Family Mission Trip

[Anonymous]

Buy snacks. Distribute them in front of the supermarket. Everyone will love you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Poverty tourism at it’s finest. Do some actual goods and donate that money instead of exploiting poor people in the name of Jesus.

Are atheists serving the poor in the name of naturalism?

I don’t think there are many atheists going on “mission trips” as their family vacation. Nobody said OP shouldn’t volunteer, it’s the mission trip tourism part that people are rightly calling her out on. She could drive 10 minutes to Ward 4 and have plenty of service opportunities if she wanted to.

God forbid she enter that crime-ridden neighborhood! No no no. OP wants a safe tourist destination where she can have fun on vacation yet have the impression she's really helping the poor residents who will fawn over her as the white savior that she is.

[Anonymous]

Family

Mission

Trip

Wow. Loaded phrase. How on earth did OP think she could post about this on DCUM and get away with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Poverty tourism at it’s finest. Do some actual goods and donate that money instead of exploiting poor people in the name of Jesus.

Are atheists serving the poor in the name of naturalism?

I don’t think there are many atheists going on “mission trips” as their family vacation. Nobody said OP shouldn’t volunteer, it’s the mission trip tourism part that people are rightly calling her out on. She could drive 10 minutes to Ward 4 and have plenty of service opportunities if she wanted to.

God forbid she enter that crime-ridden neighborhood! No no no. OP wants a safe tourist destination where she can have fun on vacation yet have the impression she's really helping the poor residents who will fawn over her as the white savior that she is.

* wipes your spittle off my screen *

I'm not a fan of mission trips, but your hate is really out of control. Nothing OP said justifies your rant.

[Anonymous]

This is the kind of volunteer tourism advocated in the recent documentary exposing the harms of mass-commercialized volunteer vacations where orphans are exploited and never a chance to form healthy long term attachments

Family Volunteer Vacations - Cuba, Africa, Asia, Central & South America

Meaningful, small group trips to Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia & the U.S.!

Spend quality time as a family on an all-inclusive volunteer vacation.  Lend a hand, learn and explore the local culture.  Our expert local staff and distinctive portfolio of boutique lodges will make your trip enjoyable and unforgettable.
* Join local non-profits to protect wildlife in Africa, Australia, Asia and Latin America
* Super small groups to allow up close encounters with animals & access to communities
* Connect with fascinating people such as artisans, musicians and conservationists
* Explore natural wonders such as safari parks, waterfalls, and rainforests
* All-inclusive pricing covers meals, lodging, expert guides, and excursions – hassle free!
* Full-service travel support from our U.S.-based headquarters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the kind of volunteer tourism advocated in the recent documentary exposing the harms of mass-commercialized volunteer vacations where orphans are exploited and never a chance to form healthy long term attachments

Family Volunteer Vacations - Cuba, Africa, Asia, Central & South America

Meaningful, small group trips to Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia & the U.S.!

Spend quality time as a family on an all-inclusive volunteer vacation.  Lend a hand, learn and explore the local culture.  Our expert local staff and distinctive portfolio of boutique lodges will make your trip enjoyable and unforgettable.
* Join local non-profits to protect wildlife in Africa, Australia, Asia and Latin America
* Super small groups to allow up close encounters with animals & access to communities
* Connect with fascinating people such as artisans, musicians and conservationists
* Explore natural wonders such as safari parks, waterfalls, and rainforests
* All-inclusive pricing covers meals, lodging, expert guides, and excursions – hassle free!
* Full-service travel support from our U.S.-based headquarters

Nothing OP wrote suggests she's interested in wildlife or cultural tourism offered by a secular group. So it's fine that you forgot to link to your "source."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the kind of volunteer tourism advocated in the recent documentary exposing the harms of mass-commercialized volunteer vacations where orphans are exploited and never a chance to form healthy long term attachments

Family Volunteer Vacations - Cuba, Africa, Asia, Central & South America

Meaningful, small group trips to Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia & the U.S.!

Spend quality time as a family on an all-inclusive volunteer vacation.  Lend a hand, learn and explore the local culture.  Our expert local staff and distinctive portfolio of boutique lodges will make your trip enjoyable and unforgettable.
* Join local non-profits to protect wildlife in Africa, Australia, Asia and Latin America
* Super small groups to allow up close encounters with animals & access to communities
* Connect with fascinating people such as artisans, musicians and conservationists
* Explore natural wonders such as safari parks, waterfalls, and rainforests
* All-inclusive pricing covers meals, lodging, expert guides, and excursions – hassle free!
* Full-service travel support from our U.S.-based headquarters

Sorry meant to add this - very good reviews

Good luck OP - You sound well intentioned.

https://www.gooverseas.com/organization/discover-corps-reviews

[Anonymous]

Our church has a relationship with Heart and Hand in West Virginia. Send them a note on their volunteer page to see how your family can help.

https://hhomwv.org/become-a-volunteer/

[Anonymous]

Ahhh Missionary Tourism. Fleecing local cultures all over the world in the name of Jesus. Unless you have a real skill (medical, construction, engineering, etc) send money. They don’t need more bodies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Poverty tourism at it’s finest. Do some actual goods and donate that money instead of exploiting poor people in the name of Jesus.

Are atheists serving the poor in the name of naturalism?

What do atheists have to do with this thread?

Op, there's a reason you can't find much for elementary aged kids. Most missions are designed for teens/adults. If your church can't suggest an, maybe there isn't anything.

[Anonymous]

Op do you sponsor a child or family anywhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would find an organization closer to home, like Habitat for Humanity, OP.

Habitat for Humanity
https://www.habitat.org/volunteer
If you want to travel, you can even travel OP.

Thank you. OP here, I will check out this link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flint Mission Project
https://flintmissionproject.org/

Jackson, Mississippi
https://www.ppm.org/mission-trips/jackson-mississippi

Maryland Food Bank
https://mdfoodbank.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/

Deep Roots, ending homelessness
https://deeprootsinc.org/group-service-opportunities/

Appalachia Service
https://asphome.org/

OP here. Thank you so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the comments that elementary age is too young. We live in Upper NWDC so not much in our local area beyond volunteering with the elderly or local shelter, however those volunteer opportunities have age restrictions for liability reasons that do not allow our children to volunteer with us. For those recommending that we volunteer as a daily locally, please share recommendations for charities and service opportunities that allow elementary age children to volunteer.

Thank you.

We volunteer to make meals for Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless

https://mcch.net/donate-a-meal/

If making a whole meal for a whole shelter seems overwhelming, you can contact them, they have opportunities to make meals for smaller groups as well.

Our elementary kids don't go serve, but they are a big help at the house! They know where the food is going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the comments that elementary age is too young. We live in Upper NWDC so not much in our local area beyond volunteering with the elderly or local shelter, however those volunteer opportunities have age restrictions for liability reasons that do not allow our children to volunteer with us. For those recommending that we volunteer as a daily locally, please share recommendations for charities and service opportunities that allow elementary age children to volunteer.

Thank you.

WTF? You realize that "local area" does not just mean your immediate area, right?