Winterim 2027 Trips
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
I Peter 4:10
Applications due Wednesday, April 8, 2026 by midnight.
FAQs
Through travel, students experience the depth and breadth of the Kingdom of God by interacting with people and cultures from around the world. While traveling, students deepen relationships with each other, trip leaders, and God, and they often have the opportunity to serve. Winterim trips are amazing opportunities that impact students’ lives deeply in a way that is wholly aligned with the mission of the school. Travel allows student to experience learning outside of the classroom, putting into practice the College Readiness skills they are equipped with in classes and co-curricular activities.
Wheaton Academy is using an online portal called Managed Missions for all Winterim trips. Managed Missions usually works with tax-deductible travel opportunities, but has the capability to help support all of Wheaton Academy’s Winterim trips, including those that are educational and experiential. On the Managed Missions website, payments are referred to as “donations,” but please note that not all trips are tax deductible. If the trip the students signs up for is tax deductible, the student will receive instructions from trip leaders on how to solicit support for their trip.
Typically, Juniors and Seniors fill the majority of the spots available on trip rosters. Select trips each year are open to all grade levels. Sophomores – Seniors apply for trip in the Spring semester and Freshman learn of select open trip options in the Fall semester. Students and parents need to agree to the policies for travel that outline conditions and expectations for students before and during trips.
Each winter sport coach has established Winterim travel expectations. Often, Winter sports teams use Winterim as an opportunity to develop a trip for their team. Students are encouraged to be in contact with their coaches regarding travel opporunties and how they fit within the winter sports schedule. Contact the Athletic Director Brad Byrne at bbyrne@wheatonacademy.org with questions about a specific sport.
Students and their families are solely responsible for obtaining any necessary travel documents including passports and visas. Each passport needs to be valid 6 months after the date of travel.
Students will complete a general online trip application. Each application will be reviewed to determine travel eligibility by our administrative and student services team.
The application asks students to pick their first and second trip choice. Wheaton Academy tries to assign all students to one of their top two choices. In the event that there are more students applications than roster spots available on a specific trip, the Winterim trip coordinator considers factors such as age, total roster composition, and students services and administrator input.
We use an online payment system through our application for the initial deposit. Each trip leader is the budget manager for all following payments which is coordinated through our Managed Missions portal.
We offer 5 different types of trips:
- Faith in Action
- Service and Missions
- Educational
- Adventure
- Leadership Development
Missions Trips: Faith in Action
Scotland Missions: Heralds Trust
The story of Scotland as one of the preeminent missionary sending countries is well known across the Christian world. However, the last 50 years have seen Scotland and the UK move closer to becoming a post-Christian Society. Therefore, the opportunity to minister the light of the Gospel has never been more needed than today.
While staying outside of Edinburgh, students will have the opportunity to participate in the challenging task of working with a variety of local churches in the central belt of Scotland. It is our hope that the trip will impact your faith and give you a greater experience of personal growth in your walk with God. This trip will be best suited to those who are comfortable sharing their faith in all sorts of circumstances. Opportunities may include working with youth groups, schools, and street evangelism. As part of the trip, there will be an opportunity to visit some key historical sites and points of interest in the heart of London and Scotland.
Prerequisites: Students must be willing to lead chapels and services, must display an understanding of basic theological principles to help share the Gospel, must be able to articulate their faith in a public setting, must be able to write their testimony in writing, must be comfortable staying in host homes while also demonstrating appropriate manners and behavior, and must be able to walk long distances and on uneven pavement.
Trip Leaders: David Tollefsen
Support needed per student: $3700-$3900
Length: 10 days
Open to: 10, 11 and 12 grade
Missions Trips: Service and Mission
Varsity Boy's and Girl's Basketball Missions Trip to the Dominican Republic with GO Ministries
Wheaton Academy Athletics partners with GO Ministries in the Dominican Republic to help with sports programs and join local students in community service projects.
Trip Leaders: Coach Smith and Coach Vahle
Support needed per student: $2800-$3000
Length: 7 days
Open to: All Varsity Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball Players
Seed to Sower (Kids Alive)-Dominican Republic Missions Trip
Come experience the amazing culture and beauty of the Dominican Republic by serving alongside the Seed to Sower Ministries, This was formally the KidsAlive ministry. You will have the opportunity to meet students that we champion at Wheaton Academy through the work of ProjectLEAD Global.
We will play sports, participate in Awana-type activities, complete service projects, and build relationships with the kids and facility. We will also hike to a waterfall and enjoy the surrounding environment.
Trip Leaders: Val Gregersen
Support needed per student: $2800-$2900
Length: 7 days
Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade
Students International-Nicaragua Missions Trip
Website for mission organization: Click here
Nicaragua is a tropical land of mountains, volcanos, lakes, rainforests, and beaches. It is located in Central America, between Honduras and Costa Rica, and is considered the poorest country in Latin America.
We will be partnering with an organization called Students International to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of people in the town of Masaya, Nicaragua which is located about 40 miles from the capital city of Managua. Masaya is a city with an immense amount of poverty, like many cities in Nicaragua, but you will have the opportunity to work alongside national workers in the occupational field of your choice.
Are you passionate about medicine? Then explore the field of health care for the week. Are you interested in Physical Therapy? Then join a physical therapist for the week to see how s/he meets the physical needs of Nicaraguans. Other vocational areas include Agriculture, Social Work, Sports, and MicroFinance. Students will venture out to their individual sites during the day, and then debrief back at the SI base each night where they will stay in cabins.
Students must be at least 14 years of age, be able to walk/hike short distances, and have a sense of adventure and passion for reaching the poor! Though Spanish is not required, any knowledge and ability to use Spanish would be a huge help. An additional excursion to the beach or exploring a volcano will be included, along with exploring the culture, food, and communities of Nicaragua. ¡Vamos!
Trip Leaders: Mrs. Krohn
Support needed per student: $2600-$2800
Length: 9 days
Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade Girls ONLY
Faith and Farming-Fiji Missions Trip
A unique cultural and missional immersion in the country of Fiji. We’ll be working and helping at a farm while also leading and organizing some children’s activities and a VBS style program.
Trip Leaders: Ms. Nelson
Support needed per student: $3,300-$3,500
Length: 11 days
Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade
Naomi's Village Mission in Kenya, Africa
Website for missions organization: Naomi’s Village
Naomi’s Village is a Kenyan children’s home, preschool, and K-12 academy serving children in the Great Rift Valley.
The Mission states ” we want to provide all that is necessary for every student we serve, at every age, so they will grow up to be world-changers.”
Our students will be serving in a variety of these areas and locations being the hands and feet of Jesus.
This could be going to a student’s home and building bunk beds and providing the family with the bed, mattresses, a mosquito net, blankets and a food hamper.
We also help the community with solar and clean water.
Our students are in school 6 days a week and each Saturday has a different focus. Our main areas we rotate through are sports, academics, discipleship, and community outreach. Depending on your visit, the kids will participate in one of those days at the school.
Trip Leader: Mrs. Hands
Support needed per student: $3200-$3400
Length: 10 days
Open to: 12 grade only
El Ayudante-Honduras Missions Trip
We are partnering with an organization called El Ayudante. Here is their website
This is a trip where you will spend time getting to know families, evangelizing, and building relationships with people in the local community.
We are potentially going to do a VBS, lead a family church night, help facilitate a sports camp and work on a water filtration installation up in the mountains. There may also be opportunity to do various construction projects.
Trip Leader: Mr. Moran
Support needed per student: $2900-3000
Length: 7 days
Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade
Adventure Trips
Go West Young Man Colorado Ski Experience
This is an adventure trip to Colorado for guys at Wheaton Academy that will challenge them in many areas of their life, including the physical and spiritual, as well as address some “coming of age” skills and issues that young men will be facing in the next couple years of their lives.
While spending time in God’s creation and taking the time to appreciate the world God created, there will also be many physically intense activities, such as skiing/ snowboarding at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone, and hiking in the mountains of Colorado. The boys will also be looking at character traits of a strong young Christian man and struggles that we all endure by studying Wild at Heart by John Eldredge.
Trip Leaders: Mr. Felinski and Mr. Swider
Student Cost: $2500-2600
Length: 7 days
Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade, boys only
Costa Rica Boys: Surf, Science and Service
This trip will serve as a great platform for our boys to step out of their comfort zone and try some physical activities that will grow them in their courage, self-confidence, and trust in the Lord. They will also learn how to build others up through several local service opportunities.
SURF the waves of COSTA RICA! The boys surf trip in Costa Rica will be an exciting adventure and a unique opportunity to learn the sport of surfing, and at the same time, gain knowledge about marine science. We will specifically target physical oceanography and explore how waves, weather, and currents affect the coastline.
Costa Rica means “Rich Coast” and once you see Playa Grande (“Big Beach”) you will know why. The beach is three miles long and nearly untouched because it is a national park created to protect the endangered leatherback turtles. Students will review the life cycles of sea turtles and the importance of maintaining beach conditions for nesting. Students also will immerse themselves in the culture and Spanish language through three service projects both on the beach and in the community. In addition to surfing, sea turtles, and service, the group will have the opportunity to relax, enjoy dinner at the Rip-Jack Inn, and bond through studying a book of the bible.
Experience Pura Vida (Pure Life) in Costa Rica!
Trip Leader: Mr. Rivera and Mr. Bowker
Student Cost: $4500-$4600
Length: 7 days
Open to: 10, 11 and 12 grade, Boys Only
Educational Trips
London and the English Countryside
The English countryside feels almost unreal… a visual tapestry of rolling hills, sweeping meadows, stone villages, and winding lanes where time seems to move more slowly. Roses climb cottage walls and every turn in the road feels like a page from a storybook.
For part of the trip, you’ll be staying in a converted manor house and estate, this will truly be a cultural immersion into the English countryside and sprawling landscape.
While in London, some actvities are :
We’ll see a West End (Broadway) show, tour castles, listen to the choral tradition of Evensong at Wesminister Abbey, and experience boating down the Thymes River.
Trip Leaders: Jim Holtrop
Student Cost: $5900-$6100
Length: 10 days
Open to: 10, 11 and 12 grade
Galápagos Islands: Service and Beauty
This itinerary takes the team on a comprehensive exploration of Ecuador’s diverse ecosystems, from the Andean highlands to the Galapagos Islands. After an introduction to Ecuadorian culture in Quito, students travel to San Cristobal to explore the island through snorkeling, hiking, birdwatching, and hands-on field experiences. The adventure culminates in the Galapagos with close-up encounters of marine life and insights into local conservation efforts.
Throughout the journey, students engage deeply with both the natural world of God’s creation and the cultural richness of the region.
Trip Leaders: Ms Marr
Student Cost: $4200-4400
Length: 9 days
Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade
Washington D.C.
This is a 1 week class and 1 week trip collaboration. Students will learn on campus from a WA teacher the first week and then travel to DC the second week to discover and explore many of the interesting and significant sites.
This counts towards government class credit.
Trip Leader: Mr. Jasper
Class teacher: Mr. Jasper
Student Cost: Approx $2800-$3000
Length: 5 days
Open to: 10, 11 and 12 grade
Belize- Service and Learning
This service and learning trip will be a great mix of ministry work and adventure.
Students will be able to step outside their comfort zone and serve in local ministry sites including an orphanage, school, a home for the elderly, and run a soccer tournament for kids.
We will also be able to explore the beautiful and diverse country of Belize by exploring Mayan ruins, ziplining, hiking in the jungle, snorkeling, and swimming with nurse sharks!
Students must be able walk/hike, swim, and have a sense of adventure, flexibility, and passion for service.
Trip Leaders: Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Ball
Student Cost: Approx. $3500-$3600
Length: 10 days
Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade
Leadership Development
Faith in Action
Girl's Basketball Team Trip and Service
This trip is part travel and part local service. The team will travel to Madison, WI and Fort Wayne, IN. In these areas, they will play games against schools and visit various college campuses.
Compete at a high level, practicing and playing against teams outside of Illinois.
Serve with purpose, giving back to the community through local outreach and service projects.
Explore your future, visit local colleges, and get a glimpse of the next level.
This trip is about more than basketball—it’s about growing as teammates, leaders, and women of character. Get ready for an experience that will challenge, inspire, and unite us on and off the court!
Trip Leaders: Coach Vahle
Student Cost: $400-500
Length: 4 days of travel, 6 days of local service
Open to: Girls Varsity players only
Questions?
Contact Amy Heavey
630-562-7569
aheavey@wheatonacademy.org