About the Ultimate Workout

The Ultimate Workout is an annual international teen mission project sponsored by Maranatha Volunteers International. It is intended to “connect teens to Christ through service” by giving participants a physical, social, and spiritual workout through the trip activities.

The Ultimate Workout is a high school experience. We accept volunteers who have completed their freshman year of high school up through recently graduated seniors who have not yet begun college.

No. Ultimate Workout is open to ALL teenagers who have completed grade nine and we accept volunteers from all backgrounds and religious affiliations. We ask that all volunteers come into the project with an attitude of respect toward one another. Maranatha is an Adventist Christian organization, so there will be a spiritual component to the trip and volunteers are expected to join the group for daily worships, spiritual discussions, and church services on Saturday. We also ask that volunteers respect Adventist values while on the project.

Expenses can vary, but typically volunteers pay a participation fee that is between $900 and $1,100. The participation fee covers your food, housing set-up, in-country transportation, insurance, an excursion, t-shirt, and Bible. The fee also contributes to the cost of construction and outreach activities. Fees must be submitted by the final deadline (typically six weeks before the trip).

The participation fee does not cover passport fees or visas, airfare, vaccines, souvenirs, or purchasing items on packing list (if you don’t already own them).

It’s normal to feel nervous about sending your teen to another country alone. To ease the anxiety, Maranatha does our best to provide lots of information and ways to connect with fellow travelers.  And at the destination airport, our staff will be waiting for volunteers at the airport to escort them to home base. Tips for the traveling minor:

• Wear the Ultimate Workout t-shirt provided while traveling!
• At some point in your travel, you will probably see other volunteers wearing UW t-shirts. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and travel together.
• Airlines offer assistance to minors by having chaperones between connecting flights. You can request this, but this does mean they will not be allowed to interact with other UW travelers between flights.
• Keep Maranatha’s emergency number with you while traveling. If you miss a connection or if your flight is cancelled, you can always call us and we will help you figure out the rest of your trip.
• When you arrive at your destination airport, go through customs, pick up your bags, and then exit into the lobby. Our staff will be wearing the UW t-shirts and looking for you!
• If you ever feel anxious, ask airport personnel for help!

We encourage you research for the best airfares. There are a number of online travel sites that search for the lowest airfare. You can also contact local travel agents to see if they can find a better deal. Maranatha recommends two different travel agents in the information packet. Be sure you have the correct dates and times BEFORE purchasing your tickets!

Unfortunately, Maranatha does not have a travel agent on staff and we do not have a group discount since the volunteers are coming from many different places. Participants should purchase a flight from their home airport that matches the guidelines in the information packet. Do not purchase a ticket until the participant has received confirmation from Maranatha that they are accepted to the project.

Check out the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to look up health advice for travelers to specific regions. We provide additional information about the specific project location in our Ultimate Workout information packet. 

Maranatha requires that all our volunteers have a current tetanus shot prior to traveling. In addition, each individual should make their own decisions regarding vaccinations and prophylaxis. Do your research early as the vaccine process could take a couple of weeks and some specific vaccines require multiple shots. We recommend speaking with a travel clinic doctor at least a month prior to departure.

There are adult staff members that will supervise and mentor the teens. Christian staff members have been recruited especially for their interest in mentoring teens. All staff goes through a screening and background check process as well as in-country training prior to the project. Maranatha strives to keep a 1:4 ratio of adults to teen participants.

The Ultimate Workout is for teens but there are opportunities to serve in a staff role. Staff members should have a desire to work with teens and nurture their spiritual development. If you are interested in serving as a staff member, please contact Maranatha.

Not unless you are fulfilling another staff role such as medical provider, construction superintendent, etc. By not opening this project up to parents, teens are forced to branch out and meet new people. Rather than staying in their comfort zones, they learn to depend on God who is always there for them.

If you feel strongly about joining your child on a mission trip, please check out Maranatha’s other mission projects including the Multiple Group Project for small teams and our popular Family Projects.

The specific documents needed for travel will depend on the country you’re visiting. More information will be available in the project-specific information packet. All participants must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the scheduled return date from the project. 

All travelers under the age of 18 must also submit notarized written permission from BOTH legal guardians. The form will be given to volunteers after registration.

There are lots of ways to raise money for a mission trip. One of the most common ways of raising funds is through a letter appeal. Check out Maranatha’s Resources page to find more fundraising ideas.