NORTH GEORGIA MISSION LODGE FAQ’S
Q. What Is the history of NGML?
North Georgia Mission Lodge was founded in September 2022 by members of Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, Duluth GA.
Q. Who is NGL staff?
Board members of the NGML include Jeff Milway, Erik Mjurod, Becky Zinn, Jennie Sankey, Jackson Milway, and Rob Keith. Each group will be assigned a volunteer host for the week who will help coordinate and provide for the group during their stay.
Q. How do I register?
Send an email to [email protected] with your preferred dates and size of your group (adults, & youth). A reply email will be sent to collect all required info about your group and deposit instructions.
Q. What Is the cost to participate in NGML?
● For a week-long experience (Sunday evening through Friday morning), it is $325 per person including meals.
● For a weekend experience (Friday evening through Sunday morning), it is $125 per person including meals.
● For other durations of stay, please contact us.
Q. When and how is the money due?
Once your registration has been received and you have been notified that your date is penciled-in, please send a non-refundable deposit of $30 per participant (for a week) or $15 (for a weekend). This deposit is due within fourteen (14) days of the email notification from NGML. Please make all checks payable to “North Georgia Mission Lodge”. Mail them to the following address: P.O. Box 1019, Morganton, GA 30560
Upon receipt of your check, NGML will send a confirmation email that we have received payment and that your spots are reserved. Final numbers and payment in full (the balance due) are due twenty (20) days prior to your scheduled arrival.
Q: Whatif we have to cancel?
As soon as your reservation is confirmed, we block your week off on our calendar and start planning your mission week. But we understand that in rare instances, cancellation becomes necessary. If you give us notice 90 days or more before your arrival date you will be issued a full refund. If you give us notice 30 days or more before your arrival date you will be issued a 85% refund. No refund will be issued if less than a 29 day notice is given but we will work with you to apply your deposit to a different week within the same calendar year.
Q. When should we arrive?
If you are a week-long group, we will be ready to receive your group at 5-6:00 pm on Sunday in time for a welcome dinner. Orientation will begin promptly at 7:30 pm.
For weekend groups, please plan to arrive around 4-5:30pm on Friday in time for a welcome dinner. Orientation will begin promptly at 7:30 pm.
Q. What about transportation while we are there?
We expect groups to bring their own ground transportation while they are at NGML. We will provide parking for your vehicles while you are with us. Please tell your NGML host beforehand how many vehicles, and what kinds of vehicles, you plan to bring during your time with us.
Q. What are sleeping arrangements?
In our designated (and gender specific) sleeping rooms there are 2-4 bunk beds. We also have pull-out couches in the Meadow View room. PLEASE BRING your own pillows, sheets, and blankets or sleeping bags (sheets are recommended during the warmer months). NGML has air conditioning and heat.
Q. Where should we park while at NGML?
Please park under the covered pavilion or in the driveway. Do not park on the grass or under the covered patio attached to the house.
Q. What do meals look like? How do we request special diets? NGML provides a fully stocked kitchen for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Your group will be responsible for preparing, serving, and cleaning up the meals. You’ll be on your own for one dinner (night flexible) to experience and support the local restaurants and could coincide with a free/fun afternoon. As for special diet requests, please let us know at least two weeks in advance so that we can have it ready for you. You will not go hungry at NGML; however, if your group likes to have particular snacks and/or gets hungry in between or after meal times, feel free to bring snack food.
You may choose to opt out of our food services and bring your own food for a reduced cost.
Q. Where do we shower?
There are three bathrooms, each with their own shower. One is wheelchair accessible.
Q. Is there a kitchen available?
Yes. If you need to bring something refrigerated, please let us know, as we’ll try to make room in our limited fridge space.
Q. What does NGML provide?
An orientation upon arrival as well as coordination with your mission sites. We will provide some suggested resources for you to lead group debriefing and reflection times. There are some resources for things to do in the immediate Blue Ridge, GA area. There are also games, cards, and some craft supplies in the Meadowview Room.
Q. What do we need to bring?
Please bring the following:
• Flexibility and humility (most important as they’re keys to a fantastic mission experience)
• Work clothes (clothes that can get dirty), best to have a clean set for each work day
• One pair of long pants (as some sites require pants).
• Closed-toe shoes or work boots (socks, please)
• Work gloves
• Casual clothes/shoes for non-work times
• Shower shoes, toiletries, towel
• Prescription meds (inhalers, insulin, allergy meds, etc.)
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Sleeping bag/sheets (twin), pillow
• Bible
• Reusable water bottle
• Bathing suit (if your group is doing something water-related on your free day)
Q. Whatthings won’t we need?
Please leave all valuables (jewelry, bags, electronics, clothing, etc.) at home. Don’t bring anything you wouldn’t want to lose, as NGML will not be held responsible for lost or stolen personal items. Do not bring lots of money. Leave clothes/shoes that you don’t want to get dirty/sweaty at home.
Q. What are some suggestions of things to do on our free day? Please refer to the NGML Guidebook for the “Nearby Recreation” resource provided by NGML. Please let NGML know BEFORE your arrival if you are doing something on your free day that takes the entire day and therefore takes your group out of that day’s morning work. We just need to know your plans for our scheduling purposes.
Q. What age groups does NGML host?
We welcome rising 6th graders through graduated seniors during our youth weeks. We also welcome intergenerational groups (minors must attend with a parent/guardian) and adult groups.
Q. What can we expect in our time with NGML?
We will serve as the liaisons between your group and the work sites and will coordinate with the sites to ensure things are running smoothly. You may be doing construction related work, cleaning, yard work, organizing, or a number of other service opportunities. We will all be experiencing
what it means to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
