Family Mission Trip: June 24 - July 1, 2009

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ITINERARY: 8 DAYS/ 7 NIGHTS

Total Cost: $375 per person, plus airfare

Capacity: FULL

Trip Leaders

Important Dates

February 4, 2009

Deadline to purchase airfare at group price ($393.70/pp)
(Note: if you miss the cut-off for group airfare, you can still participate and we will try to add you to our group airfare, but can't guarantee the price of your airfare after Feb. 4. It averages about $500/pp.)

Use Mission Trip Agreement to let us know of your intent to purchase airfare.

UPDATE: AIRFARE PURCHASED.
March 1, 2009 Individual Participation Form due
March 28, 2009 Team Meeting 4-6pm @ Willards
Intros, Donations, & Finances
Download Brochure for donor letters
April 18, 2009 Team Meeting 4-6pm @ Willards
Summer Camp Planning
May 9, 2009 Team Meeting 4-6pm @ Willards
All About Nicaragua + Spanish 101
May 30, 2009 Copy of Passport due
Final payment due payable to Oak Grove Baptist Church
Team Meeting 4-6pm @ Willards
Running an Evangelical Summer Camp + Spanish 101
June 20, 2009 Team Meeting 4-6pm @ Willards
Final Preparations & Packing

In addition, if you are applying for funds from the mission committee at Oak Grove, you must attend the following church mission trainings. (Even if you're not seeking funds, we still encourage you to attend these trainings, as the topics are certainly right on track with our trip as well.)
April 19 - Spiritual Development 4pm @ Oak Grove in EB3
April 26 - Conversational Evangelism Part I 4pm @ Oak Grove in EB3
May 3 - Conversation Evangelism Part II 4pm @ Oak Grove in EB3
June 7 - Child Safety 4pm @ Oak Grove in EB3

Accommodations

Trip Itinerary

Wednesday June 24
Depart US for Managua, Nicaragua
Drive to Campo Alegría (View map with satellite overlay)
Shopping in Masaya & volcano visit on the way

Thursday June 25
Meet with the full-time missionaries running Campo Alegría (Adam & Rachel Todd)
      >Read a news article about Adam Todd and Campo Alegría

Work projects & set up for Summer Camp
      >Read more about running a summer camp at Campo Alegría
      >Watch a video created to tell the Nicaraguan government about the camp
        programs at Campo Alegría (use "campo" as the password)
      >View photos from other mission teams at Campo Alegría

Friday June 26
Day 1 of Summer Camp

Saturday June 27
Day 2 of Summer Camp

Sunday June 28
Day 3 of Summer Camp
Kids leave 3pm
Clean up & pack

Monday June 29
Breakfast + early departure for Managua
Visit La Chureca to see the kids from our camp
Drive to Montelimar Resort

Tuesday June 30
Debrief
Relax

Wednesday July 1
Depart Nicaragua for US

Nicaragua Facts & Resources

President: Daniel Ortega (2007)

Land Area: 46,430 sq mi (about the size of the state of New York)

Population: 5,780,683 (2008)

Capital and Largest City: Managua (pop. 1,390,500)

Monetary Unit: Cordoba

Language: Spanish

Nicaragua before 1978 was the wealthiest country in Central America and a major producer of agriculture and in particular beef for the region and the USA (i.e. a major supplier for McDonalds hamburgers). Today, due to the revolution of ‘78 and ‘79, the US lead economic embargo of the 80’s and the poor economic policies of the same period: Nicaragua is not only the poorest country in Central America, but also the poorest Spanish speaking country in the world and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere (Haiti is the poorest). Thanks to having incredibly fertile land and the lowest population density in the region, hunger is generally not a problem, but health care and education levels are below acceptable standards. For the visitor, private health care, of good standards is available.

Most of Nicaragua's inhabitants live in the Pacific basin. The majority of the population is metizo with smaller populations of people of pure indigenous and European blood. The official language is Spanish and is often laced with words of Nahuat origin. Miskito, Creole English and Rama are spoken on the Caribbean coast. English is not widely spoken. The religion is predominantly Catholic but all major western religions are present. The national sport is baseball with stadiums in most cities hosting Nicaraguan league games, which attract players from around Latin America and plays to crowds of over 20,000 at the biggest stadium located in Managua. It would be difficult to find a more open, warm and gregarious people than the Nicaraguans, and when you consider the hardships they have been through, it makes this friendly good humor all the more special and one of the best reasons to visit.

Learn more:

Travel Alerts

It is a good idea to register with the State Department before you travel. Travel registration is a free service provided by the State Department, and is easily accomplished online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/.

For up-to-date world-wide travel warnings, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Immunizations

Some immunizations may be required. At a minimum, you likely want to make sure you are current with your Hepatitis A and B vaccines. (Both are currently given to all children born in the US, but because this is a relatively new practice, you'll need to check with your doctor to make sure you are covered.)

We recommend that you call your personal doctor and let him or her know the dates and regions of your travel. He or she will be able to give you the needed immunizations based on your personal medical history and your travel itinerary. You can also consult the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for additional information regarding travelers’ health.

Raising Support

Fundraising Ideas

Packing Information

The following list is provided to help you pack. You are permitted one carry-on and two checked bags. Your checked bags must weigh no more than 50 lbs. each and measure no larger than 62" (length + width + height). One checked bag will be used for your personal items and the other to transport donations and group equipment.

Other optional items:

Remember: Do not bring anything you can't afford to lose!

Passports

The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.

New Application for a U.S. Passport

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license. In Maryland, the best place to get your passport is your local post office. (Maryland post offices will also take your picture, for an additional fee.)

You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time: if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.

For more information on getting a new passport, please visit the U.S. Department of State website or visit the link "How to get a passport".

Renewal of a U.S. Passport

You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.

You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading at the U.S. Department of State website.

If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.

For more information on how to renew a passport, please visit How to renew a passport page.