repairing homes building community changing lives

repairing homes building community changing lives

Welcome to Carolina Cross Connection Thank you for your interest in Carolina Cross Connection, a Christian outreach ministry for youth and adults! We invite you and your youth group to join us this summer for a unique experience of serving people in need, working on exciting home repair projects, building Christian community, and growing closer to the Lord. A Typical Week at CCC You and your youth group will gather at one of CCC s camp locations, along with 60-80 other campers from all over the nation. Each day, you will go out in small work teams to perform home repairs for elderly, disabled, and impoverished folks throughout western North Carolina. Projects vary from building wheelchair ramps to helping with odd jobs around the house. In addition to the work performed, you will have opportunities to share the love of Christ with these folks, ministering to their emotional, social, and spiritual needs as well. In the evenings, participants return to camp for community games, worship services, and other activities, all planned and led by our energetic college-age staff! Who Can Come Carolina Cross Connection is an interdenominational Christian mission. Members of all youth groups, small groups of friends/family, and even individuals are welcome to attend! CCC is open to rising 8th graders (13 years old) and older, though we strongly recommend that youth are at least rising 9th graders. Please use your judgment when choosing younger participants, ensuring that they have the maturity needed for a trip such as this. CCC does not discriminate against race or national origin. Though you do not have to be a Christian to attend CCC, we do ask that you are open to learning about Christ and serving others. No previous experience in CCC, other missions, or construction is necessary! Come Join Us! In 2008, CCC took in 1,359 campers who served approximately 727 needy families in twenty counties across the mountains and southern Piedmont of North Carolina. To date, approximately 20,607 campers have attended CCC, serving 12,123 needy families! As we enter 2009, our twenty-second summer of ministry, we hope you will join the many who have gone before you for a life-changing week of spiritual renewal and service to others. A week at CCC is an opportunity to experience the presence of God and to know Him more deeply. It is a week to put faith in action love in person.

Who We Work For During a week at CCC, you will work for people who may be poverty-stricken, disabled, elderly, or just in need of some loving Christian folks to visit with them. You ll be doing projects such as light construction (porches, steps, wheelchair ramps, floor repair, handrails, small sheds, etc.), painting, yardwork, underpinning a mobile home, house cleaning, and more. Most families are referred to CCC by social service-type agencies, churches, and individuals in the community. Our staff meet with homeowners ahead of time to talk with them about the work, plan projects, and ensure that our campers will be working in safe environments. 2009 Camp Weeks and Schedule Groups must arrive at camp on Sunday morning between 9:30 and 11:00 AM. During that first day, campers will build community through games and activities, and each participant will be placed in a Christian Mission Group. Each CMG is comprised of 1-2 adults and 4-6 youth, and combines a mixture of churches, ages, sexes, and experience. Each CMG will work Mon-Fri, going to about four different homes and families. CMGs depart for worksites by 9:00 AM and finish work around 4:30. The CCC staff will plan and lead in-camp activities, worship services, games, and sharing, and will allow for some free time each day. Groups will depart CCC on Saturday around 10:00 AM. 2009 Camp Weeks Week 1 June 14-20, 2009 Week 2 June 28 - July 4, 2009 Week 3 July 12-18, 2009 Week 4 July 26 - August 1, 2009 Camp Locations CCC operates from five camp locations, each set in the scenic mountains and foothills of western North Carolina: Camp Carolwood (Caldwell County), Camp Loy White (Cleveland Co.), Camp McCall (Rutherford Co.), Joshua Youth Camp (Stanly Co.), and West Wilkes Middle School (Wilkes Co.). Your group will be assigned to a location in March 2009. Who s in Charge CCC is a non-profit, interdenomational organization that is ultimately led by a Board of Directors and a full-time administrative staff. Summer staffs of 7-8 college-age folks will operate each camp location. They are fun, energetic, college-age folks who love the Lord! They are in charge of setting up projects and in-camp programming. They look forward to serving alongside you!

Group Requirements Group Make-up and Size Participants must be at least rising 8th graders (13 years or older). We prefer groups bring a good balance of ages, sexes, and experience, which in turn helps us achieve the balances we seek in our camp community and Christian Mission Groups (CMGs), the work teams that go out to perform work each day. Please note that members from your church will be divided into different CMGs with members from other churches. There is no minimum group size. Due to our capacities, groups larger than 24 people (youth and adults) MUST be divided into at least two groups to attend separate camp locations. If you have more than 24 people, please fill out multiple copies of the registration form, again, striving to balance ages, sexes, and skills in each of your groups. Adults Your group is required to bring adults to CCC, who will serve as drivers for their CMGs to and from worksites. Your group must provide at least one DRIVING adult for every five non-drivers. You are allowed and even encouraged to bring more adults, but make sure that at least one out of every six people in your group is a driving adult. ALWAYS ROUND UP! For instance, let s say you want to bring 17 youth. Divide 17 by 5 and round up. Your group should provide 4 adult drivers to be used for CMGs, for a total of 21. These numbers are absolutely necessary to ensure a positive CCC experience! Adult drivers must be 25 years of age or older. CCC requires that adults have undergone criminal background screening by their churches, for the safety of all in attendance. All adults will serve as members of CMG s, facilitating and empowering youth to lead, make decisions, and learn new skills. We encourage all churches to bring enough adults so that TWO adults may be placed in each CMG whenever possible. Adults are expected to take part in all in-camp activities both for their own enjoyment and to set a positive example for youth. Our staff will take on most disciplinary responsibilities, but adults are encouraged to assist in some discipline when necessary. Vehicles Your group is required to bring vehicles that will be used to transport people and tools to and from worksites during the week. Each group must provide ONE vehicle for every SIX participants of your group (same number of adult drivers). Vehicles MUST be capable of hauling 6 people (all seat-belted) and tools to and from worksites each day. Passenger vans or mini church buses are the most ideal vehicles for CCC. Also acceptable, though not as ideal, are SUV s, extended-cab pickups, minivans, or other large vehicles (keep in mind you may be hauling large tools such as ladders and lawnmowers). Drivers are welcome to haul trailers for carrying tools, at their own risk. Passengers are not allowed to ride in the bed of a pick-up truck, nor any vehicle without a safety restraint system for all passengers. We recommend planning for the borrowing or renting of vehicles as soon as possible, as this may need to be figured into your fundraising efforts. If you are unable to procure enough vehicles, your group must be prepared to share the cost of a rental van. CCC cannot provide vehicles for groups. Your group is responsible for all vehicle expenses at CCC, including gasoline. Tools and Coolers Groups must provide a certain number of tools, according to group size. A tool list will be provided in plenty of time for you to procure these items. Each group must provide one lunch cooler for each vehicle.

CAROLINA CROSS CONNECTION 2009 SERVICE PROJECT REGISTRATION FORM You can download this form at www.carolinacrossconnection.org/register Please read the entire 2009 Youth Group Registration Brochure, and familiarize yourself with all policies and requirements before completing this form. Submission of a registration form and deposit is required for your participation in Carolina Cross Connection and is your statement that you agree to meet our policies and requirements. Church Information Contact Person Information This person will receive all payment reminders, information, and other info regarding CCC. All of our contact will be with this person. Church Name Contact Person Name Church Address Home Address City State ZIP ( ) Church Phone Church e-mail City State ZIP ( ) Home Phone ( ) Work Phone Church website Email Denominational Affiliation (where applicable) Please check which address you would prefer to have CCC correspondence sent to: Church Address Contact Person Address 2009 Summer Camp Weeks Please indicate your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices. Camp weeks are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and submission of registration demonstrates your group s willingness to attend any of your top three preferences. Week 1: June 14-20, 2009 Week 2: June 28 - July 4, 2009 Week 3: July 12-18, 2009 Week 4: July 26 - August 1, 2009 Participants Your registration must reflect, as closely as possible, the actual number you expect to bring to CCC (be realistic). Due to the demand for space, you may or may not be able to add campers beyond your original reserved space (please contact the office first). You may be penalized for cancellations or decreases in your numbers. Please refer to the Registration Policy section of the brochure for more details. Rising 8th graders Rising 9th and 10th graders Rising 11th and 12th graders College or college-aged * Adults (non-drivers) Age Male Female Age Total * Adult Drivers (25 yrs. or older) Please ensure you meet the driver requirements for a group your size. Total Gender * For safety purposes, we request that your group conduct a background check on all adults attending CCC. We also recommend that you have at least one adult of each gender if group is co-ed. TOTAL PARTICIPANTS Vehicles Vehicles will be used during the week to transport work teams to and from worksites. Your group must commit to bring one suitable vehicle for every 6 total members of your group (number should be equal to the number of Adult Drivers). Vehicles must be capable of hauling 6 people (with seatbelts) and tools each day. Number of Vehicles - PLEASE COMPLETE THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS FORM -

Background Information Why does your group want to participate in Carolina Cross Connection 2009? NEW GROUPS ONLY: How did you first find out about Carolina Cross Connection? RETURNING GROUPS ONLY: Please list your CCC camp Assignments and tool colors from the past three years. Example: 2008, Loy White, green Deposit Information Total Participants x $79 = Deposit Deposit Enclosed Covenant for Participation We understand that to reserve space for a group to attend CCC, we must submit a completed registration form and a deposit. The initial deposit is $79 per person. The second payment is $100 per person if postmarked by 3/2/09, or $110 if postmarked thereafter. The final payment is $120 per person if postmarked by a date four weeks prior to our camp week, or $130 if postmarked thereafter (this date will be announced later). We understand that we will receive reminder notices for payments well in advance of due dates. We understand that all payments are non-refundable. CCC will also provide the group with other pertinent information and preparation materials throughout the year. We understand that if our group is over 24 persons strong, we must divide into separate groups, which will attend separate CCC locations. We will fill out multiple copies of this registrations form, one for each group. We covenant with CCC that, should we need to reduce our reserved space, we will do so in writing by 3/2/09 (CCC will provide a form for this purpose). We understand that after 3/2/09, we must pay fees for the number of people for whom we have reserved space, no matter what our final, actual numbers may be. We understand that, if our group cancels our trip anytime after 3/2/09, we will not receive a refund of any of our money paid, and that we are obligated to pay the fees for our total registered number of people. We understand that if we are registering or adding participants after 3/2/09, we must call the CCC office first to check availability. If space allows, we will submit first and second payments immediately. We understand that our numbers are automatically locked in for any participants registering after 3/2/09, and that we must pay the total balance for the number of people for whom we have registered, no matter what our final, actual numbers may be. We attest that all our adult volunteers (drivers and non-drivers) have undergone, or will undergo prior to the summer, a screening process, including but not limited to, criminal background checks. We confirm that our adult volunteers are suitable to work with youth in a church activity setting. We confirm that all of our adult drivers are at least 25 years of age. We have read, understand, and agree to adhere to all payment policies, schedules, requirements, ratios and information of Carolina Cross Connection contained within the 2009 Youth Group Registration Brochure. We look forward to participating in CCC 2009! Church Finance Officer: Print Name Signature Date Adult Contact Person: Print Name Signature Date Senior Pastor: Print Name Signature Date CCC Representative: Print Name Signature Date

Camper Fees The cost to attend Carolina Cross Connection is $299 per person if all deadlines are met. All youth and adults must pay camper fees. Fees cover all meals from Sunday lunch through Saturday breakfast, lodging, programming, staffing, etc. Participants may wish to bring extra spending money for snacks and CCC t-shirts. First Payment Second Payment Third Payment Payment Schedule $79 per person Send in ASAP! Space is limited and filled first-come, first-served! $100 per person Postmarked by 3/2/2009, or $110 thereafter. $120 per person Postmarked four weeks prior to camp week, or $130 thereafter. Registration Policy Please read this entire brochure carefully and be aware of all policies and requirements before completing the registration form. Submission of a registration form and deposit signifies your understanding of and willingness to adhere to policies and requirements as set forth in this brochure. Acceptance of your registration form and deposit binds your church group to stated policies and requirements. Please bear in mind the that your group is responsible for bringing one adult driver (25 yrs. or older) for every five youth and non-driving adults. Your group is responsible for bringing one suitable CMG vehicle (capable of safely seating 6-7 people and hauling tools) for every six participants. CCC reserves the right to decrease your reserved numbers if necessary to achieve these proper ratios. The registration should be reviewed and completed by the entire group to encourage total group understanding for the commitments being made. Registration will be returned if not completed entirely. We strongly encourage you make accurate estimates and obtain non-refundable deposits from your participants as you make payments to CCC. This helps foster commitment on the part of youth and their parents, and decreases the likelihood that your group as a whole will suffer financial penalty. We urge you to register as soon as possible. Space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. It is to your advantage to complete and submit registrations/deposits as soon as possible to help ensure your group gets to participate and to increase the chance of receiving your first preference of weeks. If your registration is not accepted for any reason, your deposit will be returned to you. If your registration is accepted, then your deposit and all following payments are considered NON-REFUNDABLE! By registering, your group covenants with CCC that you will make any final changes to group s numbers by 3/2/09. You will receive a form to fill out and turn in with the second payment to note any such changes. This form will lock in the number of persons for whom you have registered as of 3/2/09. Your group must pay the appropriate fees for each space reserved, even if people drop out later on. CCC prefers that your group does not decrease its numbers after the initial deposit. However, if members of your group drop out, their deposit money can be transferred to later payments. For instance, if you register for 10 people, then later drop down to 8, you may apply those two deposits towards the fees of the remaining participants. To make a transfer, you must notify CCC by phone and in writing before prior to 3/2/09. Transfers will only be accepted prior to 3/2/09! After that, fully payment must be made for all reserved spaces. Adding members to your group after initial registration may be impossible and should never be assumed. Please inquire the CCC office first, and bear in mind that we cannot exceed our camp capacities. After we receive your registration, we will send you a confirmation letter, notifying you of your camp week assignment (please note your group s top three preferences on the registration form). You will receive other correspondence through the year, including payment reminders and preparation materials. You will receive a camp location assignment around mid-march. Submitting a registration form and deposit acknowledges your willingness to attend any of our camp locations. CCC is unable to honor requests for camp assignments. We will try to work out suitable arrangements for those with legitimate special needs. When possible, returning groups will be assigned to a different location from previous years. Any group canceling after 3/2/09 forfeits all payments made, and is still responsible for paying the balance due for the number of persons who were registered to come with their group as of 3/2/09. Group cancellations must be submitted in writing. If are registering after 3/2/09, please contact the CCC office first, as space may be limited. Note to parents and participating adults: According to an IRS ruling, (IRC 170) all out-of-pocket expenses including room and board, travel expenses, and fees incurred while participating in a mission activity are considered charitable gifts and therefore can be included as a tax deduction on form Schedule A.

repairing homes building community changing lives Carolina Cross Connection PO Box 1457 Lincolnton NC 28093-1457 Phone: 704. 735. 4257 Fax: 704. 735. 1916 ccc@carolinacrossconnection.org www.carolinacrossconnection.org Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Lincolnton NC 28093 Permit No. 134 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED