Teens registering for work projects at Calhoun High
P. J. Moore (L) CRI and Amanda Friedl (R) Camp Director
By Bob Weaver
A faith-based group of 400 students from around the country have come to Calhoun
County to help with home repair. The Group Work camp is being sponsored by CRI to
help property owners with everything from painting and roof repair to wheelchair
ramps and weatherization.
They are "camping out" at Calhoun Middle/High School, all over the building.
The students began arriving Sunday evening, and yesterday they were divided into
work groups of six and sent to 48 work sites. One adult is with each crew.
The 14 to 18-year-old students are from various churches, but they have been
coming together for 25 years for the faith-based project. Some participants have
been coming for five years, others are new to the venture.
Fiesta Time (L to R) Jason Schroeder, Kevin Clarke,
Frank Hall and Mike Bailey
from Crystal Lake, NJ
Checkers and food
P. J. Moore, Director of Community Resources in Grantsville said "This has been an
exciting start. All this energy." Moore has been working for two years to bring the
week-long work camp to Calhoun.
She said the kids pay $400 to participate in the program and pay their own travel
expenses. They arrived in vans, buses and private cars. CRI raised $17,000 from
Sisters of St. Joseph Charities and the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation.
Those funds will pay for purchasing paint and materials, in addition to hiring
personnel for the kitchen and building.
After the work day, food becomes important
A number of Cahoun cooks are working two shifts
"Residents obtain the services free," said Moore. "They are a highly organized
group."
Moore said the group came to Calhoun sometime in the early 1990s. They are
well-known around West Virginia for their work.
The groups internal goal is to "Help young people grow closer to God through
meaningful service to others," while helping the elderly, disabled, or economically
disadvantaged get repairs they might have difficulty obtaining.
Over 125,000 teenagers have participated in the work camps. This summer the
Loveland, Colorado based organization is conducting camps at 72 sites in North
America.
"The people of Calhoun have opened their arms to these kids," said Moore. "It is
quite a deal for all of us."
Staff planning work duties
Close sleeping quarters at Calhoun Middle/High School
After the meal, kids participate in evening progams
"How was your day?"
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