How does registration work? show
Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis starting January 9, 2012. Participants must register on the workcamp web page. Registration will go more smoothly if you find out your church code before beginning. Go to Find a Church, enter your church name, then click on the link to the bottom left (below the map) with your church's name. Church code is the last item on the list. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due seven days after your online registration confirmation is sent to hold your workcamp location. The full balance of the registration fee is due by April 1, 2012. Make checks payable to "Church of the Brethren." Please send checks to Workcamp Office, Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave. Elgin, IL 60120.
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Do I have to log in to register? show
No, this year you do not have to log in to register. Once registration goes live at 7 p.m. central on January 9th, you can just click the registration link on the workcamps home page and submit the registration form.
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What does the workcamp registration fee include? show
Registration for a workcamp covers food, housing, local transportation, recreation, a t-shirt, and materials for the project.
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Is transportation to and from the workcamp included in the registration price? show
No. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the workcamp. Pick-up/drop-off to and from the airport, train station, etc. will be available through the workcamp.
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Why do I have to name a first and second choice location? show
We require a first and second choice when you register because registration is on a first come, first served basis. If a workcamp fills up right away and there are not enough spots for you and/or your youth group left to go together, we need to know what your second choice camp will be.
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Who is eligible to come to a workcamp? show
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.
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Do I need to be from the Church of the Brethren to attend a workcamp? show
You most definitely do not have to be a member of a Church of the Brethren congregation to attend a workcamp. We will have a time of worship each day, however, that will be based in the Christian faith and prompted from Church of the Brethren traditions.
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How many youth can one church send? show
Individual congregations are asked to comprise no more than 1/3 of the total participants of any one workcamp. Custom workcamps can be arranged for groups of 12 or more participants early in the year before registration opens.
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Who are the leaders of the camp? show
The workcamp office provides a director and coordinator for each workcamp. Advisors from the churches sending youth are also part of our leadership team.
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Are advisors allowed to come to the workcamps? show
Advisors are encouraged 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. We ask that congregations send at least one advisor for every four youth participants.
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What do we do other than our project at the workcamp? show
There is always one day during the week which we call our “recreation day” in which the youth get to experience the area they are staying in from a different point of view. Sometimes it’s outings such as seeing the statue of liberty in New York City or the Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC as well as going to a park for dinner and taking a dip in the pool.
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What can I expect from my workcamp? show
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!
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What are my options if I would like both my junior and senior highs to attend the same workcamp? show
We offer an intergenerational workcamp each year for those who would like to have more than one age group attend a workcamp at the same time. Custom workcamps can be arranged for groups of 12 or more participants early in the year before registration opens. These can consist of more than one age group as well. Each workcamp is catered specifically to the age group designated on the schedule which is why we encourage groups to attend separately.
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What is the workcamp philosophy? What are workcamps all about? show
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. We hope that by serving you will deepen your faith and better understand your own blessings, values, and responsibilities as a child of God.
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What is the workcamp refund policy? show
Since workcamp budgets are based on the number of registrations, there will be no refunds for cancellations after April 1, 2012 (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.
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Do I need spending money? show
The only thing you will need spending money for is travel to and from the workcamp and for one meal during our recreation day. Everything else is covered in your registration fee and there won’t really be time to do any kind of shopping, etc.
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Do you have an insurance plan for the workcamps? show
Workcamps have a small, secondary health insurance policy supplementary to that of the participant.
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