Register your team now!

Early Bird Registration: August 21, 2009 - January 15, 2010

Regular Registration: January 16, 2010 - May 1, 2010

Late Registration: any date after May 1, 2010

• Port Arthur, TX
• 91 east of Houston, TX
• Situated on the North shore of the Gulf of Mexico

• Local church campus
• Full gymnasium and church building used as boys/girls dorms
• Air-conditioning and hot water
• Full locker room style bathroom/shower facilities
• Portable shower facilities
• Industrial size kitchen facilities

The following is only a sample list of available projects. Our focus will be directed towards finding families that are currently living in trailers, shelters, and on the streets and moving these families back into their homes. However, there are countless other ways that one can serve in the Gulf Coast. Mission Encounter specializes in adapting work projects to fit the strengths and talents of each individual team.

Home Repair

• Hanging drywall
• Laying carpet, tile, or wood flooring
• Painting
• Landscaping
• Cleaning

Community/Church Service

• Cleaning and repairing local schools
• Sports Camps

Encouragement Ministries

• Getting to know families on a personal level
• Inviting locals to praise and worship services
• Cooking meals for the elderly and for single mothers
• Maintaining contact with families even after the mission trip is over

The following is a general outline of the weekly schedule for Port Arthur. Please note that specific times are subject to change.

Sunday:

Monday – Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Mission Encounter offers you the opportunity to come to Port Arthur and visit the site after you have registered. These site visits will allow you to become acquainted with the camp site, walk through projects, and get to know Mission Encounter staff.

Please contact Mission Encounter to set up a site inspection date.

Early Registration - (registrations received Sept. 1, 2009 - Jan. 15, 2010)

• Submit a $200 non-refundable team fee at time of registration either by credit card (online) or by check. This registration fee DOES NOT apply towards your trip tuition cost.
• A $50 per person deposit by February 15, 2010. This deposit DOES apply towards your final tuition balance.
• A payment of 50% of your remaining balance by April 15, 2010.
• A final payment of 50% of your remaining balance by June 1, 2010.

Regular Registration - (registrations received Jan. 16, 2010 - April 15, 2010)

• Submit a $200 non-refundable team fee at time of registration either by credit card (online) or by check. This registration fee DOES NOT apply towards your trip tuition cost.
• A $50 per person deposit April 15, 2010. This deposit DOES apply towards your final tuition balance.
• A payment of 50% of your remaining balance by May 15, 2010.
• A final payment of your remaining balance by June 1, 2010. All payments must be made accordingly to take advantage of the Regular Registration price.

Late Registration - (registrations received April 16, 2010 and after)

• Submit a $200 non-refundable team fee at time of registration either by credit card (online) or by check. This registration fee DOES NOT apply towards your trip tuition cost.
• Call for payment schedule

Cancellation Policy

• You may change the original registration count for your team by 20% at any time before May 15, 2010. (Example: you originally register your team for 25 people, that count may be changed to as high as 30 participants or as low as 20 participants without any penalty.)
• Any cancelled participants of the original registration count above the 20% limit will lose the $50 deposit.
• Any cancelled participants after May 15, 2010 will lose all deposits and payments.
• All cancellations should be done through the online cancellation form. We will not honor any cancellations communicated through emails, letters, or phone messages.
• When registering your team we recommend using the most conservative headcount possible as it is easier to add participants than it is to subtract. However, remember that space is limited at most sites.
• Cancellations due to severe illness or emergencies must be communicated through the online cancellation form. Mission Encounter staff will review the case and make a decision on any possible refunds.

Accommodations:

Q: Where do we sleep?
A: Participants will sleep on cots and air mattresses. The church gym and main building will be used as guy and girl dorms. Both buildings are air-conditioned and have bathroom facilities.

Q: What kind of security measures are in place?
A: Both buildings will be locked at curfew each night. Also, M.E. staff will be responsible for making night rounds of the campus. NOTE: Although M.E. assures that your personal belongings are safe while on campus, common sense is still required. Do not leave out wallets, purses, or jewelry. Valuables not essential to your service project should be left at home.

Projects:

Q: What is project money and how much do we need to provide?
A: Project money or project funds are the means in which teams obtain the materials necessary to completing a specific project. These funds are sent directly to M.E. before the team arrives at its camp site. These funds are then combined with the funds of other teams at that particular camp site. M.E. then uses these funds to purchase materials for all the teams present at the site. The amount of project funds needed varies depending on the specifics of the project. NOTE: M.E. understands that not all teams have the financial resources as others and would never disqualify a team from participating due to lack of project funds. However, the success of our events is based on our ability to provide the necessary materials to see each project to completion. Mission Encounter strongly encourages each team to provide at least $500 to 1000 project funds for their particular project. This amount will also depend on the nature of the designated projects.

Q: What tools do we need to bring with us?
A: This largely depends on what specific projects you will be undertaking. However, we have compiled a general list of tools that are needed in the Gulf Coast. Please review this list and bring whatever you are able too.

Q: What type of clothes should be worn on-site?
A: Rugged work shoes and clothes that will offer protection from the sun are very important. No sandals should be worn on the work site.

Q: Will our group work on the same project?
A: This depends on the specific project. Most home projects have a capacity of 10 – 12 participants. If you have a group larger than 15 please expect to be split up on different projects.

Q: What kind of work will we be doing?
A: This depends mostly on the makeup of your team and the amount of project funds you are able to raise. Most teams will be assigned home repair projects that include hanging drywall, replacing flooring, painting, etc. However, M.E. is happy to work with each group to make sure their strengths and talents are used best to reach the people of the Gulf region. Please call or email us when registering to identify specific projects you would like to be involved with during your time on-site.

Q: Will water be provided on the work site?
A: No. Each team will be responsible for providing their own water and coolers at each work site on a daily basis.

Activities:

Q: What activities are available for our free day?
A: There are a wide variety of activities available in the Gulf region. Information about these activities are available through any web search.

Q: Are free day activities included in our price?
A: No. All activities are done independent of your team cost for the trip.

Q: What meals are provided on free day?
A: Breakfast is provided; lunch and dinner are on your own

Check-in/Check-out:

Q: Is check-in/check-out always on Sunday afternoon/Saturday morning? What if we want to check-in on an odd day?
A: Check-in is always on Sunday afternoon after 3:00 p.m. We are no longer accepting registrations for ‘odd day’ (any day other than the designated Sunday time) check-in dates. Please contact us if you have a schedule conflict that will not allow you to check-in on Sunday afternoon. Trips are always 6 nights starting on Sunday night.

Q: How early can we check-in on Sunday?
A: 3:00 p.m.

Transportation:

Q: We are flying in to the site. Is M.E. responsible for transporting us to/from the airport and to/from our work sites?
A: No. Each team is responsible to provide its own transportation to/from the airport, to/from work sites, and to/from free day activities. However, M.E. does offer an affordable transportation package which provides transportation to all of the above. Please call or email us if you are interested in this transportation package.

Shots/Vaccinations:
Q: Are shots and vaccinations required to attend?
A: Yes. Each participant is required to have updated Tetanus shots.

All Church of the Nazarene teams are highly encouraged to obtain travel insurance through Work and Witness before their trip. This is not included in the price of your trip. Click here to visit the Work and Witness website and get more information concerning insurance.