What is Servant Leadership Experience?
Servant Leadership Experience is a week long service experience that also has hands-on leadership training and is designed for both high school and middle school students. In addition to projects and leadership training, there will be evening worship experiences and a fun day during the week.
How can I prepare for the trip?
In addition to the packing list and the information you’ll receive from your youth ministry, spend time in prayer asking God that you would have the right attitude and spirit willing to serve others and be mold-able.
How old do I have to be to participate?
Servant Leadership Experience is geared towards male and female middle school and high school students.
Are the serving sites and housing sites safe?
We will do our best to make sure all serving sites and host base facilities are as safe as possible. All large cities present the possibility for criminal activity.
Can we leave the host facilities during our free time?
Servant Leadership has a ‘NO LEAVING CAMP’ policy. Once you arrive, you should not leave the host facility unless it is for work projects or other sanctioned activities.
Can I use my cell phone during the trip?
You may use your cell phone to call your parents or for emergencies only. Cell phones will not be banned; however we believe that taking a week-long break from your phone will help you to focus on God and not get distracted.
What is your policy on drugs, alcohol and smoking?
No drinking or drugs (including tobacco) of any kind are permitted. We have a zero tolerance policy and if you cannot comply with this boundary, you will be sent home at your groups’ expense.
Are restricted-diet foods available?
We will do our best to accommodate any special dietary needs. Please make this information available when you register, or as soon as you are aware that you have a special need.
Do I need to bring money?
Spending money may be needed for your Team Time Experiences, depending on what your group chooses to do. Check with your leader for specifics of your trip. You may also want to bring extra money to buy snacks, souvenirs, etc.
What will we be doing as serving projects?
Our philosophy for work projects is to partner with existing ministry and service programs that are already in operation and that will continue on after we leave. The needs of these ministries will dictate which opportunities are available. These could include relational projects such as VBS-type activities and working with children’s programs, or more task oriented projects such as painting, stocking food pantries, serving the homeless, construction projects, sorting clothes, cleaning up, serving the elderly and various other jobs.
Will I get to be with my friends during the work sites?
Each church will assign students to the different work sites. If you would like to be with a particular friend, please ask your youth ministry when you register.
How long are the serving projects?
Your team will depart from the base camp at 9:00 and should return by 5:00. The time you actually spend at the work project site will depend upon the travel time.
How far are the serving sites from the host facilities ?
Serving sites will generally be within one hour’s driving time.
Will my team be serving together?
We will work with you to accommodate your groups’ request. Be prepared to break into work groups of ten to fifteen.
Is lunch provided at the serving sites?
Teams will be provided a sack lunch (sandwich or salad), including drinks. Extra drinking water is recommended for during the day, so bring refillable water bottles. Bottled water will also be available.
Where do we stay?
Everyone attending Servant Leadership Experience will be housed in local churches and you will need to bring sleeping bags and/or air mattresses to sleep on. Sleeping arrangements will resemble dormitory-style accommodations, with males and females separated. You will be sleeping on the floor in classrooms and/or church basements. There will most likely be limited (or no) access to showers. Showers may or may not be located within your host church. We will try to provide you with the best accommodations we can, but plan on roughing it. We will, however, eat together as a group as well as meet together as a group for morning devotions and evening sessions.
Your group leader may provide the option to upgrade your housing at an additional cost. Those details would be planned by your group leader and not by Lead222.
What about showers?
If your group is staying at a church, there will most likely be limited (or no) access to showers. In most cases you will be able to shower at a local gym or YMCA.
Can I extend my stay?
No, we do not have the ability to provide you with accommodations either before or after the event dates.
Your team will be representing LEAD222 and it would be expected that you dress modestly – no short shorts or revealing tops, etc. Males must also always wear a top, even at the work sites.
For Work Sites
athletic shoes and socks
sunglasses
sunscreen
refillable water bottle
clothes that can get dirty or paint on them
Free Time
sweater or jacket for cool weather
nice, casual clothes for free time activities
miscellaneous entertainment (frisbees, balls, etc)
acoustic guitars or other instruments welcome (please be sensitive to noise)
digital cameras
money for team time activities, snacks and/or souvenirs; if desired.
Study and Reflection
Bible
journal
pen or pencils
Hygiene and Toiletries
shower sandals
soap
washcloth
toothbrush
toothpaste
deodorant
shampoo
towel
medicines
All sessions and meetings are mandatory.
No guys allowed in girls’ sleeping area and no girls allowed in guys’ sleeping area.
No drinking or drugs, including tobacco of any kind. We have a zero tolerance policy and students will be sent home at your group’s expense.
Servant Leadership has a ‘No Leaving Base Camp’ policy. Once students arrive at their host accommodations they should not leave unless it is for a work project or the Team Time Experience.
All scheduled times, including lights out, are to be followed by your group.
All group members should come to the morning devotion ready to depart for their work projects.
All students must be in their assigned sleeping areas by 11:30 pm
Each student should bring a water bottle for his or her own personal use during the week.
***LEAD 222 (or host facility) is not responsible for any lost or stolen items during any part of this trip.
