What is Servant Leadership Experience?
Servant Leadership Experience is a ministry of LEAD222. Devoted to the training and development of Christian student ministry leaders and students, LEAD222 values the concept of servant leadership. Servant Leadership is geared toward youth ministries who want to help serve the physically, financially and emotionally challenged of the world.
How do we get to our base camp and the serving sites?
Depending upon whether you chose the upgraded housing option, you will either be rooming in hotel rooms or staying in a host church. You will be responsible for all transportation between the site venue and the host church (or hotel). All teams will be responsible for transportation to their work sites. Do not plan on using public transportation to fill your transportation needs. You will need vehicles. Please plan accordingly for gas expenses.
How many adult leaders do we need to provide?
We are asking each group to bring a ratio of one adult leader for every 10 students. If you are bringing male and female students, you must have accompanying leaders for each gender. A leader is expected to be at least 18 years old, and someone who will come with a servant attitude.
How old must a student be to participate?
Servant Leadership is geared towards male and female junior high 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. You should remind your students not to wander off alone and to always be aware of their surroundings. Also, please advise your students not to mimic ‘hand gang gestures’ to anyone else or to each other.
What about medical emergencies?
There is no nurse on staff during Servant Leadership Experience. You are responsible for all medical emergencies with your group. Please keep medical release forms with you at all times. At registration, you will be given maps and phone numbers to the closest medical facilities.
Can we leave the host facilities during our free time?
Servant Leadership Experience has a ‘NO LEAVING CAMP’ policy. Once students arrive, they should not leave their host facility unless it is for their work projects or other sanctioned activities.
Can students be contacted while on this trip?
There will be no designated phone access, but most cell phones plans are now nationwide or cellular companies usually accommodate temporary changes to compensate for roaming charges. However, we would encourage you to discourage your students from making contact with friends and family back home while on this trip.
What is your policy on drugs, alcohol and smoking?
No drinking or drugs (including tobacco) of any kind. We have a zero tolerance policy and students who violate this policy 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 your team, 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. Students 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. If your group has a preference of projects, we will do our best to match up ministry serving teams’ interests with the ministry opportunities available.
What do I need to bring?
In general, all service related supplies will be provided. If we identify any special needs as we get your project set up, we will contact you with our recommendations for items you may need to bring.
When will I know my serving project assignment?
Your specific assignments will be confirmed to you 14 days in advance and will be emailed to you directly.
How long are the serving projects?
Your team will depart from the base camp at 9:00 a.m. and should return by 5:00 p.m. 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 your team into work groups of ten to fifteen. Again, you will be responsible for their transportation and providing a work site leader. If students want to be together, you must decide in advance who they will be with and what group.
Is lunch provided at the serving sites?
Teams will be provided a sack lunch (sandwich or salad), including drinks. Each group needs to bring one 48-quart cooler for every ten students and two reusable freezer packs for each cooler to keep lunches cold. Extra drinking water is recommended for during the day, so bring refillable water bottles. Bottled water will also be available.
How many are at a serving site?
We will work with you to accommodate your groups’ request. Be prepared to break your team up into serving groups of 10 to 15. You will be responsible for their transportation and providing group leaders (in a ratio of one leader for every ten students, by gender).
****Leaders: You need to bring one large 48 quart food cooler for every ten people and two reusable freezer packs per cooler. You will use these coolers to keep your lunches cool and fresh as you transport them to the serving site every day.
Where do we stay?
There are two housing options available, and you should decide on which option you will be taking at the time you choose your Servant Leadership Experience. Upgraded housing is available for an additional per person cost (as detailed in the registration materials). Those groups choosing upgraded housing will be staying in a hotel. Groups not selecting the upgraded housing will be housed in local churches. For host church housing your team 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. We will try to provide you with the best accommodations we can, but plan on roughing it. We will eat together as a group as well as meet together as a group for morning devotions and evening sessions.
What about showers?
There will most likely be limited (or no) access to showers if your group is not staying in a hotel. Showers may or may not be located within your host church. In most cases groups are able to shower at local gym or ymca facility.
Can I extend my stay?
No, we do not have the ability to provide you with accommodations either before or after the event dates.
Appropriate Dress: On this mission/serving trip your team will be representing LEAD222 and it would be expected that students 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 to get dirty or paint on
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
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 Experience 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
****Lead222 (or host facility) is not responsible for any lost or stolen items during any part of this trip.
