Workcamps

Nuts and Bolts

Workcamp philosophy

Workcamps are short-term mission trips that connect service with Christian faith. We practice mutual mission, making a difference in the lives of others, while embracing the difference they make in our lives. At workcamps we share, pray, celebrate, and live simply in community. By working with people in various walks of life, we learn to value others and realize that our lives are interconnected, that our stories have common threads. We hope that by serving you will deepen your faith and better understand your own blessings, values, and responsibilities as a child of God.

What to expect

Workcamps exemplify the Brethren philosophy of simple living, and often cross the line to "extreme" simple living. Positive attitudes, flexibility, and openness to new experiences are essential for every workcamp. Those who have the best time at workcamps are those who can most successfully adapt to their surroundings. Although the projects and living conditions are different for each workcamp, they all share some basic universals. You can expect to eat (simply), to sleep (often on the floor), to shower (at least once!), to work hard, to play, and to have fun! You’ll meet lots of people from all over the country (and sometimes out of it) and make new friendships that last much longer than just one week. All the details for the individual workcamps will be provided in letters your directors and coordinators send you during the spring. These letters contain important information, so please read them!

General Information 

Registration for a workcamp covers food, housing, local transportation, recreation, a t-shirt, and materials for the project. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the workcamp and usually one meal during the workcamp week. Typically, the first day of the workcamp begins late in the afternoon and the last day ends around lunchtime. Workcamps have a small, secondary health insurance policy supplementary to that of the participant.

Registration 

Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis starting January 25, 2010. Participants must register online. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due seven days after your on-line registration confirmation is sent to hold your workcamp location “spot” and the full balance of the registration fee is due by April 1, 2010. Make checks payable to "Church of the Brethren." Please send checks to Workcamp Office, Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave. Elgin, IL 60120.

Refund policy

Since workcamp budgets are based on the number of registrations, there will be no refunds for cancellations after April 1, 2010 (deposits or balances). Please keep in mind that your registration holds a spot that could be filled by another participant, and late cancellations prevent other people from being able to experience workcamps.

 
Advisors

Advisors are welcome to attend with groups of youth, and are expected to fully participate in all aspects of the workcamp. Advisors are also expected to act as role models and mentors for the youth, and are often asked to take on extra responsibilities such as leading work crews. Advisors register at the same time as their youth and pay the same registration fee.

Eligibility

Junior high workcamps are open to those who have completed grades 6, 7, and 8. Senior high workcamps are open to those who have completed grade 9 through one year out of high school. Young adult workcamps are open to those who have completed high school. Individual congregations are asked to comprise no more than 1/3 of the total participants of any one workcamp.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne Davies in the workcamp office at 1-800-323-8039 ext. 286 or cobworkcamps@brethren.org.