Entry Training/On-boarding
Family Information
For the participants who are attending with their children, the campus is a wonderful place to explore with lots of open spaces and a small farm. Along with new opportunities, there may be challenges, as well. We strongly encourage you to include your children in the planning and decision-making process as you prepare to come, in order to help them have a positive experience in a new environment.
There are several different options available for your children that you may consider. Cost of each of these options vary and is the responsibility of the parents.
Van Public Schools: The public schools are open to children of staff and participants. These are very good schools and have a high percentage of Christian teachers committed to the kids. Most parents prefer to car pool or drive their own children to school in the mornings and can do so before the Gateway class begins. The school is only 10 minutes away. The school web site is www.van.sprnet.org.
We will contact you for pertinent information and give you the necessary paperwork to enroll your children when you arrive at the IOC.
For registration, the school requires:
(1) Immunization records
(2) Birth Certificates
(3) Social Security cards, if available
(4) Transcripts
(5) Withdrawal form from previous school
Home Schooling: If you should choose to home school your children, it will be your responsibility to acquire the necessary home schooling curriculum and materials needed and to give oversight to the children’s classroom needs while they are here. We have some concerns with home schooling while you are attending the On Boarding Program for several reasons. (1) We are not able to provide adequate supervision for them (2) There is not a designated classroom for them to use. (3) There are some unsupervised safety concerns with the large campus (400 Acres) having two large ponds and being close to a major highway. (4) You, as a parent and a participant, will be very busy and may feel you don’t have the time to do justice to your children’s classroom needs.
However, this is a personal decision and we simply want to give you the best information we can so you can make the best arrangements for you and your family. If you decide to home school, we suggest that you start at least one month prior to your arrival on campus. This will give both the parents and the children time to adjust to the new “school experience”.
Children under the age of 12 need supervision. We request you bring a nanny to assist in those areas.
Preschool Children: With children under 5 years old, you will either need to bring a nanny or it may be possible to place your child in a daycare/nursery center. Little Steps Registered Daycare is 15 minutes from the IOC. You will need to contact director, Mechelle Cawthown at 903-963-3522 to find out if she will have room for your child. There will be an extra expense for the daycare as well as the gas to and from the preschool to consider in your budget.
Nanny: Another option is to bring a nanny for your child(ren). Mercy Ships requires that the nanny also complete a Mercy Ships application before coming; however he/she will not need to complete the medical portion. Children will need supervision from registration day through the date the family leaves for the field service. A Gateway staff member will make sure the nanny meets his/her departure time from the Tyler airport or shuttle.
The Nanny will be expected to take care of your children from 8:00 – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. They must also be flexible for other scheduled Gateway required activities which may include some evenings and Saturday mornings.
On Boarding Fees:
Tuition:
- Per Participant $ 1700.00
- Alumni $ 1300.00
- Children
Age 0-2 $ -0-
Age 3-11 $ 370.00
Age 12-18 $ 400.00
- Nanny Food and Housing not including Field Service $ 400.00
Airfare to West Africa: TBA
