Who can participate?

ASP’s Youth Program is for youth ages 14 and older and their adult leaders.  Your group will be divided into work crews of 7 people, so we ask that you bring 2 adults for every 5 youth.

When can we go?

Your group will serve for one week during the summer. The dates for our 2011 Youth Program are as follows:

Week 1: June 12-18
Week 2: June 19-25
Week 3: June 26 - July 2
Week 4: July 3-9
Week 5: July 10-16
Week 6: July 17-23
Week 7: July 24-30
Week 8: July 31 - August 6

Where can we serve?

You will serve in one of 28 rural communities in Central Appalachia, which includes parts of Kentucky, Virginia, West Virgina, and Tennessee. We rent schools, community centers, and other public spaces in each county we serve, where you will eat, sleep, and shower.

What kinds of projects will we work on?

Volunteers work on a variety of projects, including strengthening foundations, patching leaks, fixing roofs, building walls, repairing stairs, digging flood channels, installing plumbing, and painting exteriors. No matter how much building experience you have, we will match your group's project to your skills.

What do we do at night?

Each evening the staff leads an Evening Gathering, or “EG.”  The EGs are opportunities to process your experience, learn about Appalachian life, or spend time with the families you are serving. You'll even experience a night of Appalachian culture - a local storyteller or bluegrass band. And you'll have free time to relax and play.

» What is a typical day like for a volunteer?
» How do we apply?
» How much does it cost?
» What about transportation?
» What can I expect at the worksite?
» What can I expect at the center?

What is a typical day like for a volunteer?

Sunday
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Arrive at your summer center, register & unpack
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Staff meet with group leaders
5:00 p.m. Evening Gathering
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Group leaders & staff travel to meet the families
11:00 p.m. Lights-out; get rested for a wonderful experience!

Monday through Friday
6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Rise & shine, devotions and breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Make lunches, load supplies & go to worksites
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Work day with lunch at noon at the worksite
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Clean up, plan supplies for the next day & relax
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. - 10:00pm. Evening Gathering, chores, free time, & other activities*
10:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Quiet time; settle in for a well-deserved sleep
11:00 p.m. Lights out!

*Special Evenings: Tuesday is Culture Night, when volunteers get to experience some local flavor – often a bluegrass band or storyteller. Thursday night is a picnic for volunteers and the families they are serving to fellowship together.

Saturday
7:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Breakfast, pack, center clean-up, & good bye

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Application FAQ

What's the application deadline?

The volunteer application is posted on ASP’s website in early September. ASP schedules as applications are received on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduling for summer will be almost complete by November 1, so apply early to secure your preferred week. Applications received after November 1 will continue to be scheduled until all weeks are filled. You are welcome to call the Volunteer Department at (423) 854-4405 to check availability.

What if I don't know who our group members will be right now?

Our application does not require that you give names of individual volunteers – just an estimate of how many volunteers you will bring. We charge a flat fee of $95 with your application to reserve your week. You can adjust your group size up or down when you pay your Volunteer Deposit in March; this will be your first per-person fee.

Can we request a specific date?

You may indicate your top three preferred weeks on your application, and specific weeks are allocated on a first come, first served basis. We will do our best to fulfill your requests, but please understand that we have limited flexibility due to complex scheduling logistics.

Can we request a specific county in which to serve?

We try to honor any special requests, but please understand that we have limited flexibility due to complex scheduling logistics.  Please indicate county requests on your application form.

Can we request to be paired with another specific group?

We will do our best to pair you with another church. You may also apply as a cooperative entity (2 or more churches participating together) on your application.

How much does it cost?

What are ASP's fees?

Click here to view our Youth Program fee structure.

There are two fees for participation: A Volunteer Fee (a deposit and balance) and a Work Crew Fee.

The Volunteer Fee is applied to room and board and programming costs per individual volunteer. The Work Crew Fee is applied to the costs of materials and supplies used by a workcrew.

What's included in the fees?

ASP is a totally turn-key mission experience. We take care of all the details, leaving you free to minister to your youth. Your fees cover:

• Lodging
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
• Construction materials, tools, and project supplies, and delivery to worksites
• Project selection and screening, and matching to group skill level
• Customized evening programming and entertainment
• Highly trained staff to supervise construction and lead Evening Gatherings
• Pre-Trip Preparation Packet for group leaders with team building, devotions, construction training, sensitivity training, fundraising ideas, and everything you need to get ready
• New Group Leader Training Weekend for first-year group leaders

Will our fees be refunded if we have to cancel?

Any fees already paid will not be refunded if you cancel your participation. Both the group application fee and the volunteer deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable to any other fee. Your $95 application check will be refunded only if we can not schedule your group.

What about transportation?

Groups must provide their own transportation to and from Appalachia, and to and from the worksite while in region. Each workcrew must have its own vehicle -- a van is best for hauling people and supplies. (A workcrew is 7 people, so for a group of 21 people = 3 crews = 3 vehicles.)

Need to rent vans or other vehicles for your trip?  Avis offers discounts for ASP groups. Call 1-800-331-1212 and use the discount code AWD #J790324.

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At the Worksite FAQ

What kinds of projects will we work on?

Volunteers work on a variety of projects, including strengthening foundations, patching leaks, fixing roofs, building walls, repairing stairs, digging flood channels, installing plumbing, and painting exteriors.  No matter how much building experience you have, we will match your group’s project to your skills.

Will we know what our project is before we arrive in Appalachia?

Yes. Your project will be assigned 1 to 2 weeks before your trip. Your center staff will call you to finalize all details and match your project to your skill level.

Who provides direction out in the field?

Our highly-trained staff provide guidance out in the field, including at the centers and at work sites.  Staff are equipped to provide construction expertise, as well as evening programming.

Will we be safe?

Yes.  Minor injuries can occur, as they can on any outdoor activity.  Our staff are trained to emphasize safety and are trained in first aid in the event that it is needed.  In addition, we screen each worksite and sign a covenant with each family we serve to ensure a safe and friendly environment for teens.

Where do the tools and supplies come from?

ASP provides tools at each of our centers, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own. Staff purchase supplies from the local hardware store each morning, and they deliver them to the worksites throughout the day. ASP is committed to making an economic investment in the communities we serve by supporting local businesses.

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At the Center FAQ

What do we do at night?

Each evening the staff leads an Evening Gathering, or “EG.”  The EGs are opportunities to process your experience, learn about Appalachian culture, or spend time with the families you are serving.  Because EGs are an important part of the ASP experience, attendance is required.

What is an Evening Gathering (EG)?

ASP’s founder, Tex Evans, created ASP not to solve poverty issues in Appalachia, but to change lives. There are many parts of an EG: mixers, singing, sharing, story-telling, teaching and learning, scripture, and prayer.  Each part helps us process our experience in our minds, hearts, and lives.

Will we have free time?

Yes. There is some down time after the Evening Gathering.  We encourage you to spend time getting to know other volunteers, thinking about your experience, or reading.  Volunteers may have the opportunity to play basketball, football, run, or just hang-out. Going to the local ice cream shop is a big part of ASP culture. And it’s a great way to boost local economy, bond with your group, and meet local folks.

Where do we sleep?

We rent schools, community centers, and other public spaces in each county we serve.  In these centers, volunteers sleep on the floor in sleeping bags, cots or air mattresses.

Who prepares food?

We hire local cooks in each county.  We serve breakfast and dinner at the center.  ASP provides supplies for volunteers to pack lunches to take to their worksites.

Is there cell phone coverage?

Cell phone coverage is spotty in the mountains. There is cell phone coverage in many of our centers.

Can we communicate with family and friends back home?

Yes - but we encourage you to use your cell phone only for emergencies. An important part of the ASP experience is transporting yourself away from your everyday life, and immersing yourself in your experience in Central Appalachia.

What is the role of religion at ASP?

ASP was founded by a United Methodist minister and is a Christian organization. We believe that -- regardless of geography, education, or economic class -- we are all equal members of the family of God, and we are called to share his love.  When we move to help those in need, God moves in our hearts. As a Christian ministry committed to "faith in action," we believe it is important to start and end the day by gathering to give thanks to God. Evening programming focuses on the role of faith in our lives and in our future.

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