Work Campers Need Home for a Week

Group Mission Trips partners with local organizations to facilitate camps that provide free home repairs to local residents in need.  These camps started in 1977 and about 40 occur across the country every summer.  

Many local churches participate in this program and the camps not only teach the youth about serving others, but show the community what our young people can accomplish.  

In 2005, Nichols-Bethel United Methodist Church sponsored a camp in Anne Arundel County that benefitted 50 homeowners and they have agreed to be a sponsor again.

What does this mean to county residents in need?  It means over 14,000 hours of free home repair work to include wheelchair ramps, weatherizing, some roof repair, drywall repair, painting, etc.

The work is paid for by $20-25,000 that Nichols-Bethel has committed to raising and a $451 fee paid by each camper.  This camp is currently scheduled for 21-27 July 2013.  Our dilemma is finding a location to house the campers as Anne Arundel County Public Schools has decided this is “not an avenue we wish to pursue”.  

Basic requirements are a gym/auditorium to seat 500, rooms for sleeping (typically 30 classrooms), and a cafeteria or eating area.  We are appealing to any organization in the county with such a location to contact us immediately so that the camp can benefit Anne Arundel County residents and businesses and not have to be moved to another county or cancelled.  We are considering many alternatives, so if you have a facility, contact us to discuss further.  

Please email chesapeakebayworkcamp2013@verizon.net with any questions, suggestions, or offers of support. Let’s not allow this wonderful opportunity to support our low income, elderly, or disabled residents in need slip away!

Janet and Barry Oren

Millersville, Maryland