The city of Thunder Bay, located in the Canadian province of Ontario, sits on the edge of the world’s largest freshwater lake and is surrounded by majestic mountains and forests. Vast wilderness and outdoor recreation mixes with big-city entertainment and shopping to make Thunder Bay an attraction for all. Over the past ten years, however, the city’s economy has struggled, and hope for a quick turnaround is fading. Your group will have opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ as you minister to local children and elderly residents and serve at homeless shelters in Thunder Bay.

Demographics

Thunder Bay, Ontario is located on the northern shore of Lake Superior. Its position on the Great Lakes made it a natural meeting and trading site for Native Americans, and later, Europeans established a series of fur trading posts here. Today, Thunder Bay is the tenth-largest city in Ontario, with a population of 109,016. It is a melting pot of many ethnic backgrounds including Scottish (19 percent), Irish (16 percent), Ukrainian (13 percent) and Finnish (11 percent). A decline in the forestry and shipping industries has led to a recent economic downturn in Thunder Bay. The unemployment rate is approximately 6.3 percent. Fifteen percent of residents live in poverty, and an estimated 30 percent are just a single paycheck away from being homeless. Come and help restore hope to those who are struggling by sharing the love of Christ in the scenic city of Thunder Bay.

About the Ministry

Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one ministry or switch between ministries during the week. Our goal is to partner with local organizations and programs that seek to address the very basic needs of residents. Students may serve at places like: Children’s Programs, Elderly Centers, Soup Kitchens/Homeless Shelters and Thrift Stores. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what ministries your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: Visit Marina Park; take part in a community educational experience; go Canadian Cosmic 5-Pin Bowling; and visit Old Fort William Historical Park to learn about Canadian history. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.

Ministry Week

Partnering with Local Ministries.

Mileage

Thunder Bay is located 195 miles northeast of Duluth, MN, over the Canadian border, directly off Highway 61.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. Thunder Bay can only accommodate standard 15 passenger vans or smaller and cannot accommodate trailers. Per the U.S. Department of State travel website, "On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document." To learn more, please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html. For ease of travel, we ask that each person obtains a passport.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas before or after your trip, check out the following Web sites: www.thunderbay.ca or call 1.800.667.8386 for more information.