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Frequently Asked Questions about JustWorks
We have compiled some frequently asked questions and answers about UUSC's JustWorks camps. Click on any of the questions below to view the answer or scroll down the page to read them all. Don't see your question? Send it to us in an e-mail.
- What are the sleeping accommodations?
- Are food and meals provided?
- Do your work camps have an age limit?
- What are some options for those under 16?
- Do I need health insurance to participate in a work camp?
- How will I get around at a work camp?
- What do I do in the case of an emergency?
- What is the typical daily schedule like?
- Will I have free time to myself or with others?
- What are the expectations and opportunities to participate in any kind of worship?
- What if I do not have the money to pay the registration fee?
What are the sleeping accommodations?
Sleeping accommodations depend on the camp.
Accommodations may include trailers or recreational vehicles (RVs), which
include bath facilities; or community college dormitorieswith beds, shower
facilities, and food services.
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Are food and meals provided?
Your registration fee covers all food costs.
Meals are prepared by JustWorks cooking staff or local people on site.
Breakfast and dinner are usually eaten at the lodging site, while lunch is eaten
at a work site. Snacks and drinks are also provided throughout the day. Any
special dietary restrictions (allergies, health concerns, vegetarian/vegan
requests, etc.) must be noted in advance on the application. We make every
attempt to ensure that special needs are met. In general, we eat local food
prepared by local people, so we ask participants to be polite by eating what is
provided by our hosts.
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Do your JustWorks camps have an age limit?
Because of insurance coverage and liability issues,
most JustWorks camps have a minimum age requirement of 16. This is to continue our
great safety record, after years of experience in the field. Some camps,
however, have different age requirements, depending on the project. Some work
camps are geared specifically towards youth and young adults (aged 16 to 26),
and some are restricted to those 18 and older. The adult-to-youth ratio in
Justworks camps is typically 1 to 7 and 1 to 5 in youth and young adult camps.
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What are some options for those under age 16?
It can be difficult to find service projects for
school-aged youth. The United
Way
and other umbrella organizations are good sources for finding volunteer opportunities.
However, most of their options are for young teens and up. Animal shelters,
residential communities for elders, and community clean-up days can be good options
for school-age children. You may also check with your local school district to
see if any schools link volunteerism to classroom activities and so could give suggestions.
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Do I need health insurance to participate in a JustWorks camp?
Yes. Individual participants must have their own
health insurance coverage. For those without insurance, there are some
insurance companies that offer short-term coverage. However, if you are
interested in a work camp and do not have insurance, please contact us and we
can discuss the matter with you, as there may be viable solutions.
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How will I get around at a JustWorks camp?
While at the JustWorks camp, volunteers will be driven by UUSC staff in
rental vehicles.
What do I do in the case of an emergency?
Volunteer safety is a top concern of the JustWorks program. At all times, at
least one UUSC work camp staff member is trained in first aid and CPR. In the
event of a volunteer experiencing a serious medical emergency, she or he will
be taken immediately to the nearest hospital.
What is the typical daily schedule like?
The schedule of daily activities is always
tentative and subject to change as needed. We request that participants remain
flexible in understanding that the goal of the JustWorks program is to meet the
community's objectives, which can shift during the course of a work camp.
Certain things like a five-day work week (Monday through Friday) and evening
group time is standard. But within that, our programming and activities
fluctuate.
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Will I have free time to myself or with others?
Generally, evenings are used for advocacy
awareness building, group reflection, or recreational activities. Each evening
there is some time for participants to wind down, relax, or journal. While the daily
schedule is not over packed, participants should expect that there will be much
to do and cover
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What are the expectations and opportunities to participate in any kind of worship?
As a nonsectarian human-rights
organization, we do not expect volunteers to participate in organized worship,
but opportunities are available for those who wish to do so. Work camps are
secular experiences and are about putting our values (not necessarily
our faith) into action. We encourage diversity in our work camps: volunteers
come from many backgrounds and many faiths, including atheism, Catholicism,
Mennonitism, Methodism, Presbyterianism, Quakerism, Reform Judaism, and many
others. At times, we will be invited to participate in local religious
ceremonies or activities, such as a Sunday worship service. All volunteers are
encouraged to participate as a sign of solidarity and commitment to our host
community.
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What if I do not have the money to pay the registration fee?
No one is ever turned away due to a lack of
funds. Some limited scholarships are available to those who qualify. For more
information, please send us an e-mail.
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