|
The pristine beauty of the Green Mountains surrounds the city of Rutland, Vermont. This region offers limitless outdoor recreational activities year-round, including skiing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and water sports. But like many small towns, economic concerns such as poverty and unemployment exist. Your group can help meet the needs of this community by partnering with organizations and through many different work projects in the community. You may also serve at children’s and elderly ministries.
| Date Start | Date End | Price Per | # of Available Spots | |
| 6/19/2011 | 6/24/2011 | $258.00 | 60 | Register |
| 6/26/2011 | 7/1/2011 | $258.00 | 45 | Register |
| 7/3/2011 | 7/8/2011 | $258.00 | 72 | Register |
| 7/10/2011 | 7/15/2011 | $258.00 | 57 | Register |
| 7/17/2011 | 7/22/2011 | $258.00 | 40 | Register |
| 7/24/2011 | 7/29/2011 | $258.00 | 72 | Register |
| 7/31/2011 | 8/5/2011 | $258.00 | 72 | Register |
Demographics
The city of Rutland, Vermont sits in a wide valley between two mountain ranges. To the east is Green Mountains National Forest, and to the west are the Taconics. Rutland is 15 miles east of the New York state border and it is the second-largest city in Vermont with a population of 17,309. Rutland’s early growth was fueled by marble quarries, which became extremely profitable when the railroad came to town. Natural resources remain an important part of Rutland’s economy today as it relies on marble, slate, limestone and lumber production.
Rutland’s employment base—consisting of hundreds of manufacturers—is diverse compared to other areas of Vermont. Yet the region’s unemployment rate of 4.8 percent is higher than the state average. Individuals living below the poverty line make up 15.4 percent of Rutland’s population, including 30 percent under age 18 and 10.5 percent of residents age 65 or older. Come to Rutland to enjoy its natural beauty while you partner with the community to share the love of Jesus by reaching out to those who are struggling.
About the Ministry
Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one ministry or switch between ministries during the week. Ministries that your students may participate in are Kids Club, Work Projects and partnering with local organizations. Kids Club is a hands-on program led by your youth offering high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Whether we’re painting houses, performing minor home repair, cleaning up debris, volunteering in community gardens or other projects in the community, the projects students work on will serve as our way of blessing people in need. Our goal is to partner with local organizations and programs that seek to address the very basic needs of residents. Students may serve at places like: Children’s Programs, Elderly Centers, Soup Kitchens/Homeless Shelters and Thrift Stores. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what ministries your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!
Activities
Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of possible evening/cultural activities include: go to the Green Mountain Rock Climbing Gym; hike in Green Mountains; listen to a speaker from the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center; and attend a community cookout. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.
Ministry Week
Kids Club (begins late June), Work Projects, and Local Ministries.
Mileage
The nearest airports are located in Boston, MA (230 miles southeast) or Albany, NY (100 miles southwest).
Transportation & Travel
Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. Rutland/Green Mountains is a bus accessible site. A bus is defined as any vehicle that is larger than a standard 15-passenger van. If you would like to bring a vehicle in this category, you will need to contact the Service Center to discuss the additional requirements due to the size of your group.
Additional Information
If you would like more information on what there is to do in Rutland and surrounding areas before or after your trip, check out the following web sites for travel information: http://www.vtliving.com/towns/rutland and http://www.rutlandvermont.com.
|
