Winterim 2025 Trips

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
I Peter 4:10



2025 Trip application due Wednesday, April 10 by midnight

FAQs

Wheaton Academy is using a new online portal called Managed Missions for all Winterim trips. Managed Missions usually works with tax-deductible travel opportunities, but has the capability to help support all of Wheaton Academy’s Winterim trips, including those that are educational and experiential. On the Managed Missions website, payments are referred to as “donations,” but please note that not all trips are tax deductible. If the trip the students signs up for is tax deductible, the student will receive instructions from trip leaders on how to solicit support for their trip.

Travel allows student to experience learning outside of the classroom, putting into practice the College Readiness skills they are equipped with in classes and co-curricular activities. Through travel, students experience the depth and breadth of the Kingdom of God by interacting with people and cultures from around the world. While traveling, students deepen relationships with each other, trip leaders, and God, and they often have the opportunity to serve. Winterim trips are amazing opportunities that impact students’ lives deeply in a way that is wholly aligned with the mission of the school.

Typically, Juniors and Seniors fill the majority of the spots available on trip rosters. Select trips each year are open to all grade levels. Sophomores – Seniors apply for trip in the Spring semester and Freshman learn of select trip options in the Fall semester. Students and parents need to agree to the policies for travel that outline conditions and expectations for students before and during trips.

Each winter sport coach has established Winterim travel expectations. Often, Winter sports teams use Winterim as an opportunity to develop a trip for their team. Students are encouraged to be in contact with their coaches regarding travel opporunties and how they fit within the winter sports schedule. Contact the Athletic Director Brad Byrne at bbyrne@wheatonacademy.org with questions about a specific sport.

Students and their families are solely responsible for obtaining any necessary travel documents including passports and visas. Each passport needs to be valid 6 months after the date of travel.

Students will complete a general online trip application. Each application will be reviewed to determine travel eligibility by our administrative and student services team.

The application asks students to pick their first and second trip choice. Wheaton Academy tries to assign all students to one of their top two choices. In the event that there are more students applications than roster spots available on a specific trip, the Winterim trip coordinator considers factors such as age, total roster composition, and students services and administrator input.

We use an online payment system through our application for the initial deposit. Each trip leader is the budget manager for all following payments.

We offer 5 different types of trips:

  • Faith in Action
  • Service and Missions
  • Educational
  • Adventure
  • Leadership Development

Missions Trips: Faith in Action

Scotland Missions: Heralds Trust

The story of Scotland as one of the preeminent missionary sending countries is well known across the Christian world. However, the last 50 years have seen Scotland and the UK move closer to becoming a post-Christian Society. Therefore, the opportunity to minister the light of the Gospel has never been more needed than today.

While staying outside of Edinburgh, sometimes with host families, students will have the opportunity to participate in the challenging task of working with a variety of local churches in the central belt of Scotland. It is our hope that the trip will impact your faith and give you a greater experience of personal growth in your walk with God. This trip will be best suited to those who are comfortable sharing their faith in all sorts of circumstances. Opportunities may include working with youth groups, schools, and Para-church support ministries. As part of the trip, there will be an opportunity to visit some key historical sites and points of interest in the heart of Scotland. We then will debrief our trip as we visit some significant sites in London.

Prerequisites: Students must be willing to lead chapels and services, must display an understanding of basic theological principles to help share the Gospel, must be able to articulate their faith in a public setting, must be able to write their testimony in writing, must be comfortable staying in host homes while also demonstrating appropriate manners and behavior, and must be able to walk long distances and on uneven pavement

Trip Leaders: David Tollefsen
 
Support needed per student: $3300-3500

Length: 10 days

Open to: All Grades

Missions Trips: Service and Mission

Varsity Basketball Missions Trip with GO Ministries

The Go Ministries Dominican Republic Trip provides students with an opportunity to serve and build relationships with others who are a part of the kingdom of god in a very different part of the globe through the vessel of sports. Students will experience a new culture, learn about international mission work, and create memories in the local community. 

This trip is open to all students who plan to be a part of the Boys or Girls varsity basketball team this winter. 

Trip Leaders: Coach Smith and Coach Carwell
 
Support needed per student: $3000-3200

Length: 7 days


Open to: All Varsity Basketball Players

Kids Alive Dominican Republic Missions Trip

Come experience the amazing culture and beauty of the Dominican Republic by serving in the KidsAlive ministry. You will have the opportunity to meet students that we champion at Wheaton Academy through the work of ProjectLEAD Global. 

We will play sports, participate in Awana-type activities, complete service projects,  and build relationships with the kids and facility. We will also hike to a waterfall and enjoy the surrounding environment.

There are two teams serving in this group; one to Jarabacoa and the other to Santo Domingo East.

Trip Leaders: Phil Strzalka and Sally Strzalka, Val Gregersen
 
Support needed per student: $2600-2800

Length: 7 days

Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade

Nicaragua Missions Trip

Website: Click here

Nicaragua is a tropical land of mountains, volcanos, lakes, rainforests, and beaches. It is located in Central America, between Honduras and Costa Rica, and is considered the poorest country in Latin America.

We will be partnering with an organization called Students International to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of people in the town of Masaya, Nicaragua which is located about 40 miles from the capital city of Managua. Masaya is a city with an immense amount of poverty, like many cities in Nicaragua, but you will have the opportunity to work alongside national workers in the occupational field of your choice.

Are you passionate about medicine? Then explore the field of health care for the week. Are you interested in Physical Therapy? Then join a physical therapist for the week to see how s/he meets the physical needs of Nicaraguans. Other vocational areas include Agriculture, Social Work, Sports, and MicroFinance. Students will venture out to their individual sites during the day, and then debrief back at the SI base each night where they will stay in cabins.

Students must be at least 14 years of age, be able to walk/hike short distances, and have a sense of adventure and passion for reaching the poor! Though Spanish is not required, any knowledge and ability to use Spanish would be a huge help. An additional excursion to the beach or exploring a volcano will be included, along with exploring the culture, food, and communities of Nicaragua. ¡Vamos!

Trip Leaders: Stacey Krohn
 
Support needed per student: $2500-2700

Length: 9 days

Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade

Adventure Trips

Capitals of Scandinavia

Take a once and a lifetime trip through the Capitals of Scandinavia! Starting in Oslo, then taking a night ferry to Copenhagen, and ending up in Stockholm! Along the way we will see famous sites of all three cities, such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Palace of Christiansborg, and the Elsinore-Kronborg Castle. 

In each city there will be walking tours with local expert guides, and free time to explore what each city has to offer! This tour includes so many awesome things, including upgraded regional style meals, which is a great way for you to experience a new culture. This is an adventure trip and open to all ages of students. There are no prerequisites, all are welcome and encouraged to come! We hope you join us as we travel through Scandinavia for an iconic trip! Please come ask Miss Dunlap and Mrs. Rinker any questions you may have!

Trip Leaders: Leah Dunlap and Leah Rinker

Student Cost: $4700-4800

Length: 9 days

Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade

Utah: Missions and Ministry in the Mountains

If you want to ski “The Best Snow on Earth” and experience what it means to “live on mission” as a Christian every day, all the time, this is the trip for you. 

We will spend a week in Salt Lake City, Utah engaging every part of the city’s unique culture. From skiing the famed runs of the Wasatch Mountains to hearing from families who moved across the country to help spread the Gospel to a population that is less than 3% Protestant Christian, this trip will challenge students to own their faith, live a life that reflects Christ to everyone they encounter, and experience the joy of worshipping the Creator instead of creation.

Trip Leaders: Anna Joy Setran

Student Cost: $2500-2600

Length: 7 days

Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade, girls only

Cultural Immersion in the UK

We will be taking a trip to the United Kingdom to explore the world, history, and culture around the UK. This will include some sightseeing, 3 live football games, stadium tours, and more! offers a unique and enriching experience that goes beyond just sports. 

Experiencing live matches in iconic stadiums like Old Trafford or Anfield not only allows students to witness top-tier athleticism but also exposes them to diverse cultures, fostering global awareness and appreciation. Moreover, immersing in the electric atmosphere of English football matches can instill valuable lessons in teamwork, sportsmanship, and resilience, while also promoting camaraderie among the students. 

Additionally, the trip provides an opportunity for cultural exchange, allowing students to interact with locals and explore the rich history and vibrant cities of England, making it an educational and unforgettable adventure.

Trip Leaders: Coach Selvaggio and Mr. Selvaggio

Student Cost: $4000-$4100

Length: 10 days

Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade

 

Costa Rica Boys: Surf, Science and Service

SURF the waves of COSTA RICA! The boys surf trip in Costa Rica will be an exciting adventure and a unique opportunity to learn the sport of surfing, and at the same time, gain knowledge about marine science. We will specifically target physical oceanography and explore how waves, weather, and currents affect the coastline.

Costa Rica means “Rich Coast” and once you see Playa Grande (“Big Beach”) you will know why. The beach is three miles long and nearly untouched because it is a national park created to protect the endangered leatherback turtles. Students will review the life cycles of sea turtles and the importance of maintaining beach conditions for nesting. Students also will immerse themselves in the culture and Spanish language through three service projects both on the beach and in the community. In addition to surfing, sea turtles, and service, the group will have the opportunity to relax, enjoy dinner at the Rip-Jack Inn, and bond through studying the book of Nehemiah.

This trip will serve as a great platform for our boys to step out of their comfort zone and try some physical activities that will grow them in their courage, self-confidence, and trust in the Lord. They will also learn how to build others up through several service opportunities.

Experience Pura Vida (Pure Life) in Costa Rica!

 

Trip Leader: Nate Leman

Student Cost: $4500 

Length: 7 days

Open to: 10, 11 and 12 grade, Boys Only

Educational Trips

Croatia, Budapest, and Italy

If you like new and amazing foods, love castles, and love to see history this is your trip.

We will stay in the heart of the cities, walk along the streets of old history, take authentic cooking classes from these countries, and see all the main sites. We will not be tourists in a country, but fully immerse ourselves into the cultures that we are living among. 

Activities in Hungary Budapest:

Drive a Tuk Tuk car through the city. Ride the Ferris Wheel and visit the Budapest circus. Cake and coffee tour through city. Ice skating. Castle visits. Dinner cruise. Apple strudel cooking class.

Activities in Croatia:

Escape room in a castle!! Castle and cave tours. Sledding in the Slovenian Mountains (weather permitting). Swing dance/dinner.

Come along and see these amazing countries together!

Trip Leaders: Jim Holtrop

Student Cost: Approx $4600-$4700

Length: 10 days

Open to: 10, 11 and 12 grade

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C.

This is a 1 week class and 1 week trip collaboration. Students will learn on campus from a WA teacher the first week and then travel to DC the second week to discover and explore many of the interesting and significant sites. 

This counts towards government class credit.

Trip Leaders: Eric Bowling, class teacher David Rivera

Student Cost: Approx $1900-2000 

Length: 5 days

Open to: 10, 11 and 12 grade 

Explore Thailand

You are invited to explore Thailand with us! 

Come join us on a 10-day trip where we will visit Bangkok -the dynamic capital of Thailand, and Chiang Mai, a northern city in the mountainous region of Thailand. Besides a Thai Cooking Class and an Elephant Nature Park, we will also visit The Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha, Wat Pha Lat Temple, Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a local coffeehouse ministry. 

We will end the trip by exploring one of Thailand’s beautiful beaches.

Trip Leaders: Angie Roberts and Hollee Ball
 
Student Cost: Approx. $4700-$4800

Length: 10 days

Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade

China Heritage Expedition

This trip is for those students interested in exploring and learning Chinese history and culture.

We will visit Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou.

We will tour the Forbidden City, see the Great Wall, experience a bullet train and more!

You must be willing to interact with local students when we visit schools.

Trip Leaders: Rochelle Yang

Student Cost: Approx $4250-$4350

Length: 9 days

Open to: 10, 11 and 12 grade

Explore Portugal and Spain

Come experience Spain and Portugal, located on the Iberian Peninsula.  Behold the magnificent artwork in Madrid’s Prado and then venture into the Spanish capital for a taste of Madrid’s bohemian spirit.  Relive medieval times in Ávila and delve into centuries of academia in Salamanca. Then experience the easy-going nature of Portugal with visits to Coimbra, Porto and the coastal capital Lisbon.

Some unique experiences this trip has to offer include authentic cultural meals, a fado evening in Lisbon (musical performance), flamenco lessons and performance (dance and music) in Madrid, and an excursion to Toledo.  This would also be a wonderful opportunity for students to practice the Spanish language, though all students would benefit from experiencing the customs and traditions of the friendly Spanish and Portuguese.  There is something special for everyone to experience on this once in a lifetime trip.  If you have any questions, ask Mr. Jasper!

Come explore Southwestern Europe and savor the beauty, culture, and rich history these remarkable countries have to offer!

Trip Leaders: Evan and Mandy Jasper

Student Cost: Approx. $4700-4800

Length: 10 days

Open to: 10, 11, and 12 grade

Leadership Development

Wrestling Trip to Hawaii

The wrestling team will be traveling to Hawaii for Winterim 2025 to compete against local competition in a dual and then a tournament as well. 

While there we will be serving with a local church, continuing our season practicing at a local high school, and then do some sight-seeing. In our free time, athletes will be challenged in their spiritual walk as well as going through some character development by the coaches and our Hawaii contact. 

The purpose for this trip is to make sure our wrestlers get the opportunity to travel during Winterim while at the same time the program and our athletes are continuing their pursuit of excellence in their season. 

We are able to do both at the same time by taking this trip. Wrestlers are highly encouraged to attend.

Trip Leaders: Coach Swider

Student Cost: $1000-1100

Length: 7 days

Open to: Boy Wrestlers

Questions: Contact Amy Heavey-aheavey@wheatonacademy.org