Anatomy of a Family Trip

Trip Description

Family service trips are designed for families to spend time doing meaningful and fulfilling things together. The vision of Spark of Hope Foundation is to deliver hope to the people of Baja California, Mexico through hands-on service from ordinary people. Our experience is that Hope is created on both sides of the border as we provide this service.

4 day trip schedule

including sunday

Day 1 (Sunday):  Cross border, attend church, unpack at dormitory, visit orphanage.
Days 2-4 (Mon-Wed): Wake to singing, scriptures and food. Work on service projects. Evening activities.
Day 4 (Wednesday): Finish projects and cross the border.

3 day trip schedule

Day 0 (Wednesday): Cross border at 7:00 pm, unpack at dormitory
Days 1-3 (Thurs - Sat): Wake to singing, scriptures and food. Work on service projects. Evening activities.
Day 4 (Sunday): Cross the border and back in the USA approximately 11:30 am.

Accomodations

The dormitory “Chispa” has bunk beds with mattresses, toilets, showers, a kitchen, electricity and secure parking. Depending on family sizes and the number of families that come, each family will get a private room to use. We eat most of our meals in this building.

what we eat

Breakfast: Beans, eggs, tortillas, quesadillas, and chilaquiles.
Lunch: Burritos, Tacos, and Tortas
Dinner: Enchiladas, Tacos, Tostadas, Chicken with beans and rice, Mole,
Other: etc.Snacks, water, gatorade are provided throughout the day and evening.

work we do

Framing, painting, sheetrock, mudding, roofing, plumbing, tiling, electrical, shovel work, …
You do not need any experience in doing these things.  We will train you on the job.

Evening Activities

Dinner and performances from locals (dancing, singing, music), beach, night games, …

Travel

You are responsible for all costs of travel to and from Tijuana and while in Tijuana.
Special insurance for your vehicle is required and costs approx. $35/day.

crossing the border to the USA

We will cross the border together.  It is a fun experience that can last 30 minutes or 4 hours. People over 18 years old need a passport.  Those 18 and under need proof of citizenship (drivers license or a copy of a birth certificate). You can read more about this here.

How your trip Donation is used

Your trip donation is 100% tax deductible because we are a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation will be used mostly for building materials.
In addition, it pays for food, Chispa building upkeep, entertainment and to help ongoing Spark of Hope Foundation initiatives.

trip Cancellation

If this service trip is cancelled more than 30 days prior to trip start, you will recieve a full refund of your donation. If this service trip is cancelled 30 days or less from trip start, you will receive the amount of money not yet spent by Spark of Hope Foundation in trip preparation proportional to your family size.

Age Restrictions

Participants must be at lease 8 years old to attend this service trip.

Still have questions? Please reach out.