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YOUTH COLLECTIVE MISSION TRIPS

Two Cities. One Mission. A Week Your Students Will Never Forget.

Serve with purpose during the day and experience the energy of New Orleans and Nashville at night.

A fully planned, high-impact mission trip designed specifically for youth groups.

New Locations for 2027: New Orleans & Nashville

Faith in action. Lives transformed.

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.

Price & Registration

MORE INFO AT A GLANCE

Spots are limited to 60 participants per week.

👉 Reserve your group with a $299 registration

👉 Lock in $499 early-bird pricing

Summer 2027 Dates

Nashville
June 13–18
June 20–25
June 27–July 2

New Orleans
July 11–16
July 18–23
July 25–30

REGISTER NASHVILLEREGISTER NEW ORLEANS

What's Included

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6 Days / 5 Nights

PLANNING & PREP

  • Pre-Trip Consultation
  • Promotional Materials
  • Promotional Videos
  • Participant Manual (PDF)
  • Full Hour-by-Hour Trip Itinerary
  • Online Trip Portal Access
  • Assigned Mission Trip Consultant

MINISTRY

  • Daily Ministry Placements
  • Blessing Bag Outreach Supplies
  • Service Project Materials
  • Local Ministry Partnerships
  • Cultural Orientation

STAFFING

  • On-Site Thirst Missions Staff Leadership

LODGING & MEALS

  • Retreat Center Lodging
  • Air-Conditioned Facilities
  • Individual Beds & Mattresses (no floor sleeping)
  • Sheets & Pillow Provided
  • All Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Snacks & Drinks
  • Purified Drinking Water
  • Participant T-Shirt

EVENINGS & EXPERIENCES

  • Experience Night (city-based activity)
  • Beach / Lake Night (location-based)
  • Service Project Night
  • Two Games & Sports Nights

ADULT LEADERS

  • Individual Beds (no floor sleeping)
  • Leader Room Options Available
  • Early Morning Coffee + Continental Breakfast (in addition to daily breakfast)

FINAL EXPERIENCE

  • End-of-Week Celebration
  • Optional Recreation Upgrades (additional cost)

Choose your city

NASHVILLE

Feel & Environment

  • Energetic, fast-growing city with a strong sense of community
  • Known for music, creativity, and Southern culture
  • Mix of vibrant city life and real community needs

Ministry Focus

  • Serving in local outreach ministries and nonprofits
  • Food distribution, homelessness outreach, and community support
  • Partnering with churches and organizations making a daily impact

Student Experience

  • Engaging, relational ministry opportunities
  • Encourages students to build connections while serving
  • A balanced environment that is impactful yet accessible

Evenings & Experiences

  • Explore downtown Nashville and its music scene
  • Optional hop-on/hop-off city tour (additional cost)
  • Group activities that highlight the culture and energy of the city

Best Fit For

  • Groups looking for a high-impact but approachable mission experience
  • Students new to mission trips or growing in confidence
  • Leaders seeking strong structure, energy, and relational ministry

NEW ORLEANS

Feel & Environment

  • Historic, culturally rich city with deep diversity
  • Unique blend of music, food, and tradition
  • Ongoing spiritual and physical needs in many communities

Ministry Focus

  • Outreach to underserved communities
  • Community restoration and service projects
  • Serving in areas still impacted by past disasters
  • Partnering with local ministries and churches

Student Experience

  • Immersive and eye-opening environment
  • Opportunities to step outside comfort zones
  • Builds compassion, awareness, and a deeper faith

Evenings & Experiences

  • Time in the French Quarter
  • Experience local culture, music, and food
  • Group activities that reflect the rhythm and energy of the city

Best Fit For

  • Groups seeking a deeper, more challenging ministry experience
  • Students ready to grow through hands-on service and cultural exposure
  • Leaders looking for high-impact, meaningful engagement

Recreation

UNFORGETTABLE EVENINGS – EVERY WEEK

Each 6-day / 5-night trip in Nashville and New Orleans includes intentional, high-energy evenings that build relationships, reinforce ministry, and create lasting memories.

Experience Night

A signature night designed to engage the city’s culture and story:

  • Nashville: Explore downtown, experience live music, and optional hop-on/hop-off city tour (additional cost)
  • New Orleans: Walk the French Quarter, experience local music, culture, and iconic food
    This night helps students connect what they’re seeing with what they’re serving.

Beach / Lake Night

A relaxed, fun evening with swimming, games, and a group barbecue-style meal—a perfect way to celebrate the week together.

Service Project Night

An evening hands-on ministry opportunity, reinforcing that serving others goes beyond the daytime schedule.

Two Games & Sports Nights

High-energy nights with team games, sports, and group challenges—building friendships and keeping the week fun and engaging.

These evenings are designed to create the right balance of ministry, connection, and unforgettable moments.

New Orleans Experiences

French Quarter Experience
  • Walk through the historic French Quarter
  • Experience live music and street performers
  • Beignets at Café du Monde
  • Time in Jackson Square

Students experience the culture and history of the city while building relationships together

Complimentary

Swamp / Airboat Tour
  • Travel through Louisiana bayou
  • See wildlife and alligators
  • High-energy group experience

A memorable experience that connects students to the unique environment of the region

Optional Upgrade – Additional Cost

Beach / Lake Night – Lake Pontchartrain
  • Beach games and group activities
  • Sunset and relaxed environment
  • Time for conversation and connection

These moments create space for deeper relationships and reflection

Complimentary

Nashville Experiences

Broadway & Live Music Walk
  • Walk through downtown Nashville
  • Experience live music throughout the city
  • Safe, structured environment

Students experience the heartbeat of the city they are serving in

Complimentary

Beach / Lake Night – Percy Priest Lake
  • Swimming and team competitions
  • Group bonding
  • Relaxed summer atmosphere

Where relationships deepen and the week begins to come together

Complimentary

Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour
  • Guided tour through key areas of Nashville
  • Learn the history and significance of the city
  • See major landmarks and neighborhoods

Helps students better understand the culture, people, and context of where they are serving

Optional – Additional Cost

Ministry

MINISTRY THAT MATTERS

Students engage in real, hands-on ministry, which may include:

  • Food pantries & soup kitchens
  • Homeless ministry
  • Service projects
  • Outreach & prayer walks
  • Mercy ministry

Each experience is relational, engaging, and impactful.

Every evening includes Home Church Group Time:

  • Guided discussion
  • Reflection
  • Spiritual processing

Students don’t just serve—they grow

Blessing Bag Ministry

Students prepare and personally distribute blessing bags.

Creating:

  • One-on-one interaction
  • Personal ministry moments
  • Lasting impact
ministry

ADULT LEADER EXPERIENCE

We’ve intentionally designed this trip so you are supported—not stretched thin.

Included for Adult Leaders:

  • Individual Mattresses and Beds
  • Sheets and pillow provided
  • Coffee + continental breakfast each morning

What this means for you:

  • You’re rested and ready to lead
  • You’re not managing logistics all week
  • You can focus on meaningful conversations

Built-in support:

  • Thirst Missions staff handle logistics and schedules
  • Clear structure removes stress
  • You lead spiritually, not operationally
ministry

Lodging Info

COMFORTABLE LODGING THAT SUPPORTS YOUR WEEK

Your group will stay in retreat center-style lodging designed for both rest and community.

  • Air-conditioned facilities
  • A separate bed for every participant
  • Sheets and pillows provided for everyone
  • Leader rooms available for adult leaders

This is not floor sleeping.

A meaningful week of ministry requires energy, focus, and health—and that starts with good sleep.

You’ll find exactly that on every Youth Collective Trip with Thirst Missions—in both Nashville and New Orleans.

EVERYTHING IS HANDLED FOR YOU

Lodging, Meals & Leader Care

  • Retreat-style lodging built for groups
  • Separate bathrooms and showers for males and females
  • Clean, accessible facilities
  • Meeting spaces for worship and connection
  • All meals included (breakfast, lunch, supper)
  • Snacks, drinks, and ice available daily

No planning. No stress. Just lead your students.

Meals

FOOD THAT FUELS YOUR WEEK

Meals are thoughtfully planned to keep your group energized, healthy, and ready for each day.

  • Designated cook for the entire week
  • Licensed cooks preparing meals
  • Buffet-style service to accommodate varying appetites
  • Variety of food at every meal to meet dietary preferences

In addition, your group will experience select local food options throughout the week—

giving students a taste of the culture in the city they’re serving.

👉 Well-fed students = higher energy, better engagement, and a stronger overall experience

food and meals

Sample Itinerary

FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What makes Youth Collective Trips different from other mission trips?

These trips combine the structure and excellence of a fully-led program with the relational depth of a smaller, intentional experience.

Everything is planned and led by Thirst Missions—so leaders can focus on discipling students, not managing logistics.

Will my students actually be doing meaningful ministry?

Yes. Students are actively engaged every day in real, hands-on ministry—not just observing.

They serve, interact, build relationships, and see the direct impact of their time.

How is this trip structured spiritually?

Each day includes devotions, ministry, and intentional reflection time.

Every evening, your group gathers for Home Church Group Time with guided discussion—helping students process what they experienced and grow in their faith.

Who is leading and organizing the trip?

Every trip is led by experienced Thirst Missions staff.

They handle scheduling, coordination, and leadership—so your group leader can focus on students, relationships, and spiritual leadership.

Is this trip safe for students?

Yes. Safety is a top priority.

Students are supervised by trained staff, operate within structured schedules, and serve in trusted ministry environments.

Clear communication and leadership presence are maintained throughout the entire week.

Safety & Health — How are students cared for during the week?

Your students’ safety and well-being are our highest priority.

We are committed to creating an environment that is safe, structured, and well-planned from start to finish:

  • All ministry partners and locations are trusted, established, and vetted
  • Students travel and serve in groups—never alone
  • Experienced staff provide constant leadership and oversight
  • Staff members undergo background checks and emergency preparedness is addressed and planned for ahead of time!
  • Lodging is secure, organized, and designed for group safety
  • Meals are prepared by licensed cooks in controlled environments
  • Clear schedules and communication ensure everyone knows where they need to be

👉 From housing to ministry sites to daily movement, everything is intentionally planned with safety in mind.

Where will our group stay?

Groups stay in retreat center-style lodging with:

  • Air conditioning
  • A bed for every participant
  • Sheets and pillows provided
  • Separate spaces for male and female students
  • Optional separate rooms for leaders

👉 This is not floor sleeping—rest and health are prioritized.

What are meals like during the week?

All meals are included and prepared by licensed cooks.

Meals are served buffet-style, offering variety to meet different dietary needs.

Your group will also experience select local food options to connect with the culture of the city.

What does a typical day look like?

Each day follows a balanced, intentional rhythm:

  • Morning: Devotions and preparation
  • Daytime: Hands-on ministry
  • Afternoon: Continued engagement
  • Evening: Recreation, worship, and group reflection

👉 It’s structured enough to feel smooth—but flexible enough to feel natural.

What kind of evening activities are included?

Each week includes:

  • Experience Night
  • Beach or Lake Night
  • Service Project Night
  • Two Games & Sports Nights

👉 These are designed to build relationships and create meaningful moments, not just fill time.

Are there additional costs during the trip?

Most of the week is all-inclusive.

Optional upgrades (like the swamp tour or Nashville city tour) may have an additional cost, but everything else—meals, lodging, ministry, and core experiences—is included.

How does transportation work?

Groups are responsible for providing their own transportation for the entire week, including:

  • Travel to and from the trip location
  • Daily transportation to ministry sites and activities

👉 Thirst Missions provides the full schedule, coordination, and guidance—you provide the transportation.

Can multiple youth groups attend the same week?

Yes. Youth Collective Trips bring multiple groups together, creating a high-energy, shared experience—while still preserving your individual group identity and time together.

Will our group still have its own time together?

Absolutely.

Each group has dedicated Home Church Group Time every evening, along with natural moments throughout the week to connect, reflect, and grow together.

What is the Blessing Bag Ministry?

Each student prepares and personally distributes a blessing bag to someone in need.

This creates a one-on-one, relational ministry moment that often becomes one of the most impactful parts of the week.

How many students can attend each week?

Each week is limited to 60 total participants, which helps maintain:

  • Quality experiences
  • Strong leadership
  • Meaningful relationships

How do we reserve our spot?

You can reserve your group with:

  • $299 group registration
  • $50 per participant deposit

👉 Spots are limited and typically fill quickly.

Is this trip a good fit for first-time mission groups?

Yes.

Because everything is structured and led by experienced staff, this is an excellent option for both first-time and experienced groups.

How do students typically pay for the trip?

Most groups use a combination of fundraising, personal support, and church assistance.

We provide a clear structure so leaders can guide students through the process.

👉 Many students are able to go—even if cost feels like a barrier at first.

What if a student has dietary restrictions or allergies?

Meals are planned with variety and flexibility in mind.

Students can choose options that fit their needs, and leaders can communicate dietary restrictions ahead of time.

What kind of preparation is required before the trip?

We make preparation simple and clear:

  • Participant manual provided
  • Trip Portal access
  • Pre-trip communication and guidance

👉 You don’t have to build a system—we give you one.

What if something doesn’t go as planned during the week?

Our experienced staff are trained to adapt, adjust, and lead through real-time situations.

We handle the details so your group stays focused on the experience.

What kind of impact can we expect from this trip?

Leaders consistently tell us:

  • Students come home with stronger faith
  • Relationships are deeper
  • Students stay more engaged in church afterward

👉 This isn’t just a good week—it’s often a turning point.

How do I know if this is the right trip for our group?

If you’re looking for a mission trip that is:

  • Easy to plan
  • Strong in spiritual depth
  • High in student engagement
  • Fully supported from start to finish

👉 This is exactly what your group needs.

View past participant Reviews