Dear Mrs. Lisa Walker,

I am writing to thank you for everything you do. Catholic Heart Work Camp has been an amazing experience for me! If it was not for CHWC I can promise you I would not be as close to God as I am today. Not only has each trip helped me grow stronger in my faith but they have also helped me be more outgoing and not as shy. I now love sharing my faith with others anyway I can. My name is Amanda Quail I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 18 years old and a freshman in college. I am the oldest of four kids and last summer my brother (15), sister (17) and I all got to go on the same trip together, it was one of my favorites for that reason. My youngest sister (14) can not wait till she is old enough to go with our parish. I have been to four different cities with CHWC in the past four years. Each trip has been just as amazing as the others, everything from the people in my groups, to the residents and the staff members is just full of love and faith! You are doing a great job with everything and I just wanted to let you know it.

I would guess you hear from people quite often telling you how life changing the trips are and how much they bring people closer to god. I just had to tell you my self!! I am so extremely disappointed that St. Louis, MO in 2007 was my last trip as a camper. This idea makes me pray that maybe one day when I'm old enough, I will be able to be a staff member. I just dream of the day I can share my faith and help other teens grow in their own faith as a CHWC staff member. Just understand that day could not come soon enough. I am still helping with different retreats and with my parish youth group as much as I can but being a staff member is my dream! I want to thank you and your husband and all the people for making it possable for teens to grow stronger in their faith while changing the world. You all are such amazing people, may God bless you in all that you do!

God Bless,

Amanda Quail

Hi, I was involved with CHWC for several seasons in the Rio Grande Valley. The Diocese of Brownsville and our parish, St. Anthony's in Harlingen led the operation during that time. I have two boys, Matthew & Christopher Rhoda who loved being involved. Matt continued with the program throughout his H.S. career. Chris was involved until the program discontinued here. Matthew received a special award from CHWC called "Taking Care of Business" the SERVANT AWARD in 2004. I don't know if this was a one time thing done by that particular group, that year or if it is an ongoing program. Anyway, his was the first award and it occupies a prominent place on our bookshelves. Matthew and I did two camps one year, It was 2004 or 2005. We did Harlingen and then a few weeks later we went with a group to New Orleans for a second camp. I was a male chaperon and site leader except the first year when I worked as a troubleshooter for several jobs. When the boys are home form college or the military we often reminise over the times we spent with your groups. The memories are marvelous. I am writing because I was wondering if there are any future plans to return to the Rio Grande Valley or if you have programs in the South Texas region or Louisiana.

I have retired from practice and now teach. This leaves my summers pretty flexible and I would enjoy working with your group again should the occasion arise. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work with your people in your organization and to watch the kids grow and mature during the short time we had to work with them. I am still quite active with BSA but CHWC had a special aura and presence that was hard to match. Thanks for everything.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bob Rhoda -- Dr Bob