FAMILY TO FAMILY HUMANITARIAN EXPEDITIONS

How do I sign up for an expedition?
Follow this link to the [ REGISTER/MAKE A PAYMENT ] page to register

What is the refund policy?
FFHE reserves the right to cancel an expedition if less than the minimum number of participants have signed up. This will be determined 45 days prior to expedition date. All Expedition transfers must be within the current calendar year, (ie., January-Decemebr).

Your $200.00 deposit is non-refundable. 

FULL REFUNDS OF EXPEDITIONS PAYMENTS (LESS THE $200 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT) CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED 60 DAYS OR MORE PRIOR TO AN EXPEDITION DATE.

NO REFUND OF FUNDS WITHIN 59 DAYS OF AN EXPEDITION DATE.
However, participants may transfer to one of the other expeditions, within the current calendar year, if your personal circumstances change, but there will be up to a $100 administrative fee assessed to do so.

What forms do I need to fill out?
All minors will need to fill out the Minor Release Form, make two copies, and send the original to FFHE upon registering. Those minors who will not be accompanied by BOTH parents will also need to have the Temporary Guardianship Form filled out, make two copies, and send the original along with the Minor Release Form to FFHE.

For those minors traveling with a school or organization, parents should contact the sponsoring group leader to determine the individual who will take temporary guardianship of their child while on the expedition.

Where does FFHE go on expeditions?
The state of Querétaro, approximately 2 hours from Mexico City. Its location in the heart of Mexico provides an ideal climate year-round with warm, sunny days and cool nights. The average temperature year-round is in the mid 60s, and rarely goes below 50F.

Where will I stay on the March expedition?
For half of the duration of the expedition, the March group will be staying at the Benemérito, a Church-owned, middle school and high school located near the airport in Mexico City, with on campus dormitories, and a high level of security.

For the other half of the duration of the expedition, participants in the March expedition will be staying with member families in their homes in a centralized area to ensure the security of all participants.

During other expeditions, your accomodtions will be in a newer hotel near the area we are serving in.  This hotel is clean and well maintained.

What may be included in the weeklong expedition? 
Please view our slideshow this evening or visit our the Expeditions page 
[ EXPEDITIONS ] 

What if I need to cancel or change my expedition date?
Participants may transfer to one of the other expeditions, within the current calendar year, if your personal circumstances change, but there will be up to a $100 administrative fee assessed to do so.

What if an Expedition doesn't meet the minimum requirement for sign ups?
FFHE reserves the right to cancel an expedition if less than the minimum number of participants have signed up. This will be determined 45 days prior to expedition date. In this case, no transfer fee will be required to transfer to another expedition. 

How much does it cost to go on an expedition?
2012 Expedition Cost is $850 (US dollars) per participant

What does the expedition cost include?
• Transportation from Mexico City airport to and from Tequisquiapan
• Transportation to and from work sites
• Housing
• Food (2 meals a day)
• Project materials

Is airfare included in the price?
Participants are responsible for their own airfare to and from the Mexico City Airport.

What vaccinations are required?
Follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and prevention  
[ www.cdc.org ]. Your local County Health Department or Physician can assist you in knowing what is needed for the location you are traveling to. Start the process early, as it usually takes some time.

What about health concerns?
No matter where you travel there is always some health risks and concerns. FFHE provides a group first aid kit with general supplies. Bottled water will be provided for participant use. Participants should only use and drink bottled water. 

What will I eat?
Members of the community that we will be serving will also serve us by helping to prepare our meals. We will eat together as a group.  All cooks use bottled water and know what to avoid when cooking to help us stay healthy.

Do I need Travel Insurance?
It is highly recommended that you get Travel Insurance which provides you with evacuation insurance if needed. There is hospital and medical care available, however if something serious were to occur, evacuation back to the United States might be appropriate.

There are different options for acquiring Travel Insurance. Check with your credit card company to see if they offer this service. Whichever company you choose, Travel Insurance is not expensive and would be well worth it if it became needed. 
 

Helpful Links:
Medex- http://www.medexassist.com/

Access America- http://www.accessamerica.com/

Who can go?
We welcome participants of any age. Our groups have consisted of individuals, entire families, grandmas and grandpas, couples, moms and dads, daughters and sons, school groups, religious groups, and professional organizations.

PLEASE NOTE: Minors must be supervised by parent or an accompanying adult at all times.

How old do I have to be to go alone?
Participants must be 18 years old to travel with FFHE, if not going with family, school or other organization.

What about safety in Mexico?
We are aware of there are safety concerns regarding Mexico. We are in continual contact with Government and Church authorities from Mexico. Our humanitarian destinations have been carefully selected with safety concerns as the top priority.

How will I communicate?
Spanish is not a requirement to go. In fact, most of those who go with us on the trips do not speak Spanish. However, we do suggest you learn a few crucial phrases to help you get around and interact more with the people from the community. Spanish speakers are available for each expedition.

Very few people in these cities speak English. However, we have not found this to be a problem. The people are extremely friendly and warm. They often will be trying equally as hard to speak English, as you will be trying to speak Spanish.

What if I can’t go on an expedition? How can I help?
If you are unable to go on an expedition, but would like to donate to an expedition you can do so through the DONATE NOW button. This is a great way to really help people in need. A very small contribution in the U.S. goes a very long way in Mexico. Click here to go to the [ HOME PAGE ] and click the “Donate” button on the bottom left corner.