What is Workcamp?

     WorkCamp is a weeklong camp for high school youth to serve their brothers and sisters in need by making their homes safer, warmer, drier while also having the opportunity to grow in their Catholic faith. WorkCamp combines hands-on service for those in need with a faith-filled and fun atmosphere. Teens get the opportunity to participate in hands-on building projects for residents in need. Throughout the week, participants will be given opportunities for prayer, praise & worship, daily Mass, inspiring talks, Adoration, Reconciliation, along with great food and fun games. WorkCamp is a truly life-changing experience!
Arlington Diocese WorkCamp Page

Who participates in Workcamp?

     WorkCamp is organized and led by the Catholic Diocese of Arlington Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries. The majority of parishes in the diocese participates with total numbers of youth totaling roughly 800+ each year, along with 500+ adults. WorkCamp typically takes place the last week of June.  Participants spend the week living out of a school in VA that is local to the area in which the service is happening.  All meals are included throughout the week.
     
     Teens in high school are invited to attend as youth participants. Adults are invited to participate as adult leaders, contractors, afternoon security, homebase volunteers, and by helping coordinate fundraisers and events in preparation for WorkCamp. If you have a disability, call (703-356-3092) or email Benj (bemrich@saintlukemclean.org) to talk about how you can participate.  All are welcome!​

WorkCamp 2027

We will be participating in WorkCamp with the Catholic Diocese of Arlington June 19-25, 2027!  The homebase location will be at Stonewall Jackson High School (150 Stonewall Ln. Quicksburg, VA 22847, sometimes referred to as Mountain View High School)  $250 deposit per participant – all other costs will be fundraised, see application form below for details.  We must receive a deposit to complete your application for WorkCamp 2027.

     WorkCamp is a big, unique, expensive, & awesome operation and it requires a lot of participation from the teens involved as well as the whole family!  It is not just something you attend in June, it’s also a series of gatherings that lead up to the camp.  For WorkCamp, all teens participating are required to help with 2 fundraisers, attend monthly prep meetings, and attend a tool training session.

     See below for a schedule of the dates leading up to WorkCamp.  Please understand that the prep schedule requirements are mandatory for all WorkCamp participants and an inability to participate may mean that you are ineligible to join for the week of WorkCamp.  ​If you have any questions or you know of any schedule conflicts, please contact Benj Emrich at bemrich@saintlukemclean.org.

     To sign up to attend WorkCamp 2027 with St. Luke, please complete the application linked below!  We will review the applications early January and let you know when you are accepted.  There are a few other online registration steps on the Diocese’s registration portal that we will let you know about as they open.

WorkCamp is a very popular event for all of the Parishes in the Arlington Diocese and St. Luke has limited spots available. Don’t wait to sign up! To lock in your spot at WorkCamp 2026, complete an application and turn in your deposit online. If something comes up and you need to drop before WorkCamp, all registration costs are refundable before April. 2026. Reach out to Benj Emrich at bemrich@saintlukemclean.org with any questions about the registration process or payment options.

Deadline to submit an application for WorkCamp is January 19, 2026. Last date to drop with a full refund is April 11, 2026.

PREP Schedule for WORKCAMP 2027

These are the dates for the mandatory prep requirements for all WorkCamp 2027 participants. Please get in touch with Benj Emrich at bemrich@saintlukemclean.org if you know of any potential schedule conflicts:

  • REGISTRATION FOR WC27 WILL OPEN NOVEMBER 2026
  • ALL PREP DATES FOR WORKCAMP 2027 TBD

Want to help support our St. Luke WorkCamp group? Consider getting us a couple of the needed items off of our Amazon Wishlist linked below.

WorkCamp Amazon Wishlist

Want to make a contribution to help us to attend WorkCamp 2027? You can do so online through ParishSOFT be following the link below. Please select One Time Gift in the dropdown menu and indicate that it’s for WorkCamp 2027 in the Notes column.

St. Luke ParishSOFT Page