Q. Is room and board included in the cost of $1,700?
A. Yes! During the entire 11-week program your room and board costs are covered in addition to travel within your ministry area.

Q. Do I need to come for the entire 11 weeks?
A. It is important to attend the entire program length.  The first ten days are designed to train you for the eight weeks of ministry that will follow.  During this time you will be assigned to a team and will become an important member.  Leaving the team at the middle of the summer will affect how the team functions and could create difficulty in fulfilling their responsibilities for the remaining weeks of ministry.  

Q. What kind of training is involved for ten days?
A. Our training covers three components:  Spiritual, Cultural and Practical.  The spiritual component consists of morning devotions and a challenge from a guest speaker.  Prayer groups and prayer partners help to focus your attention and prepare you for the spiritual battle ahead.  The cultural component will assist you in understanding the people you will be working with and how to relate as an outsider coming into their villages.  The practical component will train you for working with your team holding Vacation Bible School and also prepare you to become a camp counselor for a portion of your summer.  

Q. What camps do you work with?
A. Each village team should expect to spend two or three weeks as camp counselors.  SEND North partners with Bible camps in remote areas where kids come to have fun and learn about Christ.  Being a camp counselor is an ideal way to build relationships with kids outside of their normal village setting and show them how to live a Christ-honoring lifestyle.
 

Q. What is the size of a village team?

A.  A typical team can be 3-5 members.  Much depends on our total number of summer missionaries and what the village and camp needs are for the summer. 

Q.  When can you tell me what team I will be on for the summer? 

A.  We do not assign teams until the beginning of the second week of training.  We need to spend time getting to know you and determine the best place where you can serve taking into consideration your gifts and talents. 

Q. Will I have to raise support in order to join your program?
A. The cost of our program is low enough that you could pay for it yourself.  However, raising support is an important step in becoming a missionary.  We have found that when supporters give financially to your summer ministry, they are praying for you as well. Therefore, we encourage you to develop a circle of prayer and financial supporters.

Q. How do you begin to raise support and prayer partners?
A. After you have been accepted into our program, we will send you material that will provide you with helpful information and the steps you need to take to raise financial support and prayer partners.  

Q. What happens to the funds that I raise over and above the required amount?
A. All funds donated to our program remain under the control of SEND North.  There are expenses that can be reimbursed to you from excess funds in your support account that fall within IRS guidelines such as your airfare to Anchorage, Alaska.

Q.  Why do I have to pay (or raise support) if I am  volunteering? 

A.  There are costs associated with the program such as food, living accommodations and travel expenses to name a few.  Some of these expenses are covered by donors who contribute to SEND.  However, not all of the costs are met.  Therefore, as a step of faith and learning the practical aspects of missionary life, we ask everyone who wants to participte in the program to raise part of the cost as missionary support.  

Q. Can my summer be used to satisfy an internship requirement for school?
A. Yes!  Many summer internships require only six weeks of practical ministry.  Our program is ideal for missions or youth ministry majors.  We can work with your faculty advisor and provide supervision on the field as required.

Q. What kind of screening do you do to work with children?
A. After being accepted, we perform background checks on all of our summer missionaries.  Our training includes education in child protection so that our workers are aware of the legal and moral standards of behavior when working with children.

Q. Do you have a debrief at the end?
A. Yes! After the eight weeks of ministry,  everyone returns to Glennallen for a few days of debrief and preparing for your return home.  The final three days are spent camping at Denali National Park where you will have the opportunity to ride the shuttle bus, hike or relax in one of the most beautiful settings on earth!  This is an incredible time to reflect on the wonders of God’s creation while processing the lessons He has taught you over the past ten weeks and helps to bring needed closure to an intense and life-changing summer missionary experience.
   
Q. Do you have any other opportunities that would be shorter in length?
A. If you can only come for two or three weeks, we would try to find a place where you can serve.  There are ministries that are looking for people willing to come for various lengths of time and we can assist you in finding them.  Please give us a call! (907) 822-3291 ext. # 22