ALIQUIPPA MISSION TRIP

WHEN: 

Four Trip Dates in 2021.  

July 8-11, July 15-18, July 22-25, July 29 to Aug 1.     Trips begin on a Thursday evening and conclude around 2pm Sunday.  Groups can stay longer if they choose.  Or if you prefer call to adjust days to fit your group's needs. 

If your group is interested in a week not listed we do have some availability in August or Labor Day weekend.  Call to ask us about booking on days not listed. 

WHERE:   

Aliquippa is located in western Pennsylvania about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. 

WHO:  

This trip is for everyone. Married, single, kids, students, whole families, whole small groups. This trip is a great way to interact across generations and experience serving  and mission together.  You can reserve spots for your whole church, or just your student ministry. 

 Aliquippa is a small town located in western Pennsylvania.  In 1905  the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company constructed a mill in Aliquippa causing the small town to grow and prosper.   By the 1940’s, Aliquippa was a thriving community  with around 30,000 people living in the city. 

When J & L Steel closed the mill in the 1980’s, Aliquippa suffered greatly. The poverty rate went up as employment went down. Today, the city has around 9,000 residents. This has left many of the businesses and residences abandoned. In Aliquippa over 90% of the students in their schools are on subsidized lunches. Aliquippa faces real difficulty, but Jesus is working through many people to show the city his love. 

Scott and Sue Branderhorst are local missionaries in Aliquippa. They are on the ground year round, they know the area, the people and have established trust in Aliquippa. They connect us with people who have needs we can help with. 

We love working with Scott and Sue. Their love for people and sacrificial service is contagious.  To find out more about Scott and Sue and the work they do in Aliquippa  CLICK HERE. 

UNCOMMON GROUNDS CAFE'

The Cafe' is a bit of a ministry hub in Aliquippa. Uncommon Grounds Cafe' is supported by Church Army and lead by Herb Bailey.  We partner with Herb in a variety of ways and appreciate his passion for social justice, art, the dignity of all people and motorcycles. 

We visit the cafe so our teams get a taste of the best chocolate milk on the planet and also get to rub shoulders with Herb and their team.

Covid has been difficult for all of us to navigate the past 12 months.  This summer when we take trips to Aliquippa we want to do our best to ensure everyone has an amazing experience and also feels safe. 

ADVANTAGES:

Our trips to Aliquippa do have some advantages built into them. 

1. The lodging is in tents which are shared by family groups. Individuals that come can be in their own tent. This limits exposure. 

2. Practically everything we do is outside.  We are literally outside for everything but travel, showers and sleeping.  this too limits exposure.

3. Travel can be in family groups or pods. Travel during the trip to and from worksites can be grouped in families or pods to limit exposure. 

As summer approaches we will put other protocols in place as needed. Since we do not know what the status of covid will be in July we are hesitant to make a plan that will likely change.  We can tell you that we will be abiding with state requirements and mandates. If your group leader would like to call to discuss this we would love to hear from you. 

We have found that folks who come on this trip experience a ton of spiritual growth in just a short amount of time.  Each day you and your team will get to experience healthy relationships in three ways.  A combination of Up-In-Out relationships each day produces exponential growth. 

1. UP  - with our Heavenly Father while you pray and interact with God's Word.

2. IN - with each other during camp fire discussion, enjoying meals and all sorts of fun in the evening. 

3. OUT - with the people of Aliquippa, as you serve throughout the day, both giving to them and receiving from them. 

We camp out on  80 acres of private property a short drive from Aliquippa.  It is kind of like a private park. This property has two ponds, many hiking trails, a picnic pavilion, sitting areas, a volleyball court and a bocci ball court. We swim and fish in the ponds, take walks, enjoying evening camp fires and really utilize this space to unwind and enjoy hanging out.

We stay in tents. Groups are encouraged to bring the tents they need for their group. In the event you run into trouble securing enough tents we do have a few that can be used. 

We spend time in the mornings doing  simple projects that allow us to work side by side with those we are helping.  Serving can be cleaning, painting, landscaping, light construction or all of the above. We make sure that the work you do is equal to your group's skill level. 

In the afternoon's we set up shop in a local park and spend time caring about kids and their families by getting to know them and hearing their stories. This can include anything from  face painting to a pick up game of touch football. 

We do have a few foodies on our team who like good food, so we tend to eat yummy food with plenty of healthy options. 

We eat at our camp site in a picnic pavilion. The food is prepared daily by our RippleFX team. We  ask some folks to pitch in each meal to make set-up and clean-up go quickly.  If you have food allergies or special food needs in your group please let us know so we can accommodate you. 

The cost includes  all food, lodging, and construction supplies. Groups provide their own transportation for the trip, both to our lodging location and also  to worksites each day.   Groups are also asked to bring some simple things to do with kids; sidewalk chalk, bubbles, kickballs, other simple games or crafts.

COST: Our 2021 trips cost  is $175 per person for groups that have less than 30. If your group has more than 30  the cost is $150 per person.

1. Toilets: There are portable toilets on the property as  well as one flush toilet. 

2. Showers: We shower each afternoon  at a local YMCA.  Since the Y has so many the process goes very quickly. 

3. Storms:  In the event of inclement weather we do have a church facility that we will stay in.  

We make it simple for your group.  the less you have to pack the better.  For example, you can go fishing in one of the ponds where we camp if you'd like, but we have all the fishing gear and bait ready for you, no need to pack it. There are few things we do need you to bring. 

 1. A camp chair. We use these every night during our campfire times. 

2. Simple tools for working. Work gloves, garbage bags, maybe a rake per family, 2 paintbrushes per family and  maybe one person from your entire group can bring a tool box. 

3. Simple things for Kids. Some sidewalk chalk, some bubbles, a kickball, a jump rope or something else to use in the park. 

4. Snacks to share. We have plenty of food, good food. We even do smores at night. But there is something about having your own snacks that you like. So we suggest bring some and then having some to share with others. 

Registering for a trip is a two step process. 

First, fill out the registration form below and submit it. 

Then,  send us a deposit.  Your spots are not secured until we get the check in hand!  Or you can use a credit card. 

Once we receive your registration form we will send an invitation to you for a RFX account. This account will give you access to all of our Trip Leader Resources.  Which you can access on our website.

1. Send us a deposit. 

2. Once you submit your Group Registration Form you have two weeks to get us  your deposit for spots. If we do not get your deposit within two weeks you run the risk of forfeiting your spots. 

3. We need $50 for every spot you want.

4. All Checks should be made out to "RippleFX"

Mail your check to:

RippleFX 

ONE Center for Leadership

901 Tuscarawas St E, 

Canton, OH 44707

You can give John a call if you have questions about trip details. 330.354.5437