What does my trip fee cover?
Check out this cost breakdown to see just how far $664 can stretch!
Travel | $242.24
Rentals + gas for 15-passenger vans comprise our biggest expense as an organization - rental prices have more than tripled since 2019, and summer gas prices can be brutal. For this reason, our next big dream as an organization is to own our own vehicles and keep trip overhead costs from rising.
Staffing | $218.18
Many of our year-round staff give their time without pay. The average salary for paid staff is $1.55 hourly (1/10th of Missouri minimum wage). One of our long-term dreams is to honor our team and the ministry they are called to by providing for them financially.
Food | $68.47
Feeding our students and team is a massive undertaking - and since 2006, we’ve been doing it on a budget of $2 per person, per meal. 20 years ago, it was a challenge. Nowadays, it’s a full-blown “loaves and fish” situation. And the Lord provides in abundance every time.
Fun & Gear | $43.48
Lake day? Broken cooler? Local kiddos’ first zoo trip? New tent stakes? It’s all in this bucket. We’re so grateful to keep these expenses low thanks to in-kind donations of tickets and trip supplies. Interested in supporting in this way? Check out our Amazon Wishlist!
Admin Costs | $16.18
Card processing. Background checks. Bank fees. Web hosting and domain charges. Media & marketing costs. Misconduct prevention trainings. Printing and mailing expenses. It stacks up!
Lodging | $40.28
From campgrounds to church basements and desert sands, our lodging needs change drastically every year. This is another area in which the generosity of our community (churches, camp hosts, longtime ministry friends) makes ministry possible!
Insurance | $25.47
Please take a moment to imagine our insurance agent’s face when we tell them we’d like a policy for 35 teenagers on a mystery-destination adventure :) We’re committed to safety for families and our organization, and this keeps everyone covered in the event of an emergency!
Trip Scholarships | $10.00
Money can be tight for families, and we’re committed to knocking down financial barriers to discipleship. That means setting apart funds to support students who otherwise couldn’t adventure.