Barb McClellan- Our Hero

The youth and chaperones of the Calgary Mission Trip would like to thank the woman who made it all possible. It took months of planning beforehand and constant work during our days on the road to pull off such a successful adventure.  CUMC is blessed to have this wonderful woman as Youth Coordinator and the young people see an amazing role model for life.

Barb's 39+ year birthday celebration in Calgary. She was unable to even taste the cake!

Waiting in line to cross border into US. Barb made an emergency pit stop and was questioned by Immigration Officer.

Barb picked up a case of Giardia while in Mexico and endured amazingly during the entire trip despite frequent potty stops, discomfort, and near starvation. She is an "Energizer Bunny" who just keeps going and going through it all.

Barb we love and admire you. Thanks for the memories.

7/13,14 Mittlestadt Ranch

Eric and Janette Mittlestadt bravely invited all of us to spend a wind down two days at their family ranch near Hamilton, Montana. Patty Emery drove up to help with feeding 18 hungry teenagers and the 6 chaperones.We were able to swim and hike while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The youth reciprocated for their hospitality by clearing a soggy field of moldy hay.

Our heartfelt thanks to our gracious hosts.

7/11 Calgary Photo Scavenger Hunt

A team from Boise shared lodgings and projects with us. Many of the Idaho kids were younger than our youth. This is our entire group in Town Park against the Calgary skyline.

We had an opportunuity to explore downtown Calgery through a camera lens. Youth were split into groups to explore downtown Calgary, taking wacky photos and hunting down YouthWorks staff members. It was an incredible opportunity to discover the life and culture of downtown Calgary.

7/9,10 2012 Clifton Manor

Clifton Manor is a long-term care facility for seniors. YouthWorks participants volunteer with residents in recreation programs, on outings, and providing personal visits.

7/9 Calgary Drop-in

Calgary Drop-in is a temporary housing facility that helps people in need. YouthWorks participants help with kitchen prep, cleaning projects, sort clothing, gardening, and building relationships with those in need.

7-11,12/2012 Bethany Care Society

Bethany Care Society is one of western Canada's largest voluntary, non-profit providers of health, housing and community for seniors and persons with disabilities. Youthworks participants work with the Recreation therapy staff to engage more residents to participate in activities and improve the quality of the group programs.

7-11,12 Calgary Inter-faith Food Bank

Calgary Inter-faith Food Bank gathers and disributes quality emergency food for those in need in Calgary. YouthWorks participants get to sort food, bag bulk food, build food hampers, and distribute food hanpers and produce to clients.

7-10-12 Standing Room Only

Standing Room Only Simulation creates a situation in which youth imagine what is would be like if you had to live on the street for a week. The youth participated in a poverty simulation and were challenged to consider what life is like for someone who is homeless.

7/7 to 7/12 McKenzie Towne Church Sports Camp

McKenzie Towne Church hosts a Sports Camp outreach for kids in the neighborhood and church. YouthWorks participants joined in leading and participating in soccer drills, small group discussions, and set-up/take-down of activities. During teaching times, youth helped engage in relationships with the children.  In the 5-6 yr old team, 7 of the children asked Jesus to be their FOREVER FRIEND for the first time.  This was an amazing work site for our group from Salt Lake City and Boise.

7-9-12 Fort Calgary

Fort Calgary Historic park traces the history of Calgary  back to when it was an RCMP fort. This is, historically and culturally, a tree Canadian experience and provides lots of opportunity to intereact with the hostory of Clagary. Our youthe tooooured the fort, tried on RCMP uniforms, and painted plaster buffalos.

7-9-12 Servants Anonymous Society

The mission of Servants Anonymous is to provide long-term programs, ongoing support, hope and wholeness to women (with or without children) who are victims of, or at risk of, sexual exploitation.

Our youth created a restful outdoor space around a newly-purchased transitional house for a group of these women.

7-9-12 CUPS

CUPS Health and Education Centres work with low income individuals and families in areas focusing on health, education, and housing. YouthWorks participants help with various maintenance and service projects, sorting donations, and child care.

Please Be Patient

We are occupied from about 6:45 AM to lights out at 11:15 PM and away from the church at our respective sites most of the day. In addition the Wi Fi connection has a mind of its own, so the blog may not be complete until we return to SLC. We leave for Montana in the morning.

7/10 Jesus Loves You Society

Jesus Loves You Society creates a safe place for low-income single moms and their kids. They provide a meal and a private time of connection for the moms. YouthWorks participants help in the kitchen, acre of kids, basic cleaning, and building relationships with other volunteers, moms, and kids.

Tim and Alec mopping the sanctuary.