For more than 30 years, teens and adults have traveled with the Capuchin Appalachian Mission (CAM) to Harlan in Kentucky, where generations of missionaries have served alongside the local community, growing in faith, friendship, and love of neighbor.
Capuchin Appalachian Mission is more than a service trip. It is a living encounter with Christ through Gospel community and service. Each day offers opportunities to put faith into action, through home repair, community outreach, preparing and distributing food and essential supplies, ministry to seniors and those living with chronic illness, and sharing the joy of the Gospel with children through Vacation Bible School. Since CAM began, more than 1,500 missionaries have participated, raising and contributing more than $1 million in aid to the Harlan community.
Prayer, Mass, theological reflection, recreation, and fellowship are woven throughout the mission. Living simply and serving generously, participants catch the spirit of giving, recognizing Christ in those they serve and the witness of those who serve beside them, deepening their Catholic faith, and discovering the joy of living the Gospel in community.
Participants must be at least 15 years old or rising 10th graders. Because space is limited and we seek to build a mission community that reflects a diversity of ages, backgrounds, talents, skills, and experiences, applications are reviewed prayerfully, and acceptance is not guaranteed. Capuchin Appalachian Mission is made possible by those who share their time, talents, prayers, and financial generosity. Whether you join us as a missionary or support the mission from home, you become part of a community that has been serving and walking alongside the people of Appalachia for more than three decades.
"Thanks to this experience, to the friars and other leaders, I reconnected with God. CAM reinspired me to try harder at my life goals and to make the changes I need in order to be who I need to be."
