On your New York City mission trip, you’ll experience the hustle and bustle of the city, but also have time to slow down and better understand the real issues from ministry partners who are in it for the long haul. Although it is the financial capital of the world—an estimated 40,000 people sleep in city shelters every night, with thousands more sleeping on the streets. Your team will have the chance to hear their stories and be a part of ministries like The Salvation Army who are making a difference through soup kitchens, day camp, Bible studies, and person-to-person prayer in the streets.
Urban mission trips in the U.S. can provide a challenging, cross-cultural experience for your team, and New York is a true melting pot of people from around the world. You’ll feel like locals as you immerse in a bustling urban environment, just a short subway ride from Times Square. Throughout the week, your team will walk the city blocks and ride public transportation to serve with ministries throughout Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. As you engage with local ministries, you’ll see real needs but you’ll also be a part of making people feel valued and heard.
Will you join a 2024 mission trip to New York and be a picture of hope to those on the fringes of society in America’s largest city?
This is a highly relational trip with many opportunities for engagement. Possible activities include working with underprivileged youth and people experiencing homelessness. You also may do lighter service projects such as minor repairs, cleaning & sorting, painting, and yard work.
Teams coming to this community will participate in Kids Club! In this community, connecting with the local children through children's ministry is an important part of what we do each day. Experience Mission will provide the curriculum for your teams use. This Kids Club curriculum will be sent out to Team Leaders in the spring via email. Your team may be asked to participate in multiple Kids Clubs and avenues of ministering to children.
Teams will be responsible to bring the craft supplies needed for their specific crafts and should budget appropriately. While we do our best to make sure the craft materials are cost-effective, teams may feel free to augment any materials to make them more suitable for their budget. Experience Mission will supply scissors, staplers, and paper hole punches. There are plenty of opportunities to connect with local children through games like soccer or Frisbee. Tuck in a hackysack, football or jump rope as they are sure to come in handy.
*Experience Mission works closely with local leaders to identify work projects and ministry opportunities that address authentic needs within the community. We ask that you come with a servant's heart and willingness to adapt to the unique qualities represented in each location. Opportunities can vary significantly from one week to the next. Your team may work at one location or serve at multiple locations each day. Due to the changing needs of our community partners, we cannot confirm your specific activities until your team arrives.
Each morning, there is time set aside for devotions and quiet time. Each morning, there is time set aside for devotions and quiet time. This is a valuable time and we strongly encourage everyone to spend it with God journaling their thoughts and experiences as the days unfold. EM will provide a physical or printable devotional journal.
Our staff will lead a time of debriefing and a short devotional in the evening (what we call "Evening Gathering") and it is always a great addition to have musical worship. Our programming does not include musical worship as we can't guarantee that our our staff will have this ability. Please let us know if you have anyone who sings or plays guitar on your trip so that we can help to coordinate the musical aspect of worship when able. If teams aren't able to help in the area of music, it may not be a part of the trip.
Each day, there will be a varying schedule of work and outreach.
Curious about EM's ability to accommodate specific food restrictions? View EM's Food Policy
Your teams transportation to, from and while in New York City is not covered. Parking is limited in NYC so please plan to bring as few vehicles as possible. 12 passenger vans are ideal. No buses, including mini buses are allowed. We do not have locations to store buses or trailers. Your team will be using The Metro throughout your week in NYC and the cost will need to be covered by your team. Prices vary so you should check into the cost of a one-week Metro card & budget appropriately.
Check out EM's current Covid Guidance
Wondering what all goes on during our New York City mission trips? You're not alone! Here's a list of frequently asked questions about this trip.
What age group can you accommodate in New York City?
This trip is open for high school and older. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate junior high students. Check out our list of available trips for jr. high students.
How much do New York City mission trips cost?
The cost for this trip is $450/person for 2023. This includes all lodging, food, staffing, and trip-related expenses.
What seasons do you offer New York City mission trips?
Mission trips to New York are available during the summer. Check out this list of all available spring break trips if you are looking for trips outside the summer months.
What will volunteers do on a mission trip to New York City?
Teams in NYC split their time between local ministries with a focus on building relationships. You can expect to work with children's outreach, food ministry, homeless ministries, and minor home repair projects. In addition to this, your team will spend time learning about the history and context for ministry in New York.
Will we work with children in New York City?
Yes! Kids Club is an integral part of the ministry in NYC. Once registered, your support person will provide you with resources to prepare.
What paperwork is required for this mission trip?
Each team member will need to fill out a team member registration form and liability waiver, and all adults are required to pass a background check. Additionally, some of our partners require extra waivers for volunteer opportunities. These will be available once you register.
Where will my team stay?
Teams will stay in vacant classrooms at a local church. Plan on bringing air mattresses for added comfort. Showers and meals will be available at this location.
How does transportation work during New York City mission trips?
For this location, we require teams to utilize public transportation. Each individual team member should purchase a week-long unlimited MetroCard for around $35. This is a fun chance to not only conveniently navigate the city, but also to get a glimpse into everyday life in New York.
When should I arrive?
Check-in is between 3 and 5 PM on the first day of your selected trip. Our staff will be awaiting your arrival. You can expect dinner and an orientation meeting to get you ready for the week that evening as well.
What should I pack for this trip?
A packing list will be available to you once you register for the trip.
Does EM have any Covid requirements for teams?
We ask that teams bring 1-2 masks/person and 2-4 rapid tests in the event that someone on your team becomes sick during the trip. Outside of that, we simply recommend that teams follow current CDC recommendations regarding travel, testing, and what to do if you're exposed or get sick. View EM's Current Covid Guidance
Does EM offer any other urban mission trips?
Yes! We also currently offer trips to New Haven, Connecticut, Atlanta, and Chicago.
Have more questions about Experience Mission trips? Check out our general FAQs, or call our support team at 888-475-6414.
Experience Mission has specific policies regarding registration and withdrawal. Please refer to the document below for specifics.
INDIVIDUALS
All volunteers on a week-long EM mission trip must be part of a team of at least six (6) people, with at least one team member age 21 or older to serve as the Team Leader. Not part of a group? All young adults ages 18-30 are eligible to apply for EM’s IMMERSION program.
Dont hit a snag in your mission trip planning! Fill out an interest form or call (888) 475-6414 (Mon-Thu, 9am-5pm ET) to ask questions and learn more about upcoming EM mission trips.
1
Fill out a Group Interest Form
Only takes a minute! Simply choose the community and trip dates you’re most interested in—no commitment necessary.
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We’ll personally follow up with you this week
Answering your questions and walking you through the process of finding the best trip, registering your group, and preparing to serve together.
3
You and your team serve on a cross-cultural mission trip!
Organized and led by EM field staff or local partners, your trip will bring encouragement and light to people in difficult circumstances, as you learn what it means to care for all people, whoever and wherever you are.
Read our Mission Trip FAQ and Registration Policy. If you have additional questions or don't see the dates you're looking for, fill out an interest form for the trip closest to what you're hoping for and let us know the needs of your group.
Download the free EM Fundraising Guide for all our best tips and ideas for making fundraising for your next trip fun and easy.
Download our free Fundraising Guide for all our best tips and ideas for making fundraising for your next trip fun and easy.
You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.
For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.