Jamaica Informational Meeting August 28, 2016

Transcription

1 Jamaica 2017 Informational Meeting August 28, 2016

2 Who can go on the trip? Any active Sonlight member of school year* *must put deposit on trip by deadline of Sept. 25, 2016 Parent chaperones will be required to pay for trip Erin at about your interest Chaperone decisions will be made asap It is not required there will be other opportunities to perform the 2017 show in June Jamaica trip: Saturday, June 17 Saturday, June 24

3 Why Jamaica? Students voted to extend Sonlight s ministry beyond our country s borders; A week away from home & to learn to depend on ourselves and each other; An opportunity to share Sonlight s unique ministry; A chance to experience a different culture; Fulfillment of our obligation to serve others; A chance to minister with the global Church; An opportunity to love and learn!

4 What is CSI Jamaica? Here is a short video about CSI Ministry Mike Ginter: Our contact. He will make sure our stay is comfortable!

5 Where are we traveling? Montego Bay is a direct 2-hour flight from Orlando, FL. We will land in Montego Bay and drive to the city of Highgate.

6 How will we get around? We will be in coasters (small buses) and vans for the trip.

7 Welcome Home to the Mission House Click the picture to see a short video about the house!

8 Where will we stay? The Mission House has an industrial kitchen, 2 dining areas, a living room, 2 porches, a chapel, a fire pit, and a guest house! Think dorm style! 5 rooms of bunk beds with attached bathrooms (multiple toilets and showers) All bed linens, pillows, towels, washcloths, hand soap will be available Cold water Regular electrical outlets no need for adaptors Fans in every room

9 House Tour Video

10 What will we eat? All meals are included in the cost of the trip Almost all the meals will take place at the Mission House Variety of food America, Jamaican, Italian and always alternatives for the picky, picky eaters Pinto is the chef - she s the best!

11 Eating at the Mission House Meals will be buffet style with family style seating Breakfast Scrambled eggs, omelettes, French toast, toast, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit Fresh juice, coffee, water Lunch PB&J, deli meat (turkey, ham, etc.), chicken salad, tuna salad, paddies (think like a taco!), grilled cheese, chips, fruit, dessert Dinner Jerk chicken, rice and peas (beans); baked spaghetti; fried chicken; pumpkin soup; pepper steak, mashed potatoes; all with dessert and fresh juice and water

12 What will we do? The trip is June with both Saturday s being traveling days. Mike and Erin have worked on a weekly agenda Trip agenda will be discussed in detail at another meeting There will be a group meeting on Sunday night (of the trip) to go over the week agenda it will always be posted in the gift shop area

13 Weekly Agenda Saturday, June 17 Depart Gainesville for airport and Montego Bay Meet up with Mike & drive to Highgate, Saint Mary s Parish Sunday, June 18 Church service and performance in the morning Afternoon activity (TBD by Mike and Erin) Week briefing in the evening after dinner Monday, June 19 - Thursday, June 22 School devotions in the morning Afternoon activity Evening performances

14 The Pottery Students will get to visit a working pottery, see a demonstration, then visit their shop (prices are very affordable).

15 Weekly Agenda Examples of afternoon activities Prayer walk, pottery, and ice cream in Highgate; Work projects to help the community; Beach day! Friday, June 23 Depart for Ocho Rios fun day at Dunns River Falls Drive to Montego Bay for dinner and hotel Saturday June 24 Drive to the airport in Montego Bay; come back to Florida; drive to Gainesville

16 Trip Costs $1300 Fee Includes: Travel to and from Gainesville and the airport Airfare including airport fees and departure taxes All necessary visas All meals in the destination country Accommodations Medical insurance for the duration of the trip Contribution to hosts Trip related cultural events (museum entry fees, etc.)

17 Trip Costs $1300 Fee DOES NOT Include: Passport and passport photos Additional travel insurance (including cancellation insurance) Spending money for snacks, trinkets, gifts for home Loss of your ticket Loss of luggage Vandalism Internet or cell phone service

18 Trip Costs Individuals will be responsible for $800 of the $1300 The $800 fee covers all of the in-country costs All transportation, food, lodging, hospitality, cultural and fun events, and other in-country incidentals Students can apply for scholarships toward this cost Students can also use youth fundraising money toward this cost The remaining $500 fee is airfare, transportation to/from Gainesville, and other domestic incidentals Must attend at least 5 fundraisers to receive the discount Seniors in the group may want to purchase additional travel insurance (i.e. refundable plane tickets)

19 Fundraising Opportunities These fundraising opportunities count toward the $500 trip discount Fall Breakfast & Car Wash: October (tbd) Thanksgiving Pies Baking Day: Nov. 12 Thanksgiving Pies Baking Day: Nov. 19 Breakfast with Santa Set- Up: Dec. 1 or 2 (tbd) Breakfast with Santa Event: Dec. 3 Souper Bowl Sunday Prep: Feb. 4 Souper Bowl Sunday Event: Feb. 5 Spring Breakfast & Car Wash: April Sonlight de Mayo: May 3 Gainesville Community Band Mother s Day Concert: May 14

20 Sonlight Church Partners Ted Grueser, Director of Missions Mission Trip Scholarship Form Scholarship money may be used toward the $800 fee Julie Mishoe, Director of Student Ministries Opportunities to earn money in youth accounts Youth account amounts can be used toward the $800 fee Examples: pumpkin patch, pumpkin run

21 Financial Information What I need from families: Pay the $150 deposit by Sept. 25 to reserve your Sonlight member(s) spot on tour Parents me if you re interested in chaperoning Ways to pay Go to the Sonlight tour page Payment form will be here and you can pay with credit card or your bank account In addition to the Sonlight payment plan, families can also use the online payment form to make smaller, more frequent payments (these are not automatic)

22 Financial Information Families can expect an ed monthly account statement regarding tour Statements will reflect the $1300 trip cost until the 5 th fundraiser has been completed then it will show the $500 discount Families will also receive an invoice before each payment due date Families will receive ed receipts of each payment Check your spam folders if you aren t getting them!

23 Trip Timeline and Payments Non-Refundable Deposit $150 due Sept. 25, 2016 Trip Payment #1 $220 due Nov. 20, 2016* Passport Applications Make appointments between Nov. Jan. Deadline to apply for passport is January Trip Payment #2 $215 due February 28, 2017* Trip Payment #3 $215 due April 30, 2017* Passport Information Due May 7, 2017 *assumes the student will attend at least 5 fundraising events

24 What if we decide not to go? That s ok! You don t have to go to Jamaica to stay involved with Sonlight You can still perform with us in June at local concerts! Boot Camp 2017 Dates - TUMC Monday, 6/5 - Thursday, 6/8 Send-Off Sunday - June 6/11 - TUMC Monday, 6/12 Tentative Gainesville concert Tuesday, 6/13 OR Wednesday, 6/14 Tentative local concert (day trip)

25 FAQ What if my child gets sick? The cost of the trip includes medical insurance and healthcare will be sought. How safe is it? Very safe! We will stay in a gated home that has a night guard and grill over all windows. Does my child have to exchange money? They do not! Businesses will accept American money everywhere we go. I traveled with $100 cash, and it was more than enough for the entire week. What time zone is Jamaica in? Same time zone as Pensacola, FL an hour behind Gainesville.

26 Question & Answer Session Staff Members Present to Answer Questions Erin Cushing, Sonlight Director Andrew Mankin, Sonlight Assistant Director Steve Bingham, Sonlight Band Director Alice Wallis, Music & Worship Arts Director Ted Grueser, Missions Director Christina Bugos, Missions Admin Assistant Aaron Rousseau, Associate Pastor Julie Mishoe, Director of Student Ministries