Urban Mission Trips and Poverty Simulations

Urban Mission Trips and Poverty Simulations gives participants hands-on opportunities to serve, learn, and engage with urban poverty through ministry activities, community outreach, and service activity. The program includes components of The R3 Workshop, which is Biblical racial reconciliation training, as well as a 40-hour poverty simulation that is described as an experiential learning opportunity that helps participants understand generational poverty in urban America. Offerings include Christ-centered Urban Immersion Trips, Urban Plunge Trips, a 40-hour Poverty Simulation that is solely training and experiential learning without service opportunities, and Urban Outpour, along with cross-cultural worship experiences and service opportunities throughout the city of Milwaukee.

• Ages: 11–18 years old
• Schedule: Urban Immersion Trip: 6-day Tuesday–Sunday; Urban Plunge Trip: weekend Friday–Sunday; Poverty Simulation: 40-hour experience; Urban Outpour: 3-day minimum
• Price: Urban Immersion Trip: $550/person; Urban Plunge Trip: $175/person; Poverty Simulation: $225/person; Urban Outpour: $55/person/day; a $75 nonrefundable deposit per person is required; an additional fee of 5% is added to the total amount due for late and unpaid balances.

City on a Hill has been hosting Poverty Simulations since 2006. The program takes place on City on a Hill’s campus, where dorm-style housing has rooms and bathrooms separated by gender, and rooming floors have a common area where groups can play games, watch movies, or have a Bible study. No linens are provided, so each person is responsible for their own bedding and towels. City on a Hill states its mission as being on a generation-building mission to improve the conditions of childhood poverty, one family at a time. City on a Hill, Inc. is a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is funded by gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and churches. City on a Hill is a collaborator in the “Safer City MKE” bracelets effort, coordinates all mission trip service opportunities throughout the city of Milwaukee, and offers chances for groups to serve on its campus and at other local nonprofits. The organization also offers Family Immersion Trips for families with children in grades 1–5.

Last updated February 26, 2026.