Jr High Camp with other UMC Youth

Jr High Camp has been fun - but at least one of our chaperones is tired and ready to get some sleep in her own bed!!! We thank all of our chaperones, cooks and drivers - and our church family!! Without you, none of this would be possible!!!

Note: more photos will be downloaded later today....(Sunday evening.)

Here are photos of our 2011 Pinecliff Jr High Mission Team. It's been a great trip - lots of hard work and we can't wait to come back next year and do more work for Pinecliff. The camp is now ready for making new friends at Jr High Camp!!!

Until next summer's Pinecliff trip,

Barb

Transplanting seedlings

This project sounded "easy" - but first before we could transplant the seedlings, we had to dig holes 1 1/2 ft wide by 1 1/2 ft deep....but wait --- the ground is full of rocks!!!!

We put the seedlings inbetween the first and second upper parking lots. This was a much harder project than we thought, but very rewarding!!!

Last day of Mission Trip - more clearing of SAGE

Today is Friday, our last day of the mission portion of our trip. Later this afternoon other Jr High Youth from other United Methodist Churches from around the state will be arriving for Jr High Camp.

We still have a lot of work to do -- the photos from this project are from our Sage Clearing Team for today. It's hard work, but someone has to do it!!!

Ok - in case someone is wondering why I have peanut butter on my arm. I had sap from a tree on my arm and it was suggested that I put peanut butter on it to get rid of the sap. Guess what?!? It worked!!!

I love going on our annual Jr High Mission Trip to Pinecliff. It's a great semi-local mission project. Our youth bond well with each other, welcoming new kids and work really good together. I don't think I've ever heard any of them complain about the work they do -- and trust me....some of the projects they probably have never done at home!

It's been a colder trip this year. It was 26 degrees at 430am today!!! Right now the sun is shining and we're hoping it'll warm up so we can finish clearing sage brush and transplanting some seedings to the area near the upper parking lot.

This coming year I look forward to supporting our youth in being Christ's body in helping others selflessly. Thanks for your prayers and support for our Youth Missions at Christ UMC!!!

In Christ's Love,

Barb

Gina - Cook

"I'm here because I like to be here with kids and it's fun. It's a way to help our youth and Pinecliff. It's also something I want to do. I really enjoy it! Because of this and other activities I am more open to do things out of my own comfort zone.

This next year, my commitment is to volunteer more with organizations who support groups who are being discriminated against.

Gina

Kelly

"I like coming back to help at Pinecliff because it's a good way to meet new people and do things for God and just to have fun.

This experience will help me in the future to be more willing to do things. If someone asks me to volunteer and it's something I don't really want to do, I will because I know it will make an impact on them and help God.

I'm very interested this year in helping to organize our youth to interview and write the stories of Homeless people in our area. People think Homeless people have given up on their lives or are bad people, so it would be good to get the word out that most Homeless people are trying - they are trying really hard to make their future better and they are nice people."

Kelly

Rex - Chaperone

"I do service projects with our youth because I think it makes a difference.

It changes my life because it keeps me soft. It rounds off the hard edges of my heart. It keeps me involved with things that matter: kids, youth, service for others.

This coming year I'd like to work with our Jr High Youth at church on a regular basis. We could plan some really good meaningful service projects locally using my expertise in the trade.

Rex

Barbara - Caretaker

"It's been so delightful to see your youth work so hard to better Pinecliff for others to enjoy!"

Barbara

Diane - Chaperone

"It's a whole lot of fun being around a lot of people because I normally do sewing for UMCOR and that's a solitary activity. It's good to do both.

Working with youth you learn a lot that escapes you when you don't have teenagers at home about what the world is becoming. I have a very positive outlook on it - many things I don't understand, but it's hopeful!

I'm interested in the needs of the disabled. CP talked last night about using his technical skills to program artificial voices for those who can't speak. Augmentative language technology. That was my past profession - if anyone is interested in area, there is a Computer Citizen with Disabilities and it will give all kinds of ideas for starting points and amazing technology available.

Diane

Alicia

"I'm up here at Pinecliff because I like being with my friends and doing something to help change the world. I feel good about myself because I'm doing this. When I go back to school and people ask me what I did this summer I can say that I went to Pinecliff and California to help people instead of wasting time watching tv."

Alicia

Shannon

"I came to Pinecliff because it's fun and I feel really good because I'm helping out and like doing God's work. It's fun to be with your friends and help out.

As far as future mission work?? I definitely want to do the 30 Hr Famine every year and donate clothes and food and help out our community."

Shannon

Isaac

"I came early to help out - to make Pinecliff better for everyone else. It feels good to do this. I love it 'up here' (spoken from the top of the ladder). It makes me feel important to be able to help others."

Isaac

Peachy

"When I worked at Pinecliff last year I was glad to do the work and wanted to do it again. When I do God's work I feel good about myself because God is smiling while watching me.

This coming year I'd also like to get involved with Toys for Tots.

Peachy

Emma

"I like it here at Pinecliff. It's really peaceful. You get to be with everyone in youth group helping around the camp. It feels really good!

We're helping out camp and doing God's work at the same time.

I really like the idea of writing the stories of homeless people and organizing a food drive.

Emma

Hilary - Chaperone

"I wanted to help volunteer this year at Pinecliff Jr High Mission Trip / Camp to get some volunteering in. I haven't had the opportunity to do much lately. The youth are GREAT!

I like being a chaperone better than being a youth because it's nice to get to know more kids in the church since I don't really know this age group. I like how they look up to me with all their questions. It's cool and it really is COOL - it's FREEZING up here!!!!"

Hilary

Desi - Jr Chaperone

"I like to do at least one mission trip a year and since I can't go on the Sacramento mission trip this summer, I'm getting my annual dose of mission work up here. It's fun to spend time with all the kids. I'm enjoying being a Jr Chaperone since I spent so much time as a youth at Pinecliff. It's just a new perspective on what the adults went through in all my years at Pinecliff.

I'm looking forward to going back to Mexico (Hogar de Ninos) next summer because I love spending time with those kids and it's an eye opening experience. I'd like to work with under-privileged children in Utah and make a difference here and not just world-wide."

Desi

Pam - Cook

"I enjoy watching the kids at work. It's good to see them enjoy each other's company while working.

I think volunteer work is really important. There's a whole lot of important things that wouldn't get done without it. When it comes to service projects, I've done a lot of them. I really enjoy doing the variety of the mission work I've done over the years."

Pam

Steve - Caretaker at Pinecliff

"It means a heck of a lot to have your Christ UMC Jr High Youth come up here every year and do projects around the camp. It's hard for me to put into words my appreciation. It's really good to see young folks participating in good things!"

Steve

Chris "Miles" - Chaperone

"I'm here as a chaperone for this trip because my mom asked me to come and I love my mom. Seriously, it's a chance to indoctrinate youth with Ultimate Frisbee!

Inspite of gettting sweaty and working our tails off, maybe because of this experience I'll get out of the valley more often. The weather, scenary and air is really nice here. "

Chris (a.k.a. "Miles")

Gabe

"I'm here at Pinecliff because I think it's fun to meet other church's youth @Jr High Camp and do God's work during our mission trip portion. When we finish our work it helps the camp stay open longer. I'm working on clearing sage brush and we're making it more convenient for the RV's who stay up here. It's great watching how everyone in our group works together as a team. If someone needs something, someone else runs to help. It's awesome!!

This coming year I like the idea of working with homeless people and writing their stories.

Gabe

Emily

"I normally spend June with my grandparents in Washington. So I guess I'm here at Pinecliff being in 'training' for the WBR Tour next summer and not being with my grandparents during June. This is my first time at Pinecliff and I wanted to see what it's really like. The Jr High Youth Group comes home every year and keeps talking about all the wonderful things I've missed. I'm glad to be here this year!

Doing this mission trip makes me feel like I accomplished something more important than myself. I want to make other people happier when they come to Pinecliff."

Emily

Taren

"I'm here to do God's work. We're removing shrubbery to build a road. It makes me feel good to know we're helping people.

For future service projects, I like the idea of helping homeless people."

Taren

Chris "Alex"

"I'm here because the upper parking lot at Pinecliff is full of sage brush and we need to get it out. We're using chain saws to cut it out.

It's a great feeling doing God's work. It's good to know other people will be impacted by the work I'm doing up here.

I'm excited to do the 30 Hr Famine again this coming year. I'm familiar with it and know the cause of it's affects toward homeless starving kids here at home and around the world."

Chris "Alex"
(note: we have 2 Chris' on this trip, so they suggested we use their middle names when referring to them!)

Mandy - Chaperone

"I love it! It's amazing watching these kids do God's work - to work together. Everybody gets stuck in - working together. They don't complain. They want to do more.

I'd like to do more service projects, fixing up people's houses who can't afford to do their renovations."

Mandy

C.P.

"I came to Pinecliff to be with my church family. Last year I had a good experience helping the caretakers, Steve and Barbara around the camp had also had a good time at Jr High Camp.

It makes me feel good to help people who can't do everything on their own! This year I also want to work with Homeless people and get to know what their life has been like."

CP

Liam

"My mom and sister we coming to Pinecliff again this year and my dad was gone on a business trip, so I had to come with my mom to Pinecliff. With that said, I feel good in my heart doing God's work here.

This year I'd also likie to go to parks and help pick up liter."

Liam

George - Chaperone

"I'm here to do God's work and help these young kids be part of God's Nature. I feel great doing this - it's a new pattern for me.

I want to continue doing God's work every where. He is Leading me to do His work. I like talking to God and listening to what He wants me to do. I feel good about myself and that's important too!:"

George

Tim

"Pinecliff has so many memories for me so I like to give back to a place that has given me so many memories with my church family.

In the future I would also like to do more work spreading the gospel and doing service projects."

Tim

Bobbie

"It feels good to help others. It's making a difference in other people's lives.

This coming year I'd be interested in helping with any or all other mission projects our church and youth are doing."

Bobbie

Marko

"My mom forced me to come to Pinecliff and I then decided I wanted to come as well. It feels good to do God's work here.

In the future I'd also like to hand out colorful Bibles on street corners!"

Marko