Reach Workcamps have offered mission opportunities for 18 years. Now, the organization is offering one free registration for any youth group that never has served with Reach.

Reach Workcamps are weeklong mission trips to which youth groups come from all over the country for the purpose of growing in their faith through service. During each workcamp, youth serve those in need by reaching out to others through home repair projects.

Reach Workcamps offer camps for junior and senior high-school students, actively encouraging participants to respond to God’s unfathomable love by adopting a lifestyle of service.

Annie L. Dodge of Reach Workcamps said the free registration is good toward any camp location and any size youth group and is redeemable at any time: One coupon per youth group, please!

Each workcamp consists of significant home repair, daily devotions, praise and worship music, meaningful dramas, videos and so much more.

The organization’s focus is on strengthening relationships, the most important being a personal relationship with the Lord, and equipping participants with the skills and opportunities necessary to impact their world for Jesus Christ.

Because the focus is on relationships, Reach staff members make certain all of the details of the camp are ready upon campers’ arrival, enabling adult leaders to focus on their youth and their growth. The same staff that organizes and prepares the camps will be present during the week to answer questions and be available to assist each youth group.

Each homeowner is referred to as “our neighbor,” based on Mark 12:31, in which Jesus talks about loving our neighbors as ourselves. The construction aim of each workcamp is to provide neighbors with a warmer, dryer and safer home. The projects include roofing, drywalling, painting and construction of wheelchair ramps and decks. Skillful volunteers and staff members ensure quality and safety at the worksites so that all of the participants have confidence in their work.

The workcamp also helps to restore lost pride and hope in the neighbors. In many cases, the repair work helps to reduce utility costs. It is a priority of each Reach Workcamp to establish positive relationships between the neighbors and workcampers. Reach workcampers are encouraged to spend time talking with and listening to the neighbors they are serving.

Programs, devotions and discussions are centered on Christ, His grace and transforming love. Live dramas engage the youth, as do the music, prayer, videos and discussions. Youth groups return home feeling challenged, encouraged and strengthened, so the ministry at home only continues to grow. After 18 years of workcamps, Reach is pleased to offer youth groups a consistently incredible opportunity to impact the lives of people in need while also being impacted for the greater good.

To take Annie up on her offer, contact her at adodge@reach.org.

Reach Workcamps’ 2010 locations include Greeley, Colo.; South Webster, Ohio; Galveston, Texas; Lockport, N.Y.; Warrenton, Va.; Windsor, Maine; Hurricane, W.V.; and Michigan City, Indiana.

Workcamps’ Web site at reachwc.org or call 1.888.REACH.WC. Be sure to request your free inquiry packet!

Also check out Reach Workcamps on Facebook and Twitter!