Meeting Ground Mission Trip Information

443-406-0786 udo@meetingground.org

· 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 given 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 work camp at Meeting Ground offers a group first hand experience in meeting and working with persons who have been homeless. Residents and work camp volunteers participate jointly in the 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.

· Work Groups

Work groups usually stay for one week, June through August. They 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 Wednesday off to go to the beach, visit Baltimore, etc..

January through May and September through December, groups can stay for one week, a weekend, or just one day. We do not have “weekenders” the weekend before or after a group staying for one week.

Groups of any size up to 25 may come. Bigger groups need to contact us first to see if we could accommodate that many people and if we would have enough work for you. Groups may be Junior or Senior High Youth, Adult, or Inter-generational. Any kinds of skills are welcome and will be utilized, but no skills are necessary. All well-organized groups are welcome and work tasks will be assigned according to group skill level.

We ask that groups plan to spend at least one evening with the children in residence at the farm. Please plan games or other activities that are appropriate for a range of ages, from about age seven through the teens, and try to bring all necessary materials or equipment with you, unless you let us know ahead of time.

We ask a few things of our 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 person per day to defray the cost of food and housing.

· What to Bring

Casual clothing for working, hat, swim suits, sturdy shoes, work gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sleeping bags, pillows, towels, soap, shampoo, sports equipment for free time (volleyball net available).

We recommend that everyone in your group have a valid Tetanus immunization.

· Work Projects

Plans for the work projects are still in formation and depend in large part on what previous work groups are able to accomplish. In addition to the primary projects, groups can anticipate doing some farm work, e.g., planting, harvesting, weeding, landscaping.

Work group volunteers can be assured that their work will directly assist homeless persons by insuring that Meeting Ground maintains adequate and well-kept shelter facilities.

· On-going Projects

Building repairs and maintenance, donation clothing sorting, maintaining the nature trail, campfire site, and vegetable garden are a few examples.

· Contact Persons

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