Youth Mission Camps

The Laurel Ridge Youth Mission Camps have just completed 3 summers of service to families in Ashe and Alleghany Counties. The camps have been such a blessing. We use an action/reflection model which offers plenty of time for work, play and reflection. Morning and evening devotions and scheduled journaling time help us create time and space to hear God's voice. Evening programs give us a chance to better know the communities where we work. Social workers, storytellers and musicians share their lives with us and help us understand how much we have in common, and how valuable our differences can be. We come together with all of our questions, doubts, and varied experiences. We are not sure what will be expected or needed during the week, but we believe that together we have all that is needed to accomplish whatever God has called us to. Take a look…

In 4 weeks 155 youth and 61 adults representing 16 Moravian churches worked with 41 families to: build 14 ramps and decks clean windows in 14 homes mow, weed-eat, & clean 7 yards complete 6 painting jobs replace one trailer floor do 3 major carpentry projects provide general cleaning and organization for 9 homes build playground equipment for 3 childcare facilities complete 2 roofs landscape 6 yards build shelves, sort toys, paint, sing, rock babies, build a treehouse for 6 non-profit agencies/childcare facilities build birdfeeders and deliver to nursing homes/shut-ins complete with birdseed and lots of prayer and singing support the local economy by spending over $18,000 for building materials, gas, picnics, bowling & supplies in Alleghany and Ashe counties.

While accomplishing these tasks we prayed, sang, brought beauty and joy, built community, laughed and cried together. We continue to realize that we begin with a task, but as we work together we slowly learn what is truly needed.

While it is important and necessary to build ramps and replace floors, we come to understand the value of the ministry of presence. We know that we are both blessed and blessing… that we have much to give and much to receive.

It’s not all work! Mission Camp Interns led fishing, indoor games, and outdoor sports - including swimming each afternoon. The M-Staff provided a campfire each Wednesday night by the Higgins Lake. We also added “Down & Dirty Bowling”. Groups came directly to the bowling alley from worksites (hence, the dirty) and knocked down some pins.

Perhaps the highlight of the week was the Thursday night cookout at Crouse Park in Sparta. Groups invited the families they were working with to join us for some great food and good music.

Laurel Ridge has a long history of providing a place and community which supports young people as they discern God's call. It is exciting to see how the mission camps are continuing this tradition in new ways and directions.

Additional Mission Opportunities

In March, 2005 Laurel Ridge staff planned a special Spring Break mission camp for the Elm Grove, Wisconsin United Methodist Church. 27 youth and 6 adult leaders worked in Appalachian counties surrounding Laurel Ridge to build a playground, install a kitchen floor, sort toys and clothing for a thrift shop, build shelves for the food closet, and construct a handicap accessible deck.

In addition to these important service projects youth enjoyed evening programs, free time activities, music and worship. Let us plan a Mission camp for your group.