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Ministering since 1992, Reach Workcamps is a weeklong mission of service to low-income communities. Working with local agencies and/or local churches, the camps seek to make an impact on residents, communities, students and adult sponsors who attend. It is a life-changing experience as campers participate in activities that build community and self-esteem, encourages spiritual growth and enables them to understand their role in combating poverty. Who can attend?
Any students who will be entering grades 9 through 12, any college-aged students,
and adult sponsors can attend all workcamps. In addition, students
entering grades 7 and 8 can attend the Combination Workcamps. We do ask
that there be one adult age 21 or older for every five students, and at
least one adult for each gender. Can we bring children to the workcamp? We truly recognize that many youth leaders have families with small children (newborn through elementary). We believe however, that bringing children to the workcamp has the potential of being a distraction to the overall purpose of our ministry for teenagers and the daily flow of the week's events. Items such as food, lodging, safety, insurance are all factors that have helped shape this decision. So it is our policy that children are not permitted to attend a Reach Workcamp.
Our Neighbors
Reach Workcamps organizes and coordinates the completion of basic home repair projects for elderly, disabled, and low-income families. We refer to each homeowner as our "neighbor" based on Mark 12:31, during which Jesus talks abour loving our neighbors as ourselves. Each neighbor is visited during the year before the camp by one of our staff to look over the home and meet the person whom we will be serving. The construction aim of the workcamp is to provide neighbors with a warmer, dryer and safer home. The workcamp also helps to restore lost pride and hope in the neighbors. In many cases, the repair work helps to reduce utility costs. It is a priority of each Reach Workcamp to establish positive relationships between the neighbors and workcampers. Our workcampers are encouraged to spend time talking with and listening to the neighbors they are serving. The relationships that are established enable the workcamp to achieve one of its goals: meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of the neighbors.
Cost
The full registration fee is $399 per person which includes:
Adults
It is recommended that each group must include at least one adult sponsor, 21 years or older, for every four youth participants. If you are bringing both male and female youth, there must be a sponsor for each gender. Every participant 21 years or older will need to have a current background check on file with their church in order to attend camp. Adults are key to helping us serve. Each adult will be a part of a workcrew and is expected to help facilitate discussions and encourage students in all parts of the project and activities during the camp. There are also some volunteer positions needed at each camp that help the Reach Staff with "behind-the-scenes" stuff. If you would like to volunteer at a camp that your youth group is attending, click here to print out a Volunteer Application Form. This is different than the "normal" adult position.
Accommodations
Each camp is housed at a local high school in the community we will be serving. Restroom and shower facilities are all dependent upon the facility at which we are staying, however, we do visit each school to see that it is acceptable. We make a strong effort to make your stay as comfortable as possible including privatizing the shower areas. Your group will be sleeping at the school, which will be divided into men's and women's areas. An air mattress will become one of your best friends here.
Meals
Reach will provide all meals from arrival Sunday dinner through breakfast on Saturday of your departure. Wednesday is a half-day of work and the afternoon is free for your group until 10pm. You will be responsible for dinner Wednesday night. There will be an optional volleyball tournament for all workcamp participants to play against the staff on Wednesday evening. We've found the youth groups to benefit from an afternoon together in the middle of a busy workcamp.
Getting Around
The vehicles your group brings to the camp will be assigned for transportation to and from the worksites. We will request a vehicle information form to be filled out so that drivers may be assigned to workcrews that will need a lift. Reach will pay for any gas used to transport workcrews to and from the worksite.
Projects
The projects will include basic weatherization, painting, repair and construction of porches, steps, wheelchair ramps and outhouses, as well as many other unique projects that may be assigned. The projects selected are appropriate for the age group attending and each camper is assigned to a project with their skill level in mind. All repairs are made at no cost to the homeowners. Construction skills are not a requirement to attend a workcamp. A servant's heart and a "go-get-em" attitude are the most useful tools to bring to the workcamp. Experienced maintenance and home repair volunteers make daily on-site visits to ensure quality workmanship and to assist workcampers with the skills necessary to complete their projects. Click here to see a sample Worksite Description that is given to each crew in order to complete their work projects. Worksites are selected based on the following criteria:
Typical Workcamp Day
Registration
In order to reserve your place this summer at a Reach Workcamp, a $50 per person non-refundable deposit is required. Be sure to reserve enough spaces for your group. If you would like to learn more concerning our registration policy, or you would like to register for a Reach Workcamp, click here.
When did Reach Workcamps begin?
Reach Ministries International was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Colorado on November 25, 1991. Reach Ministries International received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service on July 21, 1992. “Reach Workcamps” is a trade name used by Reach Ministries International to represent all workcamp activities.
Reach is interdenominational. It is not affiliated with any one church but serves all Christian churches. An interdenominational eight member National Board of Directors governs Reach. Reach held its first workcamp during the summer of 1992 in Madisonville, Kentucky. Since then, over 25,000 junior and senior high school students and their adult sponsors have attended a Reach Workcamp in thirteen different states and Mexico. There have been 117 Reach Workcamps since its birth. Over the years, Reach Workcamps has experienced a 70% youth group return rate. |
        
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