I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather. I want to remind everyone that Sunday is the deadline to sign up for the Team Effort Work Camp. The camp dates are July 26th to August 1st, 2009. We will be participating with other churches in the area and from all over the country. It is going to be a great time to serve the community.
The cost for the camp is $269 and the registration deadline cost is $69 per person. This $69 goes toward the total and reserves your space. We do not want money to be an issue on why you can’t go. We will have fundraising opportunities which I want to encourage everyone to be a part of such as a fundraising dinner and rent a youth for chuch members to donate for odd jobs. There will be special offerings taken as well which will help alleiviate the concerns about cost. If you are in need of financial assistance, please let me know.
Here is some more information about Team Effort.
Mission Projects
Within the bustling cities across America are huge areas of unmet need and tremendous opportunities for urban outreach and ministry. The poorer children and families in these cities find themselves struggling to locate decent housing, schools and employment. Too often they face the harsh issues of urban life. Throughout these communities are local missions, urban ministries, and inner city churches that work to bring the love of Christ into the lives of their neighbors. This summer your youth group can help these missions in their daily ministry. Groups will serve in some of the poorer inner city neighborhoods through a variety of hands on programs such as working at food and clothing ministries, and helping with summer camp activities for children. Youth will have opportunities to serve in several of these outreach ministries during the week leading to a full experience in inner city missions.
Lodging:
Groups stay at a local church or school facility. All meals are provided except two lunches and two dinners during free time.
-Note we have yet to receive our lodging assignment but from what I understand it will be at a church in Herndon, Virginia.
Area Attractions:
Capitol Building, White House, Smithsonian, national monuments…
Typical Schedule:
Sunday: Registration begins at 6:00 pm. Orientation, music and program
Monday: Work on the mission projects. Evening music and program
Tuesday: Work on mission projects. Sports and game night. Evening music and program
Wednesday: Work on mission project. Evening music and program
Thursday: Work on mission projects until lunch. Free afternoon. Evening closing worship service.
Friday: Free day to visit local attractions. Friday night fellowship.
Saturday: Depart by 10:00 am
Here’s what you can expect……
God shows up in unexpected ways if you leave room for him to do His work.
You may feel like the job you are doing at the moment isn’t as important as what somebody else is doing, but remember that every job is important.
Rain happens. Traffic happens. Don’t be discouraged, that‘s when God works the unexpected.
You will be staying with a bunch of people. You may feel cramped. Take advantage of the situation and get to know the people around you a little better.
You will laugh a lot, work a lot, play a lot, and grow a lot.
Showers are available, but you may have to wait in line some days.
Your group will work together on a project that will impact someone’s life.
Expect to be out of your comfort zone. God will meet you there.
Safety and Dress Code
Safety at TEAMeffort
Safety is an important issue on any youth trip and one we take very seriously. TEAMeffort provides skilled and helpful site supervisors and energetic, hardworking, fun staff to assist your group with all the aspects of your mission project. We carefully pre-screen all worksites to make sure they are safe and appropriate for youth.
TEAMeffort does reserves the right to send home any youth or adult that endangers the safety of another participant or is disruptive to the purposes of the mission camp. The adult chaperones you bring are responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe, happy and positive attitude among your youth. To ensure safety on the worksite it is important that all participants bring appropriate worksite attire.
Dress Code
One exciting aspect of TEAMeffort is that you will be at camp and working with groups from other denominations. An important way to maintain unity during the week is with modest dress. We ask that t-shirts and modest shorts or pants be worn to the worksite and modest clothing to all other activities. We ask that only one piece bathing suits are worn.
TEAMeffort reserves the right to declare if something is inappropriate.
HISTORY:
Over the years TEAMeffort has brought over 65,000 youth and leaders from thousands of churches of different denominations together to work side-by-side on life-changing, eye-opening, faith-building mission experiences. This Summer & Spring Break we offer more opportunities than ever for youth groups to put their faith into action through challenging and rewarding mission projects such as repairing homes for families in need, working at mission and ministry facilities, leading children’s programs and sport camps, working at homeless shelters, responding to natural disasters, and reaching out to individuals and communities through Christian service.
Our mission camps are designed to be a mixture of meaningful service, challenging work, spiritual growth and good, clean, adventurous fun. Your group can expect to work hard, play hard and laugh hard. We believe when your mission week is over you will return to your home church as a stronger group that has shared in memories that will last a lifetime and is excited about what Jesus Christ is doing in all of your lives.
We supply the projects, tools, materials, site-leadership, meals, programs & housing… all the logistics so you can focus on your youth. Through well planned camps, exciting locations, energetic staff, knowledgeable site-leaders, quality music and programs, and meaningful mission projects your group is bound for a mission adventure they will never forget!
You will need a recent tetanus shot to attend, if you haven’t had one, you will need to schedule one with your doctor.
I really hope you guys will plan to be there. It will be a great time and a great practice trip for our lead in to Mexico next year. If you have any questions, please email or talk with me on Sunday.
For more information you can check out their website. See you tonight at UDY.
