Volunteers at Sherwood Forest Camp’s 1st Trades Weekend
If you can use a paintbrush or a hammer, Sherwood Forest Camp can use your help.
I first stepped into Sherwood Forest Camp 25 years ago.
I stopped at a table in the middle of Brady Commons at Mizzou and met Mary Rogers, the camp director (now Executive Director). Mary was looking for college kids to work as counselors and program instructors. She hired me and I spent 3 summers helping children living in poverty discover their potential.
It was the hardest work I’ve ever done to this day. And the most rewarding.
Sherwood Forest Camp not only has shaped the lives of thousands of children, but it has taught many young adults working as staff important lessons that influenced the way they have lived their lives.
I was one of them.
About 4 years ago, Mary Rogers gave me a call after I found the camp’s Facebook page and asked me to join the Alumni Board. Fast forward to today…I’ve reconnected with so many people from the past, made new friends and volunteered 2 summers during the camp’s Mini-Camp session with the 1st and 2nd grade campers.
I’ve also volunteered the last 2 years during Trades Weekend.
The 3rd Annual Trades Weekend will be held April 12-14, 2013 at the camp in Lesterville, MO. During the weekend, much needed construction and maintenance projects will be completed that otherwise couldn’t be possible on the camp’s limited budget and manpower. Projects over the last 2 years have included roofing cabins and the dining hall, building wooden bunk beds, building a new cabin, replacing siding on older cabins, adding an addition to a storage cabin and adding a 2nd egress staircase to the barn loft.
This year’s major projects including painting all of the cabins in one of the villages, new roofs on more cabins and expanding a cabin which will provide the living space needed to increase the number of campers and staff.
Volunteers are needed who are skilled in construction trades, are good with a hammer or paintbrush, or simply have a strong back and are willing to help where ever is needed.
The camp also is in need of donated materials to complete the projects.
Volunteers should be prepared for 2 full days of work (Saturday and Sunday). Work starts early in the morning and lunch is provided at the work sites to maximize the time to get everything done. Volunteers are treated to chef prepared meals throughout the weekend. Evenings offer a chance to explore the beautiful campgrounds and sit around the campfire under the stars. There’s even a fabulous lake for fishing for those who want to come down on Friday afternoon.
I’ll be helping in the kitchen and with hospitality (I don’t do construction work). If you are interested in joining me, just leave a comment below or contact Sherwood Forest Camp directly here.
Here are some pictures I took from Trades Weekend 2011 & 2012.
