• How can I confirm that I’m going on the trip?
• I would like to go on the whole trip, but have had a change of plans. Is there a form to fill out?
• How should I pay for the trip?
• I would like to find out if I’ve been accepted as soon as possible because I need to book my flight.
• Why does the trip cost so much?
• I can’t afford the trip costs. What if I do lots of service, can I get a discount?
• Do you have a sponsorship option for people in financial need?
• Can I pay you in installments, on a payment plan?
• Can my parents come along as chaperones?

Q: How can I confirm that I’m going on the trip?

A: Fill out the Interest Form. The organizers will pre-screen submissions and send out application forms to those who seem to be a good fit for the trip. If you receive an application form, fill it out carefully, in detail. Wait for your application to be reviewed by the organizers. If your application is accepted, the organizers will let you know by email. It usually takes at least two weeks from the time you submit your application.

Q: I would like to go on the whole trip, but have had a change of plans. Is there a form to fill out?

A: Just email us. We’ll try our best to accommodate your change of plans.

Q: How should I pay for the trip?

A: Details on how to pay for the trip will be sent to you in an acceptance letter, if your application is approved.

Q: I would like to find out if I’ve been accepted as soon as possible because I need to book my flight.

A: The trip organizing volunteers meet regularly to review applications. If you have filled out your application in detail and submitted it, let us now that you would like a response as soon as possible since you need to book a flight, and the organizers will try to review your application at their next meeting.

Q: Why does the trip cost so much?

A: It doesn’t, actually. Compare with one of the cheapest summer camps in the USA, run by the YMCA, at $850 per week, and they don’t move around and travel all over the continent. The bus tour mission trips cost less than half the cost of other summer camps. Here’s why. Our mission trip is run by volunteers and operates on a cost-sharing basis. The bare bones costs for transportation, food, some activities (camping, national park entrance fees) and accommodations are added up, then divided among all participants. That is the amount we ask each of you to contribute as the minimum donation in order to break even. Everyone volunteers their time on the trip. Our bus drivers and organizers insist on donating 100% of their time and money to this important missionary cause. We don’t get paid to do this. We get the satisfaction of being allowed to serve you, serve the devotees at the temples and festivals we visit, and serve the public by distributing the most precious gift of Sri Hari Nama (the holy names of Krishna) to fortunate souls in every town and village.

Q: I can’t afford the trip costs. What if I do lots of service, can I get a discount?

A: Everyone on the mission trip works hard serving the devotees and Krishna. We each contribute our time, money, blood, sweat and tears to make this tour happen. It’s not that those who pay their share of costs do less service. Or that we can afford to give discounts for those who want to do more service. Because the cost of the trip is shared among all who come, if you were to pay less, everyone else would have to pay more. The money we each raise and contribute is also “lots of service” to make the mission trip happen.

Q: Do you have a sponsorship option for people in financial need?

A: We have a small group of well-wishers who may, at their discretion, help sponsor partial trip fees for a deserving young person who demonstrates financial need. You’ll need to fill out a sponsorship application form and submit bank statements from yourself and your parents as evidence of financial need.

We would share your sponsorship application with others to encourage them to contribute a donation. We would need you to rally your friends and extended family to help. We would ask you to request the members of your temple congregation to help.

Recently, two young men raised the remainder of their trip fees by making a presentation at their temple. One young lady held a bake sale at her temple each Sunday for three months. Another fearlessly asked each devotee in the community to pitch in. They were all able to raise their mission trip fees.  A combination of all of the above, in addition to a part-time job, may be the most effective way to raise the funds so you can come on the trip.

Q: Can I pay you in installments on a payment plan?

Sorry, no. We’ve had too many bad experiences with this. Perhaps you can borrow the funds from a friend or person who trusts you to pay them back, and set up a re-payment plan with them?

Q: Can my parents come along as chaperones?

It is not possible for us to accommodate requests from parents, uncles or aunties to accompany their youth and young adults on these mission trips. Part of the learning experience is for each young person to be able to grow and develop their own identity as a devotee of Krishna, in the association of like-minded devotee youth. The organizers have many years of experience providing a safe environment for the young people who come on these trips. Concerned parents are welcome to attend orientation Zoom calls to get to know the organizing team.