Group Workcamps Returning to Anne Arundel County

Imagine 440 youth and adults and 25 staff members sleeping on floors, eating cafeteria food, and spending their days repairing homes for those in need at absolutely no cost to the residents.  That is what will happen in Gambrills from 21-27 July.  

Christian youth groups from across the United States will spend a week of their summer vacation here in the county repairing homes for the elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged.  

Group Workcamps (www.groupworkcamps.com) last came to the county in 2005 when 400 people stayed at Old Mill High School and worked at 50 locations from Annapolis to Brooklyn.  

Delegate Love and others visited the camp to thank them and cheer them on.  Fox News visited early one morning to do a live broadcast of the “wakey wakey” songs that greet campers at 7 am every day.  Camper and local resident, Janet Carrier Oren, recalls how meaningful it was to some of the first time campers in her group to realize the need in their own community.  This group has continued to serve in several states every year since and they are very excited to bring the camp here this summer. 

As in 2005, Nichols-Bethel United Methodist Church in Odenton is the local cosponsor with assistance from St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church, and Grace Pointe Community Church of the Nazarene, who graciously partnered to allow their building to serve as the group’s home for the week.

The camp is currently seeking to reach out to the community in several areas.

We are seeking sites to interview for consideration as potential worksites.  Local residents in need who live within 30 minutes of Gambrills can request assistance by contacting the camp at chesapeakebayworkcamp2013@verizon.net as soon as possible.  The work can include drywall repair, interior and exterior painting, porches, wheelchair ramps, and one story roofing.  All applications will be considered, but selection is not guaranteed. 

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to support the camp through sponsorship.  There is a sponsorship program for donations or donations in kind ranging from $500 and up.  Specific needs of the camp are yard signs and banners, 100 t-shirts for volunteers, building materials, coupons or other goodie bag items for the campers, etc.  Also due to the size of our housing location we are seeking bunk beds to borrow and shower trailers or a location near Gambrills where campers could travel to shower.  We have raised nearly $10,000 of our $25,000 goal.  Financial sponsors to date include St. Joseph’s and a Nichols-Bethel family as silver sponsors; Linthicum Heights, Roll Up ‘N Dye (rollupndye.com), and two Nichols-Bethel families as bronze sponsors; and Odenton Ace Hardware.

Churches, volunteer organizations, businesses, and individuals can get involved through quilts, gift cards, or other gifts for the residents being served, afternoon or evening treats for the campers (it takes a lot of cookies to feed 400 teenagers!), and afternoon “events” to welcome them “home” each day.  For example, Papa John’s of Odenton and the Grant Family will be providing a pizza party on the day of arrival.

The entire community is invited to watch for future updates as the camp approaches and arrives here in July.  Mark your calendar and look for campers in the local area to thank them for spending a bit of their summer vacation here.