HSM MISSION TRIP FAQ UPDATED 3/10/2021
Is a trip to Miami, including air travel, a good idea considering COVID? As of the release of this document, we have been watching the current trends and things have been on the decrease. With vaccines continuing to be distributed, we are hoping COVID will become less and less of a factor in our trip. We will be taking the necessary COVID precautions during the pre-trip preparations and while on the trip. In making our decision, we sought the council of parents and church leadership, and, through prayer, sense God opening doors in Miami. For families who would prefer a closer trip, we are offering an Omaha Mission Trip this summer as well. What COVID precautions will be in place in Miami? As we have talked with Envision Miami, we have decided that our team will wear masks while out in the community doing ministry, when traveling, etc. There will also be extra sanitation and cleaning taking place throughout the trip. Because our group will be interacting closely with one another at the ministry center, in our dorms, and while eating, masks will be optional for students while we are just with our group. What will you do if a student gets COVID or is in a situation where they need to quarantine on the trip? This was the biggest factor we wrestled with while considering Miami. There are multiple options and none are perfect. Although we hope someone getting COVID or needing to quarantine never happens, it’s still possible. Here’s some of what we’ll be considering and the final decision will be based on all the known factors at the time. • If the situation involves one student, some parents have said they could come to Miami, get their student, and bring them home. • If it involves multiple students, HSM staff will consider renting a vehicle and driving them home. We have not built the potential extra cost of these situations into what we are asking students to raise, so, if there is a cost involved (renting a vehicle, gas, etc), we will ask the families of the student(s) involved to help cover the additional expenses, if at all possible. The money could come from extra that was fundraised or through the family providing the finances. How many students can go on the Miami trip? As of now, due to COVID, we have a max limit of 35 students and leaders. What if we sign up, and there’s no space? We hope a ton of students want to serve and make a difference, and that’s part of the reason we are also having an Omaha Mission Trip! Students over the max number are strongly encouraged to come on the Omaha trip. It’s much cheaper, there’s great need in our own city, and it will prepare them to serve God in their daily lives and on future trips. Omaha might not be as “cool” as Miami in a student’s mind, but we don’t think that should be a major factor in a student’s decision to participate.