Events
2008 Jr. High Mission Trip
DioBeth's first mission trip for 6th - 8th grade youth*!June 17-20, 2008
Location: host church - St. Paul's, Montrose, PA
work @ Old Mill Colonial Museum and Village, New Milford, PA;
Salt Springs Park, near Montrose, PA;
and white-water rafting on the Delaware River from Barryville, NY
Application: forms available online here. Cost is only $110 for youth. Application deadline is May 23, 2008.
Itinerary** and Information:
Tuesday, June 17 - Home Away from Home
1 p.m. - Arrive at our host church, St. Paul's, Montrose. Spend the afternoon getting to know one another, playing games, remembering why it is we offer our gifts and energy to the world God made. Dinner, followed by Part 1 of the PBS film 1900's House and discussion, Compline, and lights out (10:00 p.m. - we need to rest up for some hard work and good fun tomorrow!).
Wednesday, June 18 - Preserving the Treasure of the Past
7:30 a.m. - Rise and shine.
8 a.m. - Morning devotions and breakfast.
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Mission and education experience at the Old Mill Village (OMV). We'll start by "living a day" in colonial times, and the we'll work to prepare the OMV for its 2008 season. The purpose of the OMV is "to collect, preserve, protect, exhibit, educate and interpret the history and heritage of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Endless Mountains Heritage Region." For more information, see their website: www.oldmillvillage.com.
After working, back to the church for free time, dinner, a fun activity (such as mini-golf or out for ice cream) and Part 2 of 1900's House, discussion, and Compline, then lights out (10:00 p.m. - we need our rest for the hard work and fun of tomorrow!).
Thursday, June 19 - Protecting the Gift of Our Planet
7:30 a.m. - Rise and shine.
8 a.m. - Morning devotions and breakfast.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Mission and education experience at Salt Lake State Park. We'll start with an ecological learning experience and then help to clear trails as we explore as much as we can of the 405 acres of beautiful, pristine land. "Focal points of the park are the towering old growth hemlock trees, many estimated to be over 500 years old, and the rocky gorge cut by Fall Brook with its three waterfalls." For more information, see the park's website: www.friendsofsaltspringspark.org.
After work: swimming, and then back to the church for food! After dinner, a film: possibly The 11th Hour or another environmental documentary and discussion on preserving the environment, followed by Compline and lights out (10:30 p.m. - tomorrow is a day for rest and relaxation!).
Friday, June 20 - A Ride on the Rolling River
7:30 a.m. - Rise and shine.
8 a.m. - Morning devotions and breakfast.
9 - 9:45 a.m. - Pack lunches and pack up stuff, clean up church, drive to Barryville, NY for white-water rafting!
11 a.m. - Arrive at Indian Head Canoes and Rafts office for safety instruction and equipment pick-up. Raft on the Delaware River, enjoy lunch and time to hop out of the rafts for a swim in the quiet waters. 4 hour rafting trip. Back to office to put on dry clothes, share in a closing prayer of thanksgiving for a great trip and head home.
Who Can Participate in this Mission Trip?
:: * DioBeth youth and friends who are in grades 6-8 this school year (2007-2008) and a limited number of adult chaperones (1 adult for every 5 youth) ages 20 and older who have taken Safeguarding God's Children Training. We will need adults over the age of 25 to help with transportation during the event.
:: Anyone in the age groups above who is willing to work hard, sleep on a church floor (you can bring an air mattress :) ), to have a good attitude, respect the guidelines set up for the event and to have a ton of fun!
What is the Cost of the Trip?
$110 for youth, $55 for adult leaders. This price includes meals, snacks, white-water rafting fees, a t-shirt, recreation activity fees and a small donation to our mission sites. Parishes are encouraged to help their youth and adult participants with the cost of the trip - either from budgeted funds or by helping the youth to organize fundraisers. Payment plans are available, as are a limited number of partial or full scholarships. Please contact Missioner for Youth: Demery Bader-Saye (dbader-saye@diobeth.org or 570.586.7573).
To apply for the trip, please fill out the Jr. High Mission Trip registration form and return it to:
Diocesan House
attn: Jr. High Youth Mission Trip
333 Wyandotte St.
Bethlehem, PA 18015
A recommendation form is also required. Both forms are available online here.
** this itinerary may change (only slightly) as we continue to work out the logistics of the trip.