Am I equipped to go?
Generally, there are only three things that are required:
- The ability to speak English. In all of the countries where SON serves, students are required to begin learning English in the 2nd grade. They ALL want to practice their English skills with native English speakers. You do NOT need to be specially trained in English as a Second Language (ESL).
- A heart for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- A willingness to step out and be a connection to God for Spiritual Orphans.
Am I too old/young to go?
The oldest person that SON has ever had on the team was 87, the youngest traveling without parents was 15, the youngest traveling with parents was 1. If you have concerns about your health, please consult with your doctor before committing to serve with a SON team. Parents are the best judge as to whether their child can cope with the stresses of international travel, schedule/routine disruption, new cuisine, and navigating a different culture.
Are there physical requirements?
For SON English Bible Camps, if you are called to go on mission and are generally fit (can walk 1-3 miles per day, walk up & down full flights of stairs, negotiate rough/uneven terrain, carry your own luggage – up to 50 lbs), then the physical elements of a SON mission trip should be manageable.
For SON Life & Adventure Retreats, it is important that you are physically able to walk at least 2-3 miles per day, have no difficulty negotiating full-flights of stairs and rough/uneven terrain, and are able to be engaged in very full retreat days, for up to 16 hours per day.
What does SON provide?
SON provides:
- Training – including how to ask people that you know to come alongside you with prayer and support, cross-cultural education, and training on how to use the SON provided curriculum to teach your students.
- Translators – you do not need to know how to speak another language.
- Trip Planning – all flights, in-country lodging, meals, ground transportation, and excursions are coordinated and booked by SON. (Any personal trip deviations planned for either, before or after participating in a SON Mission Trip must be coordinated with SON before any bookings are completed.)
I see that the fee shows a participation cost plus international airfare. How much does Airfare Cost?
Roundtrip airfare usually costs between $1,400 and $1,900. Traveling as a member of a team is a little different than just booking an itinerary for yourself. It is very important that everyone arrives at approximately the same time in order to coordinate ground transportation to each of the camp locations. SON usually books Missionary tickets, which allow for extra supply bags and are often partially, if not fully, refundable. SON also begins booking airline itineraries in early March so that we can secure the best available prices; as airfares typically increase the closer we get to the summer travel season. (Any personal trip deviations planned for either, before or after participating in a SON Mission Trip must be coordinated with SON before any bookings are completed.)
What about Training and when will I get to meet my Team Leaders and fellow Team Members?
Soon after SON approves your submitted application, we will send a “Welcome to the Team” email followed by a hard copy of your welcome packet and Team Training Manual. In early March, you can expect to be contacted by your Team Leader in order to coordinate the first on-line Team Training session. We use a video conferencing platform, called Zoom. Each team is made up of volunteers and come from different parts of the country. Teams typically meet 5-7 times leading up to your team’s departure for the mission.
By the end of the training, you will know your entire team by face and name, and also what to expect and what is expected of you as a fellow team member. The training will cover everything from how to begin fundraising – to how to prepare for the camps – to how to pack for the trip and survive passport control! Most importantly, our goal is for you to feel confident and prepared before you head for the airport.
Are Additional Vaccinations Required?
Currently, there are no additional vaccinations nor testing requirements for travel to the countries where SON is planning to host STM camps. As long as your regular U.S. recommended vaccinations/boosters are up to date (check with your doctor), there should not be any problem traveling on a SON mission trip. The most up-to-date and reliable source for information regarding the latest international travel and visa requirements may be found here, on the Sherpa website: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions?affiliateId=sherpa&language=en-US
Why Does SON Do Background Checks?
SON has been blessed by over 30-years of faithful volunteers serving on short-term mission teams to bring the Gospel message of grace, love, mercy, and hope to those most vulnerable in the countries where we serve. By God’s grace not one child has been harmed by a SON team member, nor has any team member been accused of misconduct with a child. We intend to keep it that way!
In a measure to protect the children we serve, and every team member that serves with us, plus the integrity of SON Network, Background Checks will be performed on all team members (18 and older) following the initial application process. This is administered through a third-party provider, which will contact each team member directly seeking consent to the check and to obtain your Social Security number and other pertinent information.