Carefully heed the signature and escort requirements on the form for teens 14, 15, 16, and 17 years of age.
Age 14 must be accompanied by parent, guardian, or other family member (over age 25) who signs an agreement accepting responsibility for the health, safety, dress, and conduct of the youth. If it is not the parent or legal guardian accompanying the minor, we must have the parent/guardian's notarized signature of permission and release of responsibility.
Age 15-17 must be accompanied by an adult (over age 25) who signs an agreement to be responsible for the health, safety, dress, and conduct of the teen. Again, If it is not the parent or legal guardian accompanying the minor, we must have the parent/guardian's notarized signature of permission and release of responsibility.
3. NEXT, make out your $300 application/deposit check to NiCE. This deposit holds your place on the team.
You may pay more at this time, but remember, that in order to remain on the team, the balance is due no later than 60 days prior to departure.
4. Mail the following to us:
- $300 check made out to NiCE Foundation. It will be deposited when received.
- Your application is not valid or accepted without the above enclosures.
- NiCE will arrange all air transportation, unless advised otherwise by you now on your application.
- If you already have a valid passport, also mail us a copy of the photo page with your application.
5. PASSPORT:
- If you do not already have a valid passport (defined as one with 6 months or more left FROM THE LAST DAY OF YOUR TRIP before it expires), apply for one immediately. The airline will not allow you to travel to Nicaragua if you have less than 6 months left on your passport----don't miss the trip because of this!
- You may want to pay extra to have it expedited, if time is short. It will always take longer than you planned.
- You may NOT enter Nicaragua without a valid passport.
- Lack of a valid passport at the time of the trip is NOT a valid reason for refunding your money, so please make obtaining your passport a priority!
Mail a copy of your passport photo page to NiCE when it arrives. If your passport should be lost or stolen while you are on this trip, it will greatly expedite your being issued a new passport if your leader has a copy. If you choose not to provide your leader with a copy, you may find that your stay is somewhat lengthened and lonely while you await your new passport from the American Embassy.
NiCE Foundation
1405 Walnut Street
Highland, IL 62249
Billbeltz@hotmail.com
Phone: 618/882-6090
6. Medical Issues: Immunizations
- Check with your doctor for his/her recommendations.
- For your own protection, it is recommended that you are up to date on tetanus (a booster within the past 10 years), and hepatitis A (2 injections/6 months apart). You will be working in a third world country where third world medicine is practiced. You are taking responsibility for your own health and health care expenses while you are there. Prevention is the wisest course.
- Consult your physician now to be sure that there is time to follow his/her recommendations.
7. Additional instructions and information
Once we have received your complete application and deposit, we will
provide you with the additional information that you will need in order
to prepare for your trip.
I don't have any particular skills or talents. Can you still use me?
If you can hug a child, you can go! There are no specific skills or talents required to join one of our groups. We believe that our Lord has equipped each of us in a unique way---to be used for His purpose on a given trip.
I have a particular skill (medical, educational, musical, construction, etc.) that I would like to use while in Nicaragua. Will I have the opportunity?
There are many opportunities for using unique skills. Please let us know NOW what you have in mind, so that we can do our best to arrange it.
I have a group of people, am willing to lead them, but need a place to serve.
Can you help me?
We are glad that you asked!
We most certainly can help you.
Just click here to find out about leading your own group.
Do I need to be able to speak Spanish to come?
No, the majority of our team members (and leaders!) do not speak Spanish, but manage to have a very rewarding trip. It is also a great opportunity to refresh your brains with the few remaining words you have from that long-ago high school Spanish class----you know---the class that you didn't want to take because "I will NEVER use it!".
What ministries, projects, and activities can I expect to be involved with during a mission trip?
NiCE Foundation volunteers are involved in many different activities in Nicaragua. Our philosophy is to include workcampers in as many activities and experiences as possible in the short time while you are there. As you might expect, projects vary from workcamp to workcamp depending upon the needs and circumstances, which sometimes change from moment to moment! You may be involved in any or all of the following, as well as other activities as they come up:
Construction or repair of a school, church, or medical facility.
You may be working on a painting project---a building or rooms.
Visiting a Christian school, meeting the children, taking pictures of kids for their sponsors, distributing letters & photos from sponsors, possibly visiting in children's homes
Passing out donated items to a classroom of children at a time
·
Making & distributing layettes & hygiene kits to new mothers at a local public hospital
Visiting hospitalized children & giving them toys
Visiting or serving at a medical clinic (at a temporary or established site)
Helping with women's or children's ministry activities (bible schools or bible studies)
Spending a day sight-seeing in and around the greater Managua area
Attending church on Sunday
You can be certain of one thing---there will be changes and delays and constant variety on every trip! So hold on, chill out, and enjoy the trip!
Who may go on short-term mission trips (workcamps)?
All are welcome, after meeting certain guidelines:
Ages 14 and above.
Age 14 must be accompanied by parent, guardian, or other family member (over age 25) who signs an agreement accepting responsibility for the health, safety, dress, and conduct of the youth. If it is not the parent or legal guardian accompanying the minor, we must have the parent/guardian's notarized signature of permission and release of responsibility.
Age 15-17 must be accompanied by an adult (over age 25) who signs an agreement to be responsible for the health, safety, dress, and conduct of the teen. Again, If it is not the parent or legal guardian accompanying the minor, we must have the parent/guardian's notarized signature of permission and release of responsibility.
Is there any time when I may bring my family, including my children under the age of 14?
Yes, our yearly summer "Family Trip" is designed to accommodate families with younger children. The activities are geared specifically to involve children in ministry.
What is the cost of a mission trip, and when is the money due?
Due to rapidly rising airline ticket costs, each trip is priced at the time when we book the airline tickets. That assures that you will not be over or under charged for your trip. Call or email us for cost information about a specific trip.
A $300 non-refundable deposit is due with your application.
The balance is due 60 days before departure.
NO tickets will be purchased without full payment by this date.
What is included in this price?
Roundtrip airline ticket from our international departure city (Houston, Miami, or Atlanta, depending upon which airlines has the most reasonable ticket prices at the time of the trip)
Breakfasts & evening meals
Ground transportation (bus, van, or truck) while in Nicaragua
Dormitory housing
Entry to any tourist sights we may visit
What is NOT included in the trip price?
Meals while you are in transit to and from Managua
Airport fees, payable when you enter Managua (currently $5). Your exit fees (currently around $34) were paid when we purchased your airline ticket.
Snacks
Souvenirs
Most lunches will either be sandwiches on the work site or eaten at a local restaurant---cost about $3 per lunch.
If you are there on a Sunday, we usually eat at a mall food court.
How long is the trip?
The trips are usually 7-9 days in length.
Who will be my team leader?
Your team leader will be one or more of the following volunteers who live in the U.S., and are experienced team leaders:
Bill and Shirley Beltz, NiCE Foundation Co-Founders
We are thankful for additional experienced team members
who often assist us with the various mission teams.
To learn more about our volunteer staff, go to our HOME page ---then click on the gray LEADERSHIP button.
Always a good question to start!
Our groups land at Augusto Sandino International Airport in the capitol city of Managua. We stay on the south edge of Managua, and our projects are in the greater Managua area, and in the town of Jinotepe, about an hour's bus ride away.
Where will I stay while in Nicaragua?
You will stay in a guesthouse with dormitory-style bunkbed sleeping. Sheets, pillows, and towels are provided.
What kind of food will I be eating?
Cooks provide meals which are a nice combination of Nica and American food.
Although the water is safe to drink in Managua, as an extra precaution, bottled water is provided for drinking.
What else, besides work, will I be doing?
Attending church
Seeing some of the country's local beauty and cultural attractions
Shopping at the local tourist market
Having morning group devotions and evening "sharing time" with the group
Are there rules that I must follow?
It is our goal for all team members to have a safe and pleasant experience, one which strengthens the work of the ministry in Nicaragua (since 1992).
The initial paperwork of committing to join a short-term mission team includes both an Application Form and a Code of Dress and Conduct Form (see below) which spell out your agreement to abide by certain safety, behavior, and dress code guidelines while on the mission trip. Consequences of not following the code are spelled out at well. For those under age 18, there is an additional form which must be filled out as well.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, a valid passport with more than 6 months left before it expires is required for entry into Nicaragua. Since 9/11 it has often taken longer than promised or expected to get new passports and renewed passports. Do not take the chance of missing the trip due to a lack of a valid passport. Order it NOW while it is early in your trip planning. For those over age 18, it is valid for 10 years.
