Group Workcamps Foundation
 | |
| Founded | Colorado (1977) |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Services | Christian youth mission trips, home repair |
| Fields | Christian ministry, Community service |
Key people | Thom Schultz |
| Website | http://www.groupworkcamps.com |
The Group Workcamps Foundation, often abbreviated as Group Workcamps or Group, is an international, ecumenical, volunteer, Christian youth mission trip organization that brings together youth (ages 10–20) and adults (ages 21+), usually representing individual church youth groups, for week-long summer work camps, in which participants repair or renovate homes in various communities throughout the world, especially in the United States, Canada, and parts of Latin America and South America. The communities in which the work camps are held are often in economically deprived areas, or areas which have been especially hard-hit by natural disasters, including flooding or hurricanes.[1]
Participants at each camp are divided into crews of six, including one to two adult leaders. Usually one or two crews are assigned to a work site. Work ranges from interior and exterior painting, to carpentry, drywalling, and basic masonry, depending on the needs of the particular site. As many as 80 work camps are organized each summer, each servicing multiple homes. An emphasis is placed on the spiritual life of the participants and of those homeowners served: "Group Workcamps trips are designed to deepen your walk with Christ, while you serve people in Christ's name. It's not so much about the 'service projects' (although the challenge is important), it's more about God changing the hearts of your young people...and the people that are served.".[2]
The organization was established in 1977 by Thom Schultz in response to a devastating flood the year before near Estes Park, Colorado, which killed 143 people and destroyed hundreds of homes.[3] Since then, Group estimates that a quarter million people have participated in total, providing over 6 million hours of volunteer service.[4]