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Getting to Know Your Campus Questionnaire
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You drive by the campus, and you wonder, what is it like? Who is there? What would it be like to be in the hallways? How can I serve this school? It might be a little intimidating! When you enter a campus, you enter a different world. It can help your confidence and ministry a lot to do a little research before you navigate the halls for yourself. 

Ask an Insider

You can grab a yearbook and find out some helpful information. Mapping the Campus can help you there. Or you can ask campus insiders (e.g. students, school staff, or even involved parents) what you would like to know. Offer to buy a teacher a coffee and ask these questions. Go to a coffee shop or fast food restaurant close to the school when school lets out, and ask a few students to help you out. Students often respond well when an adult asks for help. You might say something like this, 

“I work with a student organization called Cru, and we would like to know how to best serve your school. I would love to hear your thoughts. Would you be willing to answer a few questions?”

  1. What is your school most known for within the community (e.g. academics, athletics, service, etc)?
  2. What top three groups seem to have the most influence on campus and why?
  3. Where do students hang out on campus? Off campus?
  4. What are the three to five biggest challenges students face at this campus?
  5. What are the ethnic/racial dynamics like on campus?
  6. What groups or clubs are at your campus?
  7. Are there other Christian groups on campus?
  8. Do spiritual values play any part in the school as a whole or in your school experience personally? If so, how? If not, why not? 
  9. If you were in my shoes, who would be the first person you would talk with on campus about Cru?

Listen well, ask follow up questions to gain a deeper understanding, and make a mental note of the things [the others] say.

Five Types of People to Interview

As you get to know your campus, you will run into all kinds of people who know about and care about the campus. Interview as many as you can, but here are five types of people with whom you should make sure you connect:

  1. A teacher, administrator, or coach
  2. A local youth pastor
  3. A Christian parent
  4. A Christian student
  5. A non-Christian student

Each of these people will give you a different perspective on the campus and will help you grow your understanding of this new mission field as you develop your network of insiders.

More Than One Way to Do a Questionnaire

As you interview people, be respectful of the person’s time. You do not have to ask all the questions all at once. Keep them in the back of your mind and ask just one or two in casual conversation as you meet people. Listen well, ask followup questions to gain a deeper understanding, and make a mental note of the things they say. It might even lead to an opportunity to continue the conversation at a later time or a chance to uncover spiritual interest.

Happy investigating! As you learn about the school, pray. Ask God to show you where He is already working and to lead you as you seek a place to begin. Can you help meet one of the challenges students face? Did you meet a Christian student who might have a desire to reach their campus? Follow up and meet the first person students or staff recommend that you meet. God loves the students on this campus more than you do, and He will be faithful to lead you as you move forward.

Download the survey
Next Step
Ask a parent, teacher or teen you know to help you discover the campus by completing the questionnaire with you.

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How to talk with a Principal

Sometimes, as you’re starting a group on your campus, it might be important to meet with the principal. Principals are often encouraged when students take initiative to do something positive at school. If you find yourself needing to set up a meeting, here are some tips to help you feel confident and prepared:

  • Pray first. Ask God to go ahead of you, give you peace, and open the door for a good conversation.
  • Set up a meeting. Don’t just show up. Email, call, or stop by the office to politely request a time to meet. 
  • Bring support. Sometimes it can help to have the right person with you.  If you’re a student, maybe it’s a friend or a teacher who wants to be a teacher sponsor. If you’re an adult, maybe it’s a supportive parent or a key student leader.
  • Dress and act respectfully. You don’t need to wear a suit, but looking neat and being polite goes a long way.
  • Be clear about your purpose. Tell them you want to start a Christian club called Cru to help students grow in character, leadership, and faith.
  • Be ready to explain. Talk about what Cru meetings might look like: games, discussion, small groups, service projects, or guest speakers.
  • Be flexible and humble. If your principal has concerns, listen carefully and be open to working with the school’s policies.
  • Ask about next steps. Find out what the school needs from you to move forward—like a teacher sponsor, a club form, or a meeting time.

Helpful Tools for the Meeting:

Visit cru.org/highschool to share more with your principal.

“Principals are often encouraged when students take initiative to do something positive at school.”

Next Step

Set up a meeting with your principal. Before you meet, prepare with these simple steps...

  • Download and print off a brochure.
  • Visit cru.org/highschool to get familiar with the site.
  • Pray for your principal before your meeting (he/she is a person too!).
  • Talk to a friend or teacher who could go with you.
cru high school
Raise Support for Your Mission Trip: What You Need to Know

Going on a mission trip is exciting, but paying for it can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a student or a adult leader, this guide will help make the fundraising process easier, more meaningful, and faith-building.

Three Main Ways Students Pay for Trips

Students typically cover mission trip costs through some combination of these three ways:

  • Parent contributions
  • Personal savings or part-time work
  • Raising financial support from a team of donors

Most students raise support for all or a portion of their trip and they often say it’s one of the most spiritually stretching and rewarding parts of the journey.

What is Support Raising?

Support raising means inviting people to give financially to your mission. These donors become ministry partners, not just funders, joining you in reaching high school students for Christ. It’s teamwork: you go, they send.
The most effective tool is a personal support letter that explains your mission and invites people to give. If you’re going on a Cru mission trip, you’ll be coached through the process step by step with a mentor to guide you.

Support raising is not begging—it's building a team to reach the world with Jesus.

Debunking Support Raising Myths

Myth #1: “People will think I’m just going on vacation.”

Truth: Sure, you’ll travel and enjoy the journey, but your purpose is clear—sharing the gospel and growing in your faith.

Myth #2: “I’m just begging for money.”

Truth: You’re building a prayer and giving team to help reach the world for Jesus. You’re inviting others into a shared mission and they will benefit from being a part of your journey.

Myth #3: “I’m alone in this.”

Truth: With Cru, you’ll receive a GoPac guide book, step-by-step instructions, and a support coach who will walk with you every step of the way.

God has called you and He will provide.

Verses to Encourage You

  • Matthew 28:16-18: You’re answering God’s call to go.
  • Ephesians 3:20: God can do more than you imagine.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-5: It’s biblical to ask others to give.
  • Philippians 4:19, Genesis 22:14: God is your Provider.
  • Acts 20:35, Matthew 6:19-20: Giving blesses both the giver and the mission.

Hebrews 13:21, 2 Corinthians 9:8: God will equip and provide.

A Prayer to Start the Journey

“Lord, thank You for being a God who provides. Help me trust You as I step out in faith to build a team of prayerful and generous partners. You already know who will support this mission. Help me be faithful and bold. I want to follow You anywhere, so more students can know You. Amen.”

Next Step
Write down three people you could invite to be part of your support team then pray over those names and start reaching out.
10 Powerful Prayer Ideas for Students

Prayer fuels every great movement of God. If students want to see their friends come to know Jesus, it won’t happen without prayer. But let’s be honest. Prayer can be hard to keep up. It’s easy to say we’ll pray and then forget, run out of ideas, or just feel awkward.

That’s where a little structure helps. Below are practical, student-friendly ideas that make prayer feel more natural, consistent, and even fun. Leaders can use these to encourage students to build a lifestyle of praying for the people around them. Students can try one or all of them and watch how God shows up.

1
Top 5 Lists

Ask students to write down the names of three to five people they want to see come to know Jesus. These might be friends, classmates, or even teachers. Call it their “Top 5” list, meaning the people they’re praying for most often.

Encourage them to:

  • Keep the list visible, like in a Bible, on a mirror, inside a locker, or saved as a phone note
  • Set a daily reminder to pray
  • Celebrate when someone comes to Christ, then add a new name

Bonus idea: create bookmarks with a blank list and hand them out at Bible study.

2
Student Prayer Triplets

This strategy is simple and powerful. Three students meet together three times a week to pray for three friends each. That means nine people are being lifted up in prayer throughout the week.

They can meet:

  • Before or after school
  • During lunch
  • On FaceTime or in a group chat
  • At Bible study or during a regular hangout

Praying with friends adds accountability and boldness. It also encourages students as they hear each other pray for real people they care about.

3
Locker-to-Locker Prayer

Challenge students to pray for the five lockers to their right and the five to their left. If they don’t use lockers, they can adapt this to desks, bus seats, or homes on their street.

Print a simple tracker or phone wallpaper so they can write names and pray daily. Or print these bookmarks out for them.

You can’t overdo prayer—especially when it comes to reaching your school.

4
Prayer Walk the Campus

Prayer walking gives students a chance to pray with their eyes open and their hearts engaged. As they move through the campus, they can pray quietly for people and places they see.

Encourage them to:

  • Pray for classrooms and teachers
  • Cover lunch areas, sports fields, and busy hallways
  • Listen for what God might want to show them as they walk

Adult leaders could join students for a prayer walk before school or after a meeting. See our prayer walk articles for more.

5
Choose a Prayer Champion

Every team benefits from someone who keeps prayer front and center. A Prayer Champion can be a student or leader who loves prayer and helps others stay focused.

This person might:

  • Lead regular prayer times
  • Send out reminders or updates
  • Organize prayer events
  • Celebrate answered prayer

It doesn’t need to be formal. Just find someone willing to encourage prayer and lead by example.

6
Start a Student Prayer Group Chat

Create a group text or chat thread with people who want to pray regularly. Use it to:

  • Share updates and requests
  • Celebrate when someone makes a spiritual decision
  • Keep each other consistent

Even short messages can keep prayer alive throughout the week.

7
Host Monthly Prayer Nights

Make prayer gatherings fun and meaningful. Once a month, plan a night with food, games, and space to pray together.

Try using a simple model like ACTS:

  • Adoration (praising God for who He is)
  • Confession (being honest before God)
  • Thanksgiving (expressing gratitude for things God has done)
  • Supplication (asking God for help)

Mix in worship, testimonies, and small group prayer to keep it fresh.

When students pray together, it creates a culture where spiritual conversations feel normal.

8
Use the Five Finger Prayer

This method helps students pray when they’re on the go. Each finger reminds them of someone to pray for start with the thumb and end with the pinky:

  • Thumb: Those closest to you
  • Pointer: Those who teach or guide you
  • Middle: Leaders and people in authority
  • Ring: Those who are struggling, hurting or don’t know Jesus
  • Pinky: Yourself and your walk with God

Here’s a version you can share: Five Finger Prayer Guide

9
Partner with Adult Prayer Networks

Prayer doesn’t have to start with students. Many adults are already praying for your school.

Look for:

  • Local churches
  • Moms in Prayer groups
  • Parents who are spiritually invested

Reach out, share updates, and invite them to pray alongside you. This builds unity and multiplies impact.

10
Start a 24-Hour Prayer Chain

This one takes a little planning but creates big momentum. Ask people to sign up for 15-minute prayer blocks over a full day or week. You’ll end up with hours of focused, non-stop prayer.

Use a shared calendar or online sign-up tool. This is a great option before a big outreach or at the start of a new semester.

Final Thoughts

Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. These ideas help students take simple steps that lead to deeper connection with God and a growing burden for their friends. The more students pray, the more they’ll see God move.

Next Step
Try one of these ideas this week with your group. Start with something simple like a Top Five List or Prayer Triplets and see what God does.

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More to Explore

Involving Students in Evangelism
As you step out onto the high school campus, we can only begin to imagine what great spiritual conversations will take place.
See and Engage the Campus
What Do You See When You Look at a High School Campus? Learn to See a Campus the Way God Does and Take Your First
Getting to Know Your Campus Questionnaire
Questions for Campus Insiders to Help You Discover How to Serve and Reach Students at a Campus.
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