English Bible Camps and
Life & Adventure Teen Retreats
JOIN A SON TEAM IN 2027!
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.
SON Life and Adventure Retreats
SON Life and Adventure Retreats are a lot like North American youth retreats. These range from 4 – 6 day retreats. Some are residential and others are day/evening retreats. 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.
Your Commitment: Following mandatory 5-6 SON Team training sessions (online) in preparation for your trip, each short-term mission trip includes 4 days for overseas air travel and team debrief. A one-camp week trip is an 11-12 day commitment, while a two-camp weeks trip is an 18 day commitment. Teams fly out on a Wednesday or Thursday and return (following debrief) on a Monday.
Background Checks are 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 Us2027 Short-Term Trips
Latvia
June 03-21 | 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: $2,125 + International Airfare
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Albania English Bible Camp
June 23- July 05 | 1 English Bible 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 SON English Bible Camp and curriculum 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).
Location: Peshkopi
Costs: $1,525 + International Airfare
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Albania Teen Life Retreat
June 23 - July 05 | 1 Teen Retreat
You do not need to be a teen to join the team! 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 SON Teen Life Evening Retreat 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: $1,525 + International Airfare
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Slovakia - Trenčin & Vranov
July 01 - 19 | 2 English Bible Camps
Set in the west-central and them High Tatras foothills regions of Slovakia, the team begins by co-hosting a VBS-style SON English Bible Camp in the village of Trenčin. This is a new camp location for SON and our hosts are very excited to meet you! Week two is set in Vranov, where the team will teach the same curriculum, but in an entirely different setting. Historically, about 110 students participate in this camp.
Location: Trenčin & Vranov
Costs: $2,125 + 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: $1,525 + International Airfare
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Slovakia - Svit
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 Svit. Pastor Miro & Janka and their team welcome you for an unforgettable opportunity to experience God working in, around, and through the people of this beautiful village at the base of the High Tatras in Slovakia!
Location: Svit
Costs: $1,525 + International Airfare
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Slovakia Life & Adventure Teen Retreat
July 08-19 | 1 Teen Retreat
You do not have to be a teen to join the team! Along with our Slovak ministry partners, the SON team will host an International Life & Adventure Teen Retreat in the beautiful mountain village of Veľký Slavkov near 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: $1,525 + International Airfare
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