There are many opportunities for teens to serve locally. They can volunteer to stock the supply rooms at a food pantry or clothes closet for the poor or serve dinner at a soup kitchen. Teens can spend time with senior citizens at a nursing home by playing card games, sitting and talking, or singing for them. Cleaning the sides of streets or neglected parks are projects that can be accomplished in a day.
There may be needs in the community or a community nearby that can't be met within a day. In these cases, plan a nearby mission trip for the teens. Perhaps a church needs a new coat of paint or other simple repairs. A widow or a wounded service member may need property maintenance like raking leaves, moving tree limbs, weeding and planting. Whatever the reason for service, you must decide if you will lodge in the nearby location or travel home each night until the mission is complete.
Many places in the country could use the energy and help of a group of teens. Cities such as Detrioit, Philadelphia, and New York have large populations of people struggling with poverty. Missions in these communities and the people that run them are often overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to meet those needs. Impoverished rural areas in Kentucky and the Appalachians have their own unique problems. Ask friends, family, and colleagues in other states if they know of a good destination for your group.
Taking teens to another country requires more planning than other kinds of mission trips. Teens must have valid passports and required shots. These trips are typically more expensive because of air-fare and lodging. Many parents are not comfortable with their teens traveling so far from home. For those who go, the experience is often very positive and expands their views and knowledge of the world. Many destinations, such as orphanages, clinics, schools, and camps, welcome the help.
