I recently went on the Kearny, NJ Trip and was extremely moved by the video on Ben Comen. I myself am a runner and was invited to run on the University Team at the college which I'm going to attend. At first I didn't want to pass up the opportunity, but as the summer progressed I grew lazier and lazier making it harder to stay in-shape. I started to second guess my decision to run until I saw the video at Workcamp. I know now that I can't give something up that I'm gifted in when someone like been does it because it's something that he can do, and I know how hard it must be. God Bless All and I hope I wasn't the only one touched by this amazing story.

 Jason Methfessel

I JUST WANT TO THANK THE WORKCAMP KIDS AND THE TROUBLESHOOTERS AND ALL INVOLVED WITH THE PROGRAM FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DID AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND FOR A GOOD FELLOWSHIP WITH SOME OUTSTANDING YOUNG TEENS THAT WORKED REALLY HARD GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Thomas Copley

hello to all from Iowa! we had a great time in Mobile! I have to share our bus driver story with you all (or is it ya'all). Our driver Scott (on the Bradley Jo bus)was so impressed and moved by what everyone did to improve the homes we worked on and your spirit at the program Thursday and Mass friday (he never even complained about the wet seats:-) That before he left us after his leg of our journey home (22 hours) he asked who was all coming back for next year, of course everyone said they were:-) He then said that if 50% of us came back to CHWC he would be our bus driver, he would DONATE his time! AND he would work with us all week!!!!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say the chaperones were all in tears! Except maybe for Jim:-) but I bet he had a lump in his throat! So keep up the great work. You never know who is watching and being touched by your actions!

I'll see you in the Eucharist!
Patty Frana

CHWC was the most awesome week of my entire life.i made some of the best friends i've ever had and i'm seriously a better person, a happier person, and a more real person because of the seven days i spent in Dayton. on a less sappy note, the Carpenter Commandos rule, i lost my voice from singing so much, the food wasn't bad, and the peeps from the other youth groups were the coolest people i've ever met. overall CHWC was the best thing EVER!

Peace out
Pamela Wall

Catholic heart workcamp was one of the best things ever!! I have gone the past two years, and had the best time ever. I remember the first year i went, i did not want to go at all... I had already committed to it and then as time went by i started to want to not go at all. Since I had already committed to it and payed my money and everything my dad made me go. I cried and cried, like little baby and i was 14 at the time. I was only going to stay for half the time, because my dad was going too and he had to come home early for business reasons. I was allowed to go home with him if I wanted to, which at that time of course I wanted to. But wouldn't you know whenever my dad said it was time to go home, i said there is NO WAY i am leavin' here... and i stayed the whole time. haha, i was a little short wardrobe wise but there was a shop in the school i was staying at with clothes to buy with workcamp logos on it... i bought like 2 shirts and a pair of shorts. But the clothes didn't even matter to me I was just so glad that I was staying. Catholic heart workcamp is seriously SOO MUCH FUN. Okay so i am like totally obsessed with the beach... im being sooo totally honest when i say i would rather go to catholic heart workcamp over summer rather than the beach. If you're reading this and you haven't already gone u really outta consider going, it is a blast.

Ashleigh

To all who are thinking about if they want to go to the workcamp or not, I suggest you go. Its a great experience that you will NEVER forget. You will meet so many new people just like you from all around America. This is my thrid year going to Catholic Heart and I wouldnt trade it for anything. Its so amazing how much you learn just from one week. Its a good way of getting "In touch" with your faith and at the same time having a good time. Every year I leave with a different out look on life. The people are great. And so is the food.:-D I know alot of kids from my church first thought that it wasnt going to be any fun and that all we would do is work, that there would be no fun or reward. Even though we didn't get a trophy or something we could physically see, we got something way better, the satisfaction of doing something for someone else and not having to get something in return. Catholic Heart is more than just a workcamp. Its opened my eyes to see whats really going on in the world. It helped me see who I was. Theres so much that we could do in just one week. All we need is more kids who are willing to give up a week of their summer to help others who really need it. And for the ones who dont have the money to pay Im sure that your church could do fund raising that could help pay for it. Well thats all for now and Im really looking forward to my trip to Charlotte NC this summer. I hope all of you who arnt sure whether you should/can go think this over before you miss out of such an amazing week.

Sincerely, Samme'

WOW!! This camp was AMAZING!! We had such an awesome time~ it was great! It was super fun to meet all these wonderful Catholic teens and create friendships that we will never forget. Thank you staff and everyone who puts this together for giving us this wonderful experience and we are looking forward to doing this again in the near future!

~Bri J and Jessica F

Jamaica 2005 WEEK 1 REPRESENT! I just want to say how blessed I am to have been given the opportunity to live a Jamaican life for one week! I LOVE Jamaica and I hope to go back SOON! It was the most incredible experience of my life! I LOVE ALL MY JAMAICAN FRIENDS AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE! SO MANY GOOD TIMES! LOVE YOU ALL! THANK YOU GOD!

Cassidy T

wow, what can i say. its been an AMAZING week serving the lord. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share the light with the Lancaster community. Your staff was such a blessing, with big open hearts and amazing personalities. ( sorry about the spelling.) I praise God that he has giving us this opportunity to serve and be served (your staff) by such WONDERFUL people. Your willing miss to give has truly made a huge impact on my life. So thank you and God Bless!

<3 -Anna Joy York, Pa ( Remember the plaid shorts girl <3 )

I just would like to thank the Walker family for making this experience awesome! I just came home from the Charlotte, NC camp totally amazed and changed. I can only hope that this wonderful camp will continue on for many years. It helps so many of those less fortunate get their feet back on the ground, and it also helps the campers see how fortunate they are and how thankful they should be. I hope to one day be on the staff and help spread God's love even more.

Yours in Christ, David Griffith Orlando, Florida

WOW!!!!!!! I just came back from CHWC in Virginia last night! There are seriously NO words that can describe the time that i had... it was the BEST time of my entire life and next year is tooooo far away!!!! i met so many people that i already miss and i am hoping that there will be a group that i know at the camp next year(preferably Illinois <3)!! God has changed my life to all my new friends.

Lauren Mitchell