Here are some responses to frequently asked questions about MUM Poverty Plunge:

HOW DO WE DESCRIBE THE DETAILS OF THE MUM POVERTY PLUNGE WEEKEND FOR INFORMATION AND MOTIVATION?

“If You could embark on an incredible journey into the Heart of God would you choose to…

• travel out of YOUR cultural comfort zone?  
• understand the plight of a large majority of fellow humans who do not have the same choices as you?
• test yourself  about what you know and don’t know about God’s heart for the poor? 
• feel for just a time what many others across the world feel every day of their lives?

If so, then the POVERTY SIMULATION WEEKEND IS FOR YOU!

WHAT DO WE BRING?

You will pack for a simple weekend camping retreat, including a sleeping bag if you like.

WHAT IS THE WEEKEND ABOUT?

God’s heart for the poor, compassion and bringing about the Kingdom on Earth.

IS THE WEEKEND SAFE?

You will never be alone.  You will ALWAYS be supervised. 

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

To glimpse things about yourself that you did not know and would not necessarily choose to know.

WILL I BE MISERABLE?

You will need to pack a good attitude and have a desire to know your Lord and Redeemer in a deeper way.  When you love someone, you know what breaks their heart.

WHAT WILL I EAT AND WHERE WILL I SLEEP?

You will always have a choice of necessities, such as food and shelter.

WHAT AGES CAN PARTICIPATE?

14 years old and up - You need to have completed the 8^th grade.

IS POVERTY SIMULATION JUST FOR YOUTH OR COLLEGE STUDENTS?

                Not at all!  Poverty Simulation is for all ages of adults plus high school youth. 

WHY DON’T YOU ALLOW JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS?

The weekend requires thought processes and focused conversations which would bore someone younger than 14 years old.  Attention spans need to be longer. 

WHAT IF SOMEONE HAS A SPECIAL DIET OR NEEDS MEDICATION?

No problem!  This person will need to bring items for the special diet and their medications.

CAN WE BRING A CAMERA?

                Yes, one digital camera is allowed per group.

CAN WE BRING A CELL PHONE TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY CALLS FROM PARENTS?

Yes, the group leader may leave a cell phone in the Poverty Plunge office, and he/she will be allowed to check it periodically throughout the weekend.

HOW SAFE IS THIS WEEKEND?

You and your group will be safe here because you will never be alone or without adult supervision – (youth group members will always be with at least one of the group’s adult chaperones). 

WHAT IF SOME OF THE GROUP CANNOT COME FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND?

Then they should come on another weekend when they can stay the entire time.  The weekend starts at 8 p.m. sharp on Friday night and ends on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.  So… you need to leave your town on time to get here on time.

FOR YOUTH GROUPS, HOW MANY ADULTS SHOULD WE BRING?

                Please bring one adult for every 5-7 youth – they will participate in Plunge with the youth.

WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE WEEKEND? 

                The weekend is designed in a structured experiential learning approach.  The feedback we receive from people who have attended Poverty Simulation is that the impact of the weekend is greater when the participants do not know the details.  However, it is very important that all participants know they are attending a Poverty Simulation that will be a challenging and hard weekend.  You are welcome to share this FAQ sheet with anyone.  Group leaders or parents may contact us with additional questions, but we ask that you not circumvent the learning process for your teens by giving them the details ahead of time (surprisingly, some parents think this helps the teen through the weekend, when in fact it is not helpful at all).