Before you go abroad, check your destination’s climate, the type of work you’ll be doing, and the clothing customs of the local culture. While you want to pack according to the weather and intended projects, you’ll also want to pack clothes that will not offend the people you're serving.

 

If you need any toiletries in your carry-on luggage, make sure to review the Transportation Security Administration’s travel checklist to see if what you’re bringing is allowed.

 

You never know what can happen on your mission trip. Whether your get sick or injured, make sure you have the necessary medical items on hand for immediate personal treatment. An insurance plan can also help mitigate covered costs for various unexpected medical expenses.

 

Remember to consult with a group leader about all injuries and illnesses as soon as they occur.

 

The Packing List

The key to a successful mission trip begins with your packing list. Forgetting to bring the essentials—socks, soap, passport, insurance—can hinder your ability to serve those in need. Make sure you don’t leave anything behind with this missionary packing list. 

 

The Right Clothes

• Socks
• Undergarments
• T-shirts
• Shorts
• Dress clothes (for religious or formal occasions)
• Jeans
• Pajamas/ sleepwear
• Swimsuit
• Jacket
• Athletic shoes, dress shoes, and sandals

 

Toiletries

• Toothbrush/ toothpaste
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Wash cloth
• Bath towel
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Baby wipes
• Shaving products

 

Medicine/First Aid

• Allergy medication
• Prescriptions
• Multivitamin
• Dramamine (for motion sickness)
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Stomach pain relievers (antacids, nausea medication, etc.)
• Melatonin (to help adjust to new sleep schedule)
• Bandages
• Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
• Gold Bond or other skin therapy products
  
  

Documents

• Passport
• Visa

Make sure your passport is not expired. If you don’t have a passport, you will need to apply for one in order to travel international. The process takes four to six weeks where you will have to complete a DS-11 form. To start your application online, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

 

If the country you’re visiting requires travelers to possess a visa, you may need to possess proof of subsistence for things like food, accommodations, and medical costs. For example, travel medical insurance can show your ability to pay for medical costs during your stay.

 

Check your country to see if you need a visa here.

 

Mission Trip Medical Insurance

If you’re planning to travel internationally, it’s important to know that many domestic insurance plans will not cover you outside your home country. This is just one reason why many mission trip programs require their volunteers to have insurance coverage for unexpected medial costs.

 

If you know you’ll need to purchase an insurance plan on your own, consider the following potential travel situations you may encounter before purchasing insurance:

• Lost checked luggage
• Unexpected injuries or illnesses
• Express kidnapping
• Life or limb-threatening emergencies
• National security threat

Atlas Travel and Atlas Group can help you prepare for unexpected complications. For personal insurance coverage, Atlas Travel offers a $1,000,000 maximum that can cover various medical costs. For mission groups with 5 or more volunteers, Atlas Groups offers the same coverage at a 10% discount.

 

Travel Issues	Solutions with Atlas Travel/Atlas Group
Lost Checked Luggage	$500, per certificate period, to help replace lost clothes and hygiene items.
Unexpected Injuries or Illnesses	Hospital room and board, surgery, and x-rays can be covered.
Life or Limb-threatening Medical Emergencies	If the hospital in your destination cannot treat life/ limb-threatening injuries or illnesses, Atlas insurance provides a $1,000,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit to get you to the nearest hospital that can.
Express Kidnapping	In the case of an express kidnapping, Atlas’s Crisis Response benefit offers $10,000 for ransom, personal belongings surrendered during kidnapping, and an experienced crisis response team to negotiate for your release.
National Security Threat	If the U.S. government issues a travel warning after you arrived to your destination country, an Atlas Political Evacuation benefit can pay for transportation to the nearest safe country.