Middle School Service Trip to
Milwaukee
Details:
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Dates: July 12–17, 2026
Total cost (approximated): under $900
What do we do on a service trip?
There are multiple purposes for a service trip. Primarily it is an opportunity for kids to learn about God’s gift of generosity. We are called to serve our neighbor.
A summer service trip provides opportunities for service AND an experience of fellowship with their confirmation classmates. Getting away together has the power to grow relationships like few other programs. A middle school service trip meets our core values as 1) All are Welcome, 2) We Build Community and 3) We Serve Our Neighbor.
Specifically, here’s what happens on a service trip:
First Lutheran’s Middle School Event Director, Madi Loomis will be leading a service trip to Milwaukee, July 12-17 with the help of Youth works, our longtime service trip guide. We’ll be partnering with food pantries, meal centers, local gardens and intergenerational care centers. In the evenings, we’ll explore the city a bit and maybe even have some beach time on Lake Michigan. Total costs will be under $900, before the help of any Faith Web supporters, which we hope will keep a family’s investment at $300 which can be raised through fundraisers. Sign up in the month of September for the trip and for Faith Webs. The first 13 to sign up are guaranteed a spot. All subsequent registrations are subject to additional transportation capacity.
Fundraising opportunities:
Middle school youth have several fundraising opportunities to help reduce service trip costs…
A long tradition…
First Lutheran has a long tradition of summer service trips for youth and adults alike! The service trips this summer are built on trips taken over the past several years...
In 2008 youth in grades 6-12 served in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
In 2009 three trips originated from First Lutheran:
Middle school served in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
High school went to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana. These youth participated with over 36,000 other high school youth to help get New Orleans back on her feet after Hurricane Katrina.
An age diverse group of adults and youth served in Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota
In 2010 our middle school youth served in St. Louis, Missouri and our high school youth served in Birmingham, Alabama.
In 2011 our middle school youth served in Duluth, MN and our high school youth served in Washington D.C.
In 2012 our middle school youth served in Chicago, IL and our high school youth joined ELCA youth from all over the country at the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA.
In 2014 the middle school youth served in Cincinnati, Ohio and our high school youth served in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
In 2015 our middle school youth served in Louisville, KY, and our high school youth headed to Detroit for the National Youth Gathering.
In 2016 we had three trips: our middle school youth served in the Quad Cities of Iowa, and our high school youth served in Cortez, CO and Mingo County in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.
In 2017 our middle school youth served in Kansas City, MO, and our high school youth served at the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.
In 2018 our middle school youth served in Indianapolis and our high school youth joined ELCA youth from all over the country at the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, TX.
In 2019 our middle school youth served in Duluth, MN and our high school youth served in San Francisco, CA.
In 2020 our middle and high school trip to Niagara Falls was cancelled due to COVID.
In 2022 our middle and high school youth served in Bayou Le Batre, AL.
In 2024 our middle school youth served in Rapid City, SD. Our high school youth headed to New Orleans for the ELCA Youth Gathering.
In 2025 our middle school youth served in St. Louis, MO, and our high school youth helped North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene.
Servant hearts have been opened on these trips. Lives have been changed. Our church is changing as a result. Come serve with us at First Lutheran in Onalaska!
Questions about the trip? Connect with Madalyn Olson-Loomis, madalyn@firstlu.org.
