By Rachel DeKold

Last week was volunteer orientation for all new CAP volunteers. This is the time when all the new volunteers from both the Sandy Valley region and the Cumberland Valley region come together to Learn about CAP's mission and a little bit of Appalachian history. We also participated in a number of team building exercises that helped us grow closer as individual houses, regions and an entire volunteer community. It was a week filled with learning, laughter and lots of good food!
After orientation week, Floyd house had a very busy weekend. On Friday we went to Pickle fork with Jackson and Johnson house for one last swim before the water becomes too cold. On Saturday another volunteer, Katie, and I went over to the Jackson house for Contra dancing. Contra dancing is kind of like square dancing and line dancing mixed together. I had never been Contra dance before so it was a completely new experience for me. I had a little trouble learning all of the steps, but I still had an awesome time, and I can't wait to go back.
While I had a great time at orientation and a fun weekend I was glad to be back at work on Monday. The house we are working on is looking really good. As of today we had the whole first section of the roof on and we have started on the siding. There is still a lot of work to do, but I am quite pleased with our progress thus far.
Disaster Relief still needs help with the flood clean up in Louisville, KY, so I will probably be leaving on Friday to help out.
Pace e Bene

Rachel is a long-term volunteer in CAP's Housing Program. She lives in Floyd Volunteer house.