First United Methodist Church

Service Times

9am Contemporary | 11am Traditional

Appalachia Service Project Mission Trip

July 10-16, 2022

The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is a home repair Christian ministry in rural Central Appalachia, making homes warmer, safer, and drier. Throughout the week, we will be housed in one of ASP’s summer centers, typically a school or community center, close to the remote communities. It’s at the center where we will sleep, shower, have breakfast and dinner, and hang out with others from our church and other groups (usually two other groups also at the center.)  

Each work team will work on a home Monday – Friday, usually the same home all week. We will get to know the homeowner and begin to experience some of the struggles and joys of living in rural Appalachia. For both youth and adults, the experience is eye-opening, making those of us in the Winter Park and Maitland communities profoundly aware of how blessed we are materially.  The ASP staff finds the work projects, describes what they want from our team for the week, and provides us with the necessary tools and supplies. 

The work is significant. With the goal of making homes warmer, safer, and drier Often the work is picking up where the previous team left off. See below for typical work projects.

ASP Winter Park's trip details:

  • For youth 13 and over, and completed 8th grade
  • Week of Service:  July 10-16, 2022
    • Depart Winter Park on July 9.
  • Location: NE Tennessee, or maybe Virginia
  • Group size: 14-21 participants
    • Divided into 2-3 work teams
    • 5-7 people per team
    • Ideally 5 youth and 2 adults per team
    • Work teams comprised only of our group members
    •  NO CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY!
  • Typical work projects vary, depending on the skills of the youth and their leaders. Some possibilities are:
    • Building a wheelchair ramp
    • Installing underpinning on a home, for warmth
    • Repairing or replacing a porch floor and railings, for safety
    • Putting a new roof on a home (drier)
    • Applying new siding (warmth and dry)
    • Laying a new floor (warmth and safety)
    • Hanging sheetrock, mudding, taping, and painting
  • Cost: $350/person
    • $225, ASAP, no later than May 15, to hold a spot
    • $125 balance by June 20
    • Additional costs:
      • $120 meals/lodging en route
    • All payments are non-refundable

COVID-19 Volunteer Protocols

At ASP, health and safety are top priorities. Though all risks cannot be eliminated, ASP has enacted guidelines and procedures to reduce the risk of spreading of COVID-19.

Background Checks

All ASP groups must comply with Safe Sanctuaries guidelines for all programs. Appalachia Service Project requires that all adult volunteers ages 19 and older have successfully undergone a National Criminal Background Check within the past 3 years of the ASP trip you are attending. Adults will receive additional information for completing this background check through the church.

Register for ASP Trip

Use the link below to register for our upcoming trip. Please email Victoria Vaden at victoriav@fumcwp.org with any questions.