Media Weekend

Summer is is almost here, but before the trucks get loaded and the staff arrives, CHWC invites all the Media Managers to Orlando for Media Weekend. This weekend crams all the knowledge a Media Manager needs to know to run the audio and video systems at camp into four day of training. Day Two is computer day, we go over video editing and the presentation software, one table, six laptops and 12 hours of clicking.
Day three is equipment day. After mass, we setup all the equipment used for all 5 teams in one gym. We test, sort, and organize. This day of intense learning is capped off with the 7th annual chicken wing dinner, does it get any better?

Directors Meeting

Every year around this time the CHWC Directors come to Orlando to discuss the upcoming Workcamps. This year was exceptional like always. The picture below shows Steve trying out some of our new state of the art equipment on Brian. What is it you ask? You will have to wait until the camps start to find out.

Oh Baby!! There is a lot happening in the CHWC Office

Over the past month it has been pretty much crazy in he Workcamp Office.
First off, Nick and his wife Melanie adopted a baby boy, James Anthony Balabanski, he was born on February 5th. He is a blessing to their family and they thank everyone for all the support they have received.Then, on the day Nick returned to work which was also the day before the second managers meeting Dodie went into labor three weeks early. Dodie and her husband Cory had a baby girl, Alexandria Dodie Hibbs, on February 20th.
Both Babies are very healthy and are doing great. James is happy that he won the contest for the longest name but Alexandria contests that she has prettier eyes. They are both a great blessing to the entire CHWC family.

Manager's Meetings 2009

Every year we have all the CHWC managers come to Orlando for a weekend of prayer, reflection and of course instruction. This year we split the managers into two different weekends, one in January and one in February. These are very special weekends that are very important to us as a community and very vital to the process of Catholic HEART Workcamp. Both weekends were very much a success. Below are pictures of both meetings.

CHWC at NCYC in Cleveland

Every year CHWC joins the National Federation of Youth Ministry for their annual event. This years was with Youth Ministers from all over the country. We got to travel to Cleveland, OH and experience a true Cleveland winter. Snow flurries and wind storms abounded but we weathered though and had a great time in the process. We enjoyed seeing new friends and making some new ones. Below is a picture of the CHWC crew in attendance.

from left to right: Jeff, Nick, Fr. Geoff, Steve, Wayne, Charlotte & Kelly

CHWC Salutes: The Media Manager

The Media Manager and Media Assistants at Catholic HEART Workcamp are some of the most hardworking and overlooked staff members. We would like to take this time to salute them for all their hard work and long nights. We really do appreciate what they do and could not operate without them. In saying this the 2008 summary videos (that they made) and Photo CD's are almost done and should be all shipping out in the next 2 weeks. Go to our merchandise page to place an order.

Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to all those effected by Hurricane Gustav.

And that's a wrap....

CHWC is officially over for the summer of 2008.

The remaining teams arrived in Orlando today and unloaded their trucks.
Now for some numbers...
10,000+ Workcampers
2000+ Residents were served
1600+ Homes were worked on
1400+ Workteams
222 Masses were held at Workcamp
87 Staff members gave of their summer to serve
56 Managers changed their communities
37 Cities were renovated
8 Workcamp teams traveled over 28,000 miles
4 Trucks were loaded to the max
1 God witnessed Love, Service, Compassion and Giving and was pleased.

We thank all those who were involved in making this summer a success, you are all in our prayers!