This is a youth-focused, outreach ministry trip, but it would not be possible
without our dedicated, fun-loving and well-trained adult leaders.

Our returning adult volunteers are the backbone of this wonderful, life-changing event -- your dedication, leadership and spirit make it happen.  

New adult volunteers: You will make a difference in the lives of many young people. You will experience service and fellowship in different and wonderful ways. The fresh perspective and enthusiasm of our new adult volunteers gives us many new ideas every year. But we do not send you off without equipping you. There is training, orientation, team building, fund-raising, and bonding that happens in every activity we sponsor to prepare all participants to act as a team, use their skills and talents and share our love for each other and the Appalachian families we serve on the trip. It is imperative that our adult volunteers are full participants in each activity that leads up to the trip.

College-age, young adults: If you participated with FOA during high school and you would like to continue the adventure, we would like to welcome you in your new role as a young adult volunteer.

We hope the FOA/ASP experience for you! It is a lot of work and a considerable time commitment, but there is nothing else like it. 

Volunteers can download their forms here in a single PDF file.
One of these forms needs to be notarized, which can be done in advance. 

Forms need to be submitted as soon as possible and are required prior to participating in any skills training.

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Registration, Trip Fees and Paperwork
The Adult Advisor cost of participation in the Friends of Appalachia 2018 Trip is $650.
The College Advisor (over 19 years of age on the trip) cost of participation in the Friends of Appalachia 2018 Trip is $450.

It is suggested that $150 be deposited into your account each month. These payments can be made on online in our website link. Checks can be made payable to "FOA" and brought to any event/meeting.  
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Application/Commitment fee of $100 is non-refundable and must be submitted with your application. Deposits into participants accounts are non-refundable after March 1st. Donations are not refundable. $150 is due at the January Meeting with a minimum total of $650/$450 due prior to the May Meeting. Any amount above the $1000 gets you a spot on our $1000 club, which entitles you input on an extra purchase for your work site home, and more.  

The application, notarized form and any other information requested by FOA is being gathered for the safety of the participants. Our adult volunteers will be responsible for the well-being of the youth participants. This could include seeking emergency medical attention. It is imperative that we have a comprehensive report of any medical or dietary concerns and any medication that is being taken.

All adults (those out of high school at least 1 year) need to submit to a background check every three years. In May you will receive an email with the form to fill out and email back. 


Trip Preparation Meetings
All ASP volunteers are required to attend and participate in all of our pre-trip meetings, community help opportunities, solicitations and fundraisers.  
The 2018 Video Kick-Off Event is December 3, 2017 at 6:30 -8:30 pm
Meeting 1 is January 14, 2018 at 6:30-8:30pm
Meeting 2 is February 11, 2018 at 6:30-8:30pm
Meeting 3 is March 11, 2018 at 6:30-8:30pm
Meeting 4 is April 22, 2018 at 6:30-8:30pm
Meeting 5 is May 20, 2018 at 6:30-8:30pm
Meeting 6 is June 10, 2018 at 6:30-8:30pm -Please note that after each meeting there will be a approx 15 minute meeting of all advisors
Meeting 7 is July 1, 2018 at 6:30-8:30pm
ADVISOR  PRE-TRIP MEETING June 24, 2018 6 pm
ADVISOR POST-TRIP MEETING August 5th, 2018 4pm
 

Basic Skills Training 
Everyone needs to wear proper work site attire: long pants, a shirt that tucks in (no sleeveless shirts; no low necklines), work boots (no sneakers). Participants with improper attire will not be able to participate. Instruction includes supervised individual practice on the safe use of the circular saw, power drill and hammer among other skills. Everyone needs to bring a "Construction Bag" to each meeting (except January) that includes a 16 oz. hammer, a pair of safety glasses, and a pair of work gloves. Be sure to mark your name on your tools that you bring, because they will tend to look a lot like somebody else's. The same consideration might be given to your work boots.

Expectations during the trip and at the Work Site
 Volunteers participating in Friends of Appalachia Trip will be expected to be involved in specific home building and repair projects. These projects can include activities such as roofing, carpentry, sheet rocking (drywall), digging, building steps, footers and piers, plumbing, insulating, painting, flooring, masonry, electrical wiring and other facets of home repair, remodeling and renovation. These activities include, but are not limited to, the use of power tools such as saws and drills as well as the use of hand tools. These activities will also require climbing, with or without supplies, tools and materials, as well as working in high places such as rooftops, small or confined spaces such as crawlspaces, and other facets of construction work. These activities may be done in any type of setting, including remote, rural, urban, small and large towns. 

You will be expected to work hard. But you will be able to do it!

Each participant is assigned to a particular work crew, a mix of age, gender and experience. a crew is made up of approx 5 Youth and 2 Adult Advisors. 

You are guaranteed to make new friends! 

What happens on the Trip?
On Saturday, July 14th all participants meet at 6:15am. Our fleet of vehicles will drive to James Madison University in Harrisonburg VA, where we will spend the first night of the trip in the college dorms. 

On Sunday, July 15th, after morning devotions together, we continue to our ASP assigned County. 

From Monday to Friday (July 16-20), we will begin each day with breakfast and devotions, work on our homes from 8-4, and then be back together in the evening for free time, dinner, chores, and "evening gathering". This is a typical day. 

On Saturday, July 21st about 7am we will leave our center and return to JMU.

On Sunday July 22nd, we will leave EJMU and drive home to Trumbull arriving approximately 4pm. We will then have a Family Picnic (Old Mine Park) to celebrate our Week of Work and Fellowship. 

Packing and Departing
The success of the ASP trip is highly dependent on proper preparation, and that is true for packing. Every participant should download the packing list and follow the instructions very carefully.
We will pack the vans and gather for departure at 6:15 am on Saturday, July 14th, 2017