HIGH SCHOOL WORKCAMP
June 6-12, 2024 | Canton, Texas
High School Workcamp is a seven-day mission trip that takes place in a small Texas town - this year we're headed to Canton, Texas! We sometimes double the population of the town by bringing more than 140 high school students and more than 50 adults, including our amazing Summer Staff of college interns. The school district graciously opens its doors to let us sleep, eat, shower, and enjoy fellowship in their facilities. Our worksites are spread out all over town, from churches to food pantries to resale shops and more. You might find a high schooler nailing shingles on a church roof, constructing a wheelchair ramp, painting a work of art...the possibilities are endless at Workcamp. We work into the afternoon and then return to the school for dinner and fellowship. Small groups are where Workcamp really comes alive. Led by college students, high schoolers have a safe space to share their stories, ask important questions, and dive into their faith. We end each night with a meaningful worship experience including testimonies from our awesome high school seniors. Of course, we have to leave time for celebration after a long week out in the Texas sun, so our last day is Fun Day! Complete with delicious food, a pool or lake, 9 square, basketball, and so much more fun activities. In a nutshell, Workcamp is the best week of the summer. For more information, contact Caroline Stone.
As we move forward, our goal is to get to know students we’re meeting for the first time and to deepen our relationships with the students we know well. Therefore, every student attending either 7.8 or High School Workcamp is required to participate in at least 6 MDUMC Youth sponsored events, including at least 2 sessions of Arise (our Sunday morning gatherings for 7th - 12th grade) between now and May 28. With more than 20 opportunities on the calendar, students have plenty of options to choose from. You do not need to fulfill these requirements before registering. We prefer if you register as soon as possible, and we will follow up with each student to make sure they are on track to get all their requirements. Below is a photo that gives you the dates for each event in the coming months.
FAQ’S
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About a week before we leave for Workcamp, we host a mandatory meeting for all students attending Workcamp, with one of their parents joining them to learn more about the trip. You’ll receive an organizational packet with all the information you need, and there will be a Q&A time to answer all your burning questions. Students will split into groups based on last names, led by our college Summer Staffers, to go over logistics and sign up to bring supplies and tools that y’all might have in your garage (ladders, hammers, that kind of stuff)
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We have access to two gyms - girls will sleep in one and guys will sleep in the other! The gyms are always a hilarious mix of air mattresses, piles of clothes, and tangles of cords for charging phones. Showers are available after each workday in the gym locker rooms.
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We have a vast array of worksites in Cameron. We’re still working on locating all of them! Adults and college summer staff are assigned to worksites, and there is a Youth Staff member at each site to lead the project. Students have the chance to paint, build, sort…you name it.
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We eat WELL at Workcamp. Our amazing kitchen staff, along with some adult helpers, prepare delicious breakfast and dinner. We have the iconic “Workcamp Sandwiches” for lunch with fresh fruit and chips. You’ll never have a better PB&J (or turkey and cheese sandwich, or ham and cheese…you get it) than when you’re sitting under a tree in the Texas heat after a morning of hard work! If your student has a dietary restriction or allergy, there’s a space on the registration to let us know and we’ll figure it out together.
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Small groups are the best part of Workcamp. They take place at night after some fun and games and provide a safe space for student to grow their relationship with God. Small groups are led by our amazing college Summer Staffers with curriculum created by our Youth Ministry Staff. There is a space in the registration form to list up to three people your student would like in their small group. Believe us when we say that we spend HOURS putting these small groups together, making sure there is a balance of students in each grade, and ensuring that each student will feel comfortable with the people they’re with. Small groups have anywhere from six to ten people in each group, and they are split up by gender.
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All clothing MUST fit in one medium duffel; in other words…PACK LIGHT!
Appropriate work clothes (shorts, t-shirts, socks, and athletic, closed-toe shoes)
Casual shirts and shorts or sweatpants for evening activities
Personal Items (toothbrush, shampoo, soap, etc)
Swimsuit for Fun Day (two pieces are ok!)
Towel (for showering & fun day – bring old towels)
Air mattress (twin size - we sleep on the floor)
Sleeping bag or sheets/blanket
Pillow
Plastic bag for wet and dirty clothes
A little money for fast food, travel snacks - we’ll stop at Buc-ee’s on the way!
A delicious homemade snack to share.
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Whether you can give us one day or all seven, we want your help! It will be an incredible experience, guaranteed. Expect to be amazed by our students. Expect to learn something new. Expect to work hard. Expect to encounter Jesus Christ. Expect to laugh a lot. Expect to experience incredible fellowship. Expect to have the time of your life. Contact Caroline Stone for more information.
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Our adult volunteers are incredibly important to all that we do on Workcamp. During the day you will paint, cook, saw, hammer, drive, and everything in between. After a great workday we’ll share meals together, laugh together, and worship together. You’re gonna love it. You can stay in a nearby hotel (coordinated by Karen Crawford), or you can stay on-site at the school in the Moms or Dads room.
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The truth is…you are supremely and uniquely gifted. We all are. The great thing about Workcamp is that everyone contributes in his or her own way. Being a good listener, a good thinker, and a good floor-sweeper are gifts too. We’ll find a way to use your gifts. Worry not, you’ll do great.
7.8 WORKCAMP
June 19-23 | Houston, TX
7.8 Workcamp is a five-day, overnight mission trip that is based out of MDUMC's Main Campus. We round up nearly 150 middle schoolers, college interns, and adults and deploy them all over our great city. In our trusty fleet of buses and vans, we'll head to the Houston Food Bank, the Port of Houston, the Third Ward, and more! Houston needs our help and our middle schoolers are up to the task. Once work is done for the day, we'll head back to the church to shower and dine before gathering for some hilarious fun and games followed by small groups, led by our amazing college Summer Staff. Small groups are a space to be goofy and loud as we know middle schoolers love to be, while also giving time for them to be open and honest about their relationship with God. We close each night with a powerful worship service and testimonies from our amazing 8th graders. There is no better Fun Day than a 7.8 Workcamp Fun Day – we take Coach buses to Six Flags San Antonio! After a great day of fun at Six Flags, we spend the night nearby before heading home. For more information, contact Lynell Kennedy.
As we move forward, our goal is to get to know students we’re meeting for the first time and to deepen our relationships with the students we know well. Therefore, every student attending either 7.8 or High School Workcamp is required to participate in at least 6 MDUMC Youth sponsored events, including at least 2 sessions of Arise (our Sunday morning gatherings for 7th - 12th grade) between now and May 22. With more than 30 opportunities on the calendar, students have plenty of options to choose from. You do not need to fulfill these requirements before registering. We prefer if you register as soon as possible, and we will follow up with each student to make sure they are on track to get all their requirements. Below is a photo that gives you the dates for each event in the coming months.
FAQ’s
-
A week or so before we leave for Workcamp, we have a mandatory meeting at MDUMC for all students attending Workcamp, with one of their parents joining them to learn more about the trip. You’ll receive an organizational packet with all the information you need, and there will be a Q&A time to answer all your burning questions. Students will split into groups based on last names, led by our college Summer Staffers, to go over logistics and sign up to bring supplies and tools that y’all might have in your garage (ladders, hammers, that kind of stuff)
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Students will sleep at MDUMC’s Main Campus. Sleeping arrangements will be divided by grade and gender. Showers are available after each workday – girls will shower in the MDUMC Main Campus Showers and guys will shower in the Stratford High School locker rooms.
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We will assign students worksites this year - don’t fret, we put a lot of time and energy to ensure people work with friends and at places they’ll enjoy! Adults and college summer staff are assigned to worksites, and there is a Youth Staff member at each site to lead the project.
-
We eat WELL at Workcamp. Our amazing kitchen staff, along with some adult helpers, prepare delicious breakfast and dinner. We have the iconic “Workcamp Sandwiches” for lunch with fresh fruit and chips. You’ll never have a better PB&J (or turkey and cheese sandwich, or ham and cheese…you get it) than when you’re sitting under a tree in the Texas heat after a morning of hard work! If your student has a dietary restriction or allergy, there’s a space on the registration to let us know and we’ll figure it out together.
-
Small groups are the best part of Workcamp. They take place at night after some fun and games and provide a safe space for student to grow their relationship with God. Small groups are led by our amazing college Summer Staffers with curriculum created by our Youth Ministry Staff. There is a space in the registration form to list up to three people your student would like in their small group. Believe us when we say that we spend HOURS putting these small groups together, making sure there is a balance of students in each grade, and ensuring that each student will feel comfortable with the people they’re with. Small groups have anywhere from six to ten people in each group, and they are split up by gender.
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We have an AWESOME fun day. We bus our middle schoolers to Six Flags Fiesta Texas for a day of roller coasters, snacks, and games! Tickets, one meal, one snack, and one drink are included in the Workcamp cost. But, for extra expenses students will need a credit or debit card (NOT Apple Pay) because Six Flags is cash-free. We spend the night nearby Six Flags then bus home the next day.
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We need your help! It will be an incredible experience, guaranteed. Expect to be amazed by our students. Expect to learn something new. Expect to work hard. Expect to encounter Jesus Christ. Expect to laugh a lot. Expect to experience incredible fellowship. Expect to have the time of your life. Contact Lynell Kennedy for more information.
-
Our adult volunteers are incredibly important to all that we do on Workcamp. During the day you can choose from any of the following: paint, cook, saw, hammer, drive, and everything in between. After a great workday we’ll share meals together, laugh together, and worship together. You’re gonna love it.
-
The truth is…you are supremely and uniquely gifted. We all are. The great thing about Workcamp is that everyone contributes in his or her own way. Being a good listener, a good thinker, and a good floor-sweeper are gifts too. We’ll find a way to use your gifts. Worry not, you’ll do great.
-
All clothing MUST fit in one medium duffel; in other words…PACK LIGHT!
Appropriate work clothes (shorts, t-shirts, socks, and athletic shoes)
Casual shirts and shorts or sweatpants for evening activities
Personal Items (toothbrush, shampoo, soap, etc)
Swimsuit for Fun Day (two pieces are ok!)
Towel (for showering & fun day – bring old towels)
Air mattress (twin size - we sleep on the floor)
Sleeping bag or sheets/blanket
Pillow
Plastic bag for wet and dirty clothes
A little money for three meals (needs to be on a credit or debit card)
A delicious homemade snack to share.