By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 3/10/05)

After spending several years rebuilding in Montross on the Northern Neck, WorkCamp will return to Madison County June 25 through July 1 to repair the houses of needy families and strengthen the faith of teenagers.

"It’s wonderful to be helping the less fortunate," said Kevin Bohli, director of the diocesan Youth Office, "but our main focus is (on) bringing young people to Christ."

Three hundred youths from 28 parishes will spend the week in Madison County, sleeping on the floor of Wetsel Middle School. Each morning will begin with Mass before the 50 crews spend their days building wheelchair ramps, repairing ceilings and roofs or fixing heating systems in more than 60 homes.

"We do WorkCamp because it’s a great opportunity for young people to discover Christ in themselves and in others," Bohli said. "Our response to the Gospel has to be to ‘wash the feet’ (of others) and that’s why we go."

Catholic performer Steve Angrisano will return to WorkCamp this year to perform in the nightly prayer and praise activities. Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will be present on June 28 to celebrate Mass.

While they won’t do any work rebuilding until this summer, the youths are already hard at work to raise the funds necessary to attend WorkCamp. It costs the Youth Office approximately $150,000 each year. About $100,000 is spent finding the work sites and paying for the repairs. Each participant must contribute $400 to cover food, housing and the retreat-style evening programs. The annual Bishop’s Lenten Appeal contributes $25,000 to WorkCamp each year.

How do these youths raise $400 to go to WorkCamp? "You name it," Bohli said. While there are the usual pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners, some parishes get more creative.

Bohli said nail sales have been effective. For a donation, youths sell nails with prayer cards attached and promise to pray for the purchaser who will also pray for them. In some parishes, Bohli said this can raise thousands of dollars.

St. Raymond Parish in Fairfax Station not only raises money, but also teaches tool safety while building a picnic table that is then raffled off to the parish. Last year the raffle raised more than $7,000 — enough money to send the entire crew from St. Raymond.

While registration has been filled for youths, the Youth Office is still looking for adult volunteers, college-aged and older, to help as group leaders, security and kitchen staff as well as experienced nurses and contractors.

For more information or to volunteer call the Youth Office at 703/841-2559.