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Mission Program
Updated
9-27-07
Mission Program Overview
Westview with its very rich and full
complement of camp and retreat experiences, believes it must
take a step further. We have a social responsibility to reach
out to God's people in our community, thus the impetus to
develop a mission program.
Westview will host groups and coordinate
mission opportunities on-site and off-site. Lodging, food
service and recreational programming for 3 to 7 days for groups
of 10 persons or more. We have contacts for local projects in
the Goochland County community or in nearby counties with
Habitat for Humanity or Interfaith Housing Corporation.
Westview will also host weekend
opportunities in mission for youth and adults providing lodging,
food, recreation and evening programming. Groups will spread out
into the community at arranged work sites to help repair homes
of the less fortunate and elderly.
Interested? Contact
John Edwards,
Camp Director at the
Camp office. Phone:
804-457-4210 or e-mail
wvcampdirector@hughes.net
2007 Mission Teams
April:
Lakeside UMC
service Project
June: Lynhaven UMC
Glen Alpine UMC
August:
Bethlehem UMC
St. Andrews UMC
Middle School Missions Weekend
September: Nomads
Crozet Family Mission Weekend
Kids Work Camp
2006 Mission Teams
March:
The Ashland District Men
& The Lagana Group
The Ashland Men with Granville and Westview staff built
the new boathouse. Some Westview campers
came out and gave back to camp by water sealing Hogan Hill
porches and picking up around construction sites. A women's
group from William and Marry called Inter-Varsity worked on new
bridges around the Lake and rebuilding sheds for use in the
summer. Finally a group called Great Bridge UMC helped set
benches in the amphitheater while Bethel UMC worked on cleaning
the Challenge Course.
2005 Mission Teams
April:
Ashland district Youth & NOMADS
The Nomads worked at Lakeside Lodge on window replacement, wall
repair, and did paper work in the office. The Ashland district
youth did projects around camp including: disc golf building,
trail clearing, boat house repair, and cleaning homes in the
community.
May:
Charlottesville District Youth
The Charlottesville district youth worked on the Dinning Hall's
new deck and homes in the community.
June:
Fox Hill Central Jr. Highs
&
First UMC, London, KY
The Fox Hill group demolished an old playground, worked on homes
in the community and put screws in our Dinning Hall's new deck.
First UMC did yard work, painting and small repairs to several
homes in the Goochland area, they built a wheelchair ramp,
stained a deck and porch, replaced a floor and door. Worked at
the food bank, Friendship Cafe, and the Downtown Lunch ministry.
July:
MP6 Campers
&
Fieldstone UMC
The two groups both did yard work and repairs on community homes
as well as the VBS. Fieldstone poured a cement sidewalk and MP6
did projects around camp.
August:
Colonial
Park UMC
&
Conference Middle School Weekend
The conference middle school missions included: camp projects at
Lakeside, the new dinning Hall, our trails and work in the
community.
Fieldstone did home repairs and yard work at 5 different homes,
Visited and led worship at Meadows Nursing home. As well as some
work around camp.
2004 Missions Teams
August 8-13 Matawan UMC
Aberdeen, NJ
After a really late arrival Sunday, most on
this team began their first ever mission projects early on
Monday morning. Racing to beat remnants of tropical storms
Bonnie and Charlie, shingles came off Ms. Mayo's house ,
replaced by plywood, tar paper and new shingles. Ms. Mealy
had her oil tank painted and gutters cleaned. Ms. Morris
had her kitchen painting finished and additional yard work
sprucing up her home. Mr. Young received some shrubbery
trimming, roof repaired and demolition of bricks around a wood
stove that was also removed, all this and it was only
Wednesday. Back at Mr. Young's home they replaced kitchen
flooring, cleaned walls and repaired screens. Before
leaving camp they installed new entrance doors to Lakeside
Lodge. Blessings to each of you for your good works!
July 18-23
MP5
This is a mission opportunity
for teens to combine the good works of helping others with the
fun and adventure of West view's camp activities. Campers
and staff headed first to Ms. Friedman's home to complete odd
jobs, and lots of painting and yard work for Ms. Crawford and Ms
Riccitelli. It was a great test of strength chopping away
at the LARGE stump. Thursday they went to the Richmond
Food Bank with a lunch break at Maymont Park. Friday along
with other helpful volunteers they loaded wood from one home and
carried it to families who will need it for winter heat.
Thanks for being a part of this special program of outreach.
July 24-31 Redeemer UMC
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Welcome back!!! Rain altered
plans for several days, but a great deal of work was
accomplished anyway. Ms. Mayo has freshly painted rooms.
Ms. Crawford has 2 new windows, light fixtures, closet doors
fitted, caulking around seam and items carried to storage.
Mrs. Woolf had more brush removed from her front yard. Ms.
Morris has a new kitchen ceiling with improved wiring, just
waiting on a painting team. Quick projects at Ms. Mitchell
and Ms. Hunt were completed too. Wednesday evening they
entertained guests in whose homes they worked during the week.
Thursday this great group of volunteers helped out at the
Richmond Food Bank stocking shelves and Friday they helped with
Centenary's Friday Lunch Program as cooks and servers. Not
content to rest this team also worked on projects in camp.
Many families are grateful for your good works.
June 26-July 3 First UMC
Perrysville, Ohio
How well can you work as a team? Based
on the challenge course on Sunday afternoon, one might wonder.
But when it came to team projects, they put the word TEAM in the
work accomplished. Pastor Jenn with baby in tow checked on
progress at the 3 worksites. A floor in the kitchen of Ms.
Friedman was removed and replaced along with hall and living
room. Ms. Watson has some interior painting completed.
Mr. Towles trailer had 10 gallons of tar, tarp and silver
coating to stop a major leak. Team members resembled the "Tin
Man" when finished, but it slowed the leak. We are still
looking for a more permanent solution. Ms. Morris has a
new kitchen floor and a beautiful new ceiling in her living
room. All are very pleased and happy for your kindness.
June 27-July 2 Pineland Charge
Sweetwater, NJ
WELCOME BACK to our friends from Pineland Charge in New Jersey.
The two big jobs for this group were at Ms. Mayo's to repair a
roof leak, and wall damage inside. At the Wharam Family
trailer they repaired holes in sheds, installed lattice, power
washed and stained the porch. They then took time to help
finish work on Ms. Gardner's oil tank and gardening at the home
of the Mealy's. Before heading home they took time to
visit with Ms. Crawford who they helped on there previous trip.
June 6-12 Trinity UMC
Orrville, Ohio
Handling tools and construction projects like
real pros, the youth worked alongside of the adults at the homes
of Ms. Friedman and Ms. Gardener. Decks were power washed
and stained at both homes. Paint covered the inside and
outside of each home (and some of the painters too). Trim
soffits and window panes were replaced, looking great. Mrs.
Fowler also got her gutters cleaned. Thursday the youth
tackled some projects around the camp including the design, and
construction of a recycle bin for the Dining Hall. (This has
worked out great folks.) Friday the group went 3 different
directions to serve the needs at William Byrd Community House,
Food Bank and Downtown Lunch Ministry at Centenary. Never
too tired, the sounds of instruments and voices in worship and
praise could be heard coming from Lakeside Lodge each evening.
Thanks for your good works!
April 19-May 6
NOMADS
This
Spring, 4 couples who are part of the United Methodist NOMADS
program, spent three weeks at Westview helping us get ready for
an exciting summer of camp, missions, aquatics and more.
Representing Texas, Iowa, Michigan and Virginia these great
folks shared their work skills and friendship while tackling a
wide variety of projects on camp. Hogan doors were
painted, screens repaired on Hogans 3 & 4 and Tent City
platforms got a facelift. Indirect Lighting was added to
the Dining Hall
and we
worked together stuffing envelopes for upcoming mailings.
All of us at Westview appreciate your help and friendship.
January
30-February 1 Venture Crew 500
Special thanks
to the members of Venture Crew 500 from Shady Grove UMC in
Mechanicsville for embracing the weather and working in the cold
and snow. COOL! This is 500's fourth service weekend with
Westview. This year they repaired picnic tables (new seat
boards) and opened up the view from Lakeside Lodge to the frozen
lake below. There were no groans from the crew only
smiles, but the lake continued to make noises throughout the day
as the ice shifted. THANKS!
September
15-October 2, 2003
NOMADS
This United Methodist program
offers persons with recreational vehicles the opportunity to
share their time and skills in United Methodist projects,
including churches, mission agencies and camps. Four
couples were scheduled to be with us but Isabel had other plans.
Two couples shared their friendship and talents at Westview.
Dining Hall bathrooms were painted and the sound system in
the Dining Hall was wired. The girls side of the Hogan
Hill bathhouse and exterior trim was given a fresh coat of
paint. Thank you to our traveling friends, till we meet
again. Praise God!
August 22-24, 2003
Va. Conf. Jr. High Missions Retreat
215 Youth and Adults converged on
Goochland and Powhatan Counties, to make a difference in
the lives and homes of 31 households. They raked,
weeded, painted, mowed, pressure washed, installed under
skirting, replaced rotten siding and did general cleaning.
While at Westview they enjoyed great food, a cooling dip
in the pool, sang, praised God and even slept a little.
Praise be to God for their good works!
Aug. 3-8, 2003
MP4
Six Adventure camp youth and two
counselors converged on a senior citizens residence to
insulate (itchy), panel and paint (does this come out of
hair) a back porch/laundry room and weed/mulch flower beds.
They also gleaned 900 pounds of corn that went to local soup
kitchens, built four benches for Hogan 3 and helped feed the
homeless at Centenary's UMC soup kitchen. They still
had time to swim, boat and zip. Way to go MP4
July 26-Aug. 2, 2003
Redeemer UMC, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Eleven folks traveled nine hours and
donated eight days of service to help two Goochland County
residents. They built railing on three porches, repaired
a unsafe kitchen ceiling damaged by a leaking roof, cleaned up
and hauled away loads of debris, gifted one years trash
removal service to one residents, repaired/replaced rotten
exterior siding, painted the exterior of one home and in their
spare time helped with various projects around Westview.
No charge for the blisters, sore muscles and rich rewards.
Thank you Redeemer UMC.
July 13-19, 2003
Lansdale UMC - Lansdale PA
Forty youth and adults gave up a weeks
summer vacation , held several fund raisers and drove many
hours to help folks they never met before. During their
stay they improved the living conditions for four Goochland
County residents. They repaired leaking roofs,
re-shingled, repaired rotten flooring, installed new carpet,
installed a new window, front door, hung and finished dry
wall, scraped and painted, cut down wind damaged trees,
weed-eated, cut grass, repaired fencing, replaced ceilings,
replaced window and door screens. Thank you Lansdale UMC
for making a difference!
.June 28, 2003
Aldersgate UMC - Charlottesville
Four
youth and Four adults shared their day with an elderly Goochland
resident, painting her mobile home and sharing their faith.
They even took some paint home on their bodies and clothes as a
souvenir. Thank you Aldersgate UMC
June
22-27, 2003 West
Liberty UMC - Maryland
Twenty-eight folks from a four point charge including two three
generation families shared their faith, skills and time with a
76 year young Goochland resident. They completely rebuilt
a 10x20 enclosed porch/utility room, painted tin roof, finished
sheetrock, trim and painted one room, hauled many loads of
debris to the land fill, cleared brush, painted the kitchen
ceiling, planted grass, cut grass and weeded flower beds.
They also built a boat rack, finished the garden fence, tilled
the garden, repaired a tin roof and painted doors at Westview.
Thank you West Liberty, Cedar Grove, Parke Memorial and Gough
UMC. God is Good!
June
2-7, 2003
Palmyra UMC - Missouri
Eleven youth and adults traveled 17 hours to come to Westview
Missions. They scraped and painted the home of a Goochland
resident, planted flowers, helped feed the Homeless at Centenary
UMC and started building a dock at Westview for the Mystery Zip.
What a way to share your faith!
May 30-June 1
Trinity UMC - Petersburg
Eight junior high youth and three adults came to Westview to
serve their Lord by giving of their time, talents, and gifts.
They raised funds and came prepared to paint a mobile home for a
Goochland resident. As sometimes happens, our God had
other plans. It rained all weekend. Instead, they
worked at camp disassembling four bunk bed units, making room
for new beds. Thank you Trinity Youth for helping to
improve our camp for future users
April 14-15
Shady Grove UMC - Ashland District
What did you do on your
Spring Break? Fifteen youth and two adults spent 2 days
making storage room for mission tools/materials by hauling
debris, spreading gravel, and salvaging lumber and steel from
the Westview Train Depot. They also built and painted
tomato cages. All in preparation of a busy summer season
for the the Westview Missions program -
"Hands Helping God's People". Thank you Shady Grove
Youth.
April 12
Kenwood UMC -Ashland District
On a beautiful Spring day, Pastor Rob Almy and
members of Kenwood UMC worked on building the fence around the
raised garden bed that Troop 544 built in March. Not
only did they build the fence, but they also raised the funds
to purchase the materials. More work is still to be done
and they plan to return to finish the job. Soon those deer and
other camp critters won't be able to graze at the Westview
salad bar. Thanks for your time and service.
March 28-30
Troop 544
On a misty, rainy and snowy weekend in March,
Troop 544 came to Westview for a weekend of service and merit
badge work. Led by Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Adam
Stroop the guys tackled demolition work on the old decking
from Homestead Lodge and used those boards to help build a
raised garden bed. All of us at Westview appreciate your
labors and hope to enjoy the "fruits" this summer when the
fresh veggies come in from the garden.
January 24-26
Venture Crew 500
The energetic and hard working Venture Crew 500 spent
Saturday working on the Homestead Deck. They picked up
where the Wallis Family left off. It was cold with only
the heat and sparks from the drills to keep them warm. But
they persevered and much was accomplished. All of us at
Westview appreciate there hard work and invite them back to
enjoy the finished project in warmer w
November 30-December 1
Wallis Family
Twenty
plus family members gathered at Westview's Homestead Lodge on a
chilly Saturday and worked into the dark, and the next day on
constructing a new deck for Homestead Lodge. This hearty
crew worked through blustery wind and a short power outage.
Family members also did yard work at the camp office, raking
leaves and planting for the Spring. All of us at Westview
greatly appreciate this caring and service oriented family.
Thank-You!
June 24 - 29
Hurt United Methodist Church
Eleven youth and five adults
from Hurt UMC and Grace Community Baptist Church in Hurt,
Virginia came to Westview for four days of service to our Lord.
Worship, fellowship and hard work while rebuilding a sixteen
foot section of Homestead Lodge's deck, installing a grease pit,
stacking firewood, painting, building a bike rack and clearing
brush were the accomplishments. Bake sales, dinners, yard
sales and ice cream socials helped raise funds for the trip and
building materials. Thank you
Hurt UMC and Grace Community Baptist Church.
God is Good!
July 21 -27
Pineland Charge,
Sweetwater, New Jersey
Fourteen youth and eight
adults from Southern New Jersey, Pineland Charge, a four Church
Charge, spent a year praying, planning and fund raising to come
to Westview and make a difference. They limbed trees at
camp, painted a two story farm house, built front and back porch
railings and repaired a porch swing for a 78 year old Goochland,
Va. resident. On the last day of work tears of joy were
abundant. Along with Westview's Summer Adventure Camp MP2,
they gleaned 2600 pounds of squash for the Richmond Food Bank,
to help feed those in need. Thank
you Pineland Charge, NJ.
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July 21-26 |
MP2 Trek Summer Adventure Camp |
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Nine youth and two Westview counselors left
their mark. They cleaned windows, raked, painted and
befriended an elderly Goochland couple. Built benches at
camp for small group worship and camp fires, helped feed the
homeless in downtown Richmond and helped glean 2600 pounds of
squash for the Richmond Food Bank. While most youth come to
Summer Camp for fun and a greater knowledge of our Lord, these
youth came for the same reasons plus to work up a sweat, help
others, praise our God and make a difference.
Way to go MP2 campers!
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August 13-17 |
First United Methodist Church,
Somerville, NJ |
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Seven youth and three adults planned, fund
raised, prayed and prepared for their trip months before
arriving at their southern home at Westview. Once here they
eagerly started building a wheel chair ramp for an elderly
couple near George's Tavern (once a stage coach stop)
in Goochland Va. In three short days they completed
the ramp, helped prepare an area for the Missions tool
storage, climbed "The Wall" and road the roller
coasters at Paramount King's Dominion. As they were
packing to leave, they were already talking about returning
next summer.
Thanks yall!
August 16-18
Virginia conference Jr. High Missions
173 youth and adults
traveled from the outer reaches of Virginia to Westview for
a weekend of worship, praise and mission work. A
semi-annual Conference sponsored event aimed at teaching
servanthood, while making a difference to those in need.
Participants cleaned yards, helped with house cleaning,
painted, installed gutters, mowed grass, replaced roofing,
weeded flower beds, cleaned windows and the list goes on.
Be sure to watch the Advocate for future
mission events or call Westview to schedule one for your
church or group.
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What to know more about these mission programs?
Contact the camp
office and ask to speak with Blanton Youell, Mission Coordinator.
Do you have an idea for a great mission program? Let us
know by contacting us by phone, mail or
e-mail.
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