Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Goes to Camp

Kim Vegliante cuts up some wood

By: Kristy Hawes

The AmeriCorps NCCC team, Oak Seven is working at Camp Helen Brachman in Almond, Wisconsin from May 5 to June 30. The team is doing a number of maintenance repair projects so that the camp is able to run during its summer sessions.

The team is doing such things as building and maintaining nature trails, painting and staining buildings, repairing bicycles and rebuilding docks. The camp also has a large environmental initiative and the team is working to help support this mission by building ten large compost bins and chopping wood that is used to heat buildings on the property.

Camp Helen Brachman is run by the COA (Children’s Outing Association). The COA works to help Milwaukee children, teens and families reach their greatest potential through a variety of educational, recreational and environmental programs. Camp Helen Brachman hosts mostly youth from inner city Milwaukee. The purpose of the camp is to provide as an escape of pressures of inner city life and demonstrate the benefits of living in an outdoor environment.

The team is excited to live and work in such a rural environment. The project is located right outside of Stephen’s Point. Steven’s Point is socially active community and the team has plenty of great options for volunteer opportunities.