Service Trips
EXPERIENCES THAT HELP STUDENTS GROW THEIR FAITH THROUGH SERVICE
Some of the biggest moments of impact you’ll have with your students won’t be a result of something you said to them, but of something you experienced together. When teenagers get to step out of their comfort zone and put their faith into action, they see the world in new ways. The challenges facing communities that they hear about in the news stop being divisive talking points and start becoming places where God can use them - even now- to impact the lives of others.
Since 1994, we’ve gone into communities and developed authentic, lasting relationships in the places we serve. Each year we work with local leaders who understand the real needs of their city and design trips around the goals they have. We go into communities by invitation only and stay for years – sometimes decades –in order to build meaningful partnerships.
It’s more than a trip; it’s about the transformation that takes place in the hearts of young people when they experience God through serving others.
“This is our third year partnering with YouthWorks to create a mission trip for our students, and we are grateful to have the chance to develop a strong partnership. Returning to the community each year, developing relationships with local ministries as well as YouthWorks staff, has made a huge difference in the lives of our students and our missions program.”
– 2025 TRIP LEADER
BAY AREA, CA
SAN DIEGO, CA
WACO, TX
FORT WORTH,
SOUTH TEXAS
RAPID CITY, SD
DULUTH, MN
SD
TWIN CITIES, MN
INDIANAPOLIS, IN MILWAUKEE, WI
CHICAGO, IL
KANSAS CITY, MO
RUTLAND/GREEN MOUNTAINS, VT
NIAGARA FALLS, NY
DETROIT, MI
HARRISBURG, PA
TX
ST. LOUIS, MO
LOUISVILLE, KY
NASHVILLE, TN
BIRMINGHAM, AL
CHARLESTON, WV
LOGAN COUNTY, WV
BROOKLYN, NY
PHILADELPHIA, PA
EASTERN SHORE, VA
BAYOU LA BATRE, AL WILMINGTON, NC
SAVANNAH, GA
PUERTO RICO
ARECIBO, PUERTO RICO
SAN JUAN,
Three Ways to Serve
1 2 3
Pre-Packaged
Weeklong summer trips focused on serving the immediate needs of the community alongside local partners.
• Choose from 15 locations
• 6 days, 5 nights
• Offered during the summer
• Middle School & High School Students
• On-site support from Community Hosts
Custom
• Includes lodging & food
• Daily service time with local partners
• Inspiring programming
• Community Activities
• Starting at $469/per person
Year-round trips where we provide housing & service opportunities. You plan the schedule and activities that are perfect for your group.
• Choose from 30+ locations
• Custom trip length based on your needs & budget
• Available for all ages & group types
Service Learning
• Includes lodging
• Service opportunities with local partners
• You choose your schedule and programming
Trips that allow you to learn from an expert about immigration, food insecurity, or racial justice in a hands-on way, and serve with partners dedicated to tackling the challenges related to the topic.
• Choose from 3 focus topics
• 5 days, 4 nights
• Offered during Spring Break and Summer
• Available for high schoolers & young adults
• Includes lodging & food
• Includes museum admission (where applicable)
• Led by an Expert Guide and a Community Host
• Starting at $600/per person
Pre-Packaged Trips
These weeklong summer trips are designed to take the guesswork out of planning a mission trip. Your group will have the chance to serve with our long-term local partners, participate in evening programming, and choose evening activities that introduce you to the community in unique ways.
Each summer has a theme that’s meant to connect the experiences of each day to a deeper spiritual truth. We also provide helpful conversation starters that allow leaders to process the trip with their students.
On a Pre-packaged trip, young people from diverse backgrounds and denominations collaborate to serve the community together.
Each location has Community Hosts on site who assist with logistics and communication with partners.
IDEAL FOR:
• Busy leaders who want us to handle the logistics
• Groups that enjoy serving with others from across the country
• Middle Schoolers
• High Schoolers
• Combined youth groups
“I think our students realized that they could make an impact in their own communities because they all loved serving so much.”
– HEATHER, 2025 TRIP LEADER
“The
relationships YouthWorks has with community partners is something we could not achieve on our own.”
– JAMIE, CHURCH STAFF MEMBER
Custom Trips
Custom trips offer you year-round mission trip options that are completely customizable and easy to organize. With more than 30 locations across the United States, there are options for everyone and during all seasons of the year.
YouthWorks provides lodging and sets up service opportunities with our long-term local partners. These trips are for all ages - youth, young adults, families, church small groups, and more.
A Custom trip lets you determine the details of your schedule and lead your own programming focused on the spiritual needs of your group.
IDEAL FOR:
• Leaders who want to use their own curriculum
• Groups that prefer to be the only group on site
• Spring Break and Fall Retreats
• Youth Groups
• College Age Groups
• Young Adults Ministries
• Families who want to serve together
NEW for 2026 Service Learning Trips
Immigration, food insecurity, racial justice. These are so much more than hot-button topics on social media. Behind every headline, there are real people made in God’s image.
Service Learning Trips allow your group to get close to the leaders on the forefront of these issues and understand the people most impacted.
You’ll be led by an Expert Guide who has a deep knowledge and passion for the issue. Each trip is designed to be active and engaging – no dry lectures here. You’ll visit historical sites, museums, and local non-profits.
Along the way, you’ll also have opportunities to roll up your sleeves and serve with organizations who are dedicated to working for the good of their community and are addressing the very topic you’ve been learning about.
IDEAL FOR:
• Groups who want a deeper understanding of a specific topic
• People who want to see how their faith connects to these issues
• High School Groups
• College Age Groups
• Young Adult Groups
What makes Service Learning different from other mission trips?
Service Learning trips connect teenagers and young adults to the issues they care about. During a Service Learning trip, everything revolves around the focus issue, allowing your group to do a deep dive into that world. The combination of learning from an expert, serving with organizations who address the specific challenge, and being immersed in the history of the community creates a powerful experience. Your group will leave with deeper compassion and practical ways to be involved in the work.
LEARN MORE ››
Immigration
In partnership with Border Perspective
There’s a good chance that your students know someone impacted by the immigration conversation from recent years. As the issue has become more and more polarizing, many young people have been left wondering what their faith has to say about their response to immigrants. This trip will introduce your group to history, biblical context, non-profit organizations serving immigrants, and even the unique perspective of Border Patrol officers. Your students will discover that loving and serving others transcends the cultural and political lines that seek to divide us.
WHERE YOU CAN SERVE:
• South Texas
Food Insecurity
In partnership with Central Storehouse
It’s estimated that 1 in 7 households in the United States struggle with food insecurity, or the lack of access to enough food for a healthy lifestyle. Often, groups like children, seniors, and veterans are the most affected. This Service Learning trip will open your students’ eyes to the reality facing millions of Americans and dispel myths and narrow stereotypes they may have encountered.
WHERE YOU CAN SERVE:
• Fort Worth, TX
Racial Justice
In partnership
with The Center for Restorative Justice
Explore the vibrant history of the Civil Rights movement and learn about Christian advocates for racial justice throughout the years. You’ll see places that were pivotal during the fight for justice and leave with a deeper understanding of how Jesus followers can still be part of unifying people of all races and backgrounds today. In a world where much of the conversation is happening from behind keyboards, this experience will bring you close and offer you tangible ways to be part of ongoing racial reconciliation.
WHERE YOU CAN SERVE:
• Montgomery, AL
• LA County, CA
Savannah, GA
About the Community:
From Savannah’s architecture and art to its gardens and parks to the large oak trees with Spanish moss framing the streets, Savannah has an enchanting, dramatic quality unlike any other urban center. Each year, millions of visitors come to experience its Southern charm.
WHY SERVE:
YouthWorks has been serving in Savannah since 2000. In Savannah we partner with local organizations to serve those experiencing homelessness, assist with hands-on projects, and meet other needs in the community. We have strong connections in Savannah, and our partners are looking forward to our groups returning for another season.
TYPES OF TRIPS OFFERED:
Pre-Packaged (High School), Custom (Middle School, High School, Young Adults, Families)
WHAT TO EXPECT:
*All information regarding service and community engagement activities are subject to change
Home repair projects
Working with food banks
Clothing distribution
Support local organizations for the homeless
SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY:
Towns and cities in the South, in general, move at a slower pace. People here really value the time spent together in relationship. You’ll have the opportunity to sit down and hear the stories of the community, interact with the local community and learn from the rich history while meeting tangible needs as well.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
Swim at Tybee Island Beach • Visit & Tour First African Baptist Church • Stroll through Savannah’s Historic District & Forsyth Park • Savannah National Wildlife Refuge • Explore River Street • Grab a sweet treat at the famous Leopold’s Ice Cream • Old Fort Jackson
San Juan, Puerto Rico
About the Community:
Puerto Rico has a unique history and dynamic culture. Although the casual tourist doesn’t see the economic and systemic challenges the communities face, our community partners will guide you through an experience that unpacks both the beauty and the struggle as you serve. You’ll find friendly faces, welcome arms, and lots of learning opportunities as you support local leaders making a real, lasting impact.
WHY SERVE:
Since 2003, YouthWorks has fostered and maintained relationships with churches, ministries, social service agencies and local leaders in this community. During your time in Puerto Rico, you will get to learn from and serve alongside local organizations serving the elderly population, working with children, as well as supporting homeowners and churches through yardwork, painting and minor home repair projects.
TYPES OF TRIPS OFFERED:
Pre-Packaged (High School), Custom* (Middle School, High School, Young Adults, Families)
*Limited Custom trip availability. Reach out soon to secure your spot.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
*All information regarding service and community engagement activities are subject to change
Engage in local language & culture
Relational ministry opportunities
Complete painting projects for community members
Support local organizations
SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY:
Serving in Puerto Rico offers participants a rich cultural immersion through service, language, and learning opportunities. Being immersed in a place where Spanish is the primary language gives you an opportunity to step into a genuine cross-cultural experience.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
Salsa dancing lessons • Visit the beach • Hear from a community leader • Participate in a community night
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT: Nashville, TN
About the Community:
Known as “Music City,” the music scene has historically dominated the reputation of Nashville, which is home to major music labels, rising stars and the Grand Ole’ Opry. Besides having great food and music, Nashville is also known as the “Vatican of the Protestant Faith” because of the many denominational headquarters located here.
WHY SERVE:
YouthWorks has partnered with this community since 2010. Your group will have a variety of service opportunities, including working with local organizations through food and clothing distribution and sorting, spending time with the elderly, community beautification projects and helping facilitate youth programming. In the evenings, explore downtown Nashville and/or spend time at Centennial Park, taking pictures at the Parthenon and relaxing on the lawn.
TYPES OF TRIPS OFFERED:
Custom (Middle School, High School, Young Adults, Families)
WHAT TO EXPECT:
*All information regarding service and community engagement activities are subject to change
Community beautification projects
Spending time with the elderly
Clothing distribution
Support youth programming
SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY: Nashville is about more than music. It’s also a city with art museums, creative murals, and even a rich Civil Rights history.
FUN THINGS TO DO:
Downtown Nashville • Centennial Park • The Parthenon
Lake Traverse Reservation, SD
About the Community:
The Lake Traverse Reservation is located in the northeast area of South Dakota, near the Minnesota border. The Reservation is home to the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, part of the larger band of Dakota Sioux.
WHY SERVE:
YouthWorks has been serving on the Lake Traverse Reservation since 2005. Students will learn about broader American history and begin conversations regarding poverty and the present and historical realities of life for Indigenous people. Spending time on the Lake Traverse Reservation serves as a good introduction to the social and racial issues prominent in many reservations in the U.S. and can function as a springboard to learn the lesser- known history of our nation.
TYPES OF TRIPS OFFERED:
Pre-Packaged (Middle School, High School)
WHAT TO EXPECT:
*All information regarding service and community engagement activities are subject to change
Community beautification projects
Yard work projects
Minor home repairs
Working with local organizations
SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY:
Groups who go to Lake Traverse often tell us that hearing stories from the Dakota people was the highlight of their week.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
Roy Lake State Park • Nicollet Tower Outlook • Dakota 38 movie
Resource Library
FREE MISSION TRIP RESOURCES
These resources will guide you through the essentials of student and volunteer preparation, learning activities to engage groups in a dialogue about what healthy and respectful service looks like, and will help provide you a framework that empowers your ministry to use its mission trip as a catalyst for the growth of your group. Click on the resources to the right to view more details about each, or click the button to download all of them right away.
YW Store
Did you know that when you shop the YouthWorks Store, you support the ongoing work that you started on your mission trip? You become a part of the bigger story of the Gospel at work in the community you served. A portion of the proceeds from all store purchases go to our Kingdom Fund which supports our ministry and the communities that we partner with.
We have tons of great products available on the YouthWorks Store including shirts, hats, resources and other stylish swag.
