Policies of HOI
(must be read and signed by each team member)

Alcohol & Drug: Alcoholic beverages are not to be consumed by persons affiliated with Honduras Outreach mission projects while in Honduras. Consumption of alcoholic beverages while on the premises of Rancho el Paraiso is prohibited. Use of illegal drugs is forbidden by those traveling to Honduras under the auspices of Honduras Outreach, Inc. Any contact with or use of the above will result in immediate removal from the country.

Payment: Due to the financial constraints of the non-profit world, Honduras Outreach, Inc. must have all group monies by the assigned dates. All in-country money must be received four weeks before the respective group's departure dates. Groups and individuals failing to comply with this policy risk losing the opportunity to travel.

Minors Traveling: Minors visiting the Ranch must be 13 years of age by January 1 of the year the group is scheduled to travel to Honduras and must be accompanied by same gender parent. This is a decision based on the United Methodist North Georgia Conference Policy for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. The final decision regarding age criteria above 13 years is at the discretion of the Mission Team Leader.

Group Travel:  HOI operates as a group travel experience. Mission teams must travel together as a group from Day One of the mission week until the conclusion of the trip one week later. Due to staff and vehicle limitations, travel at any other time is not possible. Only individuals whose paperwork and payment have been received by the four-week deadline will be allowed to travel. No additional team members can be added after the four-week deadline. 

Community Development / Mission Trip Requests: The Community Development Program is specifically designed to train residents in problem solving, teamwork, and planning. It addresses needs in village infrastructure, education, spiritual growth, health and hygiene, agriculture and economic development. This program is designed to teach and encourage the people to be independent rather than dependent. Therefore, please adhere to the following:

• Gifts of cash directly to villagers or to a Ranch employee are prohibited and jeopardize the staff member's employment. If you wish to assist a village financially or through a specific project please contact the Atlanta office. Since projects in each village have been identified and prioritized by the villagers themselves, something we see as a priority may differ from what the actual village has identified as a priority. We have established the No Village Left Behind Fund as an avenue for assisting all villages in meeting their priorities - both those hosting mission teams and those not hosting teams.
• Though we condone communication with the Ranch staff on a personal level, specific requests and arrangements involving a mission trip are prohibited (i.e., work projects, village specifics, number of children, number of families, number of students, specific medical plans, etc.). Any special arrangements or requests must be initiated prior to the mission trip with the Mission Program Coordinator in Atlanta. We may already have the information requested. If not, the Program Coordinator will communicate with the appropriate Honduran staff member and relay the response to you. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests.

Missioner Agreement:  I, __________________________________,
as mission team member with________________________________, have read and understand the Policies of Honduras Outreach. I will adhere to these rules while visiting Honduras and upon return to the US. 

Signature:   ____________________________________________

Date:  _________________________________________________