Who Can Go? · Ages 35+
Be a Parent Builder
Along with your kids
Each year hundreds of parents experience these life changing trips ALONG WITH their kids. There isn't another opportunity quite like this. Your child begins to watch you in a way they never have before. They learn to admire the way you love, mentor and develop lifelong friendship with their peers and those you serve.
HXP trips provide a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your child before they leave home. They create pivotal experiences and stories you will share, talk about, and remember together for the rest of your lives.
But it's not just you and your teenager on a road trip. There are two Trip Leaders and 18 other teenagers to whom you will become a friend, confidant, and support system. As you work side-by-side, sweating, laughing, and serving with all your heart, you'll be amazed to watch your group go from strangers to family in 2 1/2 short weeks.
You won't be the adult in charge - we leave that to the YSAs - but your counsel will be critical in their leadership. You will be free to focus on the personal growth and impact that two weeks of distraction-free service can offer. And hey, what parent doesn't appreciate a trip that you don't have to plan?
Why Be A Parent Builder?
two minutes, straight from the parents themselves —
Who can be a Parent Builder?
Parents
Grandparents
Aunts/Uncles, etc
35+ year olds. Parents, Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles, other trusted adults* (*must be vetted and approved through the HXP process).
One mother and one father of registered Youth Builders are invited to join the group as the Parent Builders. We've also seen the incomparable connections that occur between grandparents and their grandchild and even between Aunts/Uncles and their nieces and nephews. In special circumstances, with HXP approval, the opportunity is also available to other married couples and trusted adults.
Regardless of your connection to your Builder, every Parent Builder is required to attend a 3-hour in-person (in Utah) or virtual (outside of Utah) interactive training session. No Parent Builder will be permitted to join a trip without completing the training. Returning Parent Builders may opt to join an abbreviated training session.
Side-by-side, in the field
Parent Builder as an Empty Nester
Youth Builder Perspective
Still have questions?
Watch our 2025 Parent Builder Info Session
Common questions
Parent builders ensure the safety of the trip, exemplify spiritual leadership, and commit to loving the builders and Trip Leaders.
We expect Parent Builders to:
- Pray about how you can personally impact each builder
- Support and encourage the Trip Leaders
- Honor the rules, set an example and stay with the group
- Attend and review your mandatory pre-training
- Seek to stretch and grow beyond your comfort zone
We love our Parent Builders! For more information about being a Parent Builder, click here.
HXP trips are not designed to be family trips. It is best for the male and female Parent Builders to be from different families.
In special circumstances, with HXP approval, the opportunity is also available for married couples and other trusted adults who may not have builders on the trip. For more information, please reach out to our Parent Builder Team, at info@hxp.org.
To read more, click here.
Parent Builders are required to attend a 3-hour training meeting and read through our comprehensive training manual. Here they learn the "Do's" and "Don'ts" of being a Parent Builder. They're briefed on how to support Trip Leaders and Builders as well as how to react in emergency situations.
Parent Builders register in the same process as Builders. Once assigned a trip, we require a background check, references, and additional trainings before going out on their trips.
Over the years we have seen these trips become an opportunity for parents to have an incredible experience with their child, but parents of registered Youth Builders aren't the only people that are able to sign up as a Parent Builder. This opportunity is also available to aunts/uncles, grandparents, cousins, and family friends (35 age minimum). You'll become a mentor, friend, confidant, and support system to the most amazing youth. If you're interested or have questions in coming as a "Solo Parent Builder," reach out to our Parent Builder team, at info@hxp.org.
More answers on the FAQ page.