FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Find answers to your questions about traveling and serving with HFK.

General

  • Our mission is to provide participants the opportunity to discover the eternal joy of service by collaborating with partner organizations to meet the physical and spiritual needs of underserved children and communities around the world.

    You can learn more about us here!

  • They love it! Our HFK alumni have enjoyed their experience serving with us throughout the years! You can see for yourself in these many Alumni Testimonials.

  • HFK partners with various international relief organizations:

    • Kids Alive International
      Our partnership with Kids Alive International (KAI) has been very strong for over 15 years! We partner with KAI’s sites in the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Haiti. They have schools, care centers, children's homes, and churches throughout.

    • The Roblealto Child Care Association
      We have served in Costa Rica since 2013 where we originally took our Leadership Trips in November, and now take trips year round. They are a very well recognized child care organization in Costa Rica with multiple sites around the country.

    • The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
      Our Mexico partnership with this church began with a vision trip in 2021. We now take on average two trips a year to Tijuana serving the many ongoing projects they have to support the children and families in the community.

    • Fundación Centro Misionero de Esperanza (Hope Mission Center)
      Our Colombia partnership began with a vision trip in 2023. They are a non-profit organization that collaborates and supports various churches in the area that impact the community and the kids through various outreach events.

    • We also partner with various domestic organizations and schools by providing donations and Local Service Opportunities.

    Learn more about Where We Serve here.

  • Applying for a Service Trip is simple!

    First, you'll find the page of the trip you're interested in here. After reviewing the relevant trip information, you can click "Apply Today". You'll be taken to our Go Method page where you can fill out and submit the trip application.

    Our team will review your application and reach out to you to set up a welcome call if you're new to HFK. If your application is approved, our team will go over the next steps to join the team and meet your Team Captains.

  • If you have any other questions not listed here or want to contact us for any reason, you can fund our contact information on our Contact Us page.

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Service Trips

  • Typically, team members spend the morning and afternoon working on a specific project such as painting, construction, or supporting where needed. After the project, our teams spend time with the kids at the school or care home playing sports and organizing activities. At night, the team will have dinner with the families or spend time together as a team doing devotionals and activities while reflecting on the day.

    Our host sites provide team members with 3 meals a day and living accommodations for the week. Typically, the last day or two is meant to debrief the week as a team as well as embark on an excursion or cultural activity together.

    To see examples of previous Service Trips we’ve done, check out our Trip Recaps here.

  • We serve our partners in Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Peru!

    We also have a partnership in Haiti which is currently at a standstill due to political instability and safety concerns in the country.

    Each country offers it's unique culture, weather, food, and overall experience! You will learn more about the details of where you'll be serving during your pre-trip meetings.

    You can see more information of Where We Serve here.

  • HFK serves children of all ages! Most children at our international partners sites range from 4-18 years old.

  • If you can no longer travel due to circumstances outside of your control, please contact us immediately to be able to communicate your absence to our partners and make any necessary changes.

    If you contact us…

    • …more than around two weeks from travel: The amount you’ve raised for your trip can become a donation, or we can work with you and the people that helped you fundraise to provide a refund. You can also decide to serve on a different trip.

    • …less than two weeks from travel: A few weeks before each trip, we send the necessary paperwork and funds to our partners for your trip. Once that payment is sent, we cannot receive a refund. Your trip payment can become a donation or your trip participation can be rescheduled to another trip.

    If your flight has already been purchased, depending on the circumstance you are canceling and the amount of money you have raised for your trip, we can work with you to provide a flight voucher or request a refund from the airline.

    More details can be discussed on a case by case basis, please contact us at info@hereforkids.org for more information.

  • Yes! We will send you a package in the mail before your trip to help you prepare for your service trip and have helpful materials to guide you through your week of service. Upon your return, you will stay in touch with your team members through meetings and group messages which will provide helpful tips on how to apply what you learned back home.

    You can also find some of those resources here.

  • No! We have an Operations team that will book all your flights.

    Based on your home airport and timeline for the trip, our team will book your flights and send you the booking information. You will then be responsible for checking in for your flight, arriving to the airport on time, and ensuring you have all your documentation to travel.

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Requirements

  • People of all ages can serve with us!

    We have had team members as young as 10 years old traveling with their guardian and as old as 71 years old serving along young adults. Service projects and jobs within those projects can be accommodated for each team and each team member.

  • While we partner with faith-based organizations, it is not a requirement to adhere to a specific religion or belief to join us. We strive to provide an equal opportunity to all individuals interested in our service trips, hoping that each life will be uniquely transformed. That being said, we ask each participant to be respectful of each other and of our partners, and to remain open to conversing about the things that make us different as well as the commonalities that bring us together.

  • Absolutely not! While there is something special about speaking the same language as those you’re serving, it will not greatly impact your experience. You will still be able to communicate, learn, and share with those we serve, through play and other activities, no matter what language you speak (or don’t speak).

    If you are serving with us soon, you can start learning or practicing on a language learning app!

  • Overall, we ask all trip participants to wear modest clothing that will be respectful to the kids and partners you will serve. More specific dress codes vary by site. In your pre-trip meetings with your Team Captains and team, you will review site specific information and requirements.

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Health & Safety

  • Absolutely! Just make sure you fill out the allergy section on your Go Method profile so that we can alert our sites of your needs and take any necessary steps to keep you safe and cared for. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks for the week.

  • None of our partners require you to provide proof of any vaccination.

    However, vaccination requirements vary by country. We encourage you to check the CDC website for more information.

  • Yes, we purchase international health insurance for all team members.

  • Before your departure, we will provide you with our on-site emergency contact information that you can share with anyone you’d like.

    If your family fails to reach you at your personal cell phone while you’re abroad, they can contact the on-site emergency contact.

  • BEFORE

    We advise you not to travel if you are feeling very sick before your trip to protect yourself, your team members, and our partners and the kids.

    Please reach out to your Team Captain if you are feeling sick or get injured before traveling and we can address the situation and analyze possible next steps.

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    DURING

    The approach to address an injury or sickness varies by intensity and country we're in. Most of our partners have access to health care professionals who have extensive experience in dealing with common symptoms and injuries.

    If the sickness worsens or if the injury is severe, we will utilize the health insurance that has been purchased for you and visit a hospital if necessary.

    As this is dealt with on a case by case basis, please reach out to info@hereforkids.org if you have a specific question about this topic.

  • Alongside our partners, we take your health and safety seriously and make it a priority when planning a trip.

    All our partner sites are safe for you to travel and you will be under the care and protection of your Team Captains, HFK staff, and partner team host.

    If there is any political unrest, natural disaster, or dangerous situation that will impact your team, we will reschedule or cancel the trip.

    For additional personal safety recommendations based by country, you can check the CDC website.

  • The Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.

    We recommend you sign up for STEP before your trip. You can see more information and sign up here.

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Funding

  • Your trip cost depends on the site you will serve in due to varying partner fees. Please choose a specific trip and read the “Financial Commitment” section to learn more.

  • We strongly encourage all trip participants to utilize their personal fundraising page to raise funds to cover their trip cost.

    Additionally, if financial assistance is necessary due to financial hardship, you can apply for a scholarship if it's offered for your specific trip.

  • Refunds are not available if you decide you no longer want to go on a trip. If there is a situation outside of your control that will prevent you from going on your trip, we can work with you to find a solution!

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Additional Questions?