Senior High Appalachian Service Project

Appalachian Service Project

Senior High
Mission Trip to
Wise County, Virginia

Days One & Two: Saturday, July 5 & Sunday, July 6
Princeton, New Jersey to Harrisonburg, Virginia to Appalachia, Virginia
"or road trip"

So far so good. We left Nassau just before two, and because of a couple of last minute dropouts we had plenty of room in the vans. Since we have three work crews, going to different work site, we took three vans.

Anyway, six hours, five pit stops and four states later we arrive in Harrisonburg, Virginia for the night. We are a little more than halfway there, but since we are expected at 3 p.m. on Sunday, we would have had to leave very late on Saturday to make it non-stop. The Hampton Inn has a modest pool, and complimentary breakfast, although we will try to get on the road by 8 a.m. tomorrow. More then . . .

Sunday, July 6th

After our complimentary breakfast, we left Harrisonburg for our final leg down Route 81. We arrived at the town of Appalachia about 3 p.m., having gotten lost for about an hour. We had conflicting directions from Mapquest and our GPS unit.

We got to the High School, which we will call home for the next week, met the ASP sponsors and the other volunteers. We got our introductions done, had dinner, got our projects assigned and even got to visit our work sites, to evaluate what tools and supplies we would need for the next days work. Some of the NPC males, mostly adults, felt the need to exercise seldom-used muscles in a game of basketball. But besides tiring themselves out, there were no sprains or other injuries. We had some quiet time in the evening, when we reevaluated our work teams, based on our assignments (more about those later).

By Giuliano

"Before" Pictures

Since this would be the first work trip for most of the High Schoolers, we held a hand tool instruction class on June 8, at the Church. Students were divided into four teams, and each team had their choice of project, either a bird house or a butterfly house. (The bat house was voted down.)

The teams were given plans, enough wood to complete the project, and the most basic of hand tools, a hammer, saw, drill and screwdriver, which they had to share. They had to read the plans, measure their cuts and finally assemble their project. They were supervised by the adults, who chipped in and gave pointers on the proper use of the various tools.

In a little over two three hours, they had completed two bird and two butterfly houses.

Giuliano Chicco
Head Carpenter

1. Zack tries his hand at the saw while Alyssa lends stability.

2. Giuliano inspects the components of the soon to be butterfly house.

3. Alyssa clamps a piece of wood down for cutting.

4. A shortage of clamps forces some improvisation.

5. "Measure twice, cut once"

6. Laura tries her hand at the saw.

7. Several adults struggle with a board.

8. Zack drills out the entry hole for a birdhouse.

9. Peter braces the board while Laura tries her hand at the saw.

10. Sarah gets the feel of a hammer.

11. Zack tries out the hammer on a birdhouse.

12. Peter and Christine screw down the hinges on the back of a butterfly house.

13. Avery nails the front of a bird house.

14. Shannon learns that starting the nails for the roof is easeir on a flat surface.

15. Roofing, even on a small scale, requires cooperation.

16. Christine fastens the bottom of a butterfly house while Catherine braces it.

17. Anna fits the side of a butterfly house.

Photos by John Parker

Saturday, July 5
1. Starting to pack the vans.	2. Parents are still milling about, saying their goodbyes.	3. The "Official" trip photo!
4. Milling around the parking lot.	5. We had some dramatic weather on the way down	6. After six hours in the van, even a cold pool feels good.
7. It's not really that cold.	8. Dinner was mostly a take-out affair.	9. The Italian entrees left something to be desired, it is Virginia after all.
Sunday, July 6
10. Back on Route 81, we pass some local color.	11. Tailgating on Route 81	12. Our first choice for lunch was closed, so we ended up at Bonanza Steak House.
13. Appalachia High School, home of the Bulldogs (and our home for the next five days.)	14. Everyone meets in the Gym for a debriefing.	15. Giuliano prepares to document the week
16. John is nearly done in by the basketball game on the first day.	16. The girls "circle up."	17. Our ASP team leaders, Tim, Bekah, Crissy, Katie and Colin.
18. Tim, Bekah and Chrissy	19. The adult team leaders do introductions and get additional information.	20. ASP staffers brief the team leaders.
21. Some quiet time after dinner.	22. The adult team leaders get together for a planning session.

Photos by Giuliano Chicco, Meg Chicco and John Parker