Franklinton Center at Bricks (Whitakers)                         

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Contact: Tracey Mann or Diana Allen
281 Bricks Lane, P.O. Box 220
Whitakers, NC 27891
Phone: 800.345.1850
Fax:  252.437.1278
Email:  FranklintonCenter@ucc.org or allend@ucc.org 
Website:  www.ucc.org/franklinton-center 

The Franklinton Center at Bricks is a conference, retreat, and educational facility in eastern North Carolina with a focus on justice advocacy and leadership development.  It is one of the Centers for Education and Social Transformation of Justice and Witness Ministries in the national UCC Setting.

Project/Focus: Immersion includes the experience of the Franklinton Center grounds, buildings and stories they generate.  Immersion at Franklinton Center includes visits and hearing stories of local community organizations involved in racial justice actions.  A work project on grounds-keeping or building maintenance may also be arranged to enhance the wider ministry of Franklinton Center.

Educational/advocacy Components: As a former plantation, the FCAB traces its beginnings to the founding of the Franklinton Christian College in 1871, and the Congregationalist Bricks School in 1895.  A merger in the 1950's formed the FCAB which is related to the united Church of Christ and managed and staffed by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries.  The FCAB continues to play a significant role in the education and nurture of church leaders, justice advocates, young people, and community leaders.  Fundamental concerns such as rural justice, community development, environmental racism and workers' rights are woven into the programmatic focus of this national church facility. A listing of 2012-2013 events can be found at www.ucc.org/franklinton-center/events.html.

Time: Spring through fall.

Group Size: Any size up to 50 people.

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Accommodations: Lodging is dorm style at The Center.  Motel type lodging available on site at a higher cost.  Prayer trails, outdoor chapel, walks and rides to the nearby river, (bring your fishing pole) and serene grounds are available for use.  There's more than enough space (over 250 acres) for games such as soccer, volleyball and softball.  In season, you and  your group can swim in the large outdoor pool.

Cost: $30.00 for meals and lodging per night; negotiable.

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Harvest of Hope (Durham & Charlotte)

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See listing for National Headquarters under Virginia.

Contact:  www.endhunger.org
Phone:  800.333.4597

Project/Focus:  Participants glean nutritious produce from farmer's fields and orchards after harvest.  This food, instead of being left behind to rot, is delivered to those in need through programs such as local food banks and soup kitchens.  Harvest of Hope is a national gleaning network.

Harvest of Hope events are arranged in the following states:  Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.

Easy access from Route 95 (exit 150 Whitakers, NC). Franklinton Center can also be a place for overnight accommodations for groups in transit to other mission trip host sites in other parts of the country.

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John's River Valley Camp (Blowing Rock)                       

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Contact: Rev. C.L. "Curly" Stumb
Mailing Address:  1055 Niley Cook Road, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Site Location:  6211 Highway 90, Collettsville, NC 28611
Phone: 828.264.1516
Fax:  828.262.0701
Email:   stumb@boone.net 
Website:   www.jrvc.org

John's River Valley Camp (JRVC) hosts an outdoor ministry site of the Southern Conference United Church of Christ.  JRVC is an accredited camp of the American Camp Association.  JRVC hosts 150-200 campers during the summer.  Retreats and groups are throughout the year.

Project/Focus:The JRVC program has identified a cross-section of needs where camps, with hands-on encounters, can address housing, food, clothing and environmental issues.  Projects include home paint and repair, work in thrift shops and food pantries, help elderly  neighbors with lawn care, build trails, restore animal habitats and perform river clean-ups.

Educational/advocacy Components: JRVC camp staff personnel offer oversight and direction in guiding the project experience, and help provide reflective prompting toward discoveries from the work encounter.  The InsideOut Christian Resources for Outdoor Ministry offers a curriculum foundation for the week.  This material is designed and published in an ecumenical partnership that includes the United Church of Christ.  In 2013 the curriculum "All Things New" will help campers and camp leaders see God at work around us as we explore the fullness of God, who we are created to be, and what we are called to do.  A Southern Conference Minister and/or youth leader/s have been designated to coordinate program portions designed to embrace the week's encounters.  The JRVC educational model utilizes a cooperative and shared approach to the educational component.

Time: June 23-29, 2013:  Youth Work Camp 1at JRVC; July 14-20, 2013:  Youth Work Camp 2 at JRVC (limited availability) 

Minimum Age: Rising 7th graders (Program is designed for youth from rising grades 7-13 (person just graduating from high school)

Group Size: 6-16 per youth group (total work camp session will have 30-40 people)

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:6

Accommodations: Classic summer camp cabins that each sleeps 8-10 persons.  Cabins are clustered around two separate bathhouses similar to facilities found in a camper travel park.  The camp also has one handicap accessible cabin with bath facilities.  The bathhouses, dining hall, and various other program spaces are also accessible.  Adults not functioning as cabin counselors have an option of lodging in modern "Boger Site" rooms that part of the camp's newer 40-bed year-round retreat facility. 

Cost: $405.00 per youth camper; no charge for adults within the prescribed 1:6 adult/youth ratio.

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 Disaster Recovery in Eastern North Carolina
UCC in partnership with the North Carolina United Methodist Church.

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Contact:  Ann Huffman
               United Methodist Conference Call Center
               Garner, NC 
               888.440.9167

The Disaster Event:  In August of 2011 when Hurricane Irene made landfall in North Carolina, the inland areas had rainfall totals between 10 and 15 inches; coastal areas experienced wind gusts of up to 115 miles per hour and storm surge reaching more than 8 feet.  Extensive flooding in conjunction with wind damaged thousands of homes. More than 800 families are still not able to return to their homes.

Project/Focus:  Long-Term Disaster recovery from Hurricane Irene flooding in August of 2011.  Projects include home repair and rebuilding.

Educational/Advocacy Components:

• Preparation for the trip:  "Mission Trips That Matter: by Don C. Richter, Upper Room Books.
• On-Site Reflection:  'Meeting God in the Ruins - Devotions for Disaster Relief Volunteers'Free copies may be ordered from the Evangelical Luthern Church in America by calling 800.328.4648 (ISBN 6-0001-6788-1); pay shipping only. Group leaders are responsible for coordinating these sessions.
• Follow up Action:  Help your local community prepare for possible disaster and response.  Be sure your local congregation has a plan in case of local disaster (view sample plan).  Get to know your UCC Conference Disaster Coordinator and stay involved.
• UCC Identity:  UCC Disaster Recovery T-shirts available for purchase from United Church of Christ Resources 800.537.3394 or www.ucc.org/ under "BUY IT" cost of T-shirt:  $7.00 + shipping and handling.

Time: Long term recovery work continues in 2013.  Arrive Sunday afternoon and depart Saturday morning.  Work Monday - Friday.

Accommodations:  Housing provided in area local churches and other facilities.  Local volunteer coordinator will advise location when group is registered; bathrooms, showers and access to kitchen facilities and utensils are available at each location.  Local partner has tools but will advise what is  needed for project and request group to bring tools if they have them.

Cost:  $50.00 per person per week to the host church/facility providing accommodations to help offset costs of utilities and maintenance.  Costs for building materials and tools, and construction supervision provided through local partners and long term recovery committee.  Your donations toOne Great Hour of Sharing® help make possible the local work of the Long-Term Recovery Committee and partners.

Minimum Age:  16 years.

Adult to Youth Ratio:  1:5
 

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