Arranging Transportation

Getting To Training Camp

The published cost of the summer trip covers food (most, but not every meal) transportation and lodging once a student arrives to begin the trip.  The published cost does not include spending dollars or domestic travel (to and from Chicago).  Each participant must provide for their own transportation to Training Camp. All teams will assemble as a whole group at a church in the Chicago area before leaving together for Training Camp.  You have 3 transportation options to Training Camp:

1. Fly into Chicago, Illinois (we’ll meet you at the airport)
2. Drive to Chicago, Illinois (meet us at the church or at O’Hare Airport)
3. Drive directly to Training Camp in Pardeeville, Wi

Please Note: We discourage the use of the bus or train as your primary transportation.  We cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet anyone at the Chicago bus or train station should you choose this option.

You will be receiving specific flight information in the Updated Mission Trip Schedule which is sent out mid-April.  This will enable you to book domestic flights in coordination with your international flight.

Driving To Training Camp

Training Camp is in Pardeeville, WI, which is about 20 minutes east of Portage, WI, and 40 miles north of Madison, WI.  Pardeeville is a small farming community with a population of about 2,000 people.  You may drive directly to Training Camp if you wish.  However, we suggest that, if possible, you meet with the team that is assembling in Chicago.  You can then travel to Training Camp together with the rest of your team.

Again, we will send out the arrival time and location of camp in the Updated Mission Trip Schedule in mid-April.

Flying To Training Camp

We realize that you want to book your flight as early as possible to get the best fare.  However international flight schedules often change, forcing those who have booked their domestic flights too early to change tickets and pay a penalty.  The problem is not in coming to Training Camp, but on the return home at the end of the mission trip.  Therefore we ask that you wait to book your domestic flights until we send out the Updated Mission Trip Schedule.

Please note that it takes approximately one-and-a-half to two hours from when your international flight arrives back in the United States until you will be able to get through Customs change terminals and recheck your bags.  So when booking the domestic ticket you’ll need to leave plenty of time to get through Customs check in and get to the next flight.  Royal Servants asks that you book the first available flight home on the day the team arrives back in the USA. Please do not delay your flight home until the next day.

Note: We are not able to transport participants to Chicago’s Midway Airport at the end of the Mission Trip.  Those flying out of Midway can catch the direct shuttle-bus service offered by Omega Airport Shuttle.  The shuttle leaves from the baggage claim area of O’Hare Airport.  There will be signs labeled “Bus/Shuttle Center” to follow.  This service through Omega costs around $45.  Make sure you leave a minimum of 4 hours between their landing at O’Hare and their connecting flight at Midway!

Once you arrive in Chicago, you will be met by a Royal Servants representative at the baggage claim area.  After this, things happen fast.  Hundreds of students arrive within a short period of time; we help you locate your luggage, load you on a shuttle, and transport you to the church where we all stay Friday night before Training Camp officially begins.  Once at the church, we will get you registered, and finally get you to your teams to begin meeting fellow team members!

Where To Book A Flight

For those flying to Training Camp we strongly recommend that you purchase airline tickets through John Gossen at Bursch Travel (763.295.5551).  You are free to book your domestic tickets but there are strong reasons to book through John.

First if the returning international flight is canceled or delayed John will automatically rebook his clients on the first available flight.  This is especially important if a student is 16 or younger.  John will also coordinate the domestic flight to Chicago to begin training camp with other students who will be flying in for the Nehemiah team.  He will coordinate the domestic flight home with the international flight.  He will also help with problems such as lost tickets and anyone who may need to return from overseas early.

When you purchase your ticket through Bursch Travel it not only ensures cooperation with Royal Servants’ flights but also assures you that you will be well taken care of both in your initial plans and in any problems you may encounter.  This is especially important in light of the fact that official figures show that one in four flights will be delayed canceled or diverted.

One Final Note: If your student is 15 or younger please read the “Travel Consultant and Unaccompanied Minor Form” in your student’s Prep Packet.