Henderson Settlement
Work Camp Handbook

(Note: this document is available for download in .pdf format by clicking the Forms button)

Workcamp serves two purposes in conjunction with our ministry here in the Laurel Fork Valley of Southeastern Kentucky.

First (and primarily) it serves as an opportunity to educate the church in the area of missions in particular. Loving and serving are mission concepts that work more effectively when there are faces and names to go with them. When stereotypes and prejudices are broken down; when we realize how fortunate we are; when our world and culture collide with another, different world that is just as real and just as valid. Loving and serving quickly replace sympathy and pity when there is personal, intimate contact. Come to learn, to love, and understand our people.

Secondly, workcamp often serves as the bridge between dreams and reality for mountain families. A roof that doesn't leak, floors without holes, running water, hot water, steps, decks and porches‑ for entry access and ‑a way to escape the heat from the house during the late afternoon, windows that will keep out the cold winter wind ... all these and more are problems that many have no resources with which to deal. Workcamp extends this vital service to the community through adopting projects and raising the money to purchase the materials over and above registration fees for the week. Projects on the Settlement campus can also be adopted and funded to enable us to accomplish what needs to be done within a very limited budget.

The key words and concepts for our Workcamp are serving and learning - learning by serving. Let me tell you ahead of time what we are not. We are not a Christian Coney Island or Disneyland with attendants at every ride to supervise your every activity and ensure a good time". We are not a summer Youth Camp where recreation is a priority (although our facilities provide ample opportunity for swimming, volleyball, basketball, tennis, hiking, horseshoes). We are not a "spiritual retreat in terms of organized Bible studies, group discussions, or structured classes.
Your week here is a chance to experience a different culture and its people and hopefully gain insights into the definition of mission. We are here to accept the community people as they are and minister to them within the context of their culture and needs. This is not to imply that we are rigid and heavy‑handed with the program. We enjoy different, sincere questions meant to gain understanding. We are open to suggestions ‑ many of our recent changes have been based on input from groups.

Our emphasis here is on the attitude that your group brings with it. The attitude you come with will determine the type of week you have. We offer learning by serving. Learning comes in many forms ‑‑ through good times and bad, frustration and joy, success and failure, questions and answers (incomplete answers sometimes), trusting and giving of yourself. We don't plan pain and frustration for you, but sometimes it happens, whether it's the heat or rain or the family you adopted or the food or whatever. These are still opportunities to learn about your mission agency, the community and yourself. We welcome you as you come to learn through serving.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
We welcome youth, adults, college, intergenerational, district and conference groups. We discourage groups from bringing children under 13 (unless prior arrangements have been made). Accommodations permit us to house up to 120 people per week. Most groups average 15‑20. Larger groups may be scheduled as long as there is adequate space available. ONE ADULT WORKER IS REQUIRED FOR EACH FIVE YOUTHS.

Please prepare yourselves and your group for the week you will spend here. The ride on the way down is NOT soon enough. As soon as you know you are coming, start preparing. Read books and/or discuss missions. (Night comes to the Cumberlands by Harry Caudill is excellent reading on Appalachia. A trip to the library for information about your type of work project is a good idea, too.) Watch films, set up possible situations that can occur in a cross‑culture setting. Try to determine why you want to make this trip (to keep an eye on a boyfriend/girlfriend, getting away from Mom & Dad, or wanting to grow by experiencing something different?) The counselors are the key to determining the attitude and achievements for the week. (Will you be ambitious and accomplish more than you dreamed, or will you do only as much as you must and lead the group to mediocrity?) Counselors are responsible for their behavior and participation in activities. Looking over the past summers it is painfully obvious which counselors prepared and led their groups, and which ones simply acted as chaperone. Your group will rise to the level you set and maintain for them.

Curfew, schedules, activities, rules, registration and covenant are enclosed and are to be read and signed by all participants (to indicate willingness to comply) and returned to us!

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The key to community involvement is to adopt a project in the community.

People in the community come to the Mission to fill out applications for work to be done on their homes. We develop a project list of work to be done in the Community (and also on the Settlement) which is then sent to all those who have registered for workcamp. Groups "adopt" a project, raise money for the materials, then come and complete it. While not all groups can do community projects, many can and it is the best way to experience the wonderful people here. Please consider your project in light of our real life situations. A mobile home trailer with 8‑10 years of life left doesn't need a 20 year roof. We don't have 1‑2 foot snows and thus don't need to frame to those specs. Consider the budget of the project ‑ funds are limited. Nevertheless, do your best. Part of poverty, other than waiting, is having to make do with what you have. Do as good a job as you would on your own home even if it isn't the way you would do it. An important part of our ability to do missions work and serve as a ministry within this community are the facilities which exist here on the campus of Henderson Settlement. These programs and facilities depend heavily upon workcamp groups which choose to minister to the community through improving or repairing facilities here on campus. We recommend that first time groups (with regard to work programs) take a serious look at this option in their initial year.

FREE DAY
Wednesday is our Free Day/Appalachian Day. We have crafters demonstrating their skills, some of which include hands ‑ on involvement, a community van trip into the "hollers", and a host of local parks and recreation areas. And of course, there is always the pool!

Breakfast and Supper are served to workcampers on Wednesday but NOT lunch.

A list of area attractions is also available on request. Any group leaving the Mission must return before 10 p.m.

COST, ACCOMMODATIONS, MEALS

SUMMER (JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST):
$185 per sperson if staying at the Frakes site or $180 per person if staying at the White Oak site from Sunday evening to Saturday morning. This covers all lodging, meals, supervision, recreation facilities and programmed evening activities. The Sunday evening meal will be available on Sundays to only those groups which register for the meal ahead of time. The meal will be cold cut sandwiches only and will be served at 6:30pm. Otherwise groups should plan ahead for Sunday evening meals and snacks before arrival. Groups should also plan to arrive between 12 noon and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays, with orientation taking place at 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening.

FALL, WINTER, SPRING:
$160.00 for both Frakes and White Oak facilities per person from Sunday evening to Saturday morning. This covers all lodging, meals, supervision, and special events at the Settlement.

Lodging for workcamps is in the missions dormitory which is a new facility opened in 1998. There are handicapped bathroom facilities (with showers). Married couples should pack separately since they will be staying in different quarters.

All groups are fed in our central dining hall. Cost for food is included in the total workcamp fee. Three nutritious meals are served each day except for Wednesday lunch. A sack breakfast is prepared for Saturday morning.

REGISTRATION FEE
$100 is required as a nonrefundable group deposit to reserve your week, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. One half of the total fee is required by March 15th for summer groups registering 25 or fewer people. Groups which register more than 25 people are required to pay half of registration fee for the first 25 and the total fee ($150 ea.) for every person over the first 25 by March 15th, and the balance one month before your work week. If full amount for each person over the first 25 is not received by March 15th your group number will reduce to twenty‑five. We will maintain a waiting list in case of cancellations. Confirmation of your reservation will be sent upon receipt of the reservation fee. The total number of participants should be indicated on the registration form and the breakdown of male and female should be kept as nearly equal as is possible. If a group is very one ‑ sided in gender please let us know as early as possible.

We accept applications and make reservations (with deposit) on a first come, first served basis. It is best to register early. No reservation is confirmed until the $100 deposit is received.

WHAT NOT TO BRING
DO NOT BRING radios, tape players, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or fire works.
Do not plan to do laundry while at Henderson Settlement. Adequate water and laundry facilities are not available except in emergencies. We do not have public washers. Plan to bring an adequate supply of clothing or visit a laundromat in Middlesboro (30 miles) on your free day.

WHAT TO BRING
PERSONAL ITEMS: Sleeping bag/bed roll, linens, pillow, towels, washcloths, soap, shower shoes, etc. Work clothes (enough for a week of dirt and sweat), boots (workshoes), gloves, raingear, jacket, swimwear, toilet paper (if you will) and trash bags. (Please bring only modest clothing). Bibles, notebook, pencil, camera, film, flashlight, musical instrument (if desired), insect repellent, large thermos - (1/2 to 1 gallon), plus materials for skits, singing and devotions.

HAND TOOLS:
Hammers, saws, drills, masonry tools shovels. If you adopt a special project, a tool list will be provided so you can come equipped. Many groups have chosen to donate their tools when they leave and you may wish to consider this also. If adopting a Community Project, it is requested that you bring pick‑ups or vans for transporting people and materials to your work site. If this is impossible, please let us know well in advance. Charter buses are not much help getting you to a site on a back road.

INSURANCE/MEDICAL FORMS
Each group must provide its own medical and accident insurance. Henderson Settlement cannot provide this coverage and is not liable for any stolen or damaged items. Valuables can be stored in the safe upon request. Workcampers are not insured to drive Settlement vehicles.

A medical release form is enclosed.

Copies should be made for every workcamper under age 18 and KEPT IN THE GROUP LEADERS POSSESSION. Do not send them to us. If you have a wreck on the way here you must have a release form with you to get medical treatment for a minor. It is recommended that tetanus shots be obtained or date of last tetanus given recorded. All allergies should be recorded.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

• DEVOTIONS: Morning devotions are held each morning at 7:00 am. Groups should come prepared to lead at least one morning devotion the week.
• GYM SHOES: Anyone who wants. to play in the gym MUST bring a separate pair of gym shoes only for that purpose. You must CARRY in the shoes in which you play, they may not be worn into the gym.
• DIETARY NEEDS: Please let us know well in advance if anyone in your group has special dietary needs (including vegetarians).
• GLOVES: You should bring your own gloves. We may have some used gloves but campers should be prepared.

CLOSING COMMENTS
The Appalachian Mountains extend from Canada to Alabama so there can be no single culture or stereotype ‑of the mountain people. Stereotypes and prejudices fall apart when individuals, families, and communities are experienced personally. As unique as snowflakes and as everyday as old shoes, you will find real people wherever you visit.

We have roads, stores, cable and satellite dishes, school, and even Nintendo! We also have mass unemployment, water problems, minimal health care and isolation. Lack of opportunity to pursue and achieve goals taken for granted elsewhere hangs over the mountains like the morning mist. Many of the people here are descendants of the original settlers and are fiercely proud, yet are in great need and living in terrible conditions. Often the "Poor" are seen as somehow inferior, as though their personal worth determined their "net worth". Shedding that point of view is sometimes the hardest thing a visitor has to do, much harder than pouring concrete or bailing hay.

We hope that workcampers will go home with the understanding of both the diversity and the commonality of all people, and a fresh perspective on their own life situations.

GROUP REGISTRATION FORM:

HENDERSON SETTLEMENT, INC.
PO BOX 205
FRAKES, KY 40940

Group and/or Church Name _____________________________________________________________
Church/school address ________________________________________________________________
Telephone # _________________________________________________________________________
Adult counselor in charge ______________________________________________________________
Home address _______________________________________________________________________
Telephone # _________________________________________________________________________
Date Desired _________________________________________________________________________
Alternate Date _______________________________________________________________________

Have you had a previous workcamp (volunteer in mission) experience at Henderson
Settlement?
Yes _________  No ________  If yes, what year? _______________________ # of yrs._____

We will eat Sunday evening meal: ‑Yes ______________________ No__________________________

Number in group_ Adults_________________ Youth_________ Male ‑ Female___________________

FEES: Reservation deposit ‑ $100

Summer workcamp ‑                                                        Spring/Fall workcamp
Frakes, $185 per person                                                 Frakes, $160 per person
White Oak, $180 per person                                           Whiite Oak, $160 per person

Amount of deposit: $______________________________

We understand this is a firm commitment and we agree to pay the full amount for the number listed even if all do not participate in the workcamp. We also agree to pay for any damage or breakage which may occur due to misuse or misconduct of any member of our group.

Signature of group leader_______________________________________________________________

Roster of Workcamp participants

Name of Church: ____________________________________________________________________________

City and State: _____________________________________________________________________________

Arrival Date: _______________________________________________________________________________

List of participants:
Please list adults first. PRINT or TYPE. Use additional sheet if necessary.
                                                                                 

Please send to the workcamp director at least two weeks prior to your arrival

WORKCAMP RULES AND GUIDELINES

Each member should sign and return the following Covenant to Henderson Settlement before arriving. Team leader: collect and keep the insurance card for possible use, if needed.

COVENANT ‑ ADULT/YOUTH MISSION TRIP
Henderson Settlement 2006

Luke 10:27 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself."
As a member of the Adult/Youth Mission Trip to Henderson Settlement, I agree to love and respect others by following these guidelines:
HENDERSON WORKCAMP RULES

• No radios, tape players, drugs or alcohol
• No smoking in Settlement buildings or vehicles
• Don't wander off alone, or as couples
• Take quick, short showers to make sure water lasts all week
• Lock doors, turn off lights, heat, fans, etc. when leaving facilities
• Take trash to trash/garbage house(s) at Admin. Bldg. or Kitchen
• Save aluminum cans in separate boxes, bags or containers
• Clear your own table after eating, put items where directed
• Stay out of East side of Pig Barn (piglets)
• Check out tools from Tool Room
• Clean out paint brushes WELL so we can re‑use them
• Clean off shovels, rakes, picks, etc.
• Don't park in school parking lot
• We do have snakes. Don't be scared, just cautious
• Don't chase calves; don't pester the bull
• Report all injuries to W/C Director. Take serious injuries to clinic ASAP
• Limit telephone use to ten minutes
• Be cautious of the heavily used Hwy. 190 that passes through campus

‑ YOU MUST BRING A SEPARATE PAIR OF GYM SHOES IF YOU WANT TO PLAY IN THE GYM

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
                         DEVOTIONS:         7:00 each morning at Vespers Point
                                  MEALS:         Breakfast 7:30 am  Lunch 11:15 am     Supper 5:30 p.m.
                     WORK HOURS:         8:00 am to 4:30 p.m.
                             CURFEW*:         Sun‑Th: 10:30 p.m.   Fri, 11:00 p.m. 
                      LIGHTS OUT*:         Sun‑Th: 11:00 p.m. Fri. 11:30 p.m.
COUNSELORS MEETINGS: Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. Workcamp office
CRAFT SHOP HOURS: Mon‑Fri. 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday evening 8:00‑ 9:00 p.m.
*Curfew and lights out times MUST BE FOLLOWED to insure proper rest for those who need it.
BREAKING CURFEW will result in your leader contacting your parent to come pick you up and return you to your home.

Signature of Trip Member__________________ Signature of Parent: ____________________