High School Summer Service Trip to Mexico
friends of Lantern Hill
June 25 - July 1
Join us for an unforgettable week of service, friendship, and fun in beautiful Ensenada, Mexico! We’ll be partnering with Friends of Lantern Hill, an incredible program that supports students in Baja California through their education and beyond. Lantern Hill provides essential resources, from nutritious meals to academic scholarships, helping students graduate high school and attend college—changing the trajectory of entire families and communities.
This opportunity is open to all current 9th-12th graders! The total cost is just $1,000 per person, with a $300 deposit required to secure your spot. Registration closes Wednesday, November 6th, but space is limited, so sign up soon to ensure you don’t miss out!
Have questions? Feel free to reach out—let’s make this summer one to remember!
Summer High School Trips
At Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, our high schoolers are invited to take part in a week-long trip each summer, following a three-year rotation that ensures every student can experience all three unique journeys we offer: a local trip along the West Coast, the ELCA National Youth Gathering, and an international service trip. Each of these trips provides a distinct and valuable opportunity to connect with friends, grow in faith, and serve others.
By participating in all three, students gain a well-rounded experience that strengthens their faith journey—deepening their understanding of service, building lasting friendships, and broadening their perspective of the world and the Church’s role in it.
This year, we’re excited to offer our first high school international service trip since COVID! Our journey begins in San Diego, California, where we’ll meet our guides from Friends of Lantern Hill who will take us across the border to Ensenada, Mexico. For the week, we’ll stay at Lantern Hill, where we’ll have the chance to connect with children in their education and feeding program. We’ll help lead fun summer activities, assist with service projects around the facility, and build relationships with the kids.
Our afternoons and evenings will be filled with group bonding and time to explore the beautiful tourist town of Ensenada. Throughout the trip, we’ll also engage in meaningful discussions about poverty, social justice, and border issues, learning from our Mexican siblings and hearing the powerful stories of our partners.
All youth currently in grades 9-12 are invited to join us for this incredible trip! While we know parents are often eager to participate, and we definitely need adult helpers, we strive to maintain a balance that allows this to remain primarily a youth-centered experience. This means that, while we welcome adult volunteers, we may not be able to accommodate everyone interested.
If your parent would like to join the trip, please have them reach out to Danielle when you register. We especially encourage volunteers who identify as male or nonbinary, as we often have fewer adults in those roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can come?
All youth currently in grades 9-12 are invited to join us for this incredible trip! These trips can be unpredictable, and we will be spending a lot of time together as a group. Youth will need a flexible, positive attitude, and the desire to spend a lot of time together! If you have any questions about whether or not this trip is right for you, reach out to Danielle and start a conversation—youth@hslckirkland.org or (425) 823-2727 ext. 223.
While we know parents are often eager to participate, and we definitely need adult helpers, we strive to maintain a balance that allows this to remain primarily a youth-centered experience. This means that, while we welcome adult volunteers, we may not be able to accommodate everyone interested.
If your parent would like to join the trip, please have them reach out to Danielle when you register. We especially encourage volunteers who identify as male or nonbinary, as we often have fewer adults in those roles.
What will it cost?
The total cost of the trip is $1,500 per person, but thanks to fundraising efforts, HSLC will cover a third of those expenses. This means each participant is responsible for just $1,000. We’re thrilled to offer a lower price than in previous years and work hard to ensure we’re being good stewards of your money.
We understand that this is a significant expense, and we never want cost to be a barrier. We offer flexible payment plans and scholarships for any youth who may need assistance. Please don’t let finances hold you back from this incredible experience!
I think I want to come, but I’m not sure.
Trips like this can feel a bit daunting, especially if it’s your first high school service trip or if you have questions about this particular one. To help ease any concerns, I invite you to join us for an informational meeting on Sunday, October 13th, during the 11am worship service in the youth room. If you can’t attend the meeting, please reach out to schedule a one-on-one appointment with me.
I enjoy getting to know participants and their families before we embark on our journey. The more I understand about each person, the better I can ensure a fun and transformative experience for everyone!
What about safety issues?
When we plan our high school international service trips, we make safety our top priority. Ensenada, Mexico is a bustling tourist town and cruise port, so our group will be in a secure environment. The place where we’ll be staying is fully enclosed, and Lantern Hill has a great track record—over the years, they’ve never had any issues with crime.
We’ll travel from San Diego to Lantern Hill with our guides, who are seasoned pros and have safely led many groups before. We’ll stick to well-traveled toll roads, and their safety record is spotless. Lantern Hill has been hosting groups on this same itinerary for years and has strong connections with ELCA congregations, including some right here on the Eastside.
We’re confident that everyone will be safe and sound during our trip. We’ll have some common-sense rules in place—like not allowing anyone to travel alone and staying on the Lantern Hill campus after dark—to make sure everyone has a great and worry-free experience.
Can special diets be accommodated?
Accommodating special diets can be more complex when we travel internationally, especially with a language barrier. While at Lantern Hill, our meals will be prepared by their on-site cook. The executive director, who follows a gluten-free diet, has assured us that accommodations can be made for those who are gluten-free.
We strive to accommodate individual dietary needs while balancing the realities of international travel. Vegetarians and gluten-free diets can be accommodated, but options may be limited, so some flexibility will be necessary. If you have any other special dietary needs, please reach out to Danielle to discuss personal accommodations for our trip.
What about Passports and Vaccines?
All participants will need a passport for our trip. If you don’t have one or if your passport will expire within a year of our departure, please apply for a new one as soon as you register.
Depending on your medical history, your doctor might recommend certain vaccines or medications before traveling. We suggest reaching out to your primary care provider with any questions you may have about health preparations.