Overview
The Project Preteen, in collaboration with The Project St. Louis, with OneTeam International, is designed specifically for preteens ages 11-12 (must be 11 by Aug 1, 2024). The Project Preteen will engage preteens in the opportunity to step out and share the gospel with peers and younger children.
All the prep work/logistics of finding locations to do ministry, sleep, and eat are done for you! The main ministry of The Project Preteen is Backyard Kids Clubs in neighborhoods, apartment complexes, mobile home complexes and parks. At every level, we want to empower the children’s ministers involved with the project, so ministry locations can run as the spirit leads each minister individually. We will, of course, have an overall schedule enabling each children’s ministry to benefit the maximum amount from the entire process (i.e. corporate worship, preaching of the word, etc.)
Cost
The cost for The Project Preteen is $125 per person (student & adult sponsors). This fee includes all meals and snacks during the project, $10 for a meal on Tuesday evening (please note schedule), meals for VBS children, a t-shirt, accommodations (the floor of a missions center), showers, some ministry needs, and specialized training. Please remember you will be responsible for all travel and expenses to and from The Project Preteen, including your transportation on the field.
In order to help offset the costs for children’s ministers who would like to include their families, we do not charge for the children’s minister's (or main group leader’s) spouse and children 11 years of age and under. However, we ask that you include these individuals on your rosters, so we can plan for food, lodging, and t-shirt quantities.
Deadlines and Required Forms
Intent Form: March 1, 2024
Deposit: $25 per participant by June 1, 2024
Please make all checks payable to One Team International.
Mail deposits to: One Team International
P.O. Box 177
Fenton, MO 63026
Forms: Along with your June 1 deposit, please send your rosters, medical release forms and prayer coordinator forms. Forms can be found online at https://www.oneteam.one/forms.
Balance Due: July 7th, 2024. You will need to bring this with you to The Project Preteen.
Roster Changes: If you have any additions to your roster after the June 1st deposit due date, you can bring the full amount due for each additional participant with you. If you have students drop after your deposit has been sent, your final balance will be reduced by this amount.
Ratios, Meals, & Accommodations
Ratio: Leader-to-Preteen ratio should be 1 adult leader for every 5 preteens.
Accommodations: Church groups will be staying at a host church or lodging site specifically for preteen teams. There will be one section of the building to accommodate females and another area for males. Boys will not be allowed in the girls section and vice versa.
Preteens will be required to always move in the buildings in groups of three and should never be in rooms without an adult leader present.
We are sleeping at the church on the floor. Bring sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, and an air mattress (twin size only).
Showering: We are showering in community-style showers. If you do not feel comfortable with showering in front of others, you may want a swimsuit.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner will be served at the host church with participants from The Project St. Louis (students). Lunch will be on site after children from the ministry site are served.
If your church is able, please send one kitchen helper for every twelve youth/adults in your group. Again, these helpers come at no cost. Their sole responsibility during the week is to serve as kitchen help. They will not be able to help at ministry sites because of the importance of their role.
Special Food Needs/Allergies: We have tried our best to keep the overall cost as low as possible. For this reason, most food for meals is bought in bulk. If you have a student with a food allergy, we may not be able to fully accommodate. All food may contain or come in contact with nuts, soy, wheat, dairy, and other common ingredients. If you have a student with a severe allergy or in need of a special diet, please be sure that student brings any sort of medication needed for the condition and inform the student to bring any food needed for a special diet. Our cooks will try their best to make room in the kitchen for such circumstances. Please contact One Team International about any special circumstances, such as these, at the time of registration or at your earliest knowledge.
Medical Needs
There will be medical professionals on the Mission Trip at the location where you will be staying. All medications must be turned in to this person upon arrival at the church. All medications are required to be in their original containers. All medication must be in a resealable bag with the child’s name and church labeled on the bag along with detailed dosage instructions inside.
Participant Expectations
Expectation of Preteens
Having regular daily quiet times (If preteens are making an effort and showing attention to spiritual disciplines, they should be included on the trip.)
Faithfully memorizing memory verses
Faithfully attending preteen meetings on a weekly basis
Participating in training on all aspects detailed below
Not a discipline problem at home or church (Churches must understand that if a child is a discipline problem during the mission trip, the child’s parents will be contacted and required to pick their child up at the Mission Trip location and take them home.)
Expectations of Leadership
Member of your church for at least six months
Faithfully doing daily quiet times
Faithfully memorizing memory verses
All leaders are required to have a Criminal Background Check
Trained and able to use training materials detailed below
Safety/Security and General Guidelines
Every adult leader on the trip must go through a background check to participate.
Please see https://www.oneteam.one/forms for information and links for background checks.
Churches will be provided accommodations within the host church that are separate from other churches.
All students and leaders will be trained on a safety and security plan to follow at sites and while at the host church.
Electronics, including cell phones, should not be brought on the trip. While each church’s leadership will have the final say regarding if a preteen is allowed to bring a cell phone, we discourage them and expect cell phones to remain out of sight unless use is absolutely necessary.
Preparation and Coaching
Discipleship is a key component of mission trip engagement. Readiness for The Project Preteen will require each children’s ministry leader to participate in coaching provided for you with the MBC Children’s Ministry Strategist. Through coaching, leaders can expect to be provided tools, tips and support in preparing preteens for being on mission. Coaching will take the form of monthly zoom meetings and email correspondence.