What is the timeline for summer staff selection?
- December - January: Group interviews are conducted
- December - February: Individual interviews are conducted
- End of February: Individual interviews are completed
- End of March: Interns are selected and notified
- March-May: Details are finalized
- End of May: A mandatory 4-5 day training is held
- May - August: Logistic Coordinators serve in Washington
- June- August: Summer Field Staff interns serve domestically and internationally
*All dates are subject to change. No intern is guaranteed service for the entire length of the summer.
What events are mandatory if I receive and accept this job?
Both EM's training and the entirety of your summer service are mandatory. Training is held toward the end of May in Indiana or Michigan (location TBD later). The starting date for the Community Internship Program will vary depending on the community. The earliest you could expect to begin is May 10. The latest date you can expect to finish is August 15. The approximate dates should range between June 4 and August 6.
Specific dates and schedules will be finalized in April. If you have specific restriction for dates you can serve, please specify on the Online Application.
What training will I receive?
You will have 4-5 days of intense training before you go to your community. This time is spent to ensure that you are adequately prepared for whatever you may face this summer. Topics covered during training will include:
- Introduction to Experience Mission, Inc.
- A Philosophy for Influence
- Learner, Servant, Storyteller
- People Diversity
- Personalities and Cutlure
- Servant Leadership in Cross Cultural Settings
- Logistics
- Expectations and Culture Balance
- People vs Logistics (case study)
- Team Building
- Conflict Management
- Practical Team Structure
- Team Liabilities
- How you might be viewed as a leader (case study)
We also realize that there may arise conflicts or emergencies that we will not be able to specifically anticipate. However, during your training, we will provide you with back-up systems so you get the proper support you need and specific procedures that you can follow to help maximize the circumstance. Throughout the summer, there will be a 24-hour support line available and a cell phone for each internship team.
Do I have any time off?
Many internship teams will have a week or two off throughout the duration of their service. Other internship teams may work straight through the summer with only a few weekends off. During weeks that you are not responsible to host a team, your time will be spent building relationships with our community partners, preparing for the next teams, and taking some time to relax and refocus. You will be paid $100 during these weeks off. Interns who choose to use this time for personal leave will not be paid and will be required to pay all of the expenses incurred during this time.
Can my family and friends visit?
Experience Mission understands how great it is for friends and family to see you in action and see how you have spent your summer. Because of this, friends and family are more than welcome to sign up through Experience Mission to serve on a trip. If they choose to come outside of a trip, this must take place during a time that you are not hosting a team, and you will not be compensated for that time of service.
Do I have to pay for anything?
If you are selected to serve in one of EMs domestic location, you will be responsible to arrange and cover your travel to and from the location at the beginning and end of the summer. EM will provide $150 to go towards these travel expenses. If you are selected to serve in one of our international locations, EM will cover your travel expenses to and from the location.
Experience Mission will provide housing, food and transportation during all activities related to your internship responsibilities once you have arrived in your community of service. Experience Mission does not pay for meals eaten outside of the weekly menu that is provided for the teams. Nor does Experience Mission pay for transportation that is incurred outside of EM responsibilities such as traveling on your weeks off that is not EM related.
Do I get paid?
Interns will receive $150 per week of service. During weeks in which there are no teams, interns will receive $100. We realize the need for many of you to earn money during your summer. For this reason we are opening up the opportunity for each of you to raise an extra $1500 for your summer of service. Details and support materials will be provided upon hiring.
All Interns will be paid $750 in July and any remaining balance after your service is completed. A 1099 must be completed before the actual Internship service begins.
Note: Returning Interns receive an additional $50 per week of service in the same community (this does not apply to weeks off).
Can I receive college credit?
In the past, interns from Bethel College and Indiana Wesleyan University have received college credit for their time of service with Experience Mission. You must contact your advisor to see what requirements you must fulfill. Evaluations can be filled out by the Internship Directors upon request.
What support can I expect from Experience Mission?
Experience Mission provides you with the best support possible. There will be a 24-hour support line available and a means of communication for each internship team. Each intern can expect frequent calls with their Internship Director for logistical and emotional support.
Do I have to have medical insurance?
All Interns are responsible for their individual medical insurance. Proof of medical insurance must be provided to Experience Mission before the internship begins.
Do I have to get CPR/First Aid certified?
Yes, you must be CPR/First Aid certified. It is your responsibility to receive your First Aid and CPR certification before the training event in May. You will be required to provide us a copy no later than two weeks prior to training.
Are you looking for additional skills?
We are also looking for the following skills. Please be sure to specify when you complete the Online Application.
- Speak Spanish - key people who speak the language comfortably
- Digital Video and Editing - key people to capture and share the short-term mission story in video
- Leading Worship - key people to play the guitar and have experience leading
- Construction - key people who have experience and are comfortable leading others in construction projects.
What will be our responsibilities?
All the responsibilities are tied directly to the community. The two primary areas of focus include managing logistics and serving people and the community.
As a team you will divide up the following 18 responsibilities;
- Overall Schedule.
- Housing/Food
- Transportation
- Construction/Work Projects
- Outreach Ministry
- Translators and Local Workers
- Devotional Times
- Health Care/Emergency Response
- Financial Management and Reporting
- Media: Blogs, Photos, and Video
- Leader and Team Meetings
- EM Leadership Meetings
- Rules/Behavior Guidelines
- Negligence Prevention Policies
- Encouragement and Service
- Evening Program: Worship and Set-up
- Evening Program: Message
- Evening Program: Debriefing and Small Groups
*And if you're looking for college mission trips, you can get a listing by sorting by group type in the search located in the upper right corner of this page.
