Frequently Asked Questions
There are always many questions that come up when planning a mission trip. We’ve put together a list of the ones asked most frequently. If you still have other questions or you need more information, let us know!
General
- Lodging in campus dorms or hotel-style rooms
- Three meals a day (hot breakfast, sack lunch, and a hot dinner)
- Professional staff to facilitate your experience
- Ministry site assignments that match the ability and desires of your group
- Worship services and fellowship opportunities
- Preparation materials designed to spiritually prepare your group for missions in our city
- Private meeting space for group time at night
- A MissionLab t-shirt, devotional, and pen
MissionLab does not provide transportation of any kind (i.e. airport runs, trips to mission sites, Wal-Mart runs, hospital runs). Please make sure that you have enough transportation options for your group. If traveling by bus, consider renting a van as a secondary means of transportation for convenience and/or emergencies. Some areas of the city are easier to navigate by van than by bus, and parking tends to be much easier as well. Please keep this in mind when planning transportation.
If your group decides to charter a bus, be sure to arrange all chartered bus driver accommodations such as housing and meals. Your driver is invited to eat with us and stay in our guest housing, but these arrangements must be made in advance. Let us know if you need meals and housing for your bus driver, as these costs are in addition to program fees. Please consult the bus charter company for more details. Before embarking on your MissionLab experience, be sure to address all financial concerns and responsibilities with the charter bus company and the motor coach operator. Contact our office to make arrangements for your bus driver.
Free time is available and flexible with our customized schedule. We build in a few free evenings for groups to spend either relaxing on campus or site-seeing in the city, and if notified ahead of time, we can also add free time during the day depending on what you would like for your group. The tourist environment of New Orleans provides opportunities for some great activities, and we always encourage our groups to experience the culture and cuisine that the city has to offer. We can also recommend a number of options for free or low-cost activities around New Orleans. There are also on-campus options for free time as well. The campus gym and pool are open at various times of the week, depending on the season.
What is the discipline policy?
If inappropriate behavior is observed or reported to MissionLab staff, a sponsor or group leader will be notified and allowed to handle the situation. In some circumstances, Campus Police may also be notified. The MissionLab staff reserves the right to send any participant or group home for any inappropriate behavior or action.
Group leaders choose rooming assignments. Two housing options are available, dormitory or hotel style housing. Dorms are furnished with bunk beds. If your group chooses to stay in the dorms, you will need to bring your own pillows, bed linens, towels, and toiletries. We will give you the appropriate number of rooms based on how many people are in your group, and your leader will then be responsible for assigning roommates to each specific room.
We also offer the hotel-style rooms at Providence Guest House (two-person private rooms with a bathroom and linens provided). PGH is located across the street from the NOBTS campus, so groups or group members staying there will have to walk or drive across Gentilly Blvd. for all MissionLab activities such as meals and worship.
Contact our office for assistance in determining which housing option is right for your group.
Is there a place to do laundry on campus?
There are no laundry facilities for MissionLab use on campus. Groups are encouraged to bring enough clothes for each day, including extra clothes you don't mind getting dirty and will not need to wear again. There are two public laundromats across the street from campus if you absolutely need access to one. They cost $2-$5 per load.
Casual, comfortable clothes are recommended for both ministry and free time. Our desire is to minister to the greatest number of people possible. Whether you are on campus or out on the site, it is important that nothing we do, say, or wear distracts from our message of sharing the Gospel and making disciples. In an effort to help you dress in a manner that will not take away from your ministry efforts, we have provided the following guidelines that are strictly enforced by our staff both :
SHORTS: Shorts need to extend at least one inch below fingertips while standing.
SHIRTS: Beware of any offensive or insensitive material printed on t-shirts. You can roll the sleeves up and sleeveless shirts may be worn, but no thin strapped tank-tops or midriffs are allowed. No part of undergarments must ever be seen. Due to sudden rainfall in New Orleans, girls should pack more than just white t-shirts.
SHOES: Closed-toe shoes with closed heels must be worn while on construction sites. Keep your feet protected!
JEANS: Jeans offer more protection, but are not required for work sites unless otherwise stated. Low-cut hip hugger jeans are not allowed unless a shirt is worn long enough to cover the backside and midriff. Undergarments must never been seen.
If for any reason your clothing choices do not meet these standards, we will ask you to change clothes. We always want to make sure that whatever we do is glorifying to God!
-Alcohol
-Illegal substances
-Firearms
-Fireworks
-Dangerous weapons
-Skateboards
-Scooters
The MissionLab staff reserves the right to send any participant or group home for any inappropriate behavior or action.
Health and Safety
This may be one of the most frequently asked questions at MissionLab. New Orleans, like any other urban center around the US, has crime issues. Please know, though, that all of our campers are housed on the NOBTS campus that is both gated and has 24-hour security. Our campus police team patrols the campus regularly throughout the day and night and also monitors whoever enters and leaves the campus. We also strive to ensure safety when we send groups to mission sites around the city. The places we send our groups have long been prayed over and lifted up to the Lord in our preparation.
What do I do about medical issues while in New Orleans?
We provide a leader packet for each group which contains vital information about many things including medical issues. There is a clinic on the campus of NOBTS that groups are welcome to frequent for minor medical issues. We also provide info about local urgent care clinics and emergency rooms in case anything comes up during your stay in New Orleans.
For Campers
Can I bring my cell phone or other electronic devices?
Each group leader must decide whether or not to allow his or her students to bring and use cell phones and electronic devices such as iPods, CD players, Gameboys, etc. We do ask that students limit their use of these devices, though, so as not to be distracted from the mission at hand. NO cell phones are permitted during times of worship. Neither MissionLab nor NOBTS are responsible for damage to or theft of any equipment. Groups are solely responsible for safeguarding their equipment on mission sites and on campus.
Can I receive mail while at MissionLab?
Yes. Your family and friends can mail letters and packages to:
Camper's Name
Church Name
C/O MissionLab
3939 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70126
For Leaders
Will we have access to water and ice?
Each group will have access to ice. Please bring water for the week for your group. Remember to bring enough ice chests and coolers to accommodate your drinks.
Sometimes the need for tools varies by site. Unless otherwise informed by the site coordinator, though, each group will be responsible for bringing the necessary tools for their site or acquiring them once here in New Orleans.
Do we need to bring supplies if we are doing children's ministry or recreation ministry?
Unless otherwise arranged, most of our children's ministry groups set up their programming in parks and green space around the city and spend the week ministering there. We provide the location, and you're off and running! Groups should come prepared with whatever supplies they would like to use for their ministry, whether that involves crafts or equipment for games. Also keep in mind the heat factor: you may want to bring along snacks and juice for both your group and the neighborhood kids.
Will our group have a private meeting area?
A private classroom has been reserved for your group to meet from 9:15-10:15PM. This can be a special time of prayer, sharing, growth, and bonding with your group. Some activities we suggest are:
- talking through the day's experiences and how it applies to life back home
- planning for the next day
- personal reflection and worship
