Summer Mission Trips

Which summer 2027 mission trips are open?

Experience Mission (EM) has summer 2027 group mission trip weeks open in 18 communities across the U.S., the Caribbean, Central America, and southern Africa. Most trips run 6 to 10 days, with U.S. trips usually running Sunday through Friday, and per-person prices range from $475 to $1,595. Teams of 6 or more reserve a mission trip week by registering and paying an initial deposit. Weeks are filled in the order teams register.

The table below lists each community's 2027 summer weeks, cost per person, and group minimum (as of November 2, 2026). Each community name links to the trip details page, which shows the exact dates currently available and trip information, including EM's local ministry partners.

Submit An Interest Form View Available Summer Trips

Availability and prices checked November 2, 2026. Open weeks change as teams register, so each community page shows current dates.

Prefer to compare every community, regardless of trip dates? Browse all EM mission trips for communities, settings, and partners.

How much does a summer mission trip cost?

Summer 2027 trips range from $475 to $599 per person in the U.S., $795 to $895 in the Caribbean and Central America, and $1,395 to $1,595 in southern Africa. EM's trip costs cover lodging, food, all necessary work project materials, and in-country transportation on international trips.

Teams budget separately for travel to the community, background checks for all team members age 18+, and international entry or exit fees of about $25 to $45 per person. Registration includes a $100 per-person deposit and a $450 team registration fee. EM's fundraising guide for mission trip teams walks through raising support well before the first payment is due.

When should we book a summer 2027 trip?

EM reserves each trip for teams once they complete registration and pay the per-person deposit, so the earlier a team registers, the more weeks and communities they may be able to choose from. EM's registration and payment policy outlines three payment milestones, each counted back from the first day of the trip:

• 120 days out - 50% of the team's total balance (plus the team registration fee)
• 75 days out - 75% of the team's total balance
• 30 days out - 100% of the total balance

International teams also need to book group flights, which EM's mission trip planning guide lists at 3 to 5 months before departure. Work backward from the week you want, then submit the interest form and start fundraising conversations early enough to meet the first milestone.

How are summer trips different from the rest of the year?

While most EM mission trips look the same regardless of when you go, the main difference is the wide variety of ministry options available to groups in the summer months. All EM group mission trip communities are open for teams to serve in summer. The rhythm is the same across communities: a few days of service alongside local ministry partners, with time to reflect together each day. Most summer trips (June through August) end each day with an Evening Gathering of 30 to 60 minutes for worship, prayer, and reflection.

EM field staff prepare the trip in the community and handle lodging, food, and ministry project details. Your team leader prepares your team, then oversees and leads the group on the ground, relationally and logistically. Some communities also host teams in fall, winter, and spring; explore EM's spring break mission trips for what's available next spring.

Who can go on a summer mission trip?

Every audience EM serves can go in summer! Use the links below for specifics on mission trips for your age range or group type:

• Youth groups - Middle and high school groups of 6 or more
• High school teams - Community-by-community details for 9th grade and up
• College teams - College groups and campus ministries
• Adult teams - Adults of all ages, including retirees
• Families - Mixed-age groups with children from late elementary and up
• Church groups - Leaders deciding whether and how to send a team
• Catholic groups - Parishes and schools serving with EM

Every group needs at least one adult leader age 21 or older. Teams with minors follow the ratios on the youth and high school pages, and every adult is required to complete a background check under EM's background check policy.

How many people does our group need?

Most communities ask for 6 or more people, with some communities requiring different minimums: Belize 10, Rio Grande Valley 15, Puerto Rico and Namibia 5, and Cape Town and Pretoria 3. Groups of two to five people do not typically run, so call EM Support Staff at 888-475-6414 to learn more before assuming you can come with a smaller team.

Can an individual serve this summer?

Group mission trips are built for teams, and EM cannot match individuals with existing teams. Individuals ages 18 to 30 are welcome to apply to a summer IMMERSION program instead. 1-month IMMERSION programs fit inside a summer break or an early fall start, with launches in May and August and trips to Namibia, Uganda, South Africa, and Indonesia. The 3-month IMMERSION programs start in May, August, or January, with the May-start term to Namibia filling an entire college summer.

Young adults can also apply to join EM field staff as a paid Summer Missions Intern!

What is EM's approach to a summer mission trip?

Like all EM mission trips, summer mission trips join a community in motion, coming alongside local ministries and churches already serving their community year-round. Volunteer teams are invited to communities that are ready to host their group size, and volunteers are asked to follow EM's 7 Healthy Service Principles as they approach serving in a new community. Pre-trip cross-cultural training materials are provided to all teams to facilitate important conversations about loving our neighbors and seeing the image of God in all people, regardless of their past or circumstances.

Summer Mission Trips FAQ

Reserve your summer 2027 mission trip week!

Pick a community, then submit an interest form, and an EM Support team member will walk you through community details and group registration.

Written and reviewed by Experience Mission Staff - Updated: November 2026