MEETING GROUND   P.O. BOX 808    ELKTON, MD 21922
443-406-0786     E-Mail: udo@meetingground.org

Information on mission trips at Meeting Ground

Facility

Work groups will stay at Clairvaux Farm, the Meeting Ground facility located 15 miles south of Elkton, MD, near the Chesapeake Bay. The farm has 20 acres and provides shelter to homeless families and individuals. Generally, there are up to 35 people in residence at any time.

The farm is a very pleasant place, with large fields for games such as football, volleyball, softball, and most importantly soccer. There are woods, a nature trail, and a campfire area. Work groups stay in our "Many Friends" community building, which was constructed by work groups in 1991. Toilet and shower facilities (2 of each) are available in this building.

A mission trip at Meeting Ground offers a group first hand experience in meeting and working with persons who have been homeless. Residents and mission trip volunteers participate jointly in the work projects as well as meals, worship, and recreation. For many young people, it has been a "life-changing" experience. The Farm Chapel, campfire area, outside pavilion, and meeting room are available for group devotions and meetings. Meeting Ground personnel will be happy to meet with your group during devotions and other times to share the ministry and needs of the persons with whom we are in partnership.

Mission Trip Work Groups

Mission trip work groups may stay as long as a week or for just a day. We will accommodate group sizes, skills, and lengths of stay to the work which needs to be done.

Week-long groups generally arrive Sunday afternoon to share in the 4:00 chapel service held at the Farm, followed by supper and an orientation session. Customarily, such groups stay through Saturday morning breakfast. Most groups take one "day off" mid-week to go to the beach, visit Baltimore, Lancaster (Amish country), etc.  There is also swimming available in the Chesapeake Bay, a 10 minute drive.

Groups of any size may come, but groups having more than 25 folks will be a little more crowded, although we can accommodate larger groups. Groups may be Junior or Senior High Youth, Adult or Inter-generational. Skills in carpentry, light welcome and will be utilized, but these special skills are not essential. All well-organized groups are welcome and work tasks will be assigned according to group skill level .

We ask a few things of work groups. First, we ask that groups participate in our regular community life by sharing meals, possibly including preparation and clean-up. Residents and staff purchase food and coordinate meals.

We also ask groups to contribute toward the cost of materials they will be using. The amount of this contribution depends on the size of the group and the work to be done. In general, however, the amounts range from $500 to $1500. In the past, some groups have raised as much as $3000.

Finally, we ask that groups contribute a sum of $25.00 per day per person to defray the cost of food and housing. construction, electrical and plumbing work are

What to Bring

Casual clothing for working, swim suits, sturdy shoes (preferably hard-soled), work gloves, hard hats, insect repellent, bee sting medication, sun screen, sleeping bags, pillows, towels, soap, shampoo, sports equipment for free time (volleyball net available) hammers, and other basic tools.

Work Projects

On-going projects

  -Repairs & painting on our many other buildings used for housing
  -Barn repairs and sorting donations
  -Maintaining the nature trail and campfire site
  -Maintaining the herb and vegetable gardens

Contact Persons

Thank you for your interest in Meeting Ground. Please do not hesitate to write or call for further information:  Udo Sommerhoff:  443-406-0786   udo@meetingground.org