During the summer, the Church of the Brethren denomination holds a variety of workcamps in which participants express their faith through action by serving local organizations for a week. Every year, the “We Are Able” workcamp is also offered to youth and young adults who have intellectual disabilities
Pastor Jeanne Davies has coordinated the We Are Able camp for several
years and remarked on the closeness that develops in each group. “Participants
come eager for friendships and ready to help one another out. It is a very
accepting and affirming environment for everyone involved.”
A participant of six years, Megan Maclay, says she looks forward to the ”We Are Able” camp every year. The workcamp is
a place where she reunites with old friends and always makes new ones. Megan said
she likes to volunteer and help other people; this past year the team served in
a food pantry helping to put food packs together. But it’s not just the service
component that makes the week so meaningful, explained Megan. Every year the
group does fun activities in the evenings like going to a baseball game,
sleeping in dorm rooms, and cooking dinner together.
Coordinator Jeanne Davies emphasizes importance of this opportunity.
“It’s a chance for young people with disabilities to use their gifts and serve
others. They expand their concept of what they think they can do; I often hear
the comment, ‘I never knew I could do that!’”
Megan encourages others to consider the We Are Able workcamp for 2018 saying, “Try the workcamp next year. It’s good to help others, and it's really fun.”
The “We Are Able” workcamp of summer 2018 will take place on June 11-14 in Elgin, Illinois. Follow this link for more information and to register.