MEDIA ADVISORY: The Diocese of Arlington will sponsor WorkCamp, a week-long volunteer program for high school students in Northern Virginia from June 21-27.
WorkCamp will bring together more than 700 students and close to 500 adult volunteers who will work on numerous sites in the Shenandoah region of the diocese. From Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27 volunteers will work on more than 100 projects in seven jurisdictions: the city of Harrisonburg, as well as Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren, Clarke, Frederick and Page counties.
The projects are geared toward helping make homes warmer, safer and drier. They will also help many seniors 'age in place.' The total value of the work performed is expected to be more than $1.5 million.
Specific examples of the projects include:
- Replacing or repairing more than 100 windows and 12 doors
- Rebuilding or repairing 65 decks and egress stairs to provide a safe exit
- Constructing or repairing four ADA compliant wheelchair ramps
- Coating and sealing 13 mobile home roofs to protect from deterioration
- Completing 10 flooring projects
- Replacing seven shingle roofs for protection from the elements
WorkCamp students will sleep at North Fork Middle School in Quicksburg, Va. Diocesan workers construct numerous temporary showers for the students to clean up at the end of the day.
Volunteers have been preparing for the WorkCamp projects for months, learning how to use carpentry and other equipment and fundraising to help offset expenditures. The students come from 39 parishes throughout the diocese.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington will be on-site with the teen volunteers on Tuesday, June 24.
A video montage illustrating some of the work done at last year's successful WorkCamp can be seen here.
Media interested in covering WorkCamp and visiting students at various work sites should contact Mary Shaffrey, Director of Media Relations, 703-841-2517 or [email protected]
