Appalachia

The Appalachian mountains are worldly known for their natural beauty. Steep wooded hills, narrow valleys and winding streams, make the Appalachian mountains a beautiful natural wonder of the world. Endowed with abundant natural resources, the Appalachian people, however, fight daily for freedom from poverty and despair; living below the poverty line as compared to the national average. Drugs, alcohol, poor health, and struggles of educational attainment, are the daily battles they face. Their families are now being raised as a “culture of poverty,” which has led to jobless households, and poverty-stricken communities. The people of the Appalachian mountains come from a strong heritage of hard working people, but years of discouragement have taken its toll on the people. Many of them work several jobs to make ends meet as well as Government Aid. The people of the Appalachian mountains are in desperate need of hope. They need to know there is hope for them for a better future. 

Ministry 

There are 2 locations that your team will have the opportunity to engage in. 

Duffield, Virginia and Kingsport, Tennessee.

Our partners have a variety of ministry programs in which your team will be able to engage.

They are all very influential in Appalachia, serving the communities through: 

• Elderly Care: Mostly helping with home repairs, cleaning, or projects around their houses. You could also visit a senior center where you will be able to play games, sing songs, or simply just have a conversation with some elderly people. 

• Recovery Program Ministry: Specializing in recovery programs for youth, families, and adults, one of our partners helps those recovering from alcohol or substance abuse learn to live their lives drug-free and alcohol free. They provide free programs and services through education, training, counseling and mentoring, to combat addictions. Your teams will have the opportunity to work at the youth center, thrift store and apartment complex. This could entail fellowshipping, sidewalk VBS, distributing clothes, landscaping, light construction, and prayer walks.

• Homeless Ministry: There are several homeless shelters for men, women, and children who may be impoverished economically, educationally, emotionally and/or spiritually. Here, your team might do light construction, cleaning, organizing, or landscaping. This is also a great place to fellowship and share your faith.

• Retail Stores: Here, your team might help by sorting clothes that are donated as well as furniture and merchandise. Cleaning, organizing, helping customers, and fellowshipping with each other and the people all around there. 

• VBS: You could have the opportunity to facilitate some kids camps or programs for the local community children.

  

Lodging

Your team will be lodging in Duffield, Va. There are 4 cabins with 10 bunk beds in each. There is a large bathhouse that separates men and women, with washers and dryers for both. There is no electricity in the cabins, however, the church has electricity and wifi. 

Food and Meals

There is a full kitchen with anything you might need. Meals are very much a team effort, and we have a lot of fun in the process! Teams will participate in meal prep and serving. Breakfast will be cold cereal, fruit, bagels, etc. Hot breakfasts could be available as well, depending on the group’s willingness to contribute to the meal prep and cooking. Lunch will be packed sandwiches, fruit and a side to take to the ministry site. Hot dinners will typically be served after ministry at the church each day or alongside the ministry events.

Travel 

Most of our teams choose to drive vans or a bus, which also provides transportation throughout the week. An Adventures van might be available at a small additional fee. Vans are available on a limited, first come first serve basis. Adventure vans may not be available, however, and should not be counted on. Our limited fleet is available for some teams on a first come first serve basis.

Health & Safety

The safety of our participants is a top priority for us. We have both an internal Risk Management team and external Risk Management consultants. We use a multi-pronged approach to risk management – including monitoring information from reporting agencies and relying on the knowledge of our ministry partners. In addition to our own protocols (e.g., students must be with an adult at all times), our ministry hosts and partners will provide trip specific safety guidelines for the particular trip location. Our Project Leaders are trained in risk management and have access to both on-field and home-office support.

Registration and Payment

$500 Deposit: This deposit is required to reserve your trip. At this point, you will lock in your trip and we will keep in touch with you going forward about preparation. This deposit is applied to the total cost of your trip.

50% Payment: Half of your total trip cost will need to be paid 2 months before your trip.

100% Payment: The remaining balance is due 1 month before your trip.

Request a Date

Don’t see a date that works for you? Let us know some dates that do work for you and we’ll look into it for you!