The JP Experience
 
The Work We'll Do

The youth and adults who participate in the project
spend the week performing home repair tasks such as porch construction, house painting, wheelchair ramp construction, yard work, and other jobs. A strong emphasis is also placed on interacting with the persons for whom we work. This is designed to help us see that all people have many types of needs, including the visible, physical needs. Families are referred
to us by agencies or individuals, and the family
requests the type of work needed - this way we
meet their needs as they see them.

Work Teams

Work teams are made up of 5-6 students and one to two adults. Youth are teamed-up with youth from other churches.

Who Can Participate?

Junior high members of any Christian youth group that have a desire to grow in their relationship with God and be prepared to serve others are welcome to attend the Jeremiah Project! JP is multi-denominational and open to all persons.

Target Audience: Students completing the 7th and 8th grades in June 2008 (or be 13 years old). Our program and other elements of the mission experience are geared specifically for this age group.

Minimum Grade: If 6th graders are currently part of your youth group, the Jeremiah Project will not exclude them. However, students must have completed the 6th grade in June 2008 in order to participate with JP.

Camp Leadership

Our camp staff is composed of college students and older adults.
The staff is trained, experienced, and dedicated. Our veteran camp directors will lead your group throughout the week and direct this team to ensure a meaningful and safe camp experience.

Accommodations

Jeremiah Project will operate the 2008 camps from Hunting Ridge Retreat, located near Winchester, Virginia, Peterkin Conference Center and the Hampshire County 4-H Center in Romney, WV. Bathroom and showers are included at each facility.  Recreational opportunities include volleyball, and basketball.

Time with God

We begin and end each day with God. Families are also invited to share lunch and devotions with us during the workday. Each night we set aside time for the youth & adults to share about the events of the day and hear from others about how God is working in their lives. We spend time singing and hearing the good news of Jesus Christ in exciting and memorable ways.

Tools

Who needs the headache of bringing tools on a mission trip? Not here!
JP provides all of the tools! However, we do ask that each church donate several paint brushes, rollers, and roller pans.

What Makes JP Unique?

1. We provide the tools!

2. We provide a staff person at most sites and always at sites that are more complex.

3. We provide a Program Director. His or her primary focus is to provide spiritual leadership for the camp and is particularly gifted in working with Jr. High youth.

4. We provide a Music/Worship Director to ensure an excellent evening of music and worship.

5. Everything we do is with middle school students in mind!

Laughing & Playing Together

The camp staff will have activities planned for you. These may include
group recreation, an evening concert, a water balloon volleyball tournament, swimming, etc. Wednesday is a "free" day for your church group to fellowship together in the areas near the camp. Information on local recreational opportunities (tubing, hiking, site seeing, etc.) will be provided.

Camp Arrival

Your group must arrive in camp between 2-3:30 pm on Sunday so that we may begin the evening activities on time.

Youth Group Size

Each group may bring a maximum of 16 participants per week. If you have more than 16, you may want to consider bringing a group two different weeks.

Transportation

For teams up to 6: one van that safely transports at least 7 people.

For teams of 7-14: two vans that safely transport at least 7 people each.

For teams of 15-16: three vans that transport at least 7 people each.

Your vehicles must be large enough to seat belt a 7 member team as well as carry several tools, a large chest cooler, and a water cooler to a worksite. A “team” includes both student and adult participants. Churches are responsible for all vehicle expenses, including gas. Drivers must be 25 or older.

Required Adult Leadership

You must bring 1 same-gender adult for every 5 same-gender students. You must round up in all cases. In other words, if you have 6 female students, you must bring 2 female adults. If you are bringing both male and female students you must bring both male and female adult leaders.

Adult leaders from churches must be at least 21 years of age and may only participate if the church has met the required number of adults who are eligible drivers. Minimum age for eligible driver is 25 years of age.

Adult Background Checks

In the interest of safety for all students, the Jeremiah Project requires that your adult leaders successfully complete two background checks (JP requires the same of its staff - 18 years & older ).  Please carefully review our Child Protection Policy for more details.

Preparation for JP

Jeremiah Project will provide study materials for your group to use in preparation for your work camp experience. We require each group to complete the study sessions so that each participant can be fully prepared for the work camp experience.

Safety

Middle school students will not be allowed to operate power saws, and safety will be emphasized throughout the work week.

Work Camp Application