Summer 2021 Youth Mission Opportunities

Appalachia Youth Mission for 9^th-12^th graders, July 18-24, 2021

Come help with home repairs in the rural mountain coal community of Hurley, VA, hard hit by the economic impacts of the pandemic. Many residents in this community live in mobile homes that require significant maintenance. We’ll work with Hurley Community Development Inc. to swing hammers, build ramps, clean up debris, and much more. Your care and concern for your neighbors is just one way you convey Christ’s love in this world

Our days will be full of physical labor and rewarding work projects, and evenings will be filled with relaxation, fellowship, worship, and education
Chaperones will drive students to Appalachia and accompany them for this week-long experience. Parents are also welcome to drive their child separately and participate in the mission as a parent chaperone
For COVID safety we’ll sleep in separate hotel rooms, spend lots of time outside, and abide by CDC guidelines for masking and social distancing throughout the experience. If guidelines change, so may aspects of our trip, so we’ll continue to remain flexible while prioritize the safety of all participants and our mission partners
At the end of the week, we’ll spend a day at Breaks Interstate Park for some recreation and adventure before returning to Richmond.
Youth can earn up to 20 hours of community service hours
Older youth unable to attend the Appalachia mission are welcome to participate in the Mini-Mission instead
Cost = $575 (If you’re participating with a sibling or parent, the price drops to $450 per person for double occupancy)

Mini-Mission for current 5^th-8^th graders, July 16-18, 2021

Come work in the fields harvesting crops as we partner with Harvest of Hope to “glean” crops to donate to local food banks
Gleaning is a practice that comes from the Old Testament as a way of helping those in poverty or struggling with hunger
For COVID safety, we’ll do this as a “Family-based” experience where youth will sleep at home and parents provide transportation and can join in the gleaning too
We’ll have team gatherings throughout the weekend for fellowship, education, and worship
Older youth unable to attend the Appalachia mission are welcome to participate in the Mini-Mission
COST = $20 per student and $20 per parent