JustWorks FAQ

What are the sleeping accommodations?
Are food and meals provided?
Do your workcamps have an age limit?
What are some options for those under 16?
Must I have health insurance to participate in a workcamp?
How will I get around at a workcamp?
What do I do in the case of an emergency?
What is the typical daily schedule like?
Will I have free time to myself or with others?
What are the expectations and opportunities to participate in any kind of worship?
What if I do not have the money to pay the registration fee?

Q: What are the sleeping accommodations?

A: Sleeping accommodations depend on the camp. Accomodations may include trailers or recreational vehicles (RVs), which include bath facilities; and community college dormitories, in which beds, shower facilities, and food service are provided.

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Q: Are food and meals provided?

A: All food costs are covered by your registration fee. Meals are prepared by JustWorks cooking staff or local people on site. Breakfast and dinner are usually taken at the site of lodging, and lunch is often taken while in the field. Some snacks and drinks are provided throughout the day as well. Any special dietary restrictions (allergies, health concerns, vegetarian/vegan requests, etc.) must be noted on the original application in advance. We do make every attempt to ensure that special needs are met. In general, we will be eating local food prepared by local people, so we ask that you be polite and eat what is provided by our generous hosts.

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Q: Do your JustWorks camps have an age limit?

A: Because of insurance coverage and liability issues, most of our JustWorks camps have an age minimum of 16. This is to ensure our continued great safety record with over six years of experience in the field. Some camps, however, have particular age restrictions. Depending of the project, some camps are for youth and young adults only (age 16 to 26), and some are for those 18 years and older. The adult-to-youth ratio is 1 to 7 for most camps and 1 to 5 in youth and young adult camps.

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Q: I would like to get my kids involved firsthand with service projects in their communities and in the wider world. But I have found it difficult to do this because of age limits in various projects. Since your camps are for those 16 and older, what do you suggest?

A: It is indeed difficult to find options for school-aged youth. The United Way and other such umbrella organizations are outstanding sources for volunteer work. However, most of their options are for young teens and older. Animal shelters, residential communities for elders, and community clean-up days are usually options for school-age children. You may also check with your local school district to see if the schools coordinate volunteerism through classrooms and could provide suggestions.

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Q: Must I have health insurance to participate in a JustWorks camp?

A: Yes. Individual participants must have their own health insurance coverage. For those without insurance, there are some insurance companies that do offer short-term coverage, so you may be able to obtain coverage that way. However, if you are interested in a workcamp and do not have insurance, please contact our department, Member Action, anyway and we can discuss the matter with you, as there may be viable alternatives.

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Q: How will I get around at a JustWorks camp?

A: Out-of-state volunteers who are arriving by way of train, bus, or plane will be picked up by UUSC staff or volunteers for transportation to the site where they will be sleeping. Transportation to/from the airport or station must be arranged with the Cambridge office prior to the camp. All volunteers are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to the camp city. While at the JustWorks camp, volunteers will be driven by UUSC staff in rental vehicles.

Volunteers who choose to arrive by car will receive driving directions to the camp operations center upon request. Parking is available upon request through the camp director.

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