are you ready for 2026?Serve Boldly is excited to add new locations in 2026! Youth completed grades 6-12, will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of God’s presence in their lives, all while strengthening their relationships with one another and sharing in God’s mission together. Please note that some locations are for completed grades 8-12 only.
In the meantime, we welcome ministry leaders to start imagining your group accompanying and serving our neighbors at one of the 2026 community partners listed below:
Trip Cost2026 pricing is not yet set. 2025 full-week trips are $450 per participant. 2025 half-week trips are $270 per participant.
All summer youth trips include:
Groups are responsible for bringing a First Aid Kit and ensuring each participant arrives with a twin-sized air/camp mattress, bedding, and towels. Groups are also responsible for providing vehicles and costs necessary to travel to and from the Serve Boldly site as well as daily travel to and from the housing site, shower location, evening activities, and service organizations. This includes but is not limited to gasoline, parking fees, tolls, tickets, etc. HOW TO BOOK A TRIP FOR 2026Beginning August 5 at 9 am CT, the Trip Leader will be able to submit information via our website. The Trip Leader will need to enter the following information:
On September 2, 2025, Serve Boldly will notify groups of their assigned week via an emailed contract. Assignments are made based on a variety of factors including group reservation queue and site capacity. Most sites have a maximum capacity of 25-40 participants. If you anticipate a group size of more than 40 participants, please contact [email protected]. A signed contract, certificate of state tax exemption (if applicable) & a non-refundable deposit of $150 per participant is due within 30 days. The assigned week is reserved when BOTH the signed contract & deposit are received. Please note: If a church does not return a signed contract and full deposit within 30 days or at any point withdraws from their assigned week, the next church group on the list will be contacted. |
IMPORTANT datesAugust 5, 2025
Group Reservations open at 9 am CT September 2, 2025 Trip Assignments are made by Serve Boldly. Trip Leader receives Community Mission Plan & access to Trip Portal with planning resources. February 1, 2026 Deadline for ALL participants to complete online registration with Serve Boldly. March 2, 2026 Proof of Liability/Vehicle Insurance & Full Payment is Due 
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WHAT’S NEXT?
The Group Leader will receive a 2026 Community Mission Plan including a link & password to the Trip Leader Portal. The Portal will contain:
Curriculum information including the Worship Liturgies, Pre-Trip Devotion, 2026 Theme, Worship Guide, and Devotion Guide will be uploaded in the Spring.
Serve Boldly requires that all participants (youth and adults) complete online registration by February 1, 2026. A link for participants to register online is provided in the Trip Portal. Group Leaders are encouraged to share this link with participants ASAP. This deadline is extremely important to our staffing and program preparation; it also provides our housing sites with the utmost consideration.
Proof of liability insurance and full payment must be submitted by March 2, 2026.
All participants age 18+ at the time of the trip will be required to complete a criminal background check sent via email by Serve Boldly, a ministry of Green Lake Lutheran Ministries.
- A Trip Leader’s Guide to What’s Next
- Health Resources
- Packing List
- Sample Menu
- Youth Leadership Roles
- How to Order Customized Serve Boldly T-Shirts & Merchandise
- Link for Serve Boldly Merchandise
- Link for participants to register online
- Outline for Adult Leader Meeting
- Promotional Resources for Communities
Curriculum information including the Worship Liturgies, Pre-Trip Devotion, 2026 Theme, Worship Guide, and Devotion Guide will be uploaded in the Spring.
Serve Boldly requires that all participants (youth and adults) complete online registration by February 1, 2026. A link for participants to register online is provided in the Trip Portal. Group Leaders are encouraged to share this link with participants ASAP. This deadline is extremely important to our staffing and program preparation; it also provides our housing sites with the utmost consideration.
Proof of liability insurance and full payment must be submitted by March 2, 2026.
All participants age 18+ at the time of the trip will be required to complete a criminal background check sent via email by Serve Boldly, a ministry of Green Lake Lutheran Ministries.
insurance
For your protection, Serve Boldly requires proof of liability insurance and vehicle insurance from every church that registers for a trip. During the trip, you will not only be transporting your youth and leaders but also transporting Serve Boldly staff, as well as youth and leaders from other church groups to service locations and evening activities.
If you have concerns that your insurance does not cover your group while on the trip, contact your insurance agency ASAP. The following organizations provide trip insurance and/or medical insurance to groups or individuals.
If you have concerns that your insurance does not cover your group while on the trip, contact your insurance agency ASAP. The following organizations provide trip insurance and/or medical insurance to groups or individuals.
- travelguard.com (800) 826-4919
- travelprotectors.com (877) 515-9055
- churchfirst.com (888) 650-2685
cancellations
Cancellations of participants received between March 2, 2026 and 45 days before the group trip will receive a refund minus the $150 non-refundable deposit. All other cancellations are non-refundable. Exceptions may be made due to family emergencies and illness.
Health and safety
Safety is a priority! We take every precaution to ensure the safety of participants and staff. Staff are trained in CPR and First Aid; they are also trained to respect and maintain the privacy of participants and to reinforce a culture in which participants respect one another’s privacy. We rely on staff, adult, and youth participants to adhere to the following program policies (link) during the program.
Serve Boldly requires a minimum of one adult (age 21+) for every 5 youth; for youth groups that are 5 or fewer, we require a minimum of 2 adults. When choosing adult leaders for the trip, remember that you must provide adults to supervise the sleeping room(s) of your group. Supervision by two unrelated adults is required in any space where youth are sleeping. Space at each housing location may vary; congregation groups are not guaranteed their own rooms. Shared sleeping space is possible.
Serve Boldly will conduct a national (multi-site) criminal background check and sex offender registry check on any participant (adults or youth) and staff who will be 18 years or older at the time of the trip.
Serve Boldly requires proof of liability insurance and vehicle insurance from all contracted groups for your protection.
Serve Boldly requires a minimum of one adult (age 21+) for every 5 youth; for youth groups that are 5 or fewer, we require a minimum of 2 adults. When choosing adult leaders for the trip, remember that you must provide adults to supervise the sleeping room(s) of your group. Supervision by two unrelated adults is required in any space where youth are sleeping. Space at each housing location may vary; congregation groups are not guaranteed their own rooms. Shared sleeping space is possible.
Serve Boldly will conduct a national (multi-site) criminal background check and sex offender registry check on any participant (adults or youth) and staff who will be 18 years or older at the time of the trip.
Serve Boldly requires proof of liability insurance and vehicle insurance from all contracted groups for your protection.
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Contact Serve BoldlyCall (320)796-2181 or email [email protected]. |