Volunteer Recruitment

My alarm goes off and it's time to get up and get ready for day camp. I fill my mug up with coffee and head to Eagle Child & Family Development Center in McCreary County for the start of day camp. When I arrive I have a brief huddle with my co-workers and we discuss the plans and activities for camp today. We then gather our supplies for the games and crafts scheduled for today. Today's activities require tie dye, socks, paint, wood boards, and balloons. There are a lot of fun things happening today. Once all the supplies have been gathered we head out to pick up the children.

One of the most memorable moments of this year so far was on a job site during YouthFest in April. I led a crew of high school students in building a wheelchair ramp. While I typically enjoy the construction work and understand it's necessity, I do not always get to see first-hand the immense impact that a project has on a participant's life.

I always start my morning with a 10 minute yoga stretch and morning meditation. I have learned from many years of experience as a R.N., that if you don’t begin by taking care of yourself, you are not able to give your best to others during the day. I then take my shower, eat my breakfast and pack my lunch and out the door for my morning walk around the CAP building and into work.

The photo to the right is of the Johnson House volunteers at Natural Bridge (minus Sam who was rock climbing). From left to right, Nate, Kathy,  Carolyn, myself, and Alex. I am so blessed to have these people in my life. When this photo was taken, I had just climbed two mountains; a physical one, and one within myself. The day before we went hiking, I found out that a friend from back home committed suicide.

“Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” 

“I kept asking God what I should do with my life, and God kept answering: ‘I dunno Greg, what do you want to do?’”  -Greg Wagner, CAP Alum

My name is Alexander Pinarreta, I am a Long-Term volunteer with the Christian Appalachian Project. I first came to CAP during an alternative spring break trip (WorkFest) in March with my school, the University of Scranton, and I was hooked from that point on. I was a participant in Workfest when I heard about one of CAP's Summer Camps, Camp Shawnee. After learning more about Camp Shawnee I knew I had to volunteer there.