Experience

Safety is our top priority! 

• We require groups to bring 1 adult (21 or older) for every 5 participants that are under 21 years of age.
• We require participants that are 18 and older be screened and nationally background-checked by their church every 2 years. Their pastor signs off that they meet our requirements and are approved to attend.
• Every staff member has been screened, background-checked, and reference checked by Group Mission Trips.
• For overall protection, we have separate shower times designated for participants that are 17 and younger from those that are 18 and older.
• We review safety procedures at camp—appropriate close-toe shoes/boots, gloves and goggles are recommended.
• Participants are not required to do any work that they consider unsafe. Participants may be using a drill for screws, but no one under the age of 16 can use a power tool or drill for drilling holes. No one under the age of 18 can use a power saw.
• Our staff visits each work site at least twice by the time of camp and the first thing a crew will do when they arrive to their work site is check for potential safety issues.
• Although we do serve in needy areas, we require work crews to stay together at all times. No one should ever be left alone and all participants are back at the lodging facility by their designated check in time.
• Site Coaches and other Group Mission Trip staff visit work sites daily so they are aware of where a crew is working and any issues in the area.
• Every work crew has the direct phone number to the Group Mission Trip's office and directions to the closest hospital. If an injury occurs on the work site, and is not serious, Group Mission Trip staff will contact the youth leader and coordinate any transportation needed. If the injury is serious, the adult on site will call 911 and GMT staff will offer support and ensure needed medical forms are delivered to hospital.
• Each work crew will have a small first aid kit and a bigger one in each vehicle.