Conservation corps calls for eco-stewards

Global warming, pollution, environmental injustice, lack of clean water … Earth needs our help. Creation is calling. Presbyterians, let’s respond!

We will do peacemaking through making peace with the earth. Photo by Eric Koenig

Presbyterians are uniting in response to God’s call to care for the Earth. In 2007, Presbyterians for Restoring Creation (PRC) and the Presbyterian Church Camps and Conference Association (PCCCA) joined together to launch the Presbyterian Conservation Corps (PCC). In response to God’s call to care for creation, PCC aims to create and support programs that promote understanding of and inspire action for sustainable stewardship of God’s creation.

PCC understands and honors the gifts that each person brings to the environmental movement and church camp experience. Out of that understanding, they have created the Eco-Stewards Program, which trains young people ages 18-24 on issues of faith and the environment through hands-on projects that enable these young people to become trainers in a camp setting.

The second summer of the Eco-Stewards Program will take place in two locations for training and projects. Young adults will gather from across the country to learn from mentors about the Biblical and theological roots for eco-stewardship and take part in hands-on eco-design projects (build solar panels, micro-hydro project, composting toilet, etc.).

Where and when?

East: Training will be held at Camp Lackawanna in Pennsylvania and the program will take place at Holmes Presbyterian Camp & Conference Center in New York June 4-15, 2008. During Eco-Stewards training at Camp Lackawanna, participants will have a chance to take part in the Vosburg Neck Festival focused on energy issues — and work alongside our eco and peace hero Rick Ufford-Chase, former moderator of the PC(USA). Holmes will provide a variety of hands-on eco-projects (both rural and urban) for the program component.

West: Training will be held at Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center in Allenspark, Colorado, and the program will take place at Heartland Presbyterian Center in Parkville, Missouri, May 31–June 12, 2008. Highlands in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado will be an inspiring place to be trained, and Heartland will offer some practical hands-on eco-projects.

Who?

A select group of post-high school/college-aged young adults (aged 18–24) who desire to be trained as eco-stewards. Professionals in ministry, camping, eco-stewardship, eco-theology, environmental studies and eco-design will serve as teaching mentors.

How?

The eco-stewards will be selected through an application process. You will find more information about the event included in the application process materials. Fundraising is involved, but assistance for that process is provided. Apply as soon as possible — the first training begins at the end of May 2008.

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