JOIN US AT ROLLING RIDGE RETREAT CENTER!
U. M. ARMY- Northeast is pleased to sponsor “Reach-Out Mission Week” at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in Andover, MA during the week of July 11-17. The program is open to church groups with students who have completed 9th – 12th grade and their adult chaperones. Our same life changing U. M. ARMY experience is planned but in a conference center setting. The program combines daily mission work on small teams with worship, leadership development and fun.
It is expected that we will serve those in need in the local community and the greater Lawrence, MA area. Projects may include yard work, painting, home repairs and small building projects. Per person fee for the week is $325 and will include all building materials, meals (except one dinner out), fun evening activities, a t-shirt and water bottle. Church groups will be asked to bring tools; a list will be provided by the program director based on the jobs to be completed.
Rolling Ridge is a beautiful retreat center owned by the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. It features: swimming, walking trails with labyrinths, comfortable sleeping rooms and on-site shower facilities. For more information about our gracious host for “Reach-out Mission Week” you are invited to visit the Rolling Ridge website www.rollingridge.org
Groups and individuals wishing to register should contact Lorraine Macpherson or download and complete our registration forms by clicking on the Registration tab above.
NORTHEAST WELCOMES MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH!
The U. M. ARMY Board of Directors is pleased to invite mixed age youth groups to selected Northeast camps this summer. The traditional U. M. ARMY mission program was designed with the needs of high school students in mind. But the organization has heard from many church groups wishing to include middle school age youth in mission work as well. In 2009 U. M. ARMY piloted one camp with youth participants who had completed 7th grade and older. The camp was very successful and the experience provided tremendous insight into the needs of both the younger and older students.
The Northeast Mixed Age Model will include work teams that are middle school age as well as those who are in high school. The work will be carefully selected to fit the needs of each age group. Adjustments will be made as necessary to meet the developmental needs of younger participants without sacrificing the U. M. ARMY experience that high school students have come to love and expect.
“This is really no different than the way we have operated in the past” says Northeast Executive Director Lorraine Macpherson. “One of the things that sets our program apart from others is the effort we make to set up our work teams. We have always considered the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of the individuals as we assign work team groups. The prayer and effort that goes into balancing the teams is one of the most challenging responsibilities of each Camp Director.”
In addition U. M. ARMY makes a pre-site visit to each client that has been referred through local social service agencies. These visits help determine level of need, safety and suitability of the work so that the camp’s Site Coordinator can match the team to the job that is correct for them.
“As an organization we are always listening for where we may be being called.” says Macpherson. “What we have learned is that while middle school students are different from older students, there is a wonderful opportunity to use the U.M. ARMY experience to help both groups grow. As always we undertake all that we do with prayer and a proactive approach to meet the needs of both our clients and participants.”
Registration is now being accepted for the following 2010 Mixed Age Camps: (Participants must have completed 7th grade or older)
July 18-24 – Williamsport, PA
July 25-31 – Wethersfield, CT
