Registration for Diocesan Work Camp is open now!
What is the Diocesan Work Camp?
The Diocesan Work Camp is a weeklong camp experience for high school youth to serve our brothers and sisters in need by making their homes safer, warmer, and drier while also having the opportunity to grow in our Catholic faith.
Work Camp is not just a youth event! It is an opportunity for parishes to make a difference in the lives of those in need right here in our diocese while encouraging youth to answer their baptismal call to serve others. It is a transformative experience in the life of the adults who assist as well, whether as a volunteer, contractor, or chaperone.
Who should attend Work Camp?
Work Camp is open to all high school-aged youth (rising 9th graders through graduated 12th graders). The week requires that youth give of themselves to serve others and to grow spiritually. It will be a challenging week that will provide many learning opportunities for participants and will push them both physically and spiritually. Throughout the week they will be living in intentional Christian community and will spend most days serving others by repairing and updating homes.
Where and when is the Diocesan Work Camp?
The Diocesan Work Camp will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025, through Friday, June 27, 2025 in the area surrounding Bristol and Abingdon. The work projects will take place in the surrounding communities. Saint Anne Catholic School in Bristol will serve as our home base where participants and adults will sleep, eat, and participate in evening programming.
What is the structure of Work Camp?
Each day of Work Camp will have a full schedule of events. Below you will find a brief overview of the activities for the week.
Saturday: Arrival, Check-In, Opening Program
Sunday: Mass, Teambuilding, Work Site Visit
Monday – Wednesday: Daily Mass, Work Day on Site, Evening Program
Thursday: Daily Mass, Work Day on Site, Dinner with Residents, Evening Program
Friday: Daily Mass, Closing Program, Departure
Youth will have the opportunity to serve alongside other youth from across the diocese during the week. We will spend some time getting to know each other and learning how to work as a team. We will also review general safety and instructions and have the opportunity to prepare for the specific site locations. Each day we will celebrate Mass together. At various points throughout the week, there will be the opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation. Evening program will have a wide variety of components and will be geared towards helping participants encounter Christ through sacraments, prayer, the people they serve, and their peers. Each day there will also be the opportunity for each parish to gather to process the experiences of the day.
Due to the structure of the week all participants must be able to attend the whole week of Work Camp. Full participation is expected from check-in time on Saturday until after the closing programming on Friday.
For the duration of their time at Work Camp youth will not be allowed to have a cell phone, iPad, or laptop. This decision has been made to increase youth engagement and participation.
I'm an adult and want to go to Work Camp. What does that look like?
Adult volunteers are the key to making this all happen! Adults can serve in one of three roles: Chaperone, Home Base Volunteer, or Contractor.
Adult Chaperones are responsible for looking out for the well-being of youth participants both at home base and at the work sites. Knowledge of home improvement is not needed to serve in this role. Because of the work we will be doing, adults should be able to work in environments that do not have air conditioning, be able to lift light-weight items, and be able to drive. Chaperones must be 21 years old before the beginning of Work Camp.
Home Base Volunteers serve in various roles at home base such as Work Camp set-up and clean-up, kitchen assistance, running team building activities, performing office related tasks, running errands, etc. Home Base Volunteers must be at least 20 years old before the beginning of Work Camp. Individuals in this role cannot serve as a chaperone or a contractor. Home Base Volunteers are required to serve from Friday afternoon, June 20 to Friday, June 27, 2025. They will need separate transportation from their parish vehicles and will need to arrive at 2pm on June 20, 2025.
Contractors are adults who have home improvement knowledge, skills, and experience and are willing to teach and assist youth in completing work projects during Work Camp. Potential Contractors will need to be approved by the Work Camp Coordinator and the lead Contractors before they can serve in this role in order to ensure the safety of all participants, residents, and potential contractors. A brief phone interview by the diocese's Lead Contractor may be required for approval. Contractors will be asked to provide their own transportation and specialty tools needed for their work site.
Contractors are required Saturday, June 21 through Friday, June 27, 2025. Contractors will have the option for having overnight accommodations provided at the home base location. Contractors are not required to stay overnight. There will be a required Contractors meeting that will happen in the spring.
All adults (chaperones, contractors, and home base volunteers) must be in compliance with the Diocesan Safe Environment Policies, which includes completing the following:
- Screening One
- VIRTUS training (Protecting God’s Children)
- VIRTUS Renewal (Healthy Boundaries, every 5 years)
How do I sign up?
Registration forms are below! Work Camp is $425 for youth participants and adult chaperones. Register by March 14th to get the early bird special of $375! There is no fee for home base volunteers and contractors!
Youth Registration Adult Chaperone Registration Home Base Volunteer Registration Contractor Registration