Unite 2024

PHILOSOPHY OF SUMMER TRIPS

Here at Bellingham Covenant Church, we believe strongly in giving our students hands-on experiences with their faith. This looks like weekly community gatherings, service projects, retreats, and summer trips. Our summer trips are intended to get us out of the building and into new environments—places where we can experience our relationship with Christ in new and unexpected ways.

The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our world—and to invite them to join this redemptive work.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

This July, we will be flying to San Diego for an event called Unite 2024.  We will be staying at San Diego State University!

WHAT IS UNITE?

• Unite is a gathering of Covenant High School groups from across the country for worship, connection, and fun!

• 5 days and nights of fun, worship, and friendship

• Evening sessions with dynamic worship and powerful speakers

• Morning sessions with strong teaching leading into personal and small group times

• Afternoon activities such as sports tournaments, swimming, seminars, and more

THEME OF UNITE: THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

Do you feel pressured? To measure up? To be the best, the brightest, the funniest, the prettiest, the strongest? To try harder, work longer, never let up, never give in, and never quit?

DO YOU WONDER WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Does all your striving, all your efforts to keep up, to stand out, to be noticed, to make someone proud only lead to being tired, exhausted, burnt-out, worn-out, fatigued, and weary?

IF SO, THEN JESUS HAS SOMETHING HE WANTS YOU TO HEAR…

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’

JOIN US THIS SUMMER AT UNITE AND LET JESUS GIVE YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE – FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF UNITE 2024:

7:00 AM – Morning Prayer
7:30 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM – Adult Leader Meeting
8:30 AM – Pre-session Activity
9:00 AM – Morning Session
10:30 AM – Devotional & Small Group
11:30 AM – Lunch
1:00 PM – Afternoon Activities
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Dinner
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Pre-session Activities
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM – Evening Session
9:30 PM – 10:30 – Youth Group Time
11:00 PM – In Dorms 

COST: $1035.00 per person

*This price will go down for students who participate in our spring fundraiser.

REGISTRATION// $485.00 

FLIGHTS //$400.00 (Approx)

MISC//$150.00 (ground transportation, t-shirts, etc)

OPTIONAL//beach excursion rentals (surf/boogie boards, wet suits, etc)

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS 

• We’ll be flying

• Staying on campus

ASSISTANCE FROM THE CHURCH:

• Each student will receive an instant scholarship from the church, so this price will go down. The scholarship amount will be determined once all registrations are turned in.

• Students will also earn money at our MANDATORY Spring Fundraiser (Mid-April).  The Money earned will be dispersed to those who participate.

• We never want money to be the reason someone doesn’t go on a trip. This is why we have scholarships available for those who need assistance. Please contact Jeff G for more details (jeffg@bellinghamcov.org)

• Students will also have the option of raising money by putting their name on our “Job Board.” Church members hire students to come do work and pay them directly.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• $100 due with registration

• $ 300.00 due on April 28, 2024

• Final Payment due on June 26, 2024

• **If you decide not to go on this trip once you have begun to make payments, you will be reimbursed a portion of your payments based on when you withdraw.

APPLICATION PROCESS

This year, we need two things from participants who are attending this trip:

1. Register Online at bellinghamcov.org/summertrip24  (Click the “Register Here” Button to register)

2. $100.00 non-refundable deposit
   Due ASAP, final deadline of February 15, 2024

HERE ARE THE RESULTS WE PRAY FOR

First, God would speak to you in powerful ways, and you would get a bigger understanding of who God is in your life.

Second, that your personal walk with Christ would grow. We pray that you will be sparked to re-examine your life priorities in light of what you learn and experience on this trip.

Finally, your life back home would change. We hope you’ll return to Bellingham with new eyes — sensitized with a new vision for how your faith can impact your life and the lives of those around you.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEAM

One of the most important elements of this trip is the team of students God calls to Unite 2024.  To be a part of this trip means that you are also a member of a team of peers who desire to grow closer to God and each other.  To that end, each member has a responsibility to help the entire team achieve our goals along the way.  Please know that these trips are a significant and formative element in your life.  When you say yes to this trip, you are also saying yes to a deeper level of spiritual growth in your relationship with Christ and others.  

• Spiritually, each team member will agree to spend time each week reading their Bible and praying for other team members. Team members may be asked to step out of their comfort zones and pray out loud for specific things (safety in travel, thanks for meals, prayer for people, etc.)

• Financially, each team member will agree to make payments on time (unless other arrangements have been made) and will be at the spring fundraiser (mid-April).

• Relationally, each team member agrees to be at our team meetings. These meetings are an important element of this trip because they help students get to know one another so everyone can have a good starting point relationally with one another. If you need to miss one:

• Email Jeff G. with a brief written explanation and parent approval at least one week in advance.

• Coordinate with a teammate who will collect any papers and handouts.

• Team Meetings will be announced in mid-January

• Respectfully, each team member will agree to treat other members of our team respectfully. We will not tolerate “behind the back” conversations (gossip), under-your-breath comments, or anything that causes other team members to feel excluded. We will allow positive and kind words of affirmation and all acts of kindness!

FINALLY

Please talk this over with your family and spend time praying about your involvement.  I have taken countless trips with students over the years of ministry and I’ve seen firsthand the impact these types of trips can have on your life.  I strongly believe that these out-of-the-building opportunities give you real-life experiences that God can use to deepen faith and trust!

Thanks for your support and involvement in our Unite 2024 Summer Trip!
Jeff G