You will spend 2.5 days building a house alongside a local family. By the time you arrive, this family will have already served hundreds of hours through 1MISSION community development initiatives. That’s why we say we’re about more than a house.

You will receive a family biography a week or so before the trip so you can spend some time learning about your soon-to-be friends. Members of the family will work alongside your group to build their new home.

We are committed to using locally available materials, so houses look different in each community we serve. In Puerto Peñasco, houses are built using Fastbloc. Whenever possible we purchase materials locally, doing our small part to strengthen the local economy.

Most people who join us for build trips do not have any construction experience. The house is designed to be constructed by novices; whoever you are, there will be things you can do! Trip participants often have opportunities to do crafts or play soccer with kids.

Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, is a fishing and tourist town of 60,000 people located on the Sea of Cortez in the northern Mexican state of Sonora. Puerto Peñasco is about 60 miles (100 km) south of the border with the US. It usually takes 4.5 hours to get here from Phoenix, driving on safe highways.

1MISSION’s basecamp is just north of the town of Puerto Peñasco, right along the main highway. Accommodations include bunkhouses with heating and A/C, as well as RV hookups and lots of space for tents. We also have hot showers, a professional kitchen, a spacious dining area, and a swimming pool.

All meals are provided by 1MISSION, including a variety of food you are familiar with as well as local, Mexican meals prepared by local staff and volunteers.

Most of our trips are scheduled between October and May, avoiding the especially hot and humid summer months. Winters are cool and skies are usually clear. Average highs range from just under 70°F in December and January to nearly 90°F near the beginning and end of our trip season.

There is no minimum age, but generally we recommend children be at least 7 years old. Younger children are also welcome but caring for them for long hours in challenging conditions can detract from the quality of the experience for parents.

We’re aware that Mexico sometimes makes the news because of violence and crime. But 1MISSION build trip participants have been serving in Puerto Peñasco for 15 years without any incidents.

Everyone should carry a valid passport. Other forms of ID may be accepted for US citizens, but for a hassle-free trip, it’s always best to travel with a passport.

A packing list is included in our Participant Guide, which trip leaders receive from us to distribute to trip participants.