Frequently Asked Questions
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Atlanta Discover FAQ Chicago Discover FAQ Denver Discover FAQ Hollywood Discover FAQ Miami Discover FAQ San Antonio Discover FAQ |
What does DOOR cost and what is included?
$305 per person for a week long trip
$275 per person for college groups
$95 per person for a weekend trip
Food (except Wednesday night as a night to explore on your own), lodging, any materials necessary for service experiences, reflection materials, evening speakers and activities, facility costs and maintenance, program administration, and year round relationships in each city with 20-50 ministries and agencies from a variety of backgrounds and approaches to ministry.
Weekends are often customized with the City Director, but typically all meals are covered over the weekend starting with Saturday breakfast and ending with Sunday lunch. Please check with the City Director specifically to go over arrival times and meals.
When can my group participate in DOOR?
DOOR is available year round. Call the national office at 303-295-3667 to ask about specific dates. You must submit a group registration and the appropriate deposit to secure your dates. We request at least three weeks notice. Some summer weeks and locations can fill up 8 to 10 months in advance, so register early!
Are there any age limitations?
The agencies DOOR partners often limit the age of their volunteers. Most agencies need volunteers to be at least 13. Contact city directors if you have questions. However, we believe in intergenerational learning. We can plan special family mission experiences. Please work with the City Director to make arrangements accordingly.
Where will we stay?
Each city has slightly different lodging arrangements. See the information below for specifics on each city. Slide show tours are being posted for every city's facilities to give you a visual of the site.
When should we arrive?
You should plan to arrive by 6:00pm on Sunday evening (for a week long trip). For a weekend trip, plan to arrive by 6:00pm on Friday evening. You need to eat supper before you arrive.
How do we get around the city?
We rely on your vehicles to get your group around the city. Contact the city director to discuss other options. Each city has a public transportation system and some cities use it to move groups. Some cities offer the chance to experience the week entirely on public transportation. HOWEVER, this option is limited and is not available in all cities.
What is the adult-youth ratio needed for youth group trips?
One adult for every five youth. We divide your group into smaller groups of 4-6 people for going to work sites and need to put one to two adults in each group. One adult for every 4 middle school participants is encouraged. Families or intergenerational groups must bring a guardian for each child under 13. The guardian must accompany the child on work experiences. It is best to designate a leader that has no minors in their care for the specific duration of the trip.
Are we the only church coming? Do churches mix when putting together teams?
Probably not. We will book up to 65 people per week. Most likely you will be here with other churches. When making the teams to send to work sites, we do not mix churches.
How do I register my group for DOOR?
Full registration information is available here: Registration
Your spots are not reserved until your initial deposit is received. We accept checks and credit cards for all payments.
Can we pay by credit card?
Yes- DOOR accepts Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. Call the national office (303-295-3667) to make a payment by credit card.
How do we pay by check?
Make a check payable to DOOR and mail to 430 W 9th Ave, Denver CO 80204. Please include a note that indicates your group name and trip dates.
What if we have to cancel?
Please see our cancellation policy page.
DOOR Atlanta Frequently Asked Questions
Does Central Presbyterian Church have showers?
Yes, the church has multiple private showers for your use.
Does the church have air-conditioning?
Yes.
What is the sleeping arrangement at the churches in Atlanta?
At Central Presbyterian, we provide a mattresses for everyone. Each participant needs a sleeping bag and pillow.
Is there parking at Central Presbyterian?
There is limited parking at Central Presbyterian Church. Be prepared to pay for parking if needed.
Where should our groups eat supper on Sunday evening before we arrive at DOOR Atlanta?
It would be a good idea to eat just outside of Atlanta before coming to the church.
Will our group have any free time in Atlanta?
Your group will have Wednesday evening after you return from your worksites to explore the city. You are on your own for supper on Wednesday evening to try a restaurant of your choice. The rest of the week is programmed with DOOR activities so if you want more free time you should plan to stay after the DOOR program is finished.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Due to MARTA (Atlanta's public transit) service cuts in late 2010, we can no longer offer public transit as an option in Atlanta. Because of the reduced service, we can no longer rely on public transit to reach all our agency work sites.
We rely on the vehicles you bring with you and many groups can walk to their service sites.
Atlanta Packing List!
DOOR Chicago Frequently Asked Questions
Does First Church of the Brethren have showers?
Yes, there are four private showers at the church.
Does the church have air-conditioning?
Yes.
What is the sleeping arrangement at First Church of the Brethren?
All DOOR participants sleep on the floor of the church. We separate men and women between the balcony of the sanctuary and classrooms. Each participant needs a sleeping bag and pillow. Please do not bring large air mattresses as they take up too much space, however, you may bring a camping mat along with your sleeping bag.
Is there parking at First Church of the Brethren?
Yes, DOOR has a gated, locked parking lot for all vehicles that you may bring. If you are bringing a full sized bus, we can help you find parking off site.
Where should our groups eat on Sunday evening before we arrive at First Church of the Brethren?
You are responsible for eating before you arrive at the church at 6 pm. East Garfield Park does not have many places to eat, so it is best to eat before arriving in the city. If eating in the neighborhood is the best option for you, the following listings hopefully provide a guide. Most things in the community close around 8 pm on Sunday evening, so please do not count on eating after our orientation session on Sunday night. Check out this area for local eateries.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Yes and this can be one of the best ways to experience the city. Groups may choose to use public transportation for the entire week (extra charge per person). If you do not choose this option, you will still have a chance to ride public transportation at least one time during your week in Chicago. Please see the public transportation page.
Will our group have any free time in Chicago?
Monday through Thursday after worksites you may have some downtime before supper. Wednesday evening groups have a free night to explore the city and have a Chicago style meal on your own. If you would like to stay an extra day to explore we will host you for the extra nights for $15 a night (no meals included). However some weeks we cannot allow extra nights due to facility sharing. Please confirm with the national office and be sure to mark your desire on your registration form.
Is it easy to get to First Church from the airport?
Yes:
O’Hare: Take the Blue Line from O’Hare through downtown to Kedzie-Homan stop. Take the Homan side exit. Turn right out of the station, walk across the highway to Congress. Turn left on Congress. Walk two blocks to Central Park. First Church is at the northeast corner of Congress and Central Park.
Midway: Take the Orange Line from Midway to downtown at the Clark/Lake stop. Transfer to the Forest Park Blue Line train at Clark/Lake. Take Blue Line to Kedzie-Homan. Take the Homan side exit. Turn right out of the station, walk across the highway to Congress. Turn left on Congress. Walk two blocks to Central Park. First Church is at the northeast corner of Congress and Central Park.
What kind of clothes should we wear?
Most sites require you wear pants. We suggest you pack both pants and shorts, but bring enough pants that you could wear them for 4 days. In addition all sites require that you wear closed toed shoes and t-shirts. Your clothes should not have any vulgar or offensive messages printed on them.
Should we bring gloves?
It would be helpful. We have many garden projects this summer and having your own work gloves is very helpful.
Do Capris count as long pants at Chicago's work sites?
No.
What kind of shoes should we wear?
Closed toe shoes are important at many of our sites. Crocs are NOT ok.
Chicago Packing List!
DOOR Denver Frequently Asked Questions
Does DOOR provide showers?
Yes, there are showers.
Does the church have air-conditioning?
Yes, also remember that summer evenings in Denver tend to be cool.
Is there a minimum age?
Volunteers must be at least 13 years old. Agencies in Denver will not allow younger volunteers. If your group wishes to arrange a intergenerational experience, we can with appropriate notice. Please contact us to discuss the details of such a trip.
What is the sleeping arrangement at First Mennonite Church?
We have several small 'sunday school' rooms and one large area as well.
Is there parking at First Mennonite Church?
Yes, but it is limited.
Where should our groups eat on Sunday evening before we arrive at First Mennonite Church?
There are several restaurants at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Santa Fe Drive. The intersection of 6th Avenue and Broadway also has many restaurants.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Groups may choose to use public transportation for the week (extra charge per person) HOWEVER we ask that the group have use of at least one vehicle during the week. Using public transportation for your group is only available for the first 25 people each week who register for this option. Otherwise, you will not use public transportation unless you purchase bus passes. Please see our Public Transportation page.
Will our group have any free time in Denver?
Your group will have some time after each day’s service sites and will have Wednesday evening after you return from your work sites to explore the city. You are on your own for supper on Wednesday evening to try a restaurant of your choice. The rest of the week is programmed with DOOR activities so if you want more free time you should plan to stay after the DOOR program is finished.
Denver Packing List!
DOOR Hollywood Frequently Asked Questions
Does DOOR Hollywood have showers?
Yes. Bring your own toiletries. For small groups staying in our community house, there are private, individual showers. For large groups staying at our church, there is a common, locker-room style shower room.
Does DOOR Hollywood have air-conditioning?
Yes. Evenings are cool.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
When using the community house, there are bunk beds for 16 participants. When using our other facilities, participants sleep on Sunday school floors. Genders are separated. All participants should bring sleeping bags and a pillow.
Will our group have any free time in Hollywood?
There is free time after each day of service and before the evening programs. Your group will have Wednesday evening after you service site to explore the city and try a restaurant of your choice. The rest of the week is programmed with DOOR activities so if you want more free time you should plan to stay after the DOOR program is finished.
Hollywood Packing List !
DOOR Miami Frequently Asked Questions
Does the church have air-conditioning? Hot showers at the church too?
Yes and Yes. We are so pleased to partner with Christ the King. It is a wonderful facility.
Is there parking at Christ the King?
Yes, it is a grassy lot on the property of the church.
What is the sleeping arrangement at Christ the King Lutheran Church?
DOOR Miami participants sleep on the floor of the church Sunday School rooms. We separate men and women in different room. Each participant needs a sleeping bag and pillow. It is OK to bring a thin sleeping mat. We are not always able to accommodate large inflatable air mattresses due to space issues.
We do have some twin size mattresses for adults.
Will our group have any free time in Miami?
There is free time after each day of service and before the evening meal. Your group will have Wednesday evening after you return from your worksites to explore the city. You are on your own for supper on Wednesday evening to try a restaurant of your choice. The rest of the week is programmed with DOOR activities so if you want more free time you should plan to stay after the DOOR program is finished.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Yes, Groups may choose to use public transportation for the entire week (extra charge per person). This is only available for the first 30 people each week who register this option. If you do not choose this option, you will still have a chance to ride public transportation at least one time during your week in Miami. Please see the public transportation page.
Do Capris count as long pants? Do Crocs count as closed toe shoes?
Yes. Yes.
Do we have to know Spanish?
No, Miami is not just Spanish-speaking. Over 150 languages are spoken in our public school system. It is true though that every city sign must be printed in English, Spanish and French Creole. You will have opportunities to use or learn many languages if you’d like.
Miami Packing List!
DOOR San Antonio Frequently Asked Questions
Does DOOR provide showers?
Yes, there are four private showers available in San Antonio Mennonite Church.
Does the church have air-conditioning?
The church has air conditioning in common areas and the sleeping areas.
What is the sleeping arrangement at San Antonio Mennonite Church?
Groups will sleep in classrooms and the sanctuary. You may bring small sleeping mats to sleep on. Please do not bring large inflatable mattresses so that we are able to accommodate everyone.
Is there parking at San Antonio Mennonite Church?
Yes.
Where should our groups eat on Sunday evening before we arrive at San Antonio Mennonite Church/The Mary Martha House?
There are several fast food restaurants within a two mile radius of the facility. We can easily give you directions before you arrive. In addition we are only one mile away from the city center and there are hundreds of restaurants there to choose from as well as the Market Square, the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico, where great food is available.
Are there opportunities to ride public transportation during the week?
Yes and this can be one of the best ways to experience the city. Groups may choose to use public transportation for the entire week (extra charge per person). If you do not choose this option, you will still have a chance to ride public transportation at least one time during your week in San Antonio. Please see the public transportation page.
Do Capris count as long pants?
Yes. Capris do count as long pants. Everyone needs to bring at least one pair of pants. Some agencies require long pants, or you will not be able to serve in those agencies.
What kind of clothes should we wear?
Most sites allow shorts but certain ones require you wear pants. We suggest you pack both pants and shorts. In addition all sites require that you wear t shirts(with sleeves- not tank tops.) You clothes should not have any vulgar or offensive messages printed on them.
What shoes should we bring? What about Crocs?
You should bring closed-toed shoes for serving in the partner agencies. All work sites require closed toed shoes. We suggest tennis shoes. Additionally you may wish to bring a pair of flip flops for free time. Crocs are not appropriate closed toed shoes for most work sites. Please bring tennis shoes for service sites.
Do we have to know Spanish?
No, even though San Antonio is 64% Latino a very small percentage of the population speaks Spanish. This is due in part to a very aggressive campaign in the 1980's to "weed" out Spanish from the schools.
Will our group have any free time in San Antonio?
Your group will have Wednesday evening after you return from your work sites to explore the city. You are on your own for supper on Wednesday evening to try a restaurant of your choice. We suggest eating on the world famous River Walk. The rest of the week is programmed with DOOR activities so if you want more free time you should plan to stay after the DOOR program is finished.
What about the optional Mexico trip?
Due to changes in our partner ministries on the border and the changes in documentation for leaving the US, we no longer offer the optional Mexico trip. We hope to offer this special trip in the future but do not foresee it's possibility yet.
San Antonio Packing List!
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