Cedar Ridge ~ IpalaPartnership Trip 2016

Destination: Ipala, Guatemala

Tentative Dates: Saturday, July 16 –Monday, July 25, 2016

Description: Cedar Ridge Community Church is involved in a partnership relationship with the people of Ipala, Guatemala. For the sixth straight year, we are sending an integrated team of youth and adults to interact with and serve alongside the people of the town and villages of this Guatemalan community. In keeping with Cedar Ridge’s vision, our desire is to work together as we seek to bring about the goodness of the Kingdom of God. We also recognize that this experience provides an excellent opportunity for trip participants to develop a transformed understanding of God, themselves, their relationships with others in our community, and their place in the world.

Purpose: The purpose of this trip is four-fold:

  • To continue to build relationships between the peoples of Ipala and Cedar Ridge
  • To serve in partnership with Ipala’s youth and adults to help meet needs within the community
  • To learn about and from the people and culture of Guatemala
  • To foster intergenerational relationships and cooperation amongst Cedar Ridge participants

What we’ll be doing: Our team will serve in partnership with Guatemalan youth and adults. Team members can expect to spend time with children in local schools, interact with Cedar Ridge scholarship recipients, serve food to senior adults, visit homes, and work on practical projects at local schools, parks, or neighborhoods (as requested by local organizations or residents). Certain individuals designated by the CRCC Guatemala Team may also be involved in planning meetings with our local partners. Team members will also be engaged in nightly de-briefing discussions, as well as enjoying some free time, hiking and swimming at the volcano lake, playing soccer, site-seeing, and visiting Antigua. A final list of activities will emerge as we draw closer to the date.

Who can go? We are looking for an integrated team of middle and high school youth and adults. We are seeking to strike a balance between youth and adults, and between those who’ve been to Ipala and those who haven’t. Participants will be chosen based partially on skills and experiences that match our needs for the trip. The trip will be physically demanding so participants should be in good health. Selections will be made through an application process which will involve Guatemala Team and Youth Ministry leaders, along with the Trip Coordinator.

Estimated cost: Between $1220-1420 per person (includes travel, lodging, food, training). A tentative/preliminary/subject-to-change/approximate estimate includes:

  • Airfare and insurance ($150 non-refundable)~$840-1040
  • Lodging $155
  • Food (3 meals/day in-country) $120
  • In-country transportation$55
  • Group shirt, prep meetings, etc $30
  • Donation for supplies, gifts for Ipaltecos $20

$1220-1420

Potential Additional Costs: The official trip fee is listed above, but individuals may have to pay additional out-of-pocket expenses. These will be considered personal costs and are not a part of the trip estimated cost as they will vary from person to person. For your reference, some possible expenses include:

Passport fees (if needed)~$105-135

Vaccinations (optional, covered by insurance?,etc.)~$0 - 250

Souvenirs~$100 - 150

Travel day food (1st and last day of trip)~$20-40

In-country snacks ~$10

Recommended apparel, medicines, etc.~$50

Fundraising Opportunities: Adults are expected to pay the total cost through their own financial resources (unless they have been asked to serve in an official leadership capacity for the trip). Cedar Ridge will provide some funding for students who need assistance through our church budget, a major fundraising event, and ongoing fair-trade coffee sales. Top priority for the distribution of church funds will focus on youth who have not yet been to Ipala ($500/first time student). After that distribution, some funds may be available for returning students. Opportunities for individuals to solicit tax-deductible contributions from friends and family members will also be available.

Expectations: Participants will be expected to participate in pre-trip, mid-trip, and post-trip sessions designed to foster cultural awareness, spiritual reflection, team camaraderie, physical preparation, and lasting involvement. Tentative dates for these gatherings are: Pre-trip preparation meetings: April 10, May 1, July 9 (1/2 day final prep meeting)

Post-trip de-briefing meetings: July 31, August 21, and September 25.

Fundraising event: May ???

A full schedule will be available upon selection to the team.

To apply: Completed applications are due to Trip Coordinator Bryan Peterson () no later than March 13. Mailing address: 2410 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, MD20868. Notification of those selected for the trip will be made by April 3. You’ll find documents at