Welcome to the Mission Discovery Parent’s Page. We are all parents or have parents at Mission Discovery so we know from our experience that you may have many questions related to your child serving on a project with us.
You are always welcome to contact our office directly at 800 767 0720. You church trip leader also is a wealth of information about the upcoming project. Each leader attends a Pre-Field Orientation to gather this information for you.
You may find all you need to know here on the links of this page.
Who We Are
Since 1991 Mission Discovery has been opening the world to groups like yours who are looking for a meaningful way to serve. In a world where over half of the population makes less than $2 per day, millions are in need and looking for hope. Sign up for a trip with Mission Discovery and be a part of bringing hope and the love of Christ to the poor of the world.
2009 trips are available in Mexico, the Caribbean, the United States, Central America, and Africa. There are trip opportunities to meet almost every age and cost requirement, and each trip holds unique opportunities for service. Mission Discovery is more than building buildings. It is about loving others, serving others in the name of Christ, and reaching new heights of commitment to each other and to the world!
Use this booklet to explore all of the great trip opportunities, then visit our website at www.missiondiscovery.org to learn more details about available destinations and dates. Plus, explore how you can book your trip, register your entire group, and make payments online! You can also call Mission Discovery at 1.800.767.8720 for details and assistance finding the perfect mission trip for your group.
The philosophy at Mission Discovery is simple: we exist to serve Jesus Christ by mobilizing the church to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the world’s poor. Join with us and change lives through your Mission Discovery experience. And you might even discover that the life you change. . . is your own.
Safety
Mission Discovery General Safety Plan falls under Phases of preparedness:
PHASE I : Precautionary
PHASE II : Restricted Movement
PHASE III : Relocation
PHASE IV : Emergency Operations
PHASE V : Evacuation
Depending on the current political/environmental of the area of operation, Mission Discovery will operate under one or more of five phases. All Mission Discovery project operate under Phase I at all times. In the event of a disaster Phase II -IV are evaluated continually throughout the project day. In every case the priority of Mission Discovery is the safety of participants. With that in mind, it may be necessary to hold teams in our camp locations, restricting them from the normal workday activity.
In the event of a weather related emergency, Mission Discovery complies with Government evacuation plans or Phase IV and V. In most cases airports are closed and evacuation from a location would bring more danger to the team. In the event that borders are closed, air transportation is ceased, Mission Discovery holds team in the safest location until transportation and/or borders open.
The decisions related to the safety of participants are the responsibility of the Mission Discovery Project Director in counsel with Mission Discovery’s disaster preparedness team.
Typical Day
Here is a typical day’s schedule:
6:00 AM Rise and Shine
6:30 Breakfast
7:15 Quiet Time
7:45 Depart for Work Site
9:00 Children’s Bible School
2:00-4:00 Depart the Work Site
5:30 PM Dinner
6:30 All Staff Meet
7:00 Evening Meeting
8:15 Small Group
10:00 In Room
10:30 Lights Out
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How safe is a Mission Discovery Project?
See Mission Discovery’s General Safety Plan link. Safety is our priority on a project. We require a supervision ration of one adult per 7 students. We have contractors supervising safety at each work site. Students may not ever walk alone. We partner will local pastors, missionaries and city officials who help determine that work locations are safe.
2. Is my child supervised?
Yes, we require a 1 adult to 7 student ratio. Students are not allowed to walk by themselves. Students have natural check-in times throughout the day with our church leaders so they can be accounted for.
3. Who do I call in case of an emergency?
In case of an emergency at home, and you are unable to reach your child through your church project leader, Mission Discovery offers a 24 hour project hotline at 800-767-8720.
4. Are precautions taken in food preparation?
Food is prepared carefully in accordance with standards of cleanliness, and hiring of kitchen staff. When in non-U.S. locations, with the exception of Jamaica, drinking water is purchased for consumption.
5. How is ground transportation arranged?
On some projects your group leader has provided his or her own transportation by renting vans or using church busses etc not connected to Mission Discovery. Where Mission Discovery transportation is provided, we hire qualified drivers, and make sure that our vehicles are running at the speed limit or less and that all students on our busses are supervised by leaders from their groups.
6. My child has food allergies, can you work with this?
It is a pleasure to serve those who have food allergies. Student and adult applications provide an area to highlight any allergies. We, along with the leadership of your child’s group, take extra steps to see that your child is provided a menu that meets their needs.
7. Where does my child sleep?
Mission Discovery teams stay in secure locations. Sometimes that is in a hotel, but most locations are at camps with bunk beds, dining hall meeting location and recreation field. Camp boundaries are set at the beginning of the week and students are not allowed to leave those boundaries without the adult supervision of one or more of your adult leaders.
8. What about extra spending money?
Each project has shopping opportunities for the purchase of souviners, snacks etc Your group leader will recommend an amount appropriate for your destination.
9. Who is the Mission Discovery staff person in charge of the leadership of my child’s week of camp?
Right here on the website you will find information about our Staff and the projects they are leading. Just compare the dates of the project with the Leader’s schedule.
10. Can my whole family go on a Mission Discovery Project?
Yes, there are special “Family Projects” at many locations where Mission Discovery works and they are incredible! Call 800 767 8720 for more information about those projects.