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TEEN WORKCAMP EXPERIENCES St. Louis, MO  June 2006   The mission trip wasn’t at all what I anticipated.  Through the week I witnessed many changes within myself spiritually and with the campers.  I watched with great pride as one young girl conquered her fear of heights knowing that this challenge would lead to many future conquests, and for all to remember Jesus loves you.   Bob Uhlarik Adult Leader
“Two words come to mind when I look back on that week-unforgettable and enlightening.  The work trip was one experience that I found I had grown as a person in more ways than one.  I met new people with new ideas, and I grew closer with our youth group.  It helped me find myself more spiritually and gave me time to reflect on myself emotionally.  It’s a journey I was glad I’ve taken and would take again in a heartbeat.” Carla Uhlarik	The evening programs were my favorite part of the work camp.  These programs were based around the theme of the day, which was a quality that Jesus lived out in His life.  The organizers kept the programs interesting with the video screen by showing clips from movies like Les Miserables and Zoolander.  Most nights, Greg the emcee challenged us to do something we might not want to do, like tackle a “dirty job” in our own lives or give of ourselves like Jesus did.  I truly believe that the work camp was truly a phenomenal experience.  I think everyone should get to try it, whether as a kid or an adult, and I really want to go again.   Matthew Ivancic   Group Work camp was an amazing experience.  As a result of this trip our youth group grew closer together, new friendships were made and others strengthened.  I also got to see how other people lived which helped me realize how lucky I really am.  I would do it again in a heartbeat!   Lauren Mazurek
My experience on this mission trip was AMAZING!  At first I thought, “What have I gotten myself into?”  By the end of the week, I had a clear view of what I was there to do.  I was brought to this community on the outskirts of St. Louis to make things better for these underprivileged and elderly people.  I actually felt like God had a plan for me, and that was why I was there.  This was a trip of a lifetime, and if I had the opportunity to do it all again.  I would go without looking back.   Brendan Hehir
To be honest, I imagined this trip being far from fun.  But, surprisingly I had the best time of my life!  During this trip, I discovered many things about my faith and made new friends that I will never forget.  This trip was simply amazing.   Gabriella Szewczyk	My week in St. Louis was one of the most enjoyable times of my whole summer.  I loved helping the residents of Missouri and sharing my time with them.  Hanging out with our youth group was a blast, especially after a long day of work!  I cannot wait for next year.   Christine Pryal    My goals for the mission trip were to make a difference in some family’s life and for the teenagers of St. Patricia’s to experience the satisfaction that comes from giving to others less fortunate.  I was not disappointed as we had the opportunity to help many needy families, meet people of different faiths, and develop friendships with teens and leaders.  To the parents of the teens that participated in this mission trip, congratulations on raising such great kids.  It was a memorable experience for all!   Mr. Gerry O’Carroll Adult Leader
I haven’t stopped thinking about the week.  My son woke up yesterday and asked what the “Jesus attitude of the day” was, and today he went in the post devotion part of the book and said today centers around friendships.  Ken told his Dad he would definitely want to go again and was looking at the work camp book for sites next year.  He really got alone with his crew leader (Hoss Cartwright), from Aurora, and I think the older St. Pat’s kids really made him feel a part of the group.  The kids went home with so much to think about; helping the poor, drugs, Jesus, music, dancing, meeting kids from all over the place, meals and car rides.  Also, all that they learned from their job sites, being away from home for a week, and the sleeping conditions.  Adam from my group came to me again at the end of the week and said “thanks so much for teaching me how to caulk, that was my coolest experience.”  So, just the little things that happened throughout the course of the day meant a whole lot.  Kenny’s crew leaders said he was fabulous; he cut in all the corners, and never stopped working, except one water fight.  It is always good to hear our kids did good!  Kathy Kash, Crew Leader	The mission trip to St. Louis was a lot of fun from the minute we left the church parking lot.  I really liked helping the families down in St. Louis and meeting kids from across the U.S. around my age.  My favorite part of the whole trip had to be when Brendan and I had the chance to represent St. Patricia and played Banana Pancakes in front of everyone at the mission trip.  It is an experience I will never forget.   Vincent Cavalieri   My week in St. Louis, MO., was one fun, nerve-wracking, hilarious and coolest experience I have had.  I will never forget it.    Cassidy Campbell
My trip to Missouri was so much fun.  I met a lot of new people and I grew a lot closer with St. Patricia’s youth group.  I really enjoyed helping out my residents and learning about their past.  I can truly appreciate what I have in my life and not take things from granted.  I felt so good when my crew finished our house and I saw the huge smile on my resident’s face; that for me made my whole trip.  I can’t wait till next year! Michelle Rinck	Some thoughts from Father Darrio,   You hear the word “awesome” so often it can lose its punch, yet it is the best word to describe St. Patricia’s Mission week with the Group Work camps Foundation.  22 of our teens and 5 adults made the trip to St. Louis to work with 300 other high school teens and 60 adults, rehabbing 59 homes in Lemay and Afton, Missouri.  The Perfect blend of morning prayers, work, afternoon lunch and devotions, more work, returning to our living site for showers and dinner, evening programs, free time and late evening devotions comprised each of the five days with a slight variance on Wednesday when we had the afternoon free to tour the area and have dinner on our own before returning for an outstanding teen variety show.  We chose ecumenical for our first Mission and were told by others who have done previous missions of just about every Christian denomination that we chose the “grand-daddy of them all” – interdenominational, well organized and a whole lot of fun.  Watching our teens grow and bond with each other and with strangers that they had never met, singing and clapping and dancing by the end of the week, sharing faith in Jesus Christ, working hard in a spirit of humility and doing the “at home” devotions on their own upon returning, tell me we were divinely inspired to make this trip as a call from God.
It was an unforgettable and fun week of:  Jesus, prayers, spiritual growth, special friendships, song, love, teamwork, devotions, servitude, humility, appreciation, hard work, thankfulness, deeper awareness of those less fortunate, enthusiasm, God sightings, community. Renee Togher, Adult Leader My mom signed me up without telling me and it turns out that I absolutely loved it!  I laughed nonstop for an entire week with a group that I now consider good friends.  Hayley Conway	“The mission trip was much better than I expected.  I enjoyed helping our resident fix up his home.  I also met a lot of new friends and had a lot of fun.”  Kevin Togher
“Group Work camp was enlightenment to the world around us.”  Alex Szewczyk	The week I spent in St. Louis was great.  The work camp was non-denominational which meant that all kinds of Christians were there.  Not only did someone’s denomination not matter but also neither did your age.  That meant a lot to me because I was one of the youngest teens there.  My resident was one of the kindest people I have ever met.  The work was rough, the food was good, and the days were fun.  One thing a lot of kids had a hard time with was waking up.  I don’t’ know what they were talking about, I slept fine.  It was amazing!  I look forward to next year’s Mission Camp.  Mike Scialo
The St. Louis Work camp was so fun and I was more than a little bit gloomy when it was over.  I had a great time just hanging out with the St. Pat’s kids after the work with our crews was done; I would definitely say that the time spent with our youth group was most enjoyable – well at least for me!  My crewmembers were Gary (Maryland), Ryan (Michigan), Kathleen (Texas), Sarah (Nebraska), and Katie (Delaware).  Our crew’s main job was to build a wheelchair ramp for our resident’s mother who has Alzheimer’s disease; we also had more than our share of painting.  All said and done, the entire trip was an amazing experience that I would without a doubt, do many times over. Jonathan Kral	The mission Work camp was a great experience for me.  I met a lot of new people.  I learned a lot of new things about myself, other people and how to do different jobs.  I had a lot of fun during the week.  I will not forget my time there.  Thank you to everyone who made it possible to St. Patricia’s teen group to participate in the camp.  Thank you very much to the five chaperones that went with us. Ed Taylor
By the time we got to St. Louis it felt like we were leaving already.  We did so much that it felt like the week just flew.  It was more than fun to meet other Christians just like me from other states, sing along to songs, and pray together. My work crewmembers were helpful and had big hearts.  They were willing to do anything for the residents.  Since my crew was so helpful, we finished the first house in three days and went on to another house with another amazing work crew.  The devotions helped me to become closer to God.  This year was amazing and hopefully next year will be also. Mia Milavickas The first word that comes to my mind when I think about the week of full service is uhh.  The reason is because there is no way to describe it; I had a great time.  Working was fun, I felt good knowing that I was helping others.  After work I had even more fun at the evening program and the free time afterwards.  I made many new friends, and I will go on the next one. Martin Staszel I had a blast for the first time I went to a work camp.  It was an experience to remember.  The first day was a bit shaky, but then they had fun activities for us to do to get to know each other and strengthen our faith.  I made a lot of friends outside our youth group and even outside of my own crew.  I got to know our resident Pat very well, and she made really good iced tea.  I had a blast and cannot wait until next year. Amanda Cervantes The mission trip was not quite how I expected it.  I had so much fun with my youth group, crewmembers and resident.  We all worked together to make the trip memorable and fun, but at the same time to get the job done.  I would definitely go on the trip again. Brian McNally I think the work camp was a great experience not only for me, but also for the Teen Club.  During the work camp I made new friends and am still in touch with some.  I also found out how better off we are than the families we did work for. Ken Kash I’m very glad I decided to go to the mission camp, because I almost didn’t because it conflicted with football practices.  If I didn’t go I would have missed all the fun of demolishing a deck with all the new friends I made. Dave Taylor For me the time at the St. Louis work camp was an experience that I will never forget. I was able to meet new people and work with them within the community, in which I feel we made a difference.  I would definitely go on this trip again and recommend others to do the same. Nick Pounovich