THE
On the Yakama Indian Reservation
Check the National website: www.pcusa.org/nvo/yav.htm
The Young Adult
Program is an opportunity for Young Adults to explore their call to the work of
Jesus Christ by giving one year to mission service and learning. Participants are challenged by the joys and sacrifices
of community living, simple lifestyle and devotion to prayer and service.
SITE DESRIPTION:
The Campbell Farm is a mission station, small conference and
retreat center and working farm located on the Yakama Indian Reservation in
The seasons of life on the Farm include an intense spring & summer mission program and growing season in which 300-400 youth and adult volunteers come from across the country to do Mission Work Camps. Volunteers work on a variety of projects on the farm and in the community, e.g. painting and home repairs of the elderly and disabled, preparation of meals for the homeless at the Union Gospel Mission, assisting at the local food banks, working with children at Wapato Parks and Recreation and in the neighborhood and leading local Vacation Bible Schools. Daily chores on the Farm include work with our animals, in our gardens and orchard, our appropriate tech area and other special projects. Through guest speakers, tours, recreation, worship and bible study youth and adults learn about cross-cultural communication and needs in the Valley as they reflect on their roles as missionaries and stewards of God’s creation.
Throughout the rest of the year the farm hosts a many
different groups for retreats, workshops, small conferences and does a variety
of its own programming including an Annual Fall Festival. Resident Volunteers in
DESRIPTION OF THE
COMMUNITY:
Ethnically,
the Reservation is comprised of a third Native American, a third Hispanic and a
third Japanese, Filipino, African and European descent. (The
GOALS OF THE YOUNG
ADULT POSITION ARE TO:
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Each YAV will contribute to the total life of the farm in a team ministry model with one or two volunteers taking the lead in a particular area of the life of the farm. These areas include:
YAV’s will also work
with one or more community partners throughout the year including:
-An after school program to transition and continue the work we do with local children in the summer time. Currently we host a Thursday night BBQ for 40-50 Native American and Hispanic children during the summer and provide indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, drama and music.
-Value added products with our own TCF label and other arts and crafts and animal related projects that can both support the farm and provide economic opportunities for local youth and families.
-Advocacy work with local partners around farmer and farm worker issues and sustainable agriculture and community organizing around issues of concern for local Native American and Hispanic populations such as education, housing and economic development.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS: A Christian with a willingness to grow in faith and be open to a diversity of Christian experience; a commitment to serve the poor and work on issues of peace, justice, and environmental stewardship. Not all volunteers need the same level of experience in farming or other aspects of ministry but those with farming and gardening experience are encouraged to apply. Also encouraged are applicants with camping experience, youth/children’s ministry, tutoring, arts and crafts, music, Spanish speaking, construction/ home repair experience and willingness to do housekeeping. Community ministry placements will be matched with particular gifts, skills and interests of volunteer.
Good communication and organizational skills, flexibility, team work, self-motivation, enthusiasm and positive attitude toward hard work. Openness to new experience and differing cultures and perspectives. Desire to live and work in community and share our common life together.
Benefits: A wonderful year of experience in community and service! Partial payment of outstanding student loans is available for qualified applicants. Health Insurance, Room, Food from our garden (with fresh chicken eggs) and meals with our guests, $500 monthly stipend. We request YAV’s to help us raise a portion of the stipend.
For details and
application call the
Call The