Return to Team Schedule
Dates: June 29-July 9/10, 2012
Location: Bevuleni, Latvia (Click here for map and additional information)

Cost Includes:
International Airfare
Ground Transportation
Housing
Meals
Logistical, Spiritual & Cultural Training Materials
Trained Team Leader
In-Country Arrangements and Costs
Supplemental Health Insurance
Crisis Management Plan
Team Medical Bag with Nursing Protocols
24/7 On-Call Doctor

Project Description:
MOST Ministries ESL camps are held in several formats: the Day Camp, the 24/7 Camp and the Half-Day Camp. Days are filled with lessons in Bible reading, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, and writing; but that is only half the fun. There are also arts, crafts, music, drama, recreation activities and evening worship, often with bonfires and sing-alongs. Students vary in age from young children to high school aged to young adults, including many young professionals and older adults. Typically there are 50-60 campers participating in the program.

Lessons are taught using a Christian curriculum that allows for small personalized classes. MOST Ministries provides the curriculum along with a team leader who will provide the team with pre-field training on how to teach. ESL teams need teachers and teacher's assistants along with individuals who can lead arts, crafts, recreation, music and drama activities. With its highly relational focus, this is a great team for individuals of any age.

We have many individuals who return each year to meet up with old friends and to continue working on their English skills. They also bring friends and family with them to join the camp and ultimately learn more about Jesus. You do not need to speak "the language" and you do not have to be a professionally trained teacher to join this team.

Host Information:
St. John Lutheran Church (Pastor Ingus Dauskt)

LCMS Status & Relationship:
Work carried on with expatriate missionaries and/or trained national workers with a pre-existing indigenous or official partner church.

Sample Daily Schedule:
Breakfast
Devotions
Morning Classes (9:30AM-11:30AM)
Lunch
Reading & Bible Lessons (1:00PM-2:30PM)
Afternoon Classes (2:30PM-5:00PM)
Supper
Evening Activities

Tentative Weekly Schedule:

Please visit the US State Department Website for Entry & Exit Requirements.

Embassy Information:
Address~ 1 Remtes St., Riga LV-1510, Latvia
Phone~ +371-6710-7000 (M-F, 8:30AM-5:00PM)
After Hours ONLY Emergency Number~ +371-2920-5708
Fax~ +371-6710-7050

The Consular Section of the US Embassy in Riga is available to assist American citizens with emergencyies during working hours Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-5:00PM, except for public holidays. After hours emergencies are handled by the Embassy Duty Officer. Situations such as an arrest, serious illness, injury, destitution, or death of an American citizen constitutes an emergency. Please visit the US Embassy~Latvia website for additional information.

Vaccinations:
Please visit the CDC Website to view the vaccinations and medications needed before traveling to Latvia.

Short-Term Travel Insurance:
Please click here for Travel Insurance Information.

Logistics:

Electricity~	Electricity in Latvia is 230 volts alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you have a device that does not accept 230 volts at 50 hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Click here for additional information.
Plug Adapters~	Outlets in Latvia generally accept the two round pin plug. If you are bringing an electrical appliance with you,  it may be worthwhile to get a combination voltage converter and plug adapter. Click here for additional information.
Lodging~	Depending on the camp location, the team will stay at the hosting church or on the camp grounds.
Meals~	Meals will be provided by the local women. In traditional European fashion, breakfast is breads, jams, meat and cheese. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day and consists of meat, potatoes, salad and usually a dessert. Dinners are normally light and very often soup is served.
Currency~	The national currency of Latvia is the Latvian Lats.  Please click here for current currency conversion rates.

Climate:
Latvia is located in a temperate climate zone and weather conditions there are determined by the Atlantic air masses, the Baltic Sea and the Riga Sea Gulf which stretches deep into the country. Their climate is characterized by a periodic influence of high and low pressure centers and a comparatively high rainfall. Weather in Latvia is inconsistent and unpredictable.

Summers in Latvia are quite warm with average daily temperatures in the 70s, with the hottest months being July and August. Rapid weather changes may also occur during the day. Black clouds can quickly cover a sunny summer sky and rainy afternoons may quickly turn into warm evenings. During the spring and fall, weather is variable and generally humid with the average temperature around 60F. In winter, snow falls from December-March, the coolest month is January, with average temperatures in the 20s.

Recommended Clothing:
During the winter, late fall and early spring it is suggestible to dress warm, choosing a sweater and coat. In summer it is best to dress in layers and to have a light jacket to wear in the late evening when it gets cooler. An umbrella will be useful year round, irrespective of the season you are visiting Latvia.

Seasonal Weather Averages for Latvia:

Month	High F	Low F	Rain
January	29	22	1.30
February	29	21	0.90
March	37	28	1.00
April	48	35	1.40
May	60	45	1.70
June	66	52	2.30
July	69	56	2.80
August	68	55	2.70
September	59	48	2.60
October	50	41	2.10
November	39	33	2.00
December	32	25	1.50

Latvia Culture:
Please click here to read cultural information on Latvia.

Fast Facts:

Population	2,204,708 (2010 est.)
Capital City	Riga
Area	40,136 square miles (slightly larger than West Virginia)
Language	Latvian (0fficials) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3%
Religion	Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7%
Ethnicity / Race	Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2%
Altitude	Highest Point~Galzina Kalns - 1024 ft., Lowest Point~ Baltic Sea - 0 ft.