Photo: Participants at the 2015 We Are Able Workcamp served by packing health kits together. Photo provided. 

The We Are Able Workcamp is one of the main Church of the Brethren ministries for people with disabilities. In January 2016, Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) and Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries extended an agreement to work together to advocate for persons with disabilities in the church. Since 2014, the Church of the Brethren has had a representative serving on the ADNet board of directors and has worked in cooperation with ADNet’s mission to “support Anabaptist congregations, families, and persons touched by disabilities to nurture inclusive communities.”

The We Are Able Workcamp is a three day camp for adults with intellectual disabilities and young adults that serve as their assistants. The participants of this workcamp go to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland, where they serve, fellowship and worship together. During the camp, participants volunteer at the Material Resources warehouse and package fair trade products. They also share meals, go to recreational activities together, and participate in group devotions. Over the three days of this workcamp, a beautiful community is formed and workcampers see again their worth as creations of God.

Last summer I had the privilege of being one of the leaders at the We Are Able workcamp. I served alongside eight We Are Able workcampers and two young adult assistants. For our service work at the Material Resources warehouse, we assembled health kits. What could have been a tedious task turned into a time of fellowship. The group divided into pairs and worked together to make sure that nothing was left out of the kit.

As the hours wore on, a friendly competition formed to see who could stack the most completed health kits before lunch. As we worked, we listened to music and shared stories with one another. Workcampers who had just met each other were quickly becoming friends. I was inspired to see how serving side by side brought the workcampers together.

We also had plenty of opportunities to bond outside of the service work. In the evenings, we explored some of the local recreational activities. At a nearby state park, we took a short hike to a waterfall and swam in a lake. The workcampers enjoyed this balance of work and play and  created lasting friendships while having a meaningful experience.

Unfortunately, We Are Able workcampers might not get this opportunity this summer. Currently, the We Are Able Workcamp has a low registration number. If more people do not sign up soon, We Are Able will be cancelled this year. This cancellation would sadden the participants currently registered and create a gap in the Church of the Brethren and ADNet disability ministries. Please help us spread the word about this opportunity so we can run the We Are Able Workcamp this year, and if you would like to participate as a We Are Able workcamper or young adult assistant, sign up at www.brethren.orgworkcamps.* Registration ends April 4. With questions, e-mail Amanda McLearn-Montz.