Start your registration process for a trip by filling out our Online Registration (Fill out, print and send in with deposit), or if you prefer, filling out a PDF version of the Registration ( Print, fillout, and send in with deposit.).
What is a Leader's Open House?
To
prepare your leader, preview our program & facilities, and make the
week more meaningful for your group we are offering open house weekends
for group leaders. The open house will show you the facility, a general
tour of the city and a few agencies. You’ll have time to discuss
culture, team building , ask questions and feel good about preparing
your group for your trip and reentry. Groups that go on short-term
mission trips trained and well-prepared accomplish more, understand
their experiences more deeply, and enjoy their trip more. The learning
becomes life-changing and lasting.
For more information about the open houses, click here to visit the open house page.
What is the adult-youth ratio needed for youth group trips?
One
adult for every five youth. We divide your group into smaller groups of
4-6 people for going to worksites and need to put one to two adults in
each group. One adult for every 3 middle school participants is
encouraged.
DOOR Atlanta Frequently Asked Questions
Will our group have any free time in Atlanta?
Your
group will have Wednesday evening after you return from your worksites
to explore the city. You are on your own for supper on Wednesday
evening to try a restaurant of your choice. The rest of the week is
programmed with DOOR activities so if you want more free time you
should plan to stay after the DOOR program is finished.
Do Central Presbyterian Church and East Atlanta Christian Fellowship have showers?
Yes, each church has multiple showers for your use.
Do the churches have air-conditioning?
Yes.
What is the sleeping arrangement at the churches in Atlanta?
At
East Atlanta Christian Fellowship, all DOOR participants sleep on the
floor of the church. At Central Presbyterian, we provide a cot for
everyone. We separate men and women into two separate sleeping areas.
Each participant needs a sleeping bag and pillow
Is there parking at East Atlanta Christian Fellowship and Central Presbyterian?
- There is ample parking at East Atlanta Christian Fellowship in their parking lot.
- There is limited parking at Central Presbyterian Church. Be prepared to pay for parking if needed.
Where should our groups eat on Sunday evening before we arrive at DOOR Atlanta?
If
you are staying at Central Presbyterian Church, it would be a good idea
to eat just outside of Atlanta before coming to the church.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Yes
and this can be one of the best ways to experience the city. All
participants will have the opportunity to ride public transportation at
least once during their stay in Atlanta.
During
our summer program, groups may choose to use public transportation for
the entire week (extra charge of $13/person for a weeklong pass which
will still be good if you decide to stay the following Saturday). This
is only available for the first 30 people each week who register this
option.
Atlanta Packing List!
DOOR Chicago Frequently Asked Questions
Will our group have any free time in Chicago?
Monday
through Thursday after worksites you may have some downtime before
supper. Wednesday evening groups have a free night to explore the city
and have a Chicago style meal on your own. If you would like to stay an
extra day to explore we will host you for the extra nights for $15 a
night (no meals included).
Does First Church of the Brethren have showers?
Yes, there are four showers at the church.
Does the church have air-conditioning?
Yes.
What is the sleeping arrangement at First Church of the Brethren?
All
DOOR participants sleep on the floor of the church. We separate men and
women between the balcony of the sanctuary and classrooms. Each
participant needs a sleeping bag and pillow. Please do not bring large
air mattresses as they take up too much space, however, you may bring a
camping mat along with your sleeping bag.
Is there parking at First Church of the Brethren?
Yes,
DOOR has a gated, locked parking lot for all vehicles that you may
bring. If you are bringing a full sized bus, we have off site parking
for busses.
Where should our groups eat on Sunday evening before we arrive at First Church of the Brethren?
You
are responsible for eating before you arrive at the church at 6 pm.
East Garfield Park does not have many places to eat, so it is best to
eat before arriving in the city. If eating in the neighborhood is the
best option for you, the following listings hopefully provide a guide.
Most things in the community close around 8 pm on Sunday evening, so
please do not count on eating after our orientation session on Sunday
night. Check out this area for local eateries
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Yes
and this can be one of the best ways to experience the city. Groups may
choose to use public transportation for the entire week (extra charge
of $18/person for a 5-day pass). If you do not choose this option, you
will still have a chance to ride public transportation at least one
time during your week in Chicago.
Is it easy to get to First Church from the airport?
Yes:
O’Hare:
Take the Blue Line from O’Hare through downtown to Kedzie-Homan stop.
Take the Homan side exit. Turn right out of the station, walk across
the highway to Congress. Turn left on Congress. Walk two blocks to
Central Park. First Church is at the northeast corner of Congress and
Central Park.
Midway: Take the Orange Line from
Midway to downtown at the Clark/Lake stop. Transfer to the Forest Park
Blue Line train at Clark/Lake. Take Blue Line to Kedzie-Homan. Take the
Homan side exit. Turn right out of the station, walk across the highway
to Congress. Turn left on Congress. Walk two blocks to Central Park.
First Church is at the northeast corner of Congress and Central Park.
Are we the only church coming? Do churches mix when putting together teams?
Probably
not. We will book up to 65 people per week. Most likely you will be
here with other churches. When making the teams to send to worksites,
we do not mix churches.
What kind of clothes should we wear?
Most
sites allow shorts but certain ones require you wear pants. We suggest
you pack both pants and shorts. In addition all sites require that you
wear t shirts. You clothes should not have any vulgar or offensive
messages printed on them.
Do Capri’s count as long pants?
Yes.
What kind of shoes should we wear?
Closed toe shoes are important at many of our sites.
Chicago Packing List !
DOOR Denver Frequently Asked Questions
Will our group have any free time in Denver?
Your
group will have some time after each day’s service sites and will have
Wednesday evening after you return from your worksites to explore the
city. You are on your own for supper on Wednesday evening to try a
restaurant of your choice. The rest of the week is programmed with DOOR
activities so if you want more free time you should plan to stay after
the DOOR program is finished.
Does DOOR Provide showers?
Yes, we have two different facilities in which we house groups and there are four showers in each facility.
Does the church have air-conditioning?
First
Mennonite Church has air conditioning; the Denver Inner City Parish
does not, however fans are provided. Summer evenings in Denver tend to
be cool.
What is the sleeping arrangement at First Mennonite Church?
During
our weeks of more than 45 total participants, we house all of our
female participants at First Mennonite Church and all of our male
participants one block away at the Denver Inner City Parish.
Is there parking at First Mennonite Church?
Yes, but it is limited.
Where should our groups eat on Sunday evening before we arrive at First Mennonite Church?
There
are several restaurants at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Santa
Fe Drive. The intersection of 6th Avenue and Broadway also has many
restaurants.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Yes
and this can be one of the best ways to experience the city. Groups may
choose to use public transportation for the entire week (extra charge
of $20/person). This is only available for the first 25 people each
week who register this option. If you do not choose this option, you
will still have a chance to ride public transportation at least one
time during your week in Denver.
Denver Packing List !
DOOR Hollywood Frequently Asked Questions
Will our group have any free time in Hollywood?
There
is free time after each day of service and before the evening programs.
Your group will have Wednesday evening after you service site to
explore the city and try a restaurant of your choice. The rest of the
week is programmed with DOOR activities so if you want more free time
you should plan to stay after the DOOR program is finished.
Does DOOR Hollywood have showers?
Yes, private individual showers. Bring your own toiletries.
Does DOOR Hollywood have air-conditioning?
Yes. Evenings are cool.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
When
using the community house, there are bunk beds for 22 participants.
When using our other facilities, participants sleep on Sunday school
floors. Genders are separated. All participants should bring sleeping
bags and a pillow.
Hollywood Packing List !
DOOR Miami Frequently Asked Questions
Does the church have air-conditioning?
Yes.
But one or two over flow sleeping rooms do not, instead a series
of box fans and a good cross breeze keep those rooms comfortable.
Will our group have any free time in Miami?
There
is free time after each day of service and before the evening meal. Due
to the shower situation, each group will go to a local pool to swim and
shower before dinner. Your group will have Wednesday evening after you
return from your worksites to explore the city. You are on your own for
supper on Wednesday evening to try a restaurant of your choice. The
rest of the week is programmed with DOOR activities so if you want more
free time you should plan to stay after the DOOR program is finished.
Does the Wesley Hispanic UMC have showers?
No
we are utilizing local pools to swim and shower in the afternoons.
All participants should bring their swimsuits. We’re
excited that this is an additional way to get to know the city and
neighborhoods.
What is the sleeping arrangement at Wesley Hispanic Church?
All
DOOR participants sleep on the floor of the church Sunday School rooms.
We separate men in the blue room and women in the green room. There is
a lobby in between the two rooms as well as a third area to use if need
be. Each participant needs a sleeping bag and pillow. It is OK to bring
a thin sleeping mat. We are not always able to accommodate large
inflatable air mattresses due to space issues.
Is there parking at Wesley Hispanic Church?
Yes, it is a grassy lot on the property of the church.
Where should our groups eat on Sunday evening before we arrive at Wesley Hispanic Church?
There are restaurants within walking distance of the church. There are both fast food and local Cuban restaurants.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Yes
and this can be one of the best ways to experience the city. Groups may
choose to use public transportation for the entire week (extra charge
of $25/person, limited to 30 persons). This is only available for the
first 30 people each week who register this option. If you do not
choose this option, you will still have a chance to ride public
transportation at least one time during your week in Miami.
If you are flying into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, the Public Trans option
will cover your transportation costs from airport to airport. A staff
member will meet your party at the airport and distribute your passes
and help you navigate the system into our facility. Unless you
have a very extreme time of arrival or departure, in which case the
shuttles and county train maybe not be running at the times you wish.
Please go over your travel plans with the City Director to help
accommodate the best possible schedules.
If you are not flying in, but choosing the Public Transportation
option, it will cover all days while you are here even extra days.
Do Capri’s count as long pants? Do Crocs count as closed toe shoes?
Yes.
Why do we need to bring long sleeves?
There
are a few reasons you should bring long sleeve shirts. Mostly, our air
conditioning is very cold. Secondly, should your team be working in the
fields as a migrant farm worker, the host requires it due to the sun,
the thorns and the pesticides.
Do we have to know Spanish?
No,
Miami is not just Spanish-speaking. Over 150 languages are spoken in
our public school system. It is true though that every city sign must
be printed in English, Spanish and French Creole. You will have
opportunities to use or learn many languages if you’d like.
Miami Pack List !
DOOR San Antonio Frequently Asked Questions
Will our group have any free time in San Antonio?
Your
group will have Wednesday evening after you return from your worksites
to explore the city. You are on your own for supper on Wednesday
evening to try a restaurant of your choice. We suggest eating on the
world famous River Walk. The rest of the week is programmed with DOOR
activities so if you want more free time you should plan to stay after
the DOOR program is finished.
Does DOOR provide showers?
Yes, there are four showers available in San Antonio Mennonite Church.
Does the church have air-conditioning?
The church has air conditioning in common areas and the sleeping areas.
What is the sleeping arrangement at San Antonio Mennonite Church?
Groups
will sleep in classrooms and the sanctuary. You may bring small
sleeping mats to sleep on. Please do not bring large inflatable
mattresses so that we are able to accommodate everyone.
Is there parking at San Antonio Mennonite Church?
Yes.
Where should our groups eat on Sunday evening before we arrive at San Antonio Mennonite Church/The Mary Martha House?
There
are several fast food restaurants within a two mile radius of the
facility. We can easily give you directions before you arrive. In
addition we are only one mile away from the city center and there are
hundreds of restaurants there to choose from as well as the Market
Square, the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico, where great food
is available.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Yes
and this can be one of the best ways to experience the city. Groups may
choose to use public transportation for the entire week (extra charge
of $15/person). This is only available for the first 30 people each
week who register this option. If you do not choose this option, you
will still have a chance to ride public transportation at least one
time during your week in San Antonio.
Do Capri’s count as long pants?
Yes.
Capri's do count as long pants. Everyone needs to bring at least one
pair of pants. Agencies require long pants, or you will not be able to
serve in those agencies.
What kind of clothes should we wear?
Most
sites allow shorts but certain ones require you wear pants. We suggest
you pack both pants and shorts. In addition all sites require that you
wear t shirts(with sleeves- not tank tops.) You clothes should not have
any vulgar or offensive messages printed on them.
What shoes should we bring? What about Crocs?
You
should bring closed-toed shoes for serving in the partner agencies. All
work sites require closed toed shoes. We suggest tennis shoes.
Additionally you may wish to bring a pair of flip flops for free time.
Crocs are not appropriate closed toed shoes for most work sites. Please
bring tennis shoes for service sites.
Do we have to know Spanish?
No,
even though San Antonio is 64% Latin American a very small percentage
of the population speaks Spanish. This is due in part to a very
aggressive campaign in the 1980's to "weed" out Spanish from the
schools.
What about the optional Mexico trip?
Due
to changes in our partner ministries on the border and the changes in
documentation for leaving the US, we no longer offer the optional
Mexico trip. We hope to offer this special trip in the future but we do
not foresee that possibility within 2008.
San Antonio Pack List !
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