New York School of Urban Ministry
Frequently Asked Questions
General NYSUM Questions
If you are planning a ministry trip, training experience, or outreach with the New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM), you may have questions about accommodations, ministry schedules, campus life, and transportation in New York City.
Below are answers to the most common questions about staying and participating in ministry training at the NYSUM campus in Queens, New York.
If you cannot find the answer you need, please visit our Contact page to reach our team.
General NYSUM Participation:
How early in advance should I book my short term missions trip to NYSUM?
Considering the large number of individuals and teams interested in staying at NYSUM, you should book your stay at NYSUM as early as possible to secure desired dates. We are often booked to capacity, especially during our peak times of Spring Break (March) and Summer (June-July). We take reservations on a first come first served basis. Reservations are confirmed after your deposit is received.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards (MasterCard and Visa).
What is the minimum age to participate in ministry with NYSUM?
The minimum age to participate in ministry with NYSUM is 13 years old.
Adolescents must stay with a parent or guardian in the same room, including when participating in ministry outreaches.
For those wishing to serve in an NYC soup kitchen, the minimum age requirement is 14 years old.
Adolescents must stay with a parent or guardian in the same room, including when participating in ministry outreaches.
For those wishing to serve in an NYC soup kitchen, the minimum age requirement is 14 years old.
NYSUM Campus Accommodations:
The NYSUM campus in Queens provides safe and simple housing for ministry teams, students, and groups participating in urban ministry training in New York City.
What time is check-in and check-out?
You can check in anytime after 3pm, and checkout is 9am. Check in could be an hour or two later during peak seasons.
How much does it cost to stay at NYSUM?
We have many packages that provide ministry for almost all ages and are affordable for everyone. These prices can be found in our short- term missions catalog at: https://nysum.org/mission-trip-packages/
Are there accommodations for couples and families?
We have a limited amount of rooms for couples that are based upon availability. Children of the opposite gender may stay in the same room as the parent as long as the child is not over the age of 6.
Will it be just our group in a room?
We reserve beds, not rooms, for our groups. Generally, your group will be in the same room. However, during peak seasons, there are times when team members from other groups may stay in a room with members of your team.
How many people can stay in one room?
We have rooms that accommodate from 4, 6 & 8 people.
How many people can NYSUM accommodate to at one time?
NYSUM can house up to 300 people at a time. However, this number depends on availability.
How many showers are there?
There are 9 showers for the women’s dorm, 6 for the men’s dorm, and 3 for the overflow dorm.
Can you lock your room?
Yes! As part of our recent campus upgrades, each of our dorm rooms doors now have a digital keypad lock. Your team will receive your respective dorm room door codes prior to your arrival.
Do I need to bring my own linens and pillows?
NYSUM provides a set of linens, per stay. The set of linens includes: 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, 1 pillowcase, 1 pillow, 1 towel, and a washcloth. You can however, bring your own linens and pillows from home.
What time is Quite Time?
The NYSUM Campus is secured nightly at 11:00 PM by our Security Staff. While there is no official curfew, anyone on the Campus grounds, in the parking lot, or inside the building must be in their rooms by 11:00 PM. Quiet hours on all dormitory floors (2nd, 3rd, and 4th) are from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. If you return to campus after 11:00 PM due to a late outreach or an evening out, please go directly to your dorm room. Between 11pm -6am, the lobby, lounges and meeting rooms are closed.
Can I leave my bags somewhere safe after checkout?
If it is necessary to store your personal belongings after checkout, you may store them in one of our safe storage locations located in the building. This would need to be worked out when you make your reservation.
Is there parking at NYSUM?
NYSUM parking lot can accommodate cars, 15 passenger vans and large vehicles & trailers up to 25’. The parking at NYSUM is limited and is for groups involved in ministry with us. During non-peak seasons lodgers may also park in our parking lot, which is based upon availability. Street parking is also available.
Can I park a bus or RV at or around NYSUM?
No, the parking lot does not accommodate for larger vehicles such as RVs and buses. In the past, NYSUM groups have parked their buses at the courtyard Marriott at LaGuardia airport. You can contact guest services for this location at: 1-888-307-7555
What is “Quiet Time” on the NYSUM campus?
The NYSUM campus is secured nightly at 11:00 PM by our Security Staff.
While there is no official curfew, anyone on campus grounds, in the parking lot, or inside the building must be in their rooms by 11:00 PM.
Quiet hours on all dormitory floors (2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors) are from:
9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
If you return to campus after 11:00 PM due to a late outreach or an evening out in the city, please go directly to your dorm room.
Between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, the following areas are closed:
- Lobby
- Lounges
- Meeting rooms
This quiet time allows all guests to rest and prepare for ministry activities the following day.
While there is no official curfew, anyone on campus grounds, in the parking lot, or inside the building must be in their rooms by 11:00 PM.
Quiet hours on all dormitory floors (2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors) are from:
9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
If you return to campus after 11:00 PM due to a late outreach or an evening out in the city, please go directly to your dorm room.
Between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, the following areas are closed:
- Lobby
- Lounges
- Meeting rooms
This quiet time allows all guests to rest and prepare for ministry activities the following day.
Ministry Outreaches & Training Schedule
NYSUM provides structured urban ministry experiences that combine training, prayer, and hands-on outreach throughout New York City.
What are the different types of ministries I can participate in at NYSUM?
There are many different forms of ministry you can take part in at NYSUM. The outreaches can be found in our short-term missions catalog located on our website: https://nysum.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019Catalog-Compressed.pdf
Can I choose a specific ministry site?
We will take into consideration which ministry site you would prefer to go to and do everything possible to honor your request. However, preferences are not guaranteed since we partner with many different organizations and churches to work with their respective ministry needs.
How long do daytime and nighttime ministry outreaches usually last?
Daytime ministry training typically begins after breakfast at around 8:00 AM.
Training and outreach activities continue throughout the day and usually conclude around 3:00 PM, allowing teams to return to the NYSUM campus at approximately 4:00 PM.
Nighttime ministry outreaches usually begin after supper and continue until approximately 11:00 PM.
Each outreach is designed to help participants engage with communities across New York City while gaining practical experience in urban ministry.
Training and outreach activities continue throughout the day and usually conclude around 3:00 PM, allowing teams to return to the NYSUM campus at approximately 4:00 PM.
Nighttime ministry outreaches usually begin after supper and continue until approximately 11:00 PM.
Each outreach is designed to help participants engage with communities across New York City while gaining practical experience in urban ministry.
Do I have to bring extra materials for the ministry sites?
It is not required for you to bring your own materials. However, we encourage teams to bring ministry tools such as instruments and props that would help enhance ministry experience while at NYSUM. Other necessary materials will either be provided by NYSUM or at the site (sound systems, hand puppets, & prayer stations).
Can I do ministries on Sunday?
Generally, we do not have ministry outreaches scheduled on Sunday. However, during our peak seasons and on special occasions, our ministry partners request Sunday ministries. Sundays is typically when ministry teams are able to attend NYC churches as part of their NYSUM Experience.
How do you get to NYSUM?
You can find detailed directions on our website at: https://nysum.org/directions/
Meals at NYSUM
Are meals included?
Most of the outreach packages listed in the short-term missions catalog include meals. If you are lodging only, you can purchase meals separately.
Can we pay for meals after we arrive?
No, our Food Services department has to plan ahead to accommodate the number of guests staying at NYSUM. It helps us tremendously if meals are sorted out at least a week before arriving. Therefore, meal plans must be confirmed and paid for before your arrival.
Does NYSUM accommodate food allergies?
NYSUM has a full soup and salad bar for all groups that choose to purchase our meal plan. We also use non transfer oil in cooking. It is the responsibility of team members to provide supplemental food for special needs team members may have. There are numerous stores and restaurants in close vicinity to NYSUM that do accommodate to food allergies.
Can I bring my own food and store it in the room?
Full meals are not permitted in dormitory rooms.
However, light snacks are allowed, including: Water, Soda, Juice, Chips, Granola bars
Teams are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and helping maintain a clean living environment for all guests staying at the NYSUM campus.
However, light snacks are allowed, including: Water, Soda, Juice, Chips, Granola bars
Teams are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and helping maintain a clean living environment for all guests staying at the NYSUM campus.
Is there a fridge to store medication (ie. insulin)?
Yes, there is a fridge available to use for medicine use only located on the dorm floors. All medicines must be stored in a labeled bag. Team members are responsible for these medications.
Are there any restaurants close to NYSUM?
There are a number of different types of restaurants, coffee shops and diners within walking distance of NYSUM. Starbucks & Dunkin Donuts is a 10 min walk from NYSUM.
Can I barbeque in the parking lot?
We do not allow guest barbecuing anywhere on the NYSUM premises.
Accessibility:
Does NYSUM have wheelchairs/ accommodate for the handicapped?
Our facility is wheelchair accessible and accommodates for those who are handicapped. However, we do not have wheelchairs available.
Transportation & Directions:
The NYSUM campus is located in Queens, New York, with convenient access to the New York City subway system and quick travel into Manhattan.
How close is NYSUM to Manhattan?
NYSUM is located a 5-minute walk (about 1.5 blocks) from the nearest subway station.
Once on the subway, travel time into Manhattan typically takes only 15–20 minutes, making it easy for ministry teams to reach outreach locations across the city.
Once on the subway, travel time into Manhattan typically takes only 15–20 minutes, making it easy for ministry teams to reach outreach locations across the city.
How do we get around the city?
For Ministry teams: Staying at NYSUM has the option to include transportation provided by NYSUM in the purchased package. This option includes van transportation and metro fare. For Lodgers: The easiest, most convenient way to get around New York is by subway using a Metro Card.
What are OMNY cards and how do they work?
OMNY cards are reloadable transit cards used on the New York City subway and local buses.
These cards are available at subway vending machines and select retailers.
Key details about OMNY cards:
• The current subway or local bus fare is $3.00 per ride
• OMNY cards cost $1 to purchase
• Cards support 7-day fare capping (up to 12 rides) for unlimited travel You can also pay using a credit or debit card stored in your smartphone wallet. Simply tap your card or phone on the blue OMNY reader at subway turnstiles or on buses. The screen will turn green and display “GO” to confirm payment.
These cards are available at subway vending machines and select retailers.
Key details about OMNY cards:
• The current subway or local bus fare is $3.00 per ride
• OMNY cards cost $1 to purchase
• Cards support 7-day fare capping (up to 12 rides) for unlimited travel You can also pay using a credit or debit card stored in your smartphone wallet. Simply tap your card or phone on the blue OMNY reader at subway turnstiles or on buses. The screen will turn green and display “GO” to confirm payment.
Miscellaneous
Does NYSUM have Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is available for general internet browsing, social media, emails, etc. But it is not available for streaming video on platforms such as, but not limited to, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
Is there entertainment close by?
YES, New York City Parks, museums, Broadway shows, and other attractions are approximately 30 – 40 minutes on the subway from NYSUM.
