Returning to Serve. Reconnecting with Purpose.
Join Compass Path and fellow alumni of your Crossway and Youth Becoming Leaders programs for a week in Akureyri, Iceland, where you'll partner with the local Salvation Army church to host a free summer camp for children, reconnect with fellow leaders, and rediscover how faith and service can shape the communities around us.
Trip Snapshot
DATES
August 7-14, 2027
COST
$1,800 per person, plus airfare. Compass Path will help coordinate flights from your home destination.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Lodging, meals, in-country transportation, programming, travel insurance, and probably some Icelandic chocolate. Airfare is not included.
LOCATION
Reykjavík & Akureyri, Iceland — along with many other sights!
Overview
The journey doesn't end when the program does.
As alumni of Crossways and Youth Becoming Leaders programs, you've already experienced how faith, leadership, and community can shape your life. This August, we're inviting you to take that experience somewhere new.
In Akureyri, Iceland, you'll partner with the local Salvation Army church to host a free summer camp for children in the community. Through games, activities, shared meals, and meaningful relationships, you'll help create a welcoming space where young people can experience belonging, encouragement, and joy.
But this journey is also about reconnecting. You'll serve alongside fellow alumni, explore the breathtaking landscapes of northern Iceland, and participate in Compass Time and Table Talk—daily rhythms of reflection that invite you to consider how your faith, leadership, and sense of purpose continue to grow.
You'll return home with more than memories of Iceland. You'll carry new friendships, a renewed sense of community, and a deeper understanding of how the gifts you've developed can make a difference in the lives of others.
What You’ll Do
Help plan and lead a free summer camp for local children in partnership with the Salvation Army church in Akureyri, creating opportunities for fun, friendship, and belonging.
Put your leadership experience into practice as you organize activities, encourage young people, and work together to serve the needs identified by local leaders.
(Re)connect with other program alumni through shared service, adventure, conversation, and everyday life.
Experience the extraordinary landscapes, culture, and natural beauty of northern Iceland, from waterfalls and volcanic terrain to geothermal wonders.
Practice daily rhythms of reflection through Compass Time and Table Talk, exploring how your faith, leadership, and sense of calling have evolved since your original program experience.
Discover how the lessons you learned as a participant can take on new meaning when you use them to serve, mentor, and create opportunities for the next generation.
From the Archives
Sample Schedule
Note
Every Compass trip is different! The schedule below is just an example—each experience varies depending on your group, location, and the needs of our partners. The daily rhythm often shifts based on weather, service projects, and cultural opportunities. Flexibility is key!
You'll receive more specific trip details during your interview and in pre-trip meetings with your group.
Schedule
Day 1 — Saturday, August 7
Depart from your home destination on an overnight flight to Iceland. Your journey begins!
Day 2 — Sunday, August 8
Arrive in Reykjavík, reconnect with fellow alumni, and travel north to Akureyri. Settle in, meet our Salvation Army partners, and prepare for the week ahead.
Day 3 — Monday, August 9
Kick off summer camp! Welcome local children for a day of games, activities, relationship-building, and fun. End the day with Compass Time and Table Talk.
Days 4–5 — Tuesday–Wednesday, August 10–11
Continue leading camp activities, building relationships with children and families, and working alongside local leaders. Enjoy evenings exploring Akureyri and connecting with your team.
Day 6 — Thursday, August 12
Continue hosting summer camp, encouraging young people through games, activities, and meaningful relationships. Take time together to reflect on your experiences and prepare for the camp's final day.
Day 7 — Friday, August 13
Wrap up summer camp with a final day of activities, celebration, and meaningful goodbyes. After camp, begin the scenic drive back to Reykjavík, enjoying Iceland's remarkable landscapes along the way before spending a final evening together.
Day 8 — Saturday, August 14
Depart Iceland and return home with renewed friendships, fresh perspectives, and new ideas for living out your faith and leadership in your own community.
Daily routine
Breakfast
Start your day with your group.
Compass Time
An hour for Scripture, journaling, and guided prayer to orient yourself for the day.
Service & Learning
Hands-on volunteering and cultural exchange with local partners.
Group Dinner
Shared meals, sometimes cooked together, sometimes eaten at our service sites, sometimes eaten out locally.
Table Talk
Guided conversations about purpose, justice, and your experiences.
Evening Activities & Free Time
Games, creative expression, quiet reflection, or group outings.
