Departure / Return Information

TIMES

Everyone will be expected to be in the church parking lot at 7:00 PM Thursday, July 3rd with his or her luggage. This is when we will load the van that will carry all of our stuff. This is a day earlier than in past years because of the July 4th holiday. They should keep a small overnight bag with their personal toiletries, sleep clothes, change of clothes for Sunday morning, pillow and sleeping bag. This is so the main luggage does not have to be unpacked when we stop for the night.

We will meet again in the church parking lot 7:00 AM Saturday morning, July 5th. We will be leaving the church parking lot by 8:00 AM, staggering our start times for groups of 3 to 4 cars. It is nice to see the group off so please plan to stay until they leave.

The ASP volunteers will arrive home on Sunday, July 13th around 3:00 PM. I am sure your son or daughter will be calling as they get close to Bound Brook, so you will know the actual time of arrival. We ask that you be there to greet them as they pull into the parking lot.

CLOTHING

A sheet from our ASP manual was mailed that has suggestions on what to bring and what NOT to bring. Please keep in mind that the dress code is very strict, so please guide your young people in their packing.

No one should bring clothes that they would not want to get VERY dirty and possibly thrown away when the trip is over. People, who have gone before, have said the
Salvation Army store has jeans for very reasonable prices. Tee shirts cannot have writing on them so again cheap plain shirts that can be discarded are suggested. If a bikini is the only type of bathing suit your daughter has, make sure she has a tee shirt to wear over it. Modest shorts may be worn at the center but not at the work site.

Work boots are suggested but sneakers are okay. Be sure to pack enough socks to keep their feet dry in case of bad weather.

Don’t forget towels for showers and some type of shower shoe is a must. The showers are outdoor ones.

TOOLS

Suggestions were given on the list mailed out about what hand tools are needed. The works crews met at our final meeting, on June 8th to decide on what power tools everyone will be bringing but some individual tools, work gloves, etc. are needed.

FUND RAISING

We had some very successful fundraisers this year - 3 car washes, a Silent Auction/ Spaghetti Dinner, as well as our usual stock sale, which is always on going. Some stock money still needs to be turned in; the young people know who they are. This money raised is used to offset the cost of this trip; our budget this year is $30,000. This year gas prices are adding a lot to the cost of the trip as I am sure you are aware of the raising price of the gas.

All outstanding stock money MUST be turned prior to leaving on the trip. (Please not the morning we leave). Also be aware that as we said in the beginning anyone who has not participated in the stock sale or the other fundraising activities will not receive their $50 in spending money.

GENERAL

We have again told our young people that they are not allowed to bring home any pets. It has been discouraged in the past but we must insist upon it this year because our group is large and we have just enough space in the cars for us.

Please discuss with your son or daughter before they go and when they get home the experience they will have and had. I am sure you will be as amazed as we are the transformation that takes place in their young lives.