Questions and Answers:

S.H.I.N.E. Catholic Work Camp is a Catholic-based Service Retreat based in Houston, TX. SHINE stands for "Servin’ Him In the Needy and the Elderly." Started in the summer of 2000 now in it’s 9th year, SHINE was started by Catholic Musician / Youth Minister Augie Leal and his wife Dawn. Augie, with his music, youth, & retreat experience decided back in 1999 that there should be a work camp that offered a deeper "retreat" experience. S.C.W.C. is designed to offer those teens who are ready to go on to the "next level" on their journey with Christ. Each work camp has a staff of 8 people who offer an enormous amount of youthful energy and love for the Lord. There are awesome youth liturgies, powerful service opportunities, high energy worship and praise, great guest speakers, Christian concerts, Adoration, and an optional day of fun.

WHAT KIND OF WORK WILL WE BE DOING? Each day will be spent either refurbishing homes by doing such things as painting, weatherizing, housecleaning, landscaping, yard work, basic construction, hanging doors or windows, etc..., cleaning up vacant lots, helping at a day care center for low income families, or working at a shelter. The goal of the service projects is for the participants to build up hope in the community and to search for ways that they can go back and serve in their own communities.

HOW ARE WORK SITES CHOSEN?  S.C.W.C. works in co-operation with various agencies and local churches in each city to choose the sites and write up work assignments. Residents who qualify for home repairs must be unable to do or afford repair work on their homes. Typically, residents are elderly, disabled, or unemployed. A S.C.W.C. representative will make every effort to inspect the work-sites before the work camp, checking the safety and appropriateness of the project. S.C.W.C. reserves the right to reject any projects that do not fit the qualification guidelines.

WHAT IF A YOUNG PERSON HAS LITTLE OR NO HOME REPAIR EXPERIENCE?  As long as young people have the "Nerve to Serve", there is really no problem involving them in home repairs. There is plenty of work that needs to be done, such as painting, which takes little or no experience at all. Young people are not asked to participate in projects they are not equipped to handle but will be given opportunities to learn if they so desire.

HOW WELL SUPERVISED AND SAFE IS THE WORK CAMP?  S.C.W.C. takes supervision and safety very seriously. Besides the work camp staff and associates, each youth group participating must bring one adult sponsor for every 6 teens. (Youth participants must be entering high school in the fall.) - Only adult leaders listed by their churches as "designated drivers" are allowed to drive to work sites. No participant is required to work on roofs or ladders if he or she feels unsure or unsafe about the work. Safety goggles are available for workers as needed, and are required when power saws or drills are used. Each participant should drink adequate liquids, and participants are requested to bring protective clothing, shoes, hats, gloves, and sun screen. Adult sponsors provide supervision of their work group at their work sites and must supervise their own teens back at the school. - S.C.W.C. will not involve or put any young people in jeopardy by putting them in dangerous situations. -No one will be allowed to use any kind of power tools unless they are well trained, have previous experience and have the proper parental consent.- We try to match each participant to a project he / she can handle comfortably. - First Aid kits will be assigned to every work group. Local medical facilities and services are identified before the work camp. Directions and emergency phone numbers are provided in first aid packets in case of emergency. Close adult supervision is built into the work camp program, and youth leaders are requested to bring only responsible, service-oriented young people who will work carefully in the program. We do not allow anyone to participate without health / medical insurance.

WILL MY TEENS BE MIXED WITH OTHER TEENS AT THE WORK SITES?  YES!!! That's what's so cool about a SHINE WORK CAMP experience. New friendships and relationships are formed with other teens from all over. Each work group is divided into teams of 6 teens and 1 adult at each site. There is adequate free time each afternoon and evening for the teens to hang with their own youth groups.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY AT SHINE CATHOLIC WORK CAMP? One word "AWESOME!!!!!". On the first day participants learn more about the work camp, get to know their fellow workers, receive important work skills training, and celebrate the Eucharist with an awesome liturgy. During free time and dinner on the first day, while the teens settle in and get acquainted with other participants, excitement builds. Work campers start every day with an early breakfast, then morning mass. During the day, work crews leave the school and remain at their work sites (lunches are taken by work campers to their work-sites). Work campers return to the school and have free time for showering, (showers may be taken at other facilities depending if the school has showers or not) recreation, writing letters, and resting until dinner. After dinner every one will meet in the "program area" for evening program which consists ice breakers, skits & dramas with the "God Squad", jammin worship and praise with the "SHINE Praise Team", motivational speakers, praying, singin’ dancin’, and a cool concerts by one of today’s top Catholic artists, as well as fun and fellowship. After programming , work campers meet with their youth group for nightly prayer and then they have free time to socialize, pray in the chapel, or just hang out until "lights out". Saturday is an optional free day, (except for the extreme camps) you may choose to head home or leave from the freeday .

WHO IS THE "GOD SQUAD"?  The "God Squad" is a group of teens who have some sort of drama or acting experience who aren’t afraid to get up in front of people and present the dramas and skits for the week. If someone in your group, with some experience, would like to be a part of it, then have them sign up on their application form.

WHAT CAN WE DO ON FREE DAY?  Depending on which city you choose, each free day is sure to be an exciting one. Each group will receive the "Optional" free day information in their final packet. In each city, most groups all go to the same place. The cost of the free day is not included in the registration but will be offered at a discounted price. Each youth group is responsible for its own group and transportation needs.

WILL MY TEEN’S GROW IN THEIR CATHOLIC FAITH? Most Definitely!! they will learn how to live out there baptismal call to serve. You and your teens will be spiritually renewed through songs of praise, through the celebration of the Eucharist, through inspirational witness talks, and through God’s awesome love in the sacrament of reconciliation and Adoration.

HOW DO WE GET THERE?  Most groups travel in vans and small buses, depending on the number of people you bring. These same vehicles will also be used to transport teams to and from their work sites. State laws require that all vehicles must be equipped with enough seat belts for all riders. If you choose to fly to a work camp location, you must arrange to rent vehicles which can be picked up upon arrival at the airport. To keep the cost of registration low, all groups are responsible for all vehicle expenses.

WHERE DO MY ADULT SPONSORS GO?  Each adult sponsor will be assigned to a work group. This adult will be a part of the work team just like the teens. We depend on adults to work side by side with the teens and not just stand around and supervise. Teens need encouragement and the adult leaders need to be willing to encourage their team. For the safety of the teens, each parish must have at least 2 adult sponsor with them in the sleeping quarters. We also depend on the adults to supervise their own parish teens while at the school during free time and programming.

WILL WE RECEIVE AN INFO PACKET BEFORE WE ARRIVE?  Yes, each participating youth group will receive a "final packet" that includes: School / Church info, a what-to-bring list for each participant, free day info (if applicable), and directions to the work camp.

WHAT ABOUT LIABILITY AND INSURANCE?  S.H.I.N.E. Catholic Work Camp does not and will not allow anyone to participate without personal health / medical insurance. In the unlikely case medical attention is needed, the participant’s personal medical insurance is needed to cover any expenses that occur. Each adult participant will be required sign a notarized "youth protection policy". Note: no adult volunteer will be allowed to participate without this form.