English Bible Camps and
Life & Adventure Teen Retreats
SERVE ON A SON MISSION TEAM IN 2026!
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Fun & Interactive
Highly Relational
Conversational English
Focused on the Gospel!
Summer Missions Teams
Each summer, SON takes multi-generational teams (we love taking families!) made up of Christians seeking to grow in their walk with the Lord by stepping out in Faith as Christ commanded in the words of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). To help decide which type of camp fits your gifts, the following general descriptions are provided:
SON English Bible Camps
SON English Bible Camps are similar in nature to a North American style Vacation Bible School (VBS). These are five-day camps (Monday through Friday) beginning with an opening worship session and introduction of the theme of the day. The remainder of the day is segmented with fun and interactive English sessions, and rotations of sports, crafts, and music. On Friday, students will present a short skit to show friends and families what they have learned during the week or will participate in a camp picnic to celebrate a week of a new relationship with their North American teachers and Jesus Christ (see specific opportunities below)
SON Life and Adventure Retreats
SON Life and Adventure Retreats are a lot like North American youth retreats. These range from 4 – 6 day camps. Some are residential and others are day/evening camps. Students will meet all together for an opening session that presents the topic for the day, followed by one to two intensive small group sessions where teens are presented with ways to discuss things that concern young people (self-esteem, relationships, addiction, etc.) from a Biblical perspective. Activities to break up the day are provided for students (water games, hiking, high ropes, crafts, workshops). Leaders are encouraged to participate! Evening sessions are reserved for intentional worship, testimonies, and opportunities for prayer and an invitation to know Jesus Christ more fully (see specific opportunities below).
Background Checks will be performed on all team members (18 and older) following the application process. This is administered through a third-party provider, which will contact each team member directly.
Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us2026 Short-Term Trips
Persecution Pilgrimage - Estonia
June 03-13, 2026
While not a traditional SON mission trip, the Persecution Pilgrimage in Estonia – based on the book written by Pastor Harri Haamer – We Shall Live in Heaven. This is a unique opportunity to become part of the story of spiritual resistance, unwavering trust in God, and the suffering endured by an entire nation. To deepen your understanding of this history and its trials, Tartu Academy of Theology and the Haamer family will guide you through the journey of one Christian family and their country. You will hear firsthand accounts of persecution and gain insight into what it truly means to suffer for your faith. This experience will strengthen your relationship with God and reinforce the truth that there is no room for hopelessness in a life of faith.
ORGANIZER: Tartu Academy of Theology in cooperation with Spiritual Orphans Network
Costs:
- Double room accommodation: $1,950 per person + airfare
- Single room accommodation: $2,250 per person + airfare
Online registration form (due Feb. 28th): https://forms.gle/ZLuZF2RDhVGmGwFD8
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Latvia
June 04-22 | 2 English Bible Camps
Rolling hills, dense green forests, hundreds of lakes, and fresh, crisp air make being in Latvia a genuine blessing and an idyllic setting for exploring the things of God. The SON team will begin in Saldus, Latvia (about 75 miles southwest from Riga). Team lodging is at Saint Gregors Christian Education Center in Saldus for the first week and in Sabile for the second week of camp. The SON team, along with our long-time Latvian ministry partners, will host VBS-style English Bible Camps at nearby Striki School and in the charming, 13th-century town of Sabile.
Location: Saldus/Striki & Sabile, Latvia
Costs: $1875 + International Airfare
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Albania
June 24- July 13 | 1 English Bible Camp & 1 Teen Camp
Location is Peshkopi, Albania – a beautiful mountain village near the North Macedonia border (about a 2 hour drive from the capital city of Tirana). The camps in Albania are designed in conjunction with our local, SON ministry partners. This is important for the context of working with the culturally Muslim people in Albania (people who identify themselves as Muslim, but are not practicing). Week one will follow a SON English Bible Camp curriculum, while week two is focused on meeting teens where they are, using a SON Life Retreat curriculum. As the U.S. provided military protection through several conflicts, Albanians are very welcoming of Americans. This spiritual and cultural openness creates an extraordinary opportunity to share Faith in Jesus Christ.
Location: Peshkopi
Costs: $1875 + International Airfare
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Slovakia - Ružomberok
July 02-13 | 1 English Bible Camp
The word Slava means Glory and Slovakia is truly a glorious country! This team will co-host one English Bible Camp alongside our SON Slovak ministry partners in Ružomberok. Pastor Daniel and Tatiana and their team welcome you for an unforgettable opportunity to experience God working in, around, and through the people of this beautiful north-central, mountain village in Slovakia!
Location: Ružomberok
Costs: $1,425 + International Airfare
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Slovakia
July 02 - 20 | 2 English Bible Camps
Set in the east-central and Tatras foothills regions of Slovakia, the team begins by co-hosting an English Bible Camp in the village of Vranov. Historically, about 110 students participate in this VBS style camp. Week two is set in the Poprad region, where the team will teach the same curriculum, but in an entirely different setting, alongside our enthusiastic co-hosts, Pr. Miro and Janka.
Location: Vranov and Poprad region
Costs: $1,875 + International Airfare
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Slovakia (Teens)
July 09-27 | 2 Life and Adventure Teen Retreats
The SON team, along with our Slovak ministry partners, will host two International Life & Adventure Teen Retreats in the beautiful mountain village of Veľký Slavkov and at the base of the High Tatras mountains! Similar to a confirmation retreat in the U.S., students from several different nations and the American/Slovak leadership team will engage in a wide variety of activities that give plenty of room and opportunities to explore what it means to be follower of Jesus Christ. Due to the reserved culture, most young people have never engaged in deep spiritual conversation. However, they respond quickly to American team members and are very open to an understanding that there is a Father in Heaven who loves them and brothers and sisters in Christ who will walk alongside them on their journey of Faith. Please make sure you are in healthy physical condition if you plan to serve on this team!
Location: Veľký Slavkov & High Tatras
Costs: $1,875 + International Airfare
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