TEEN MISSION TRIP
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Parent & Teen Information meeting will be held on Wed. November 4th from 7-8pm in the OLM Church. Details on the next trip to Mexico, Missouri on July 11-17, 2027 will be shared. Bring your questions!
MISSION TRIP INFORMATION:
High School teens are invited to attend our summer Mission Trip!
ABOUT THE SITE WE ARE ATTENDING
Like many rural towns across America, Mexico, Missouri is navigating change. Industries evolve, housing ages, and some families struggle to keep up with the demands of maintaining older homes. Yet what makes Mexico special is that people here refuse to give up on one another.
Churches, schools, nonprofits, and local leaders work together every day to strengthen the community and support families who need a hand. Programs focused on workforce stability, youth development, and neighborhood improvement are helping residents move forward with hope.
A Workcamp in Mexico would not just complete repair projects. It would connect young volunteers with real families, real stories, and a community that believes in lifting one another up. Volunteers would leave knowing they helped restore not only homes, but also hope for neighbors who deeply value their community and the people in it.
TYPICAL CAMP SCHEDULE
MORNING
6:30 AM Rise and shine (Daily Mass before breakfast)
7:00 AM Hot breakfast
8:00 AM Morning program
8:30 AM Depart for service projects
AFTERNOON
12:00 PM On-site lunch and devotions
3:30 PM Return to camp
EVENING
5:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Evening program
8:30 PM Youth group devotions
9:00 PM Free time
11:00 PM Lights out
WHO CAN ATTEND
All high school age teens are eligible to attend the mission trip. Must be at least 14 years old OR entering the 9th grade in the fall of the same year as your trip. Graduated Seniors (Spring 2027) may also attend. College students (ages 18-20) may also attend as leaders for our group—only a limited amount of college students will be accepted –Please contact Dave about this (DaveM@olmercy.com).
COST OF TRIP & FUNDRAISING POLICY (Please read)
The cost for the trip is $725 per teen ($425 for college students) but fundraising can reduce that amount greatly. This amount includes not only the participant fee for the workcamp, but all of the other common costs like transportation, rooming, meals at the camp, and other associated costs. The various fundraisers we hold throughout the year, such as Pancake Breakfast, Mission Trip Weekend, Lenten Fish Dinners, Aurora Day of Service, Bake Sale and the Rummage Sale are for the purpose of lowering that cost for the teens.
The full cost ($725.00) of the trip will be expected from each student. For each fundraiser worked, a TBD amount of money (Based on the profitability of the fundraiser) will be added to the individual’s trip account. The overall goal is to provide enough opportunities for everyone to significantly reduce their out of pocket costs.
One of the most significant secondary benefits to participating in these fundraisers is the community building within the group that will be attending the mission trip together. Thus, we would love to have everyone participate in all of the fundraising activities. Unfortunately, we know that for various reasons, we have not been able to achieve that full participation. With the past system, a lack of participation meant that a smaller group of people were working very hard for the benefit of the entire group. As we all know, many hands make light work. This approach to fundraising is intended to encourage a greater degree of participation in the overall fundraising effort. Participation in individual fundraisers is NOT a requirement, but a choice to “add funds to the student’s account”. Those that cannot or choose not to participate in fundraising will still be responsible for paying their portion of the overall mission trip costs, so the burden is shared equally by all participants.
With this policy, we ask that ALL participants pay an initial non-refundable deposit of $75.00 which will be credited to the students account. This amount will hold our spots with the work camp organization. You may check the balance on your account at anytime by contacting Dave in the youth ministry office. The final payment will be DUE after our last fundraising event.
A NOTE ABOUT FUNDRAISING
If a student raises over the $725.00 cost for the trip, that positive balance up to $300.00 will be credited to a future trip or placed in the Mission Trip Scholarship/Grant fund. Funds can be transferred to siblings only. Please contact us if there are any questions or if there is a financial need—we want any and all teens to experience this great event!
Fundraisers
- Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast – Sunday, January 17, 2027
- Mission Trip Weekend – TBD (Teen speaker at mass and donations collected)
- Fish Dinners (Lent) – Fridays, February 19 and March 12, 2027
- Aurora Day of Service – Saturday, May 1, 2027
- Bake Sale – Saturday/Sunday, May 22-23, 2027
- Rummage Sale – Friday-Sunday, June 11-13, 2027
We will send out an email before each fundraiser asking for volunteers and giving specific details. Teens/Parents will need to sign-up ASAP to get an open spot on the fundraiser.
HOW MANY CAN ATTEND?
There are 54 teens and 11 adult spots available for the trip. Spots are filled on a first come, first serve basis. However, if we have open spots after the deadline date, we will continue to take teen sign-ups. Once all spots are filled, we will start a wait list for any teens interested in attending.
CANCELLATION POLICY (Dropping a Spot)
The absolute DEADLINE to cancel a spot for the trip is Monday, April 26, 2027. Any cancellation after that date will require the teen (parent) pay the full amount due of the trip unless a replacement teen can be attained to fill that spot.
WORKCAMP ONLINE SIGN-UP & FORMS
All participants will be asked to complete the required ONLINE Information and Diocesan Permission Form for the trip by Saturday, May 1st. More information on this will be sent out to families. There are additional requirements for adults (18 or older). Information on this will be sent to you in the winter/spring along with the Information Packet which will include packing/tool list and other important details.
DEPOSIT
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS YEAR A DEPOSIT MUST BE RETURNED OR WE CANNOT HOLD THE SPOT FOR YOU! The non-refundable $75.00 deposit must be returned to the Youth Ministry Office within 7 days of registration. There will be an ONLINE PAYMENT link available when you sign-up for the trip. Please see details on making the payment for the deposit below.
If you are interested in learning more about this great opportunity please contact Dave in the youth ministry office at 331-707-5371 or e-mail at DaveM@olmercy.com.
PHOTOS FROM PAST TRIPS:
Please email DaveM@olmercy.com if you have questions.
Contact Us:
Dave Miserendino | Director
DaveM@olmercy.com
(331)707-5371
Karen Schwartz | Administrative Assistant
KarenS@olmercy.com
(331)707-5369