Encounter Colorado Mission Trip

Dates: June 16–23, 2026
Location: Colorado Springs
Who Can Go: Current 8th Grade Students through College-Aged Young Adults
Cost: $800
Spots are limited – Sign up today! 

SIGNUP DUE: Sunday, March 1 - $150 Deposit

2026 Mission Trip

Colorado Springs, CO with Luke 5 Adventures

June 16–23, 2026

In the summer of 2026, Encounter Student Ministries will travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to partner with Luke 5 Adventures for a week of mission, adventure, and deep discipleship. This trip is both a missions experience and a mountain retreat—a chance for students to step away from the noise of everyday life, serve others in meaningful ways, and grow in their walk with Jesus alongside trusted leaders and friends.

Why Luke 5 Adventures?

Luke 5 Adventures is an outdoor ministry that uses hiking and adventure to create space for relationships, discipleship, and gospel conversations. Their mission reflects Jesus’ own pattern in Luke 5—withdrawing to quiet places, inviting others to follow Him, and forming disciples through shared life. Our church has a growing partnership with Luke 5 Adventures, and this trip represents a deepening of that relationship as we serve alongside their Colorado Springs branch, supporting their ministry to local individuals and families. How We’ll Serve During the day, our team will serve in a missional role with Luke 5 Adventures—most notably by helping as “sherpas” using the Rosie adaptive hiking chair, enabling individuals with mobility limitations to experience the beauty of God’s creation in the mountains.

In addition to serving, students will:

• Participate in guided hikes and outdoor experiences

• Learn firsthand how ministry can happen through presence, hospitality, and shared challenge

• Engage with local people served by Luke 5 Adventures in the Colorado Springs area

This is not a traditional construction or task-based mission trip. It is a relational mission, grounded in service, humility, and walking alongside others.

Retreat & Discipleship Rhythms

Evenings will be intentionally slower and deeply relational. Each day will include:

• Morning “Slow Club” devotions in God’s creation

• Evening teaching, worship, and group reflection

• Time to process what God is teaching us through Scripture, service, and shared experience

This trip is designed to stretch students spiritually and physically, while remaining accessible to nearly all who are willing to prepare and participate.

Where We’ll Stay

Our primary lodging will be La Foret Conference and Retreat Center, where students and leaders will stay in yurts surrounded by the natural beauty of the Colorado mountains.

The setting itself is a key part of the experience—quiet, unplugged, and ideal for retreating with the Lord.

Travel & Logistics Snapshot

• Dates: June 16–23, 2026

• Travel: Flying from SW Ohio to Denver or Colorado Springs

• Team Size: Approximately 24 participants

• Leader Ratio: About 5 students per 1 leader

• Meals: Most meals provided (students responsible for some travel-day meals)

• Cost: Up to $800 (we will work to lower this if possible)

•  Fundraising: Group fundraising opportunities will take place throughout the spring. 

• Rummage Sale Work April 27- May 2

Scholarships will be available, and we are committed to helping students who want to go find a way to participate.

Physical Readiness & Training

Because this trip involves hiking and outdoor service:

• Students will complete a physical readiness questionnaire

• Some required training hikes will take place prior to the trip

• No prior hiking experience is required, but students should be willing to prepare and challenge themselves

This trip will be stretching—but it is designed to be accessible to most students who are willing to engage fully.

Who Should Consider Going?

This trip is for students who:

• Want to grow in their faith through mission and discipleship

• Are willing to be stretched physically, spiritually, and relationally

• Desire a deeper experience of retreat, service, and community

• Are open to learning what it means to follow Jesus together, in real time

Financial Dates:

Payment Schedule:  For Total Cost $800

Sunday, March 1 - $150

Sunday, April 7 - $200

Sunday, May 3 - $ 100

Sunday, June 7 - Remaining Trip Payment Due ($250 if you did no fundraising)

Please don’t let money be the reason you do not go. Talk to Andrew (the sooner, the better).

Please don’t let money be the reason you do not go. Talk to Andrew (the sooner, the better).

When you submit your application you will receive information on online payment or you may write a check to "LPC" with "Encounter Mission" and "Student Name"

Next Steps

Spots are limited.

Students and parents can sign up online to receive more information, updates, and important dates as registration opens.

If you have questions, please reach out to Andrew or the Encounter Student Ministries team.

We are excited to see how God will use this trip to shape our students, strengthen our partnership with Luke 5 Adventures, and draw us deeper into life with Christ.