Work Camp 2017  |  June 24-30, 2017
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, May 9th
Registration Cost: $190
REGISTRATION FOR THIS TRIP HAS CLOSED

What is it?
The Diocesan Work Camp is a week-long camp experience for high schoolers to serve our brothers and sisters in need by making their homes safer, warmer, drier, and greener while also having the opportunity to grow in our Catholic faith.
Work Camp is not just a youth event. It is an opportunity for parishes to make a difference in the lives of those in need right here in our diocese while encouraging youth to answer their baptismal call to serve others.
 
Who is it for?
Work Camp is open to all high school-aged youth (rising 9th graders through graduated 12th graders). The week is going to require that youth give of themselves to serve others and to grow spiritually.
 
When & Where?
The Diocesan Work Camp will be held Saturday, June 24 through Friday, June 30, 2017 in the Wise County, VA area. The work projects will take place in the surrounding community. The University of Virginia at Wise will serve as our home base where participants and adults will sleep, eat, and participate in evening programming.
 
What is the structure of Work Camp?
Each day of Work Camp will have a full schedule of events. Below you will find a brief overview of the activities for the week.
 
Saturday: Arrival, Check-In, Opening Program
Sunday: Teambuilding, Work Site Prep, Mass
Monday - Wednesday: Daily Mass, Work Day, Evening Program
Thursday: Daily Mass, Work Day, Dinner with Residents, Evening Program
Friday: Daily Mass, Closing Program, Departure
 
Youth will have the opportunity to serve alongside youth from other parishes during the week.  Each day we will celebrate Mass together. At various points throughout the week, there will be the opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation. Evening program will have a wide variety of components and will be geared towards helping participants understand what the Catholic Church teaches about social justice. Each day there will also be the opportunity for each parish to gather to process the experiences of the day.

Due to the structure of the week all participants must be able to attend the whole week of Work Camp. Full participation is expected from check-in time on Saturday until after the closing programming on Friday.

What is the lodging situation?
Participants will be staying on the campus of the University of Virginia at Wise. The accommodations will be in the dorms which include air conditioned double-occupancy rooms that include beds and mattresses. Participants will need to bring a sleeping bag or other bed linens and pillow. Showers will either be included in the dorm room or on the dorm hall. Housekeeping to clean restrooms and showers will be provided during your stay. All participants are required to stay at the home base location.

What does this registration fee cover?
The majority of the registration fee goes to cover the cost of materials necessary to complete the work projects. The work projects completed during Work Camp are significant home improvement projects (for example wheel chair ramp construction, deck and stair construction, and window replacement) that are designed to make homes warmer, safer, drier, and greener. The registration fee also goes to cover lodging, meals (Saturday dinner – Friday breakfast), and evening programming for all participants.
 
Who will be the host?
Meg Hunter-Kilmer is our Work Camp host this year. Meg is a traveling Catholic evangelist who drives around the country giving talks and retreats to pretty much anyone who will listen. A self-proclaimed “Hobo for Christ,” Meg does not have a permanent home and has everything she owns packed in her car. She travels from place to place spreading the gospel and trusting in God to give her opportunities to preach the good news.
 
How do I sign up?
Per our usual sign up process for events, it takes three easy steps:
1. Sign up using the form below.
2. Submit the registration fee, either in the same step with the form below, or by submiting a check to the YM Office. (same pricing)
3. Complete and return the proper Info & Release Form found at the link below:
Youth Info & Release Form - Work Camp
Adult Info & Release Form - Work Camp
Your registration is only considered complete for any given deadline if all three steps have been completed. Once registered, we'll be following up with more info regarding lists for packing & tools to bring!
 
Questions?
Contact Mike Horvath, mhorvath@saint-mikes.org, 804.527.1037 x12