Adult and Youth participants witness their faith and obedience when they reach out to those in need through home repair. This loving action touches clients deeply. Work teams are encouraged to make a personal connection with the client and many clients share their own faith-building stories with the work team. This personal connection will be remembered long after the paint begins to fade and the grass grows back. Often there are tears of joy and sadness when it is time to say good-bye.

Participants are divided into work teams of four to six youth with one adult for the weekend’s work. Faith in Action youth and adults work together to provide repairs and construction of porches, windows, handrails, floors, ceilings, steps, and other areas of need. They also paint and do yard work. At each site Faith in Action addresses the greatest needs that are within our capability. Clients may provide any materials they wish so they will feel part of the work being done. Faith in Action will supply all other materials within our budget.

Local churches host the work camps and serve as a base for operations. Participants eat, sleep, and worship in the church. Sleeping quarters are usually in Sunday School classrooms with 10-15 youth and at least two adults in each room, with separate quarters for males and females. Breakfast and supper are served daily, and participants pack a sack lunch for the noon meal at the work site.  Shower facilities are off-site (usually a local high school or the LJ Recreation Center) and available in the afternoon when the work teams leave the work site.

FAITH IN ACTION is for those willing to do plain honest, sweaty, tiresome work to help others!  A few rules are needed since participants join with common goals of work, service and Christian fellowship.  The rules are to enhance the work camp experience and to help us build hope in our community and grow together.

It is impossible to cover every rule of safety and appropriate behavior, but the rules listed below are a few of the most basic guidelines necessary for a safe, enriching experience:

1. Faith in Action camps are for those that have set aside the time to attend the whole weekend. Adult and youth participation requires that the participant be able to participate the entire time of camp. Leaving at any time during the Camp is not permitted. Permission to leave for special circumstances or emergency must be approved by the camp director and youth’s emergency contact will be notified.

2. Everyone participates in all camp activities and events.

3. Once you are at camp, you cannot leave alone or as a group to go anywhere except where designated by Faith in Action. This mean no trips to Bucees, the beach, or anywhere else until camp is over.

4. Eating and drinking is allowed in the dining area ONLY! There is to be NO eating or drinking in the dorms, sanctuary, or any other area!

5. NO ONE is allowed in the kitchen except the kitchen workers or adult board members.

6. Girls are not allowed in the boy dorm area, boys are not allowed in the girl dorm area.

7. After “lights out”, you are not to leave your dorm room, except to go to the bath room, and then you are to immediately return to your dorm room. Also, while in your dorm, please respect others and remember that they are there to sleep and get much needed rest.

8. Nametags are to be worn at all times.

9. One must be 21 yrs or older to serve as a Work Team Adult.

10. Adults should remain with their work team at all times.

11. Focus on ensuring Christian values in ALL aspects of fun and work!

12. Worship should be emphasized as an integral part of each camp.

13. Concerned effort should be made by the Director and adult leaders to blend all participants to unify the camp. Focusing on things we agree on, not things we disagree on.

14. Camp Directors and adults are responsible for ensuring that the youth feel involved and a part of the camp group.

15. Small work teams should always travel together. This includes going to showers. This is the only way we can ensure that everyone is accounted for.

16. Paint fights are prohibited due to environmental concerns, cost of paint, and the negative perception of the public.

17. Cell phones are not allowed while working at the camp sites. Supervising adults are allowed to have cell phones for emergencies and contacting runner drivers, etc. for materials.

18. Guests are not permitted to come and go and visit those who are working.

19. Radios, ipods, portable dvd players, or other electronics are not allowed. Music is not to be played at the worksite.

20. Alcohol, non-prescription drugs, and tobacco products are not permitted.

21. No weapons (including knives) of any kind are allowed at FAB camps. If you have any in your possession, turn them in NOW, and they will be returned to you on Sunday morning. If you do not turn them in now, and you are later found with one, it will be taken from you and it may, or may not be returned to you, and your parents or guardians may, or may not be called to come and pick you up.

22. Anyone vandalizing any property at a Faith in Action camp will be held responsible. This includes church, vehicles, personal items, and client homes.

23. Do not give t-shirts, buttons, caps, or anything with a Faith in Action logo to a client. This prevents the possibility of future misuse by unauthorized people.

24. All adults are responsible for enforcing the rules.

Site Safety

1. Do not eat or drink anything from the client. Do not drink the water or eat anything that you did not bring with you.

2. If anyone has to go to the bathroom, everyone goes. Stay together at all times.

3. Extra work on sites that is not listed on the client sheet MUST be approved by the Camp Director or Site Coordinator.

4. Be aware of all electrical wires that are hanging down at a work site.

5. Do not operate any equipment that you are unfamiliar with.

6. Safety Kits will be carried in each vehicle used at camp.

7. DO NOT EVER pet any dogs or cats (or any other animal) at any of the work sites. Even nice dogs bite when they get scared!

8. Do not put your hands, or any other body part, into any hole, or space. You don’t know what can be in there!

9. Use safety on ladders and roofs. Make sure structure is secure.

10. Be wise! No horseplay on site!

11. Wear safety equipment when operating power tools.

12. Pick up tools when you leave the area you are working. Don’t leave a hazard for others. Pick up after yourself. (plate, cups, candy wrappers, etc.)

13. Someone will bring you a frozen towel during the day. PLEASE return this towel at the end of the day. We wash and re-use these towels. They are not disposables!

Vehicle Rules
1. No one under the age of 21 may drive a vehicle at camp except in emergency
2. No one may ride in the back of a pick up truck or trailer. All people must ride inside the vehicle with seat belts buckled at all times.
3. All safe driving procedures must be observed and drivers must have and provide a current driver’s license and insurance.

Dress
1. Everyone must dress conservatively and appropriately.
2. Long Pants & Old Shirt are encouraged for work site
3. Shirts must be worn on site at all times. No sleeveless shirts. No tummies showing!
4. No one may wear clothes with objectionable advertising (such as alcohol).
5. Shorts worn should be no shorter that 9” from the top of the knee. However, jeans are better on the work site.
6. Fully Closed Shoes or Tennis Shoes (no Crocs or Flip Flops)
7. Hats/Caps and Gloves are encouraged for protection
8. Both girls and boys should wear a appropriate clothing to sleep in. Shorts or sleep pants for everyone in addition to a t-shirt for girls. (in case of emergency during the night which requires evacuation).
9. If we are swimming at camp, all bathing suits MUST be one piece! If you do not have a one piece, you must wear a dark colored tee shirt over a 2 piece.
10. Insect Repellent/Sun Screen (optional)