to go on YouthWorks?
$395 per person. A $50 deposit per person is due with your Reservation Contract.
I'm coming with my church group. Do we need to apply together?
You should reserve your spots as a group with our Reservation Contract. This holds your space until you decide to fully apply. Later, when you submit formal applications, also include our Group Ledger form. At this point, please try to send as many applications in together as possible.
I've already sent in my Reservation Contract. What's next?
Within two weeks of reserving your space(s), you will receive a Welcome Packet with more detailed information. Remember to sumbit an application for each group member by May 1, 2008.
Is there a limit to how many people you will accept into YouthWorks? There is no limit. We have reserved a campground with adequate space. When you apply, you are not entering a selctive process where you are either "in" or "out" -- all are welcome. The Reservation Contract system simply helps us anticipate how many participants may be joining us.
How would a college student (not from PLNU) go about applying? Any college student would apply as normal, using the adult application form. The fee for college-age aprticipants is the same for all participants, $395.
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MEXICO TRAVEL:
Do I need a passport to go into Mexico? YES. If you do not have a passport, you need to start the process as soon as possible. Visit our Passport Guide page (accessible also through our Application Resources page for a step-by-step guide on how to file for or renew your passport.
But I've heard they aren't really requiring passports... As of right now, the border is accepting "wavers" for an undetermined period of time due to the transition. The end date of this waver period is vague and we are not willing to risk the law potentially being enforced more strictly closer to YouthWorks dates. Since we can't anticipate the change-over date, we require passports for all participants and proof of passport must be shown at Check-in Day at PLNU.
What exactly do I need to cross the border?
All Participants: YouthWorks require that all participants have a passport.
Minors (those under 18 years of age): After you apply, YouthWorks will contact you and provide several mandatory consent forms -- one is a "Mexico Travel Consent Form". This is a legal document which guarantees that parents/legal guardians have approved the minor's participation with YouthWorks and that YouthWorks is the responsible party for the mission week. The Border Patrol has assured us that this is the most effective means of safe crossing. You may bring a picture ID with you as an added precaution, but it is not necessary.
Legal Adults: You may also bring a picture ID with you as an added precaution, but it is not necessary.
I've heard I should bring my birth certificate. Is this true?
Birth certificates are not necessary. If you prefer to bring yours, please do not bring the original with you. Make a copy and keep in a secure place.
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HEALTH CONCERNS AND SAFETY:
Do I have to have insurance to go on YouthWorks? No, you do not need a personal insurance provider to come on the trip. YouthWorks is an entity of the Church of the Nazarene and a partner with their volunteer mission program, Work & Witness. Work & Witness provides excellent coverage that we purchase for all participants. The cost of this insurance is included in your application fee.
How good is the insurance coverage? The policy allows us to seek local treatment, return to the U.S. for care, or, if severe enough, receive “Life Flight” helicopter rescue. For a thorough look at the policy, please visit the Work & Witness website and click on: “W&W Global Insurance Policy Pamphlet” under “International Forms”.
What happens if I get sick or hurt? YouthWorks has a registered nurse in staff for the week. In addition, each team is equipped with a well-supplied first aid kit. If medical attention beyond the nurse’s expertise is needed, the staff is knowledgeable of the medical facilities in the area and will act promptly. The full insurance coverage ensures that you would receive proper treatment immediately.
How safe will I be? We will be staying at an enclosed campground owned by the Church of the Nazarene in the rural, country-side community of Tecate. Camp staff, along with the owners of the campground, will patrol the borders and act as security at night. Along with 40 staffers from PLNU, our adult participants will form a network of caring, attentive adults.
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FOR QUICK REFERENCE:
Contact Us I Application Process I About YouthWorks I Participant Resources