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PASADENA ? As part of the Frostburg UMC-based Camp Hope, 15 teens from Mt. Carmel UMC spent a week of their vacation repairing homes in Western Maryland.

'When you?re doing the dirty job, you can look into the homeowner?s face and see how much it really matters to them,' said 16-year-old Jessie Rilee, who was participating in her third Camp Hope.

The week of work is strenuous. The participants headed off to the work sites at 7 a.m., and didn?t return until 5 p.m. Evenings were a time of fellowship, social activities and prayer services. 'The worst part of the trip is leaving to come home,' said Kenny Kerr, 17, also on his third mission.

The program holds four consecutive one-week sessions each summer. Churches from all over Maryland and even from outside send their youths, ages 14-18, to Frostburg State University, where they stay in dorms and work on homes in the area. The participating churches raise the funds for the lodging, tools and supplies.

Mt. Carmel, which has been sending teenagers for 12 years, sent three teams this year, each with two adult leaders and five teens, said Kathi Drenning, the church?s Camp Hope coordinator.

--Across the Conference is compiled and written by Linda Worthington.
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