Trips
Summer 2009:
Group Workcamps: Date to be Determined
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Group Workcamp? (from group workcamp website)
The primary goal of Group Workcamps is the spiritual growth of you and your students. As the ultimate expression of Christian service, Workcamps offer a fun, challenging, faith-building mission adventure you'll never forget. Workcamps are an intensive week of community service offering teenagers an opportunity to perform hands-on home-repair projects for needy families, many of whom have seen their homes damaged by natural disaster or just years of can't-afford-to-fix disrepair. Students do not need to be experienced carpenters or painters to participate. These home repairs are the kinds of projects that a team of youth-with only limited skills-can easily manage under the supervision of a more experienced adult who will guide the work.
At a typical Workcamp, approximately 400 students and adults provide more than 12,000 hours of free labor to a community-time that is worth more than $65,000. Workcamp participants come from churches of many denominations across the country. The focus in not on evangelism; rather, Workcamps emphasize growing the teenagers' faith through meaningful service to others.
Workcamps are a ministry of Group Publishing, Inc., a leading independent, interdenominational developer of Christian education materials, including Sunday school curriculum and youth ministry resources. For more than two decades, Group Workcamps have been bringing enthusiastic teenagers into communities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada to help needy families rebuild their homes-and sometimes their lives. Since the first Workcamp in Colorado in 1977, more than 140,000 teenagers and their adult leaders from every corner of the nation have participated in hundreds of Group Workcamps. Thousands of families have received help they probably would not have otherwise.
What do registration fees cover?
Registration fees are listed in U.S. funds. Fees are per person and may vary upon the camp selected. Registration fees cover:
- Lodging at a local high school-Group Workcamps contracts for use of local school facilities from Sunday afternoon through Saturday morning.
- Meals-beginning Sunday evening through breakfast Saturday morning.
- Construction materials, and materials delivery to home repair work sites.
- Camp T-Shirt for each participant.
- Supplemental Group Workcamp health insurance for the first $100 in eligible medical expenses.
- Inspirational, faith-building and fun evening programs and devotional materials from the youth experts at Group Publishing.
- Comprehensive project preparation materials and Leaders Manual.
- Program materials.
- Workcamp selection, organization and administration by our professional staff, as well as coordination with local partners.
- Highly trained camp staff.
- Group Workcamp development for future years. Registration fees do not cover travel to and from project work sites. Whatever vehicle you travel in must be available, with adult drivers, for the entire week to transport work crews to and from work sites. Vehicles with a minimum capacity of 6 and seatbelts work best. Mileage expenses to and from work sites can be reimbursed.
Who comes to a Group Workcamp?
- High school young people ages 14 to 20 who are members of Christian youth groups are welcome at both the junior/senior high Workcamps and senior high Workcamps. Participants at senior high Workcamps must be at least 14 years old or be entering the 9th grade in the fall following the Workcamp.
- Junior high young people ages 12 to 14 who are members of Christian youth groups are welcome at the junior/senior high Workcamps. Participants must be at least 12 years old or be entering 7th grade in the fall following the Workcamp.
- No individual registrations are accepted.
- Groups must include at least one adult sponsor (age 21 or older) for every five students. If you are bringing both males and females, you will need at least one sponsor of each gender. For example, if your group includes 5 females and 9 males, you need minimum of 1 female and 2 male adult sponsors.
What kind of work will be done?
CTypical projects include carpentry, roof repair, step and porch construction/repair, weatherization (caulking, window glazing, insulating), wheelchair ramp construction, painting, and drywall. Teenagers do not need to be experienced carpenters or painters to participate. Rest assured, these are the kinds of home repair projects that a team of students-with only limited skills-can easily manage under the supervision of more experienced adults who guide the work.
How are worksites chosen?
Group Workcamps coordinates planning with a local community co-sponsor for each Workcamp. Co-sponsors include housing agencies, county commissioners, churches, community service groups, and others. The local co-sponsor knows the community needs, and provides Group with a list of needy residents in the area.
- Residents who qualify for home repairs must be unable to do or afford repair work on their homes. Typically, residents are elderly, disabled, or people with financial hardships.
- Group staff members inspect every worksite before the Workcamp, checking the safety and appropriateness of the project. Group reserves the right to reject projects that do not meet the qualification guidelines.
How are work crews set up?
Work crews consist of six people, usually one adult and five youth. Participants are assigned to work crews based on their age, gender, and skills. Adult sponsors must be age 21 or older. While providing ample time for your youth group to spend together, we also intentionally match up your students with campers from other churches, denominations and geographical locations to help foster new friendships and a broader understanding of the Christian faith. Although some students are initially hesitant about meeting new friends. it becomes one of the cherished highlights of the week!
When does a Group Workcamp begin and end?
A typical Workcamp starts with your arrival between Noon and 2 p.m. on Sunday. It's important your group is here by this time because the week is kicked off with the first program at 3 p.m.! And, your experience will wrap up on the following Saturday after breakfast (approximately 8:30 a.m.). We will bid you a fond farewell as you get "on the road again..."
What's a typical day at a Group Workcamp?
- This fascinating adventure begins with an exciting program on the first day. Participants learn more about the Workcamp, get to know fellow workers, and receive important skills training. During free time and dinner on the first day, young people settle in and get acquainted with other Workcampers. Plus, a high-quality evening program further prepares participants for their meaningful work ahead.
- Workcampers start each day with an early breakfast and usually arrive at the worksites by 8:30 a.m.
- During the day, work crews leave the school and remain at their worksites. (Picnic lunches are taken by the Workcampers to worksites.)
- The workday usually ends around 3:30 p.m., and Workcampers return to the school, where they have free time for cleaning up, recreation, writing letters, and resting until the evening mealtime.
- More free time following dinner leads up to an inspirational evening program- music, worship, prayer, drama, fun activities, and more.
- After the program, Workcampers have free time until evening devotions, and then it's lights out.
- At week-long camps, Wednesday is an exception to this schedule. Workcampers have lunch and then leave the worksites at 12:30 p.m. They rejoin their church youth groups at the school and have the afternoon free. Most groups plan activities such as swimming, hiking, sightseeing, horseback riding, or other activities available in the area, and are back in time for dinner.
What about lodging?
Group uses local schools or similar facilities for lodging, using classrooms for sleeping and the cafeteria for eating. Participants bring air mattresses, sleeping bags, or other bedding to sleep in classrooms. Adult leaders are assigned to classrooms with their own youth, and separate sleeping quarters are assigned to males and females. Sleeping quarters will be shared with people from other youth groups. The facilities may or may not be air-conditioned, so plan accordingly. Locker room facilities will be available for showering. Meals are prepared in the school cafeteria by local kitchen staff. Participants are provided plentiful balanced and nutritious meals. Pay phones may not be available at the school, but there will be always be an emergency phone onsite. Although cell phone service is limited in many rural areas, you may bring a cell phone. Letters and packages sent by U.S. Postal Service and most express carriers can be received at the Workcamps. You'll receive a school address and email address in the Spring.
Are Workcamps well supervised?
Group Workcamps takes this responsibility seriously.
- Each worksite is supervised by at least one adult.
- Adults are assigned to sleep in classrooms with their youth groups.
- Participants are not allowed in the sleeping areas of the opposite sex.
What about safety?
Safety is a high priority at Group Workcamps. We take careful precautions to provide the safest possible conditions. Following is a list of safety rules we enforce at every Workcamp:
- All staff are pre-screened with background checks.
- Close adult supervision is built into the Workcamp program, and youth leaders are asked to bring only responsible, service-oriented young people who will commit to working safely and responsibly.
- At least one adult is present at each worksite.
- Every worksite is checked for safety by Group staff before the camp begins. We choose to avoid sites where firearms, alcohol or drug use/abuse, drug sales, and domestic violence could be a potential problem.
- Safety tips are included on each worksite project description. Before starting at a worksite, a tailgate safety meeting helps identify potential danger at the worksite. Here's the time to spot wasp nests, frayed wires and tripping obstacles.
- Ladder safety training is recommended for all youth groups prior to the Workcamp. (See training section in the Workcamp Leader's Manual.)
- No participant is required to work on roofs or ladders if he or she feels unsure or unsafe about doing so.
- Safety goggles are available for workers as needed; they are required when power saws or drills are used.
- Power tools are to be used only under direct adult supervision, even by senior high young people who are experienced in using them.
- Only licensed adult drivers listed by their churches as "designated drivers" are allowed to transport participants to and from worksites.
- Participants are encouraged to drink adequate liquids.
- Participants are requested to bring protective clothing, shoes, hats, gloves, and sunscreen.
- Local medical facilities and services are identified before the Workcamp. Directions and phone numbers are provided in first-aid packets in case of emergency.
- First aid kits are sent out with each work crew.
What about evening programs?
Evening programs are special at Group Workcamps. Each program is designed by the youth ministry pros at Group Publishing, to cement the service learning experience with living out Christian faith. Each year we design what we think is an awesome, meaningful program. Then we test the program with kids and youth workers. We listen and watch carefully, throwing out all the stuff that didn't work. Then we go back to the "drawing board" creating new program elements and testing it again with youth and youth workers. The outcome is a program with great music, top-quality video, games, drama and spiritually challenging presentations. We focus on the core Christian beliefs--letting the churches teach their distinctives. Yes, it's a lot of work, but all this effort is important to provide you and your youth the best program for spiritual growth.
Are Group Workcamps well-organized?
While Group Workcamps are often imitated, no other summer youth mission organization can offer the preparation and quality Group provides. More than 1500 paid staff and volunteers support Group Workcamps each summer, including nearly two dozen trained staff at each camp location. These men and women are highly committed to the mission and work of serving you. Every effort is taken to handle the details, so that you can concentrate on relationship with the students.
Each Workcamp is fully staffed to make your experience great! Months before each camp begins, members of our staff visit each worksite to create detailed job descriptions, material and tool needs. Set-up staff members arrive the week prior to each camp to prepare your school or facility, deliver materials to the job sites, and prepare the worksites so that everything is ready for you to get right to work. Each camp has a full-time Materials Manager responsible for coordinating all of the home repair projects and delivery of all materials. Troubleshooters make daily rounds to each worksite, encouraging you and helping you be successful with your project. The Office Manager at each camp is a highly trained, full-time, summer staff member who handles registrations, room assignments, bookkeeping, camp communications, and the camp store. The Crew Manager is a highly trained, fulltime summer staff member who assigns crews to worksites based on skill levels, arranges transportation to and from worksites, and takes daily progress reports. Each camp also has a highly trained Program Manager along with an MC (Master of Ceremonies), Music Leader, and a volunteer Program Assistant. We even provide Cafeteria Hosts to create a welcoming dining experience.
What transportation do we need to provide?
Each church must provide transportation for its group to and from the Workcamp city. Once there, you must also provide daily transportation to and from the worksite for the same number of people you send to the Workcamp. All vehicles must be available for transportation to and from the worksite. Vans work best. While adult sponsors will be driving the vans they bring, they may not be transporting a work crew that includes their own youth group members. Mileage expense to and from the worksite can be reimbursed.
What kinds of tools do the kids need to bring?
Workcamp participants need to bring only common home repair tools, such as carpentry tools, paint brushes and ladders. If needed, wheelbarrows, cement mixers, and other large equipment is provided by local sponsoring agencies. Tools: Each participant (adults and students) will be assigned tools to bring based upon construction skills and experience. Participants will use their own tools or the tools of their group. All participants should bring the following safety items: goggles, gloves and dust masks. Some tools might include painting supplies, carpentry hand tools and power tools, brooms, saws and ladders. Power tools are only used with adult supervision.
Who provides the building materials and supplies?
Funding for building materials is provided through a partnership between Group Workcamps and local co-sponsors. All necessary materials and supplies are purchased and delivered in advance of your group's arrival at the worksite. Your church does not need to bring any building materials or supplies to the Workcamp.
What about insurance?
Group Workcamps carries secondary accident and health insurance for all participants, as well as liability coverage and workers' compensation for Group staff.
Sounds like a lot of effort. How will we pull it off?
At Group, we've discovered that at most churches, the pastor, youth leadership, and adult sponsors don't have the time or experience to arrange this kind of summer mission for their youth group. It is a ton of work. That's where Group Workcamps are different from those sponsored by other organizations: We do the planning for you. Our Workcamps are expertly organized from start to finish, enabling your youth leaders and adult sponsors to concentrate on providing the teenagers with an unforgettable adventure. Group works in cooperation with local sponsoring agencies to handle all of the logistics:
- We set up the Workcamp, coordinate the actual home-repair projects, deliver the necessary supplies and building materials to the site, and provide experienced project leaders to guide your teenagers in meaningful work that will give them a sense of real accomplishment. There's no busy work. All you need to do is arrange travel to and from the Workcamp city, bring ordinary home repair tools, and focus on helping the students have the time of their lives.
- We arrange your accommodations, which are usually hosted by a local school. Your sleeping quarters, meals and transportation to and from the worksite are all provided for you. All your group needs to do is bring a sleeping bag or other bedding.
- We put on an incredible program each evening after dinner that is full of faith-building fun, singing, drama, and other activities. Some participants say it's the highlight of the day. All your group needs to do is show up and join in enthusiastically. Group Workcamps are the only summer missions experience offering this level of organization. That's what makes us the leader in one-week summer missions. Bottom line: We sweat the details while you concentrate on working up a sweat.
Sonshine Festival - Three day Christian Music Festival
Event will be for 7-12th graders
Last Years Schedule for 2 of the 5 stages:
THURS
7/14/2005 |
FRI
7/15/2005 |
SAT
7/16/2005 |
| MC: Danny Oertli |
Robbie Seay Band |
Club 3 Degrees |
| |
Building 429 |
Stellar Kart |
| Sarah Kelly |
Barlow Girl |
Day of Fire |
| Lucerin Blue |
Pillar |
Further Seems Forever |
| Skillet |
TobyMac |
Project 86 |
| Audio Adrenaline |
Ben Glenn |
Casting Crowns |
| Newsboys |
Relient K |
Mark Matlock |
| |
Switchfoot |
Mercy Me |
| STAGE TWO |
| Side Walk Slam |
Mainstay |
Olivia |
| 4th Avenue Jones |
The Wedding |
Dizmas |
| Philmore |
Mourning September |
Passing Thru |
| House of Heroes |
Spoken |
Hawk Nelson |
| Casting Pearls |
Falling Up |
Pax 217 |
| Thousand Foot Krutch |
Jon Rueben |
KJ-52 |