Service Oriented Workcamping Organizations

[MNRon]

I just became aware of NOMADS and after doing some reading am very interested in getting involved. I've also seen a SOWERS group, as well as Habitat for Humanity CARE-a-vaners. Do any of you have experience with these groups? Are there other similar groups you might recommend?

From what I've read so far, NOMADS sounds like a very good fit...it would be perfect for us if it were associated with Catholic Charities.

Thanks for any advice and/or guidance.
Ron

[TCW]

I forgot to mention that Habitat for Humanity has a newer program called A Brush with Kindness that helps qualifying existing home owners.

[TCW]

We have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity since 2007 both through the RV-Care-A-Vanners and by just contacting the local affiliate in the location we are visiting. The Care-A-Vanner projects are usually two weeks and may or may not include a place to park(sometimes at a very modest fee) or discount at a local campground. Each affiliate does things a little differently as to how many hours they work a day and how many days a week. Some of the larger Affiliates have more than one project going on so that it is easier to find tasks that you want/are able to do. When we just walk in on our own, if they do not need help with something we are interested in doing at a time we are interested in doing it, we just pass on that location. Many Affiliates have Restores and need help accepting donated goods, organizing and other tasks that are not as physical as the construction projects can be. Those that do pickups often need helpers for the truck drivers.

[MI_Postmaster]

beemerphile1 wrote:
I have long considered these types of organizations for when I retire in 3 years.

The unknown to me is how hard do the volunteers work? I won't be wanting a full time job. I have spent many years earning a living building and remodeling but in retirement I want to slow down and smell the roses a bit.

Also don't want to do any of the dangerous work that I did as a youngster. I injure easier and heal slower as I have aged.

Input from those working for these organizations about the actual work would be appreciated.

With NOMADS you pick where and when you want to work. You can pick the type of project you work on. NOMADS are generally retired people but not 100 percent of the time. Our projects are from 1 to 3 weeks in length. We work 4 days per week Monday thru Thursday, the days start at 8:00am with devotions, we have a scheduled break at 10:15, lunch is 12:00 to 1:00, a second break is set for 2:15 and we end our day at 4:00pm. Safety is important to us and we do not want any member doing something they do not feel comfortable doing. Feel free to PM me if you have other questions.

[beemerphile1]

I have long considered these types of organizations for when I retire in 3 years.

The unknown to me is how hard do the volunteers work? I won't be wanting a full time job. I have spent many years earning a living building and remodeling but in retirement I want to slow down and smell the roses a bit.

Also don't want to do any of the dangerous work that I did as a youngster. I injure easier and heal slower as I have aged.

Input from those working for these organizations about the actual work would be appreciated.

[wannavolunteerF]

MNRon, Thanks for the post, I have been interested in learning more about the NOMADS. I am especially interested in helping with things that don't require physical labor (construction/maintenance type work) as I don't think I could do that, especially in a few more years when I can retire.

if you have been watching the news,you will have seen that we have had a number of tornadoes here in the South the last few days. I expect the NOMADS to have lots of requests for help throughout the summer, fall and winter for assistance from those storms. Maybe you will find an opportunity helping with our recent batch. I am sure those of us in the South will be glad to see your help.

[shenandoahvalle]

DianneOK wrote:
Shenandoah....you have to pay to volunteer?

Yes. The group receives no outside funding and has a paid coordinator who assigns projects, group leaders, etc. Really a worthwhile organization, it just didn't fit my schedule. The $40 it cost to be a member for a year was a worthwhile donation.

[MNRon]

Thanks Trekker3 and MI Postmaster, maybe we'll run across each other next fall/winter on a project. If so, I owe you a beer.
Thanks again,
Ron

[Trekker3]

We have been with NOMADS for 3 years now and have worked on 8 or 9 projects. We mostly have worked during the months of January to March and have worked in Arizona, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Michigan. We have enjoyed meeting a lot of wonderful people on the various projects. The satisfaction of helping others is very rewarding. The NOMADS organization is very well run. It is a great way to have an active retirement while helping agencies that really appreciate it. Feel free to pm me if you have questions or concerns.:)

[MNRon]

Dennis - Thanks for your information, and the PM. You covered the questions I had. We have various commitments this summer but expect to join the NOMADS this fall, maybe we'll also try CARE-a-vanners. I'm looking forward to it!

[MI_Postmaster]

Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service

We have been active NOMADS for over 2 years and although it is associated with the Methodist church they do not provide funding to run the organization and members come from many denominations. There are over 1000 members nation wide, in 2013 these are the statistics:

3-week Projects: 132 projects in 27 states
Disaster Rebuilding: several long term efforts, in Cordova and
Haleyville, Alabama, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in Minot,
North Dakota, and in Bastrop, Texas.
Drop-in projects: 44+ agencies helped, with 8244+ hours donated
Members: 1022 members (approximately 557 households/RV’s) who
reside in 45 of our continental states, plus Alaska, Hawaii
and Canada
Hours: More than 106,500 hours donated this year, including
14,760 hours to Disaster Rebuilding
Labor Value: Over $2.35 million just this year…
And over $11 million in the past 5 years!!

Yes there is a fee to be a member, but when on a project of your choosing there are no fees for your hook ups. NOMADS have projects every month of the year and are known for being craftsman. Most regular projects are for 3 weeks, but we also have disaster recovery projects that you can volunteer from 1 week to as long as the project lasts.

It is a requirement to own an RV to become a member. We invite anyone interested in learning more to contact us.

[MNRon]

From what I've read, there is a $40 per year fee to be part of the organization (I assume this covers admin etc).

I've also come across a couple other groups (MMAP, SOWERS), as well a Habitat for Humanities CARE-a-vanners. I'm still looking for more opportunities to compare before deciding how to get involved here.

All of these are ways to 'pay back' or 'pay it forward', and assume you get yourself there and provide free labor for a short duration. These are not money-making ventures. From a money standpoint, it does seem that most/all? of NOMADS opportunities include free parking and electricity etc for the RV while you volunteer. Perusing CARE-a-vanners website suggests than some of their's also provide free camping or at least at reduced rates.

Still looking for others who have found this type of way to contribute...

[DianneOK]

Shenandoah....you have to pay to volunteer?

[shenandoahvalle]

I signed up for NOMADS in January '13 and I feel it is a very good, Christian organization. Unfortunately none of the projects were close to me at a time I could participate so I have discontinued my membership. IIRC it costs $40 per year to belong.