Meredith Troyan is appealing to teens to spend a week with her getting their hands dirty, doing odd jobs and visiting patients at the Veterans Administration hospital in O’Hara.
She admits it’s not a day at the beach.
But Troyan said teens who participate in Camp Helping Hand, run by the Lower Allegheny grouping of parishes, typically walk away happy that they put in the time.
“The camp is intended to break middle school students away from their normal day,” said Troyan, director of the young adult ministry at St. Scholastica Church in Aspinwall.
“Kids like it because they are able to do things that they not only enjoy but it breaks them out of their comfort zone.”
This year’s camp is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 16-18. Cost is $25.
It is open to students in grades five through eight.
Participants will likely bake treats for people at Family House, escort therapy dogs to visit with veterans and perform minor tasks like yard work for senior citizens who need help.
The schedule aligns with the mission of the young adult ministry, which is to engage teens in their Catholic faith through volunteerism.
Troyan said she is hoping to surpass the dozen or so participants that usually turn out, and climb that number to more than 20.
“I would love to see everyone taking a hand in helping their community,” she said.
Register by July 8 at mtroyan412@gmail.com or 412-781-0186, ext. 20.
