Who can attend as a Student Participant?
All incoming freshmen through outgoing seniors can participate as student work camp participants. Any students who recently graduated high school who are 18 years old need to complete VIRTUS training prior to attending Work Camp.
What about college aged students?
Young adults who have been out of high school for a full year and are not over 21 are considered Young Adults. They pay the same fee as Student participants and must have completed VIRTUS training. They are not allowed to drive or act as official chaperones, but they may certainly serve and help at Work Camp.
What if a Student Participant drops out?
All $50 deposits are non-refundable. If a student drops out prior to the registration deadline in May they will not owe the remaining payment. Once registration has closed, all participants are responsible to pay the full amount. This is because the Work Camp itself will have already begun spending money on housing, food, supplies and programming that cannot be recouped.
What if I have a friend that wants to attend at the last minute?
That decision will be made between the Parish Stakeholder and the Director. It is all dependent upon whether there is room and funds remaining to add additional participants after the May deadline.
What are the requirements for adult crew leaders (chaperones)?
One adult is required for every five teens who are participating in the WorkCamp. Parishes need to provide chaperones that match the gender of the participants. For example, if a parish brings both male and female teens, there should be male and female chaperones. Crew leaders are responsible for looking out for the well-being of all teen participants both at home base and at work sites.
Knowledge of home improvement is not needed to serve in this role. Because of the work being done, adults should be able to work in environments that do not have air conditioning and be able to lift light-weight items. Crew leaders must be at least 25 years old and be approved to drive by the Archdiocese.
An adult leader/Stakeholder from each parish is required to attend an orientation meeting; dates and locations to be announced later.
Each adult crew leader must be in compliance with the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policies, which includes completing the following:
What are the requirements for contractors? What is a contractor?
Contractors are men and women with special skill in home repair who will serve as troubleshooters for various work crews throughout the week. Parishes are encouraged to invite suitably experienced individuals to serve as contractors. Contractors must be VIRTUS approved. Contractors are not required to stay overnight, but will have the option for overnight accommodations at home base. Contractors must attend one required meeting in the spring. The date and location of this meeting will be announced later.
What kind of transportation is needed?
Transportation to and from Work Camp is the responsibility of each parish to coordinate. Additionally, adult participants will be responsible for transporting their work crews to and from work sites each day during Work Camp. For every 5 teen participants from each parish, 1 vehicle (a mini-van with 7 functioning seatbelts or a SUV with 7-8 seatbelts) is required. Please keep in mind that space will be needed for the participants’ work gear and Work Camp supplies both to and from the work sites.
What do parishes need to bring?
Each parish must provide a van for every 5 teen participants (see above).
Each parish is also asked to bring a supply of general tools with them. This may include items like paint brushes and rollers, post hole diggers, wasp spray, shovels, etc. A detailed list of parish tools will be provided in the spring.
Each parish is also asked to bring fans, drying racks, and a number of 5-gallon water coolers. The final number of coolers will correspond to the number of teens the parish brings.
Collecting tools to borrow for WorkCamp from parishioners is both a great way to involve the entire parish and to eliminate the need to purchase tools.
For more information, take a look at this flyer.
What do Work Campers need to bring?
All Work Campers (teens and adults) are required to wear sturdy work boots on the job site. Boots must have sturdy soles and cover the ankles—tennis or running shoes are not permitted on the worksites). Participants must also bring OSHA approved eye protection, work gloves, and a water bottle. Work Campers are also encouraged to bring the following personal tools: Philips and standard screwdrivers, hammer, and tape measure.
Modest dress for all is required. No sleeveless t-shirts or short shorts are allowed. Personal electronic devices are to be left in their rooms. A complete list of what to bring and what not to bring will be provided in the spring.
Participants must bring linens or a sleeping bag. Don't forget your pillow. Participants must also bring a towel and individual shower items.
How do Parishes prepare their teens for Work Camp?
Materials will be provided to help facilitate preparation for participating in Work Camp. Preparation materials will cover tool safety, what to expect at Work Camp and on the work site, what to pack, and how to prepare spiritually for the week, to name a few topics. Participating parishes will coordinate parish meetings to cover this material prior to Work Camp such as a mandatory Tool Training.
Are volunteers needed?
YES! In order to have a successful week at Work Camp we need the help of many volunteers to assist us with everything that takes place each day. We ask participating parishes to let parishioners know about volunteer opportunities related to Work Camp.
My parish is not planning on attending this year’s Work Camp, but how can we help?
There are several ways in which parishes can help support the Baltimore WorkCamp:
The Baltimore Work Camp is organized by St. Anthony's Shrine located Emmitsburg, MD.
All incoming freshmen through outgoing seniors can participate as student work camp participants. Any students who recently graduated high school who are 18 years old need to complete VIRTUS training prior to attending Work Camp.
What about college aged students?
Young adults who have been out of high school for a full year and are not over 21 are considered Young Adults. They pay the same fee as Student participants and must have completed VIRTUS training. They are not allowed to drive or act as official chaperones, but they may certainly serve and help at Work Camp.
What if a Student Participant drops out?
All $50 deposits are non-refundable. If a student drops out prior to the registration deadline in May they will not owe the remaining payment. Once registration has closed, all participants are responsible to pay the full amount. This is because the Work Camp itself will have already begun spending money on housing, food, supplies and programming that cannot be recouped.
What if I have a friend that wants to attend at the last minute?
That decision will be made between the Parish Stakeholder and the Director. It is all dependent upon whether there is room and funds remaining to add additional participants after the May deadline.
What are the requirements for adult crew leaders (chaperones)?
One adult is required for every five teens who are participating in the WorkCamp. Parishes need to provide chaperones that match the gender of the participants. For example, if a parish brings both male and female teens, there should be male and female chaperones. Crew leaders are responsible for looking out for the well-being of all teen participants both at home base and at work sites.
Knowledge of home improvement is not needed to serve in this role. Because of the work being done, adults should be able to work in environments that do not have air conditioning and be able to lift light-weight items. Crew leaders must be at least 25 years old and be approved to drive by the Archdiocese.
An adult leader/Stakeholder from each parish is required to attend an orientation meeting; dates and locations to be announced later.
Each adult crew leader must be in compliance with the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policies, which includes completing the following:
- VIRTUS
- Archdiocesan driver approval
What are the requirements for contractors? What is a contractor?
Contractors are men and women with special skill in home repair who will serve as troubleshooters for various work crews throughout the week. Parishes are encouraged to invite suitably experienced individuals to serve as contractors. Contractors must be VIRTUS approved. Contractors are not required to stay overnight, but will have the option for overnight accommodations at home base. Contractors must attend one required meeting in the spring. The date and location of this meeting will be announced later.
What kind of transportation is needed?
Transportation to and from Work Camp is the responsibility of each parish to coordinate. Additionally, adult participants will be responsible for transporting their work crews to and from work sites each day during Work Camp. For every 5 teen participants from each parish, 1 vehicle (a mini-van with 7 functioning seatbelts or a SUV with 7-8 seatbelts) is required. Please keep in mind that space will be needed for the participants’ work gear and Work Camp supplies both to and from the work sites.
What do parishes need to bring?
Each parish must provide a van for every 5 teen participants (see above).
Each parish is also asked to bring a supply of general tools with them. This may include items like paint brushes and rollers, post hole diggers, wasp spray, shovels, etc. A detailed list of parish tools will be provided in the spring.
Each parish is also asked to bring fans, drying racks, and a number of 5-gallon water coolers. The final number of coolers will correspond to the number of teens the parish brings.
Collecting tools to borrow for WorkCamp from parishioners is both a great way to involve the entire parish and to eliminate the need to purchase tools.
For more information, take a look at this flyer.
What do Work Campers need to bring?
All Work Campers (teens and adults) are required to wear sturdy work boots on the job site. Boots must have sturdy soles and cover the ankles—tennis or running shoes are not permitted on the worksites). Participants must also bring OSHA approved eye protection, work gloves, and a water bottle. Work Campers are also encouraged to bring the following personal tools: Philips and standard screwdrivers, hammer, and tape measure.
Modest dress for all is required. No sleeveless t-shirts or short shorts are allowed. Personal electronic devices are to be left in their rooms. A complete list of what to bring and what not to bring will be provided in the spring.
Participants must bring linens or a sleeping bag. Don't forget your pillow. Participants must also bring a towel and individual shower items.
How do Parishes prepare their teens for Work Camp?
Materials will be provided to help facilitate preparation for participating in Work Camp. Preparation materials will cover tool safety, what to expect at Work Camp and on the work site, what to pack, and how to prepare spiritually for the week, to name a few topics. Participating parishes will coordinate parish meetings to cover this material prior to Work Camp such as a mandatory Tool Training.
Are volunteers needed?
YES! In order to have a successful week at Work Camp we need the help of many volunteers to assist us with everything that takes place each day. We ask participating parishes to let parishioners know about volunteer opportunities related to Work Camp.
- Security, volunteers needed Tuesday-Saturday. Tasks: Check-in visitors at front desk; provide security in assigned locations as specific times.
- Medical staff, volunteers needed Tuesday-Sunday. Tasks: Nurses needed to assist participants as needed; coordinate distributions of prescriptions.
- Contractors, volunteers needed Wednesday-Saturday. Task: Troubleshoot for crews throughout the week. Contractors must have a good knowledge of general home repairs and be willing to work with a team of teens and adult participants
- Cleanup Crew, needed Sunday. Task: Assist in cleaning up home base at the end of Work Camp.
- Site Clean-up, needed Saturday. Task: Help remove debris from work sites; a large vehicle (pick-up truck) would be a special help.
My parish is not planning on attending this year’s Work Camp, but how can we help?
There are several ways in which parishes can help support the Baltimore WorkCamp:
- Pray. Pray for all the participants, parishes, volunteers, residents, and staff involved in Work Camp.
- Volunteer. Let your parish know about Work Camp, and ask if anyone would like to volunteer. We each have a unique set of gifts and talents and individuals may want to share theirs with the community. We are especially in need of volunteers with home improvement experience and knowledge.
- Collect Tools. Help support participating parishes by helping to collect tools needed for the work projects (lists will be available in the spring).
- Donate. Financial donations are always welcome, as are ‘in kind’ donations. Your parish can also sponsor a work project through a financial donation.
The Baltimore Work Camp is organized by St. Anthony's Shrine located Emmitsburg, MD.