Date: Fri 12-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

youth-Trinity-workcamp

Full Text:

with cut: Youth Prepare For Workcamps To Serve The Needy

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

They might not have refined home improvement skills, but the 24 Newtown youth

know that learning is part of the experience at workcamp in Greenwood, S.C.

Trinity Church Youth Group members, some friends, and eight chaperones will

spend five days in early August helping to improve homes for poor and disabled

residents in the Appalachian town.

The program, sponsored by the Christian youth ministry Group Workcamps of

Loveland, is one of about 25 workcamps they host throughout the summer. The

Trinity group will join 400 other youth from around the US and Canada in

painting, minor construction projects, and re-roofing homes in Greenwood.

Singing and devotion time will be part of each evening program.

"It just makes you feel so good," said Annie Lux, 15, who will be attending

workcamp for the second year. "Last year we ate lunch with the people who

lived in the house every day. Prayed after lunch. The little girl [who lived

there] liked to read to us outloud out of the Bible. Then all the people in

the house helped with the painting and the deck."

Chris McNeil, who will be a freshman at Newtown High School this fall is

looking forward to his first workcamp experience. "I'm sure it's not going to

be too easy," he said. "But we're helping people who are in need. I like

building stuff, and also I'll get to be with my friends from church."

The youth group started to raise money last October and will have their last

fundraising event, a tag sale, from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, July 13. Once

they arrive in Greenwood, the group will stay with the other participants in a

local school, but costs will be incurred with vehicle rentals, motels en

route, and tuition for the camp.

"Planning and saving for workcamp is a huge undertaking," said Trinity Youth

Director Mary Tomasiewicz. "Our kids have great support from parents and

people at Trinity. It's an experience of a lifetime and one which many of us

hope to offer as an ecumenical event next year."

Nancy Gossling, who has traveled extensively with her husband and children,

agree that this will be a special life experience. That is why the four of

them will attend workcamp together as their family vacation this year.

"The whole experience is not just about building, repairing, or painting, but

the experience of building a community of people working together - with

people you don't know," she said. "For me, the first two commandments...cross

all traditions. For us, it is acting out what we believe and express as part

of a community of faith at Trinity Church, but it's [also something] that

transcends all faith traditions and religion."

"Last year I saw how grateful everybody was for our work," said Annie Lux, who

is bringing along a friend from the Congregational Church this year. "It was

such a rewarding experience there was no way I wasn't going back!"