2025 MOUNTAIN LIFE CALVARY CHAPEL
CANOPY LIFE IS WRITING A DIFFERENT STORY
TRIP DETAILS
TRIP DATES: July 17th – 26th, 2025
HOST: Mountain Life Calvary Chapel
ESTIMATED TRIP COST: $4,750.00/person
LOCATION: Koma Hill, Karen Blixen Safari Camp in Maasai Mara, Kenya
WHO’S INVITED: This relationTRIP is open to individuals and/or families (children ages 8+) looking for a different kind of service trip experience.
REGISTRATION
NOW – JANUARY 12th, 2025
Registration will remain open until October 31st, 2024 or until the trip reaches capacity. Upon completion of the registration form, an email will be sent from Canopy Life confirming capacity and including information on how to pay the trip deposit. When this trip reaches capacity, a small waitlist will be formed. Capacity for this trip is limited due to the number of safari tents available, your space on this trip is NOT CONFIRMED until receipt of deposit.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A relationTRIP is a team experience which provides the opportunity for participants to travel to Koma Hill, Kenya to serve the students, staff, and communities of Canopy Life Academy. Travelers engage in worldview expanding activities and relationship building experiences, as well as model healthy leadership and lifestyles for the students. Different than a task-focused mission trip, a relationTRIP challenges travelers to shift their perspective from what they are go to do in Kenya, to who are they going to be in Kenya.
With 36% of the Kenyan population living below the poverty line and limited job opportunities readily available, we’ve found immense value and success in employing members in our local community of Koma Hill to complete various projects on our campus so we can utilize the gifts, talents, and skills of our travelers to relationally engage, empower, and encourage our students and staff members.
GENERAL SCHEDULE
Below is a general schedule for this 10 day trip. The schedule is subject to change as we confirm the day to day activities with Canopy Life International, however our hope is that this schedule will facilitate building authentic relationships and worldview exchange through intentional and shared experiences.
All trips are faciliated by experienced and trained leaders who are experts at guiding teams through the unique experience of a Canopy Life RelationTRIP.
Trip Cost – FAQ
How Much Will My Trip Cost?
Relation-trips with Canopy Life International cost approximately $2,800/person plus the cost of airfare. We will assist you with resources for building a sucessful fundraising campaign and we will provide resources for booking airfare.
When are the deadlines for funds to be in?
A deposit of $250/per person is due upon registration.
50% of funding is due March 19th, 2025 (120 days prior to departure).
100% of funding is due May 18th, 2025 (60 days prior to departure).
What is covered in the cost of my trip?
The cost of the trip includes international medical insurance, lodging, ground transportation, meals and water, itinerary activities, gratuities, and safari.
Additional out of pocket costs include international airfare, airport meals, visas, additional activities/excursions and souvenirs.
Is the money raised in fundraising tax exempt?
Yes! Canopy Life International is a registered 501(c)3. Any funds/donations made online or by check to Canopy Life International are tax deductible. Checks should be made out to Canopy Life International and mailed to Canopy Life International c/o Traveler Name | PO Box 500942, Atlanta GA 31150 or with a note including traveler name and trip dates.
Please note, do NOT write the traveler’s name in the memo line of the check.
HEALTH & SAFETY – FAQ
Will I be safe?
Safety is paramount and Canopy Life International will do everything possible to ensure your safety. Every team will have an experienced and trained team leader that will be with you the whole trip. Every trip participant is registered in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and an International Travel Policy is purchased on behalf of every trip participant.
We hire private transportation with vetted and experienced drivers who are highly knowledgeable of our communities, hotels, surrounding areas and alternate routes. As an added precaution, no team member is permitted to leave the hotel or school grounds alone at any time. We will always travel together as one group or in small groups.
Lastly, our Kenyan Directors are our ears on the ground and they will inform us of any possible issues and any changes that need to happen to ensure the safety of our teams.
What immunizations are required for travel?
Currently there are NO REQUIRED immunizations for travelers from the United States into Kenya. Proof of Yellow Fever immunization is required IF you are traveling from a country with risk of Yellow Fever (this does not include the United States).
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has an extensive list of recommended immunizations and medications for travel to Kenya. Link – https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001
Please contact your local healthcare provider or public health department to determine what the best options are for you. It is a best practice to carry a copy of your immunization records for international travel.
Please note, regarding malaria, the relative risk for U.S. travelers is high. Chloroquine is not an effective malaria preventative.
What do I need to know about the food and water?
It is important when traveling in a developing nation to use caution with the food and water you consume. Canopy Life International works diligently in selecting accommodations where food is prepared in a safe manner. Three meals a day will be provided, however, we do suggest bringing your own snacks to supplement or in addition to the meals provided.
Bottled water will be provided for you. This water is to be used for brushing your teeth and as drinking water. We recommend that you DO NOT drink the tap water, use it to brush your teeth, or open your mouth in the shower.
Beverages and meals prepared with boiled water are considered safe to consume. This includes coffee, tea, soups, and stews/stewed vegetables. Fresh produce that can be peeled is safe to consume.
What if I don’t know the language?
All our students and staff speak English well already and they continue to grow in their confidence in speaking it the more they practice through their interactions with you. That said, there will be a Canopy Life staff member to help translate or assist as needed.
We also encourage you to learn some Swahili and use it during your trip to connect with the students and staff. This intentional effort means a lot to them and helps grow authentic connections.
Can I give my personal contact information to the people I meet?
Building authentic relationships is a primary goal of a relation-trip. If you would like to communicate with individuals you meet, please send letters or emails to the Canopy Life U.S. staff and we will forward them along on your behalf.
We strongly discourage directly sharing personal contact information (including social media) with anyone. It is important to understand that once your personal contact information is exchanged, it may be distributed to others in the community in search of unhealthy Western support.
PACKING & TRAVEL – FAQ
Do I need to obtain a visa prior to the trip?
Yes! An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required for entry to Kenya for ALL travelers. An eTA is about $35/person. We will provide you with detailed and step by step directions to obtain a visa prior to departure.
How long does it take to get to Kenya?
Total travel time depends on where you’re traveling from, number of connections, and length of layovers. Actual flight time to Kenya is approximately 20 hours from the southeastern region of the US.
How many bags can I bring?
Travelers are required to pack in carry on size luggage and a backpack only. Depending on the projects and activities of the itinerary, some travelers maybe asked to check a bag with supplies.
Please note, baggage restrictions for safari require a SOFT SIDED carry on size bag or duffle.
Why does Canopy Life prohibit giving of any sort?
We prohibit giving money or gifts to anyone at any point in the trip. This policy is in place to protect the health of the relationships with our vendors, on our campus, and in our students’ communities. Adherence to this policy is crucial to the success of our school culture and experience of our future team members.
What will the weather be like?
Kenya lies directly on the equator and has a pleasant tropical climate; however, weather varies significantly depending on elevation and season. The dry season runs from June to October during which the average highs range in the 70s-80s (afternoon) with clear skies and sunshine. The average morning and evening temperatures can drip into the highs 40s-50s, so please be par pared with light layers, a sweater, and/or a jacket.
What is the dress code?
Do I need an electrical adapter?
All electrical items in Kenya run on 120/240 voltage electrical outlet. An adapter will be needed to utilize electrical outlets to charge your devices and accessories. Most rechargeable camera batteries, laptops, phones, etc will operate on dual voltage of 120/240. Some items such as hair dryers can be manually changed from one voltage to the other. If not, a voltage converter will also be needed.
Please note, hair dryers are not provided in the hotels, so please plan accordingly.
ITINERARY – FAQ
Who will meet me at the Nairobi airport?
A representative from Canopy Life International and a hotel representative from Four Points by Sheraton will be outside the main doors where you claim your bags with a sign paging your group/name.
As soon as the team loads all the bags into the Four Points shuttle, your group will be transported to Four Points by Sheraton for the night.
Where will we be staying?
While traveling with Canopy Life International, teams will stay at a few different hotels. Our staff has extensively vetted all hotels for safety, cleanliness, hospitality, and comfortability. Many of these hotels run off supplemental generators and it’s common for short term power outages to occur. It’s also important to note that because of these outages, access to hot, running water and Wi-Fi is not guaranteed.
What will we do in the evenings?
Upon returning to the hotel for the evening, you will eat dinner, debrief the day, and go over the itinerary for the following day as a team.
The rest of the evening is for you to process what you have experienced and rest. The days in Kenya are full and can be long. Please rest in the evenings and as needed throughout the day to prevent illness.
Where do we safari?
How much spending money should I bring?
That is up to you. Typically, we recommend bringing $100.00-$200.00 in cash, but Visa and Master Card are becoming more widely accepted forms of payment in Kenya.
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