CAMP JOY accepting applications

by Tracy Barnhart

CAMP JOY (Christian Appalachian Mission Project Joining Other Youth) is a mission of the Hancock United Methodist Church that gives youth an opportunity to improve the living conditions of those in need in the Tri-State area.

CAMP JOY is a two-week work camp founded in 1990 for the purpose of reaching out to the poor, elderly, and disabled residents of the Hancock and Berkeley Springs, corridor of Appalachia.

Each summer in July, members, youth, and retirees from churches in the Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsyl-vania, Virginia and West Virginia areas participate in one week of the two-week work camp.
Each church group is assigned to anywhere from one to six work sites during the week. Workers provide much needed services such as painting, deck repair, and building handicapped access, thereby enabling residents to remain in their homes.

Meals for the workers are free and are provided by members of local churches. Workers sleep in tents at Camp Harmison, a campground in the Berkeley Springs area that is owned and operated by the Area of Outdoor Ministries of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. Local merchants donate various amenities for participants as well as construction materials and supplies for the work sites.

CAMP JOY is currently accepting applications from homeowners in the following areas: Berkeley Springs, Great Cacapon, Paw Paw, Hancock and Warfordsburg. Home-owners must be lower income, elderly, or disabled residents that occupy a home in need of repair. The scope of work includes scraping, painting, caulking, yard clean up, deck repair, wheelchair ramps, etc. The work will be performed July 8-21, by youth and group leaders from various churches.

Applications may be obtained at the following locations: United Methodist churches in Berkeley Springs, Great Cacapon and Paw Paw; Senior Centers in Warfordsburg, Berkeley Springs and Paw Paw; Loaves and Fishes in Hancock (Pennsylvania Ave. and High St.); and the Hancock Town Hall. Applications will be accepted through May 28 and will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

CAMP JOY is a wonderful outreach that allows people of all ages to work together for the benefit of others, and has touched the lives of so many – both participants and homeowners.
If any questions, call the Hancock United Methodist Church at 301-678-6440.