Who Can Go? · Ages 35+
Be a Parent Builder
Your role on the trip
HXP trips provide a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your child before they leave home. They create pivotal experiences and stories you will share, talk about, and remember together for the rest of your lives.
But it’s not just you and your teenager on a road trip. There are two Trip Leaders and 18 other teenagers to whom you will become a friend, confidant, and support system. As you work side-by-side, sweating, laughing, and serving with all your heart, you’ll be amazed to watch your group go from strangers to family in 2 1/2 short weeks.
You won’t be the adult in charge - we leave that to the YSAs - but your counsel will be critical in their leadership. You will be free to focus on the personal growth and impact that two weeks of distraction-free service can offer. And hey, what parent doesn’t appreciate a trip that you don’t have to plan?
Why Be A Parent Builder?
two minutes, straight from the parents themselves —
Who can be a Parent Builder?
Parents
There isn't another opportunity quite like this. Your child begins to watch you in a way they never have before. They learn to admire the way you love, mentor and develop lifelong friendships with their peers and those you serve. HXP trips provide a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your child before they leave home. They create pivotal experiences and stories you will share, talk about, and remember together for the rest of your lives. It’s the ultimate send-off: one incredible week, a lifetime worth of inside jokes.
Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles
If you are a grandparent, aunt, or uncle of a youth builder you can come as a Parent Builder! These opportunities are incomparable as you strengthen your relationship with your grandchild, niece, or nephew. You get to see them in new and different ways as they experience their trip. They in turn get to see you in new ways as you love, mentor and develop lifelong friendships with their peers and those you serve. Bottom line? You’ll unlock legendary status in your family's storybook forever.
Married Couples
You and your spouse can experience an HXP trip together as Parent Builders. You have the unique opportunity to let the youth Builders see what a strong marriage looks like as you work side by side to serve. Your spouse will get to watch you serve in ways they may never have before. They will see the way you love, mentor and develop lifelong friendships with the youth Builders and those you serve. You’ll bring home a whole new layer to your story and memories you can share for the rest of your lives.
Adults without a Youth Builder
Whether you are an empty nester, single or an adult without a Builder going on an HXP trip, you too can be a Parent Builder. You have the unique opportunity to share your love, experience and talents with the youth Builders and the Trip Leaders as you serve alongside them. You will develop lifelong friendships with the Builders and those you serve. Skip the sidelines, you'll leave as an honorary MVP to a whole crew of kids.
Side-by-side, in the field
Parent Builder as an Empty Nester
Youth Builder Perspective
Still have questions?
Watch our Parent Builder Info Session
Common questions
Parent builders ensure the safety of the trip, exemplify spiritual leadership, and commit to loving the builders and Trip Leaders.
We expect Parent Builders to:
- Pray about how you can personally impact each builder
- Support and encourage the Trip Leaders
- Honor the rules, set an example and stay with the group
- Attend and review your mandatory pre-training
- Seek to stretch and grow beyond your comfort zone
We love our Parent Builders! For more information about being a Parent Builder, click here.
Yes! We encourage couples who are interested in participating as Parent Builders to serve together (with or without a child on the trip).
To ensure the best experience for both your family and the group, during registration you’ll be prompted to schedule a phone call with a member of our Parent Builder team to ensure it's a great fit before placement.
Parent Builders are required to attend an extensive training and read through our comprehensive training manual. Here they learn the "Do's" and "Don'ts" of being a Parent Builder. They're briefed on how to support Trip Leaders and Builders as well as how to react in emergency situations.
Parent Builders register in the same process as Builders. Once assigned a trip, we require a background check, references, and additional trainings before going out on their trips.
Over the years we have seen these trips become an opportunity for parents to have an incredible experience with their child, but parents of registered Youth Builders aren't the only people that are able to sign up as a Parent Builder. This opportunity is also available to aunts/uncles, grandparents, cousins, and family friends (35 age minimum). You'll become a mentor, friend, confidant, and support system to the most amazing youth.
If you're interested in coming as a "Solo Parent Builder," during registration you will be prompted to schedule a phone call with our Parent Builder team for approval before trip placement.
More answers on the FAQ page.