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Wind River mission trip photo

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Wind River Mission Trips

Central Wyoming, two tribes, one host church, and a week of VBS, cookouts, and door-to-door prayer in neighborhoods that rarely see visitors.

Length
5 or 7 days
Ages
11+
Group size
15+
From
$449

The story

Why Wind River.

Wind River mission trips bring your team to the reservation in central Wyoming that the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes share. It is a long way from anywhere, and the people who live here carry heavy things: substance abuse, violence, and suicide rates that would stop you cold. Our partners on the reservation have been doing spiritual ministry in the middle of that for a long time, and they are glad for a team that comes to help rather than to fix.

The week usually anchors on a Bible camp or Vacation Bible School at a partner church, with 30 to 40 kids a day for three or four days. In the evenings your team goes out to the two housing neighborhoods nearby where those same kids live, to meet their families and pray with them. Other days bring work and service projects with church leaders and members, and family groups spend time serving the partner pastors, elders, and church families who hold this ministry together.

There is room for fun that is also ministry. Youth outreach might mean ice cream, swimming and canoeing at the lake, or a cookout in a Lander park. Teams can also help with Set Free Ministries, a mix of Bible studies, prayer, and community work with mostly Native participants, and some weeks revive a Ministers' Appreciation Dinner that has not been held in many years.

You sleep on the floor of the host church, divided into men's and women's sections, and cook in the church kitchen. Getting here takes work: Denver is the best airport, about five hours and 357 miles away, so we tell teams to drive, bring at least two vehicles, and add a day for Yellowstone if they can. We have sent teams since 1989, and this is a Native American mission trip for a group that wants to be where few others go.

Part of Domestic Mission Trips · Native American Mission Trips

Trip ratings

Overall experience ratings.

Overall experience

100%5 stars
5 stars
100%
4 stars
0%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
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1 star
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Average ratings by category Out of 5

Pre-Trip Communication
5.0
Lodging
5.0
Ministry Activities & Experience
4.5
Overall Site Rating
5.0
Overall Experience
5.0

The work

What you'll do.

Community Service

01

Bible camp or Vacation Bible School

Run a camp for 30 to 40 kids a day over three or four days at a partner church.

02

Evening outreach to VBS families

Visit the two nearby housing neighborhoods where the kids live, meet their families, and pray with them.

03

Serving church leaders and families

Family groups spend time encouraging and serving partner pastors, elders, and church families.

04

Work and service projects

Hands-on projects alongside church leaders and members.

05

Youth outreach

Ice cream, lake swimming and canoeing, and cookouts in a Lander park.

06

Set Free Ministries

Bible studies, prayer, and community work, mostly with Native participants.

07

Ministers' Appreciation Dinner

Host a dinner to honor local ministers, something that has not happened here in many years.

A typical week

Sample ministry schedule.

Native American Locations sample ministry schedule, days across the top and times down the side.
TimeSaturdaySundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
7:00 AMNothing scheduledBreakfast + DevotionalBreakfast + DevotionalBreakfast + DevotionalBreakfast + DevotionalBreakfast + DevotionalBreakfast + Devotional
AM MinistryNothing scheduledChurch ServiceFood PantryHomeless MinistryLandscaping ProjectFree DayDeparture
12:00 PMNothing scheduledLunchLunchLunchLunchLunchNothing scheduled
PM MinistryArrivalPrayer WalkingCommunity OutreachConstruction ProjectKids MinistryFree DayNothing scheduled
EveningDinnerDinnerDinnerDinnerDinnerDinnerNothing scheduled
Orientation + WorshipDebrief + WorshipDebrief + WorshipDebrief + WorshipDebrief + WorshipDebrief + WorshipNothing scheduled
Free TimeFree TimeFree TimeFree TimeFree TimeFree TimeNothing scheduled
10:00 PMLights OutLights OutLights OutLights OutLights OutLights OutNothing scheduled

Sample only. Your team's week may look different.

Programs

Who this trip is for.

Wind River fits youth groups with students ages 11 and up, adult teams, and family groups willing to serve church leaders and elders. Groups need at least 15 people and each trip holds 15, so this is a one-group-at-a-time destination. The remoteness suits teams that can drive in with their own vehicles.

The details

Upcoming trips & cost.

2027 trips at a glance

Group size
Up to 15 people
Trips available
May to August
  • 5-day trip

    $449per person

    Starts Monday, ends Friday.

  • 7-day trip

    $499per person

    Starts Saturday, ends Friday.

LocationLengthCost
Mar 1, 2027 – Mar 5, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation5 days$449Request
Mar 6, 2027 – Mar 12, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation7 days$499Request
Mar 8, 2027 – Mar 12, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation5 days$449Request
Mar 13, 2027 – Mar 19, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation7 days$499Request
Mar 15, 2027 – Mar 19, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation5 days$449Request
Mar 20, 2027 – Mar 26, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation7 days$499Request
Mar 22, 2027 – Mar 26, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation5 days$449Request
Mar 27, 2027 – Apr 2, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation7 days$499Request
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation5 days$449Request
Apr 3, 2027 – Apr 9, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation7 days$499Request
Apr 5, 2027 – Apr 9, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation5 days$449Request
Apr 10, 2027 – Apr 16, 202715 spots leftWyoming - Wind River Reservation7 days$499Request

Logistics

Where you'll stay, eat, and get around.

Lodging

Your team sleeps on the floors of the host church, which can be divided into men's and women's sections. Bring air mattresses, bedding, pillows, and towels. There are two bathrooms with two showers each.

Meals

The church has a full kitchen and teams share meal prep and serving. Breakfast is typically cold cereal, fruit, and bagels, with hot options possible; lunch is packed and taken to the ministry site; and hot dinners are usually served after ministry.

Transportation

Most of our Native American ministry partners are located in rural areas and require a 2-3 hour drive from the nearest airport. Many teams drive a bus or van from their home city to save on travel costs. If you choose to fly, we will direct you to the nearest airport once your location is selected. Should you choose this option, you would need to rent vehicles from the airport. Parking is available on site.

Travel tips: Plan to drive. Bring at least two vehicles, air mattresses and bedding for the church floor, and towels. If your schedule allows, build in a day for Yellowstone on the way in or out.

Your site packet

Plan your trip.

Download the Wind River site packet

PDF, 4 pages, 4.7 MB

Who Has God Called Me to Serve?

The Eastern Shoshoni and Northern Arapaho tribes share the Wind River Reservation in central Wyoming, one of America's most beautiful Native American enclaves. Located in the central western part of Wyoming, Wind River is the home to two separate tribes that make up the fifth largest reservation by population. We are privileged to work with incredibly committed ministry partners. God is using them to impact the reservation for Jesus.

A Native American Indian Mission Trip is 95-100% relational. Most Native Americans are resistant to Christianity, and many consider it to be "the white man's religion." With a history of Christianity being forced on them, only 3%-5% of Native Americans are Christians today. Building relationships is the path to the place where they are open to hearing about Jesus. They need to know they can have a personal experience and a loving relationship with Jesus that will lead to hope and purpose. Join us as we get to come alongside them to help in the work our ministry partners are already doing.

What Tribe Am I Going to Serve?

Wind River reservation is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho who were traditional enemies before they were forced to share the reservation. They still do not get along well with each other to this day. English is the common language and the kids are approachable but often cautious of outsiders.

The poverty rate is among the highest of all reservations with over 80% unemployed. Substance abuse is prevalent on the reservation. Spiritual warfare is common which has led to a culture of seeking blessings and avoiding curses. Syncretism is common among both tribes and has led to confusion of who Jesus is and how to follow the Gospel.

What Should I Know?

Native Americans are the #1 poverty group in America today. With only 3%-5% of Native Americans being Christians, Christianity is considered to be the "White Man's religion". Violence is 5 times the national average on the rez. Death from drugs, alcohol, suicide and automobile accidents are a daily occurrence. The unemployment rate can be as high as 90%. The number of Native Americans incarcerated is at times 4 times the national average.

The book 'White Man's Gospel' by Craig Smith is a must read for anyone intending to minister in Indian Country.

Dress Code Policy

It is important to remember that when you are on the field ministering, you are representing God, Adventures In Missions, and local missionaries. Modesty is the key to all clothing you decide to bring with you. If you are questioning whether or not you should bring it, then leave it at home. Here are a few guidelines for clothing choices:

  1. Bring something modest to sleep in.
  2. No short, tight, or clingy clothing is permitted. This means no yoga pants or leggings.
  3. Sleeveless shirts and tank tops that are 2” wide are permitted on girls. No sleeveless shirt of any form is permitted for guys.
  4. If you cannot raise your arms above your head or touch your toes without showing your stomach or lower back, leave it at home.
  5. Shorts must come to the top of the knee. Capris or loose fitted joggers are great options.
  6. Skirts and dresses should be below or close to the knee.
  7. Make sure clothes are not stained and/or torn (except for clothes for painting/heavy manual labor). You do not have to wear your best clothing, but make yourselves presentable. It may be offensive to the locals if you look sloppy.

Ground transportation details are in "Where you'll stay, eat, and get around." above.

Clothing
Toiletries
Other
Bedding
In Addition to the Packing List

What not to pack

  • Any item that supports a focus on appearance
  • Any item that isolates people from participating with the rest of the group
  • Anything you aren't willing to part with

Your checkmarks are saved on this device only.

What Will I Do?

  • Family Ministry
  • Kids Camps
  • Service Projects
  • Youth Ministry
  • Bible Study
  • Prayer Ministry

Schedule

TimeSaturdaySundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
7:00 AMBREAKFAST + DEVOTIONALBREAKFAST + DEVOTIONALBREAKFAST + DEVOTIONALBREAKFAST + DEVOTIONALBREAKFAST + DEVOTIONALBREAKFAST + DEVOTIONAL
AM MinistryChurch ServiceFood PantryHomeless MinistryLandscaping ProjectFree DayDEPARTURE
12:00 PMLUNCHLUNCHLUNCHLUNCHLUNCH
PM MinistryARRIVALPrayer WalkingCommunity OutreachConstruction ProjectKids MinistryFree Day
EveningDINNERDINNERDINNERDINNERDINNERDINNER
ORIENTATION + WORSHIPDEBRIEF + WORSHIPDEBRIEF + WORSHIPDEBRIEF + WORSHIPDEBRIEF + WORSHIPDEBRIEF + WORSHIP
FREE TIMEFREE TIMEFREE TIMEFREE TIMEFREE TIMEFREE TIME
10:00 PMLIGHTS OUTLIGHTS OUTLIGHTS OUTLIGHTS OUTLIGHTS OUTLIGHTS OUT

Fun Activities

  • Historical Ruins
  • Hiking and Sight Seeing
  • Canoeing
  • Sacagawea Grave Site
  • Powwow Dance

How we keep teams safe is covered in the "Safety." section above.

Peace of mind

Safety.

The safety of our participants is a priority for us. We have an internal Risk Management team and external Risk Management consultants. We monitor information from reporting agencies and rely on the knowledge of our ministry partners. Teams will follow both AIM safety protocols and location specific guidelines provided by our ministry hosts. Adventures In Missions (AIM) Mission Leaders are well-trained and experienced leaders. Their purpose is to plan, prepare, and direct your mission team. Your group leaders and chaperones are responsible for the safety and security of the participants under their care. AIM Mission Leaders will lead and advise the group leader on how they can best lead, care for, and protect the participants in accordance with their Mission Leader training, and cultural constraints for the location in which you are serving.

Your guide

Your Mission Leader.

Gallery

Questions

Good to know.

“This trip helped me to grow a better appreciation for the everyday things that I have.”

A youth leader

Plan this trip

Plan your Wind River trip.

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