Nashville • New Orleans | Summer 2027
Youth Collective Trips are fully planned 6-day / 5-night mission experiences designed specifically for youth ministries.
Multiple churches participate each week, creating the energy of a larger mission experience while each church maintains its own leadership and dedicated group time.
You bring your students. We plan and lead the experience.
Since 2008, Thirst Missions has been a trusted leader in short-term mission trips—helping thousands of students grow in their faith through meaningful ministry and relational discipleship.
Now, we’re introducing a new category of mission trips for 2027—designed specifically for student ministries who want a high-impact, relational, and affordable experience without sacrificing quality, leadership, or ministry depth.
Nashville
June 13–18 — 25/60 Spots Remaining
June 20–25 — FULL/CLOSED – JOIN THE WAITLIST
June 27–July 2 — 10/60 Spots Remaining
New Orleans
July 11–16 — 30/60 Spots Remaining
June 18–23 — 50/60 Spots Remaining
July 25-30 — FULL/CLOSED – JOIN THE WAITLIST
Youth Collective brings several youth groups together for one fully led mission experience. Students serve, eat, participate in activities, and experience the city alongside students from other churches.
But your group remains your group.
Every evening includes dedicated Home Small Group Time for your students and leaders to process the day, talk about what God is teaching them, pray together, and strengthen relationships.
It’s the energy of a larger experience with the relationships of your own youth ministry.
Each Youth Collective is intentionally limited to 60 total participants—including students and adult leaders.
Keeping each week small creates better ministry experiences, stronger relationships, quality lodging, and more personal attention from our Thirst Missions staff.
Minimum Group Size: 5 Total Participants
Recommended Ratio: 1 Adult Leader for every 8 Students
PLANNING & PREP
MINISTRY
STAFFING
LODGING & MEALS
EVENINGS & EXPERIENCES
ADULT LEADERS
Your church provides transportation and student bedding. We’ll provide the rest.
Optional recreation upgrades are available for an additional cost.
Your youth leaders shouldn’t spend the mission trip figuring out meals, calling ministry partners, finding supplies, or wondering what’s happening next.
That’s our job.
Thirst Missions coordinates:
Ministry • Itinerary • Meals • Lodging • Recreation • Supplies • Programming • Daily Logistics
Your leaders can focus on:
Relationships • Conversations • Prayer • Encouragement • Discipleship
We handle the trip so you can focus on your students.
You don’t need to know every participant before registering.
Reserve your group with:
Once registered, you have your:
City • Week • Cost • Reserved Spots
That gives you what you need to begin promoting the trip while giving families time to block their calendars and prepare financially.
Not sure which city is right for your group? Schedule a time to talk though your options!
Students don’t come to watch ministry happen.
They participate in it.
Ministry opportunities may include:
Thirst Missions works with established local churches and ministries so students come alongside people already serving their communities.
We help students understand not only what they’re doing, but who they’re serving and why it matters.
Youth Collective groups stay in retreat-center-style lodging.
Separate adult leader lodging is guaranteed.
Adult leaders are not required to sleep in student rooms and their bedding is provided.
Bedding is not provided for students
Each student should bring:
Bedding is provided for adult leaders; however, leaders should bring their own bath towel.
Groups flying into the location may request bedding in advance.
Bedding must be requested before the trip and should not be assumed to be provided.
Your group provides its own vehicles and approved drivers throughout the week.
Vehicles are used for:
Thirst Missions provides the itinerary, addresses, coordination, and daily logistics.
You provide the vehicles and drivers. We tell you where and when you need to be there.
Meals are thoughtfully planned to keep your group energized, healthy, and ready for each day.
Dietary restrictions and food allergies should be submitted in advance. We work to accommodate common dietary needs whenever reasonably possible.
Every Youth Collective includes intentional evening experiences that build relationships, reinforce ministry, and create lasting memories.
A signature night designed to engage the city’s culture and story:
Nashville: Experience the best of Music City with a Thirst Missions-led evening downtown. Walk legendary Broadway, visit the Music City Walk of Fame, take in Nashville’s live music and iconic sights, and finish with a taste of the city’s famous Nashville hot chicken.
OPTIONAL: Nashville City Bus Tour (Additional Cost)
New Orleans: Spend an evening with a Thirst Missions staff member guiding your team through the city. Explore the French Quarter, experience local music and culture, tour the Garden District, ride a historic streetcar, and enjoy beignets at Café du Monde.
OPTIONAL: Airboat Swamp Tour – self guided (Additional Cost)
A relaxed, fun evening with swimming, games, and a group barbecue-style meal—a perfect way to celebrate the week together.
An evening hands-on ministry opportunity, reinforcing that serving others goes beyond the daytime schedule.
High-energy nights with team games, sports, and group challenges—building friendships and keeping the week fun and engaging
Students experience the culture and history of the city while building relationships together
Complimentary
These moments create space for deeper relationships and reflection
Complimentary
A memorable experience that connects students to the unique environment of the region
Optional Upgrade – Additional Cost
Students experience the heartbeat of the city they are serving in
Complimentary
Where relationships deepen and the week begins to come together
Complimentary
Helps students better understand the culture, people, and context of where they are serving
Optional – Additional Cost
Is this trip a good fit for first-time mission groups or smaller youth ministries?
Yes. With a minimum group size of just 5 participants, Youth Collective is specifically designed so smaller or first-time groups can experience the energy of a large mission trip without the administrative burden. Thirst Missions handles all logistics, scheduling, and programming so you can focus entirely on discipling your students.
How does the “Collective” aspect work with other churches?
Multiple church groups come together to serve, eat, participate in activities, and experience the city as one large community. However, your group preserves its individual identity: every evening includes dedicated Home Group Time reserved exclusively for your church to debrief, pray, and build relationships together.
How are adult leaders cared for during the week?
We prioritize leader rest so you can lead well. Adult leaders receive guaranteed separate lodging rooms, provided bedding/linens, early morning coffee with a continental breakfast (before main breakfast), and complete relief from logistical management.
What bedding is provided or needed?
How do optional recreation upgrades work?
Every trip includes standard evening recreation (Beach/Lake Night, Service Night, Games/Sports Nights, and a City Experience Night). Groups wanting to add signature city activities—like the Nashville City Bus Tour or the New Orleans Airboat Swamp Tour—can add these for an additional per-person cost. Thirst Missions will provide the specific dates and times available for booking during the week, but group leaders are responsible for booking upgraded recreation directly with the tour company. Groups are also welcome to book additional recreation independently before or after their trip week starts or ends.
What happens if a week is marked “FULL”?
Each week is strictly limited to 60 total participants to preserve experience quality. If your preferred week is full, you can join the online waitlist, switch to the alternate city/week, or contact us to explore a custom Private Trip for your church. JOIN THE WAITLIST.
What safety protocols and background check requirements are in place?
All Thirst Missions staff undergo background checks and emergency response training. We require all participating churches to conduct background checks on all attending adult leaders. Ministry locations and lodging facilities are pre-vetted for group safety, and groups always operate under structured staff oversight.
What if our group is flying in instead of driving?
Groups flying into Nashville or New Orleans are responsible for arranging their own rental vehicles (e.g., passenger vans) from the airport for the week. Thirst Missions does not provide airport shuttles or ground transport vehicles. Bedding packages can be added to your registration upon request.
What if we aren’t sure which city to choose for our group?
If you’re unsure whether Nashville or New Orleans is the best fit for your youth ministry, we’d love to help! Schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your group’s goals, dates, and preferences so we can help you choose the ideal experience.
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