Elder Community Service – Mission Trips

LOCATION: Fr. Beiting Appalachian Mission Center
FALL TRIP: SEP 15-19, 2026
SPRING TRIP: APR 20-24, 2027
COST: No Charge
SERVICE HOURS: 25 (participating) or 30 (participating & completing reflection)
ADULT LEADERS: Mrs. Jennifer Lanter & Fr. Andrew Gronotte

Elder students are invited to participate in the very special Appalachian outreach trip (MAP).  This is a mission trip/retreat experience where students will do volunteer work each day through the Mission Center.  Each evening participants live in community where they prepare and share meals together, discuss and reflect on their experiences, and end the evening in shared prayer.

MORE INFORMATION
Visit https://www.fbamc-ky.org/ for more information about the Mission Center.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Photos: 2026 (Spring) | 2025 (Fall)
Video: HERE and HERE

LOCATION: St. Vincent de Paul Ozanam Center
UPCOMING TRIPS: FEB 12 – 14, 2027
COST: No Charge
SERVICE HOURS: 15 (participating) or 20 (participating & completing reflection)
ADULT LEADER: Mrs. Jennifer Lanter

This is a 3-day Urban Plunge service-learning experience offered by the St. Vincent de Paul Ozanam Center in Cincinnati, is based on the paradigm of Experience, Reflection, and Action. Students learn about the needs of people in poverty who live in Over-the-Rhine and the West End and serve them through St. Vincent de Paul. Overnight accommodation at the St. Vincent de Paul Bank Street location.

PHOTOS
Winter 2026

LOCATION: Solferino/Quintana Roo, Mexico (just outside Cancun)
UPCOMING TRIP:  JUNE 14-20, 2027
COST: $2000
SERVICE HOURS: 65 (participating) or 70 (participating & completing reflection)
ADULT LEADER: Fr. Andrew Gronotte

Elder High School is excited to offer a summer mission trip to Solferino, Quintana Roo, Mexico (just outside Cancun – MAP). This service trip will allow students to explore a new culture while completing service projects, spending time in prayer and reflection, and spending time with members of the community we serve. The cost is all-inclusive, covering all travel, meals, mission activities, sightseeing, and transportation.

Tentative Itinerary

• Mon | Travel Day: Leave Cincinnati, arrive in Cancun Mexico, transportation to Solferino, welcome, dinner, night prayers
• Tues – Fri | Service Days: Prayer, breakfast, mission work, lunch, community time, mass, dinner
• Sat | Mass, travel back to Cancun, beach day in Puerto Morelos, and visit cenote.
• Sun | Travel Day – Breakfast, check out, transfer to airport, return to Cincinnati

PARENT MEETING
Several meetings will be held prior to the trip.  Trip details regarding the mission and the service we will perform will be shared at that time. We will also discuss fundraising during the parent meeting.

PASSPORT
If you are interested please make sure to apply for a passport for your son, passports are needed to book the flights. Passports are currently taking about a month to receive after application.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Photos: 2026 | 2025
Video: 2026

QUOTES FROM PARTCIPANTS

• “For me, the most impactful moment was when I got to play with the children. Even though we didn’t speak the same language we showed our love through sports. When my really good friend Mateo started crying while I was hugging him before we left.”
• “The most memorable moment of the trip for me was the Cenote because it helped me come closer to the other guys on the trip.”
• “The most impactful moment was when they threw a party for us at the last day in the town, it just really surprised me!”