MISSION TRIPS - Frequently Asked Questions
We hope this page will answer some of your questions about the services Camping Pros has to offer. Please don't hesitate to call or email with any questions. For information on the Amor camps or anything related to the mission trip experience please call Amor Ministries directly at 619-662-1200.
General Questions
What does Camping Pros do?
Camping Pros offers food and camping services to groups signed up for short-term mission trips to Mexico and Arizona through Amor Ministries.
Where does Camping Pros provide their services?
Camping Pros offers their services year round at Amor camps in Baja California, Mexico (Tijuana, Rosarito & Tecate) and on the San Carlos Apache Reservation near Globe, Arizona. Services are also available at Amor's camp in Sonora, Mexico (Puerto Penasco) on a seasonal basis. Please call for availability.
What is the smallest group you will serve?
There is no minimum as far as the number of people or nights you stay. We do, however, require a minimum total for all trips. (Baja - $1000, Sonora and Arizona - $3000). Minimums may be waived if we are already serving other groups at the same time.
How do I book Camping Pros for my Mission Trip?
Just call us at 858.312.6777 or submit a proposal request and we will email you a proposal to review. You should register with Amor first to secure the dates.
Food Service Package Questions
What's included with your Food Service Package?
Our Food Service Package includes hot breakfasts and dinners (buffet-style), sack lunches (build your own) for the worksites, campfire snacks, and unlimited beverage service. Please see our packages and rates page for more details.
What type of food do you serve? (Please see our menus page)
How do you provide lunches at the worksites?
Every morning we setup a lunch line (deli buffet) before breakfast that has everything needed to build your own bagged lunch. Coolers are provided to transport your lunches to the worksites. We also provide 5 gallon igloos of drinking water and Gatorade. Cups, napkins, plates and any appropriate condiments or flatware are also available.
Do you provide campfire snacks?
Yes, each night following dinner we provide campfire snacks. Campfire snacks may include cookies, Rice Krispee treats, or everything needed to roast your own s'mores. Coffee, hot cocoa and tea are also available every night.
Do you provide drinking water?
Yes, we provide all your drinking water both at camp and at the worksite. Drinking water is available 24/7 at camp and we provide 5 gallon igloos of water for you to take to the worksites.
Is the water safe to drink?
Yes, all of our drinking water is delivered to main camp from Ultra Pura. Ultra Pura is the largest distributor of purified drinking water and ice in Baja California.
What type of drinks do you provide for the worksite?
We provide igloos with plenty of drinking water and Gatorade for each group to take to their worksites. Small cups are provided but we do recommend that participants bring a large sports bottle for refills.
What time do you serve meals?
Coffee is available by 5:30am. At 6:00am the lunch line opens (build your own bagged lunches). At 6:30am breakfast is served. Dinner begins between 6:00pm and 7:00pm (based upon groups returning times to camp) and campfire snacks are served shortly after dinner. Serving times are subject to change based on how many groups and number of people being served.
How and when do we know what meals are going to be served?
You can find out what the menus are for the following day by looking at the whiteboard of announcements located in the service area. You can also ask any of our on-site cooks if you would like to know what the menus are for the duration of your stay.
Where do you get your food?
We get our food from both sides of the border. The food we get in San Diego comes from various distributors such as Monterey Provisions, Smart and Final and Costco. The majority of the food we get in Mexico comes from the Costco, Calimax and the Commercial Mexicana grocery chains.
Do you accommodate people with special dietary needs? (vegetarians, gluten-free, food allergies, etc)
Yes we can accommodate some of the more common special dietary needs. In most cases we can utilize what we already have from other menus and in some cases you need to bring some specialty items with you. Please go to our special dietary needs page for more information.
Are the meals all you can eat?
Yes, however we ask that you please serve yourself moderate meal portions in order to give everyone a chance to try the entire menu. After everyone has gone through the line once, you are welcome to come back for seconds. We appreciate your cooperation on helping us reduce waste and keeping our prices as low as possible.
Can we take food to the families we are building houses for?
As much as we would love to feed all the families, you cannot take extra food for them. The food we serve is strictly for paying participants. It is possible to purchase extra meals for your group or the families for $10 per person. Please let the staff know a day in advance if you would like to purchase extra meals.
Do you serve more than one group at a time?
Yes, multiple groups share a common food area during busy seasons. Each group, however, has their own designated camping area near the Camping Pros kitchen.
Do you provide chairs?
Chairs are only included in our Food and Camping Package. You can rent chairs with the Food Service Package at $5 each for the duration of your stay.
Does Camping Pros provide a hand-washing station?
Yes, we provide a hand washing/sanitizing station near our service area for all Camping Pro's groups and encourage you to use it frequently.
Food and Camping Package Questions
What's included with your Food and Camping Package?
In addition to all your food and beverage service needs, our Food and Camping Package includes tents with complete setup and takedown, sleeping pads, and chairs. Please see packages and rates for more information.
What type of tents do you provide?
We set up dome-style tents with rain covers that can accommodate 3 to 4 people.
How many tents do you provide?
We provide 1 tent for every 3 people in your group. Extra tents are available for $35 per tent with this package.
How many people do you designate per tent?
Each tent comes with 3 sleeping pads in it when you arrive. How many people you designate per tent is completely up to you. You may choose to put 3 in all of them or 2 in some and 4 in others, etc. You are welcome to move sleeping pads around from one tent to another to accommodate any sleeping assignments you have.
What type of chairs do you provide?
We provide white plastic folding chairs. In some cases we will us a mixture of chairs and wooden benches.
Sleeping Bags are not included in any of our packages but are available to rent for $20 each (limited supply - please call ahead). Each sleeping bag rental includes a pillow .
What type of sleeping pads do you use?
We use 2-inch thick exercise mats (see picture). Each mat is 6 feet long and 2 feet wide.
Can we bring an air mattress?
Participants are more than welcome to bring additional padding or an air mattress.
Rates Questions
How much do you charge for your services?
Rates are determined on how many nights/meals you have and which package you have. There is a $1000 minimum for trips to Baja Calfornia and a $3000 minimum for trips to Sonora and Arizona. Please see our packages and rates page for prices. Please note that our rates are for Camping Pros services only and do not include individual participation fees charged by Amor.
How many meals does this include?
Rates are for arrival day dinner through departure day breakfast. Arrival and/or departure day lunches can be added for $10 per person.
What is your payment policy?
We require a $200 non-refundable deposit to reserve your dates with us. The balance, depending on your final numbers, is due 3 weeks prior to your mission trip. (The $200 goes towards your final balance).
What if our numbers change?
The numbers on the original proposal and contract are estimates only. We do not need final numbers until three weeks prior to your trip when your final balance is due.
Do we need to pay for any Amor representatives eating with our group?
No, the meals for your Amor representative are included in both of our packages. You are, however, responsible for all other people in your group (adults, youth, drivers, families, etc.)
What is your cancellation policy?
If your group cancels more than 3 weeks prior to you trip, we retain your $200 deposit. If your group cancels between one and three weeks prior to your trip, we retain 15% if the contract price. If your group cancels less than one week prior to your trip, we retain 30% of the contract price.
What if it rains?
Trips are usually held rain or shine. If Amor Ministries determines that an evacuation from Mexico is necessary due to environmental conditions, a pro-rated schedule will be established to apply a refund. However, any group who voluntarily chooses to leave prior to their agreed-upon departure date will not receive a credit or refund for the early departure.
What type of payment do you accept?
Camping Pros accepts MasterCard, Visa and Discovery as well as personal and company checks.
Campsite Questions
Which Amor camps does Camping Pros provide their services?
Camping Pros offers their services year round at Amor camps in Baja California, Mexico (Tijuana, Rosarito & Tecate) and on the San Carlos Apache Reservation near Globe, Arizona. Our services are also available at Amor's camp in Sonora, Mexico (Puerto Penasco) on a seasonal basis.
What are the campsites like?
The campsites Amor provide are open spaces of gravel and dirt. Each group is designated an area within the campsite. Groups signed up with Camping Pros will be assigned to an area near the Camping Pros kitchen.
What are the showers like?
Amor camps provide enclosed structures, marked ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ for participants to take bucket showers. (see picture below) Water is provided in 55-gallon water barrels just outside the showers. There is a two and a half gallon limit for each person, per day. Participants are responsible for bringing their own buckets or water jugs for showering. We also encourage participants to bring shower bags as well to warm up their water while at the worksites.
What are the bathrooms like?
The bathrooms (or banos) are primitive and resemble an outhouse.
Can we have campfires?
Yes, groups who want a campfire can dig a fire pit in their designated campsite. Fire pits must be cleaned and refilled before leaving.
For any questions about the campsites or anything else related to the Amor mission trip please contact Amor directly at 619.662.1200.