By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE — Every summer, teens gather to do minor home repairs for families who may not be able to make the repairs themselves.
The participants travel across the United States to sign up with Group Cares Work Camp, a Colorado-based interdenominational nonprofit organization that links teens with summer home repair projects. The projects or short-term mission trips occur nationwide.
Group Cares is formerly Group Workcamps Foundation.
Mount Zion United Methodist Church in China Grove is co-sponsoring a project next summer and needs volunteers and projects, said local coordinator Kim Hodges.
“Sometimes the houses maybe just need to be painted and at other sites they are building handicapped ramps,” Hodges said.
Mount Zion United Methodist Church is located at 1415 S. Main St., China Grove.
This summer, about 10 participants from the church went to Pennsylvania.
In a summer, the mission trip can draw between 300 and 400 teen volunteers. “We did this camp last summer at South Rowan and had about 290 people,” Hodges said.
It typically costs about $400 to participate, but there is no cost for the homeowner.
Last year, 47 houses that were repaired in a week.
“We are looking to find about the same next summer,” Hodges said.
Each site includes an experienced adult crew member. Participants will stay at South Rowan High.
The work includes painting, porch repair, ramps for the disabled, drywall repair and underpinning around mobile homes.
Volunteers might travel anywhere in Rowan County, including Kannapolis.
Homeowners must submit applications through the church.
Last year, organizers received 100 applications and 50 were chosen for the work.
The camp is June 24-30.
For more information about the camp or to sign up, contact Mount Zion United Church of Christ at 704-857-1169.
Visit www.groupworkcamps.com for more information about the foundation.