What to Pack

What to Bring to GUM:

  • Sunscreen

  • Bug Spray

  • Reusable Water Bottles (Plastic water bottles tend to get misplaced and become litter)

  • Lunch for the day

  • Any materials for Street Camp

What NOT to Bring

  • Valuables that you do not want to misplace or donate to the neighborhood

  • Weapons of any kind

  • Drug Paraphernalia

What to Expect

Schedule:

  • Mornings: Every morning your student will start with a devotional and short training aimed to build compassion and grow their understanding of poverty. After the morning devo students will break to go into various work projects around the community.

    *Since we are in Galveston, it is highly likely that it will be hot and humid. Please prepare your student by urging them to stay hydrated during their trip.

  • Lunch: After the the work projects your student will break for lunch back at the GUM building

  • Afternoons: In the afternoon your student will do Street Camp for the neighborhood kids, which is similar to VBS. This is an awesome opportunity for your students to have fun and proclaim the story of Jesus to our neighborhood kiddos through crafts, skits, and songs! Your student will go with GUM staff to pick up children from the local apartments and bring them to the park for Street Camp.

  • Thursday: Thursday is our training day! Our heartbeat is not only that your students work hard and get to be the hands and feet of Jesus, but also that they grow in knowledge and compassion. We want your students to not only know what poverty is but also how they can affect change in their home environment the skills they already have. For this reason Thursday will be a full training day built to grow your students as leaders either through an interactive game or walking tour.

Curriculum:

  • Our curriculum aims to equip your student with information about what poverty is from a biblical standpoint as well as teaching them how to implement what they learn in their own setting. For more info on some basic principles your students will learn please visit the following websites

FAQs

Is it safe?

Absolutely! In the 13+ years that GUM has been working with mission teams we’ve never had an issue beyond a twisted ankle or busted lip from playing too hard. All of our staff and volunteers have background checks and are properly vetted before they ever engage with students. GUM staff is prepared to take care of your students, and we intentionally instruct students on how to be safe in every context!

Who will be working with my student?

Besides the staff from your organization, your students will work with GUM staff and interns who have been educated on the biblical basis for GUM’s poverty alleviation methods. Again, all of our staff, interns and volunteers have background checks and are properly vetted before they ever engage with students. Our staff is also incredibly educated on poverty alleviation and is ready to work with your student so that they leave the island with informations and skills they can use for the rest of their lives!

What can I do to prepare my student?

We highly recommend encouraging your student to pray intentionally about their time at GUM and pray with them. Pray that God

  • would use them in big ways,

  • break their hearts for what breaks His

  • give them vision for how He wants to use them in the future!

  • Also, pray for the GUM Staff as they prepare for your student’s trip

We also recommend that you talk with them about how to hydrate in the heat, wearing sunscreen, and why it is important to get good sleep during their trip since they will have long days.