Since 2008, St. Philip’s youth and adult chaperones have participated in Catholic Heart Workcamp. In 2008, 7 youth and 2 adult chaperones attended CHWC in Champagne, IL. Forty-one campers went to Toledo, Ohio in July of 2009, and in 2010 40 went to Providence, Rhode Island. This summer, 36 youth and adult chaperons will travel to Betsy Layne, Kentucky to continue their tradition of volunteering for a week with CHWC.
Adult and Young Adult Chaperones CHWC 2011 Providence, Rhode Island
HISTORY OF Catholic Heart Workcamp
Catholic Heart Workcamp began in Florida with a married couple who served as youth ministers in their home parish. Steve and Lisa Walker wanted to provide their own teen aged children and those in the parish with an experience of volunteering to serve others as Jesus did. They found there were many other Christian denominations offering work camps, but there was not one that was CATHOLIC. Therefore, they created a workcamp in 1993 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Winter Park, FL. The first year, there were 100 campers. Since then, CHWC has grown to 11,000 in the summer of 2010. CHWC’s vision for the future is clear, to listen closely to the Lord and continue to grow in the direction that God desires, after all, this is God’s creation and we are faithful stewards. We want to continue offering quality service camps, serve people in need, and spiritually enrich the lives of workcamp participants. Most importantly, CHWC wants to provide young people and those served opportunities to experience God’s love in a profound way!
CHWC’s Twofold MISSION
First: To share the love of Jesus and serve the neglected, brokenhearted and marginalized in any way needed. The Catholic HEART Workcamp mission is to revitalize communities and beautify homes for the elderly, disabled and those who cannot afford needed repairs. Our goal is to inspire participants to serve in their local communities.
Second: To empower participants to live as disciples of Christ through serving others. To foster the spiritual growth of each participant through the sacraments, Catholic faith sharing and prayer.