Mission Trip Safety

With good weather and vacations from school and work, summer brings many mission opportunities for churches. This article addresses safety considerations for short-term mission trips, including trips out of country. Although these trips can be valuable and spiritual experiences, as well as a lot of fun, it is important to recognize the possible risks involved with mission trips and how to prepare for those risks.

Risks are Real
When traveling to an unfamiliar location there is always the potential for risk. Depending on the location, crime may be elevated and/or political or cultural differences may put participants at greater risk than in this country. In addition, places like hospitals, police stations and help centers could operate differently than in the U.S. It is important to plan ahead for all possible risks, such as a vehicle accident, illness, kidnapping, robbery, natural disaster or even a state of political unrest. If an unfortunate event does happen on the mission trip, research and planning will aid your church and mission travelers in the long run. While risks will vary depending on the location of the mission trip, it is the responsibility of church leaders to realize and assess possible risks as part of the planning process before the trip begins.

Do Your Research
The church needs to adequately research the mission trip destination to ensure that the trip will be safe for travelers and to lower the possibility of surprise for the group. Through research, the church should learn possible health risks, dangers and cultural norms. If the mission trip is taking place in a foreign country, research should be conducted on issues, such as immunizations, laws and customs. Important travel information can be found on the U.S. Department of State website, including consular information sheets, travel warnings and public announcements. Also be sure to share your research with the entire travel group through briefing meetings before the trip.

Develop Concrete Guidelines
By developing written guidelines for your trip, the planning process will be more organized and should work to reduce the risk for trip participants. Here are some guidelines your church should consider determining before starting to plan a mission trip:

• Decide which church leaders will need to approve the trip plans;
• Make a written proposal for the trip for church leaders to approve;
• Select requirements for travelers, such as age, health and experience;
• Conduct background checks on traveling adults and determine their duties for the trip;
• Decide what kinds of documents travelers must provide prior to the trip;
• Designate a contact person, not on the trip, who will communicate between the church, the travelers and their family members;
• Have each traveler receive a physical examination from their physician, including any needed immunizations and prescriptions, at least six weeks before the trip to ensure their health; and
• Establish procedures for emergency situations.

Transportation
Travel to and from the mission trip, as well as transportation during the trip, should be considered. If driving, only experienced drivers who have been screened through motor vehicle records checks should be utilized. Consider alternatives to 12- or 15-passenger vans, such as mini-buses or coach buses. License requirements, driving rules and customs can vary widely by country, so be prepared. And just because you are out of the country does not mean relaxing safety rules, such as the use of seat belts and avoiding distracted driving.

Mission Trip Insurance
In some instances, churches may want to consider purchasing extra insurance for the mission trip, covering such exposures as foreign travel liability coverage and foreign auto liability coverage. Talk to your insurance agent or broker about mission trip insurance.

By following these tips, your mission trip promises to be a rewarding and safe experience for everyone involved.

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