Economic Considerations for youth on a trip

Recognize that even in affluent areas there will be youths with very limited discretionary funds. Often it is impossible to tell who has money and who does not. To have expensive activities or a large number of less expensive activities is to exclude some young people from participation. Most churches have "scholarship help" available, but even this is of limited usefulness because for many youth who have limited income do not view themselves as "poor" and in need of scholarship help. They just can't afford this particular activity (nor the next one, nor ...).

• There may be other creative solutions to the problem, but the most commonly used approaches are an adequate youth budget and fund raisers by the youth. In any case, what needs to happen is for the cost per kid (c/k) be reduced across the board -- not just for those who "need" it.
• Scrupulously avoid any surprise expenses. Kids need to know exactly how much money to bring for an activity -- it is embarrassing to them to have to borrow money to get into something that is a group activity.
• Similarly, a healthy policy is that the initial fee for an event covers all necessary expenses -- all meals, housing, registration or entry fees. A kid could actually survive a trip or event without a dollar to their name.
• I usually include a disclaimer in information about an event that I cannot/will not predict how much money they need for personal use - i.e. snacks, CDs, souvenirs. Perhaps something on the order of: "Since different families have different traditions and practices about spending money, there can not be a recommendation on spending money. On this trip, however, there will be opportunities for people to buy snacks and gifts."
• To top all this off, if expenses are not covered by the initial fee or fundraising, you will need to be prepared to slip a kid or two the needed money.