General Questions 

Are you affiliated with any particular Christian denomination or church?  

Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is an interdenominational Christian organization. We are an independent nonprofit primarily funded by individual donors and churches rather than a particular denomination. 

Who serves with CAP?

We are blessed to have volunteers from all age groups — from recent high school and college graduates to retirees and everyone in between. Our volunteers come from our own communities and from all over the United States. They represent many diverse backgrounds, education levels, professions, and experiences. Their commonality is that they feel called to join us in building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia. We especially encourage applicants from our Kentucky service counties.  

What are the different volunteer options? 

Individuals can serve as little as one day to as long as one year, and commitment varies with each opportunity. Explore our opportunities below, including AmeriCorps, summer camp, disaster relief, group, and part-time volunteering. 

AmeriCorps? What is that? 

CAP partners with AmeriCorps—the federal agency, connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering—to tackle some of Appalachian Kentucky’s most pressing challenges, including substandard housing, hunger, education, and transportation access. As an AmeriCorps grantee, CAP places volunteers in several of our human services programs, where they provide safe and weatherized housing, essential food, early childhood education, academic coaching, recreational activities, and leadership development for children and youth, independent living services for the elderly, and disaster relief.

The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Like CAP, AmeriCorps seeks to bring together Americans from various backgrounds to enrich the lives of those they serve--and their own lives—through service.

AmeriCorps Volunteers serve full-time for two months or longer, up to one year. In addition to being a part of the National Service Movement, CAP AmeriCorps Volunteers are eligible to receive a living allowance, as well as student loan forbearance and scholarship assistance toward qualified federal student loans and/or future education expenses. Volunteers age 55 and older may be able to transfer that scholarship to a child or grandchild.

Can I volunteer with my spouse? My children?  (moved question)

We encourage couples to serve with us! Children must be 14 or older to serve with a group or 18 or older for an individual service opportunity.

CAP Volunteer Corps/AmeriCorps 

What will I do? 

CAP AmeriCorps Volunteers serve across CAP programs including in home repair, hunger relief, elderly services, education and youth empowerment, and summer camp. Learn more about our programs and contact us for full position descriptions.

How long is the commitment? When can I start? 

CAP AmeriCorps Volunteers make a commitment of 5 to 9 weeks for Summer Camp and three months to one year for our year-round opportunities. We welcome new volunteers several times a year, so it's always a good time to apply. 

What financial support do you offer? Do you provide housing?

AmeriCorps Volunteers receive:

• Modest living allowance and/or stipend
• Scholarship for federal student loans and qualifying education expenses
• Limited travel reimbursement or relocation assistance
• Federal student loan forbearance
• Health insurance or premium assistance for volunteers serving three months or longer. 

Summer Camp volunteers live on site at our residential summer camps. All other volunteers are responsible for their own housing.

Do I have to apply by a specific date? How long does the application process take?  

Please see our application for current deadlines and start dates. The application and interview process may take as long as two months to allow for discernment and interviews with multiple service programs.

What are you looking for in an AmeriCorps Volunteer?

We’re seeking volunteers who are passionate about serving their neighbors experiencing poverty. Applicants should be compassionate, self-starting, fast-learning, independent, and mission-driven, possessing an exceptional amount of flexibility, interpersonal skills, and openness to people — both participants and fellow volunteers and staff — who may be very different from themselves. 

Most positions require a moderate to extensive amount of physical activity and the ability to lift 20–80 pounds. Some positions also require an extensive amount of driving on rural roads. Please contact us to discuss any concerns you may have about our service requirements.  

Questions About Other Volunteer Opportunities

Summer Camp 

When is summer camp? What activities do you have? 

Camp typically begins in early June and runs through the end of July. Each week brings in a new group of campers for residential or day camp. 

Summer Camp activities include canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, swimming, hiking, camping, and field games. While all the activities are fun for the children, they also provide the opportunity to learn important life skills such as leadership, safety, team building, self-esteem, and respect for others. 

What would I do as a volunteer? 

Of course, we need many camp counselors and lifeguards, but camp would also not be possible without medical personnel, arts & crafts leaders, office helpers, and cooks.

How long is the commitment? Do you have an application deadline? 

We ask that most volunteers make a minimum commitment of three weeks. Medical personnel may serve for one week or longer. We prefer to receive applications by the end of April but may be able to consider later applications.

Who qualifies to serve as medical personnel? 

We need RNs and LPNs who are licensed in Kentucky or in a state participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact. We also welcome EMTs. 

Do you offer any financial support for camp volunteers? 

Yes! We provide limited travel reimbursement for all volunteers. Individuals making a commitment of five weeks or longer will serve as AmeriCorps Volunteers and receive a living allowance and an education award for student loans and qualified education expenses.

Where will I stay? What about food? 

Volunteers stay in dormitories at camp. Meals are provided when camp is in session, and volunteers have access to the kitchen on weekends. 

Skilled and Seasonal Volunteering 

What is skilled and seasonal volunteering? 

This opportunity is especially for individuals who are skilled in construction or love to cook! Volunteers are needed to help lead teams of unskilled volunteers during our group volunteer season (March - October/November) 

How long is the commitment? 

Volunteers serve for a minimum of one week, but we’re so thankful for volunteers who can serve up to six! 

Where will I stay? What about food? 

We have dormitories and RV spots available. Meals are provided Sunday dinner – Friday breakfast, and you’ll have access to the kitchen over the weekends. 

Community Volunteering

What is Community Volunteering? 

Community Volunteers live in or near CAP's service counties and serve in more flexible, part-time roles. 

Where can I volunteer? 

We have flexible opportunities in Rockcastle, McCreary, Jackson, Johnson, and Floyd Counties, as well as in our Lexington office. Whether you want to volunteer once a month or daily, we’ll work with you to find the right opportunity. 

Disaster Relief

What does it mean to be a Disaster Relief volunteer? 

CAP's Disaster Relief Program provides immediate assistance to areas in Appalachia suffering damage from floods, winter storms, tornadoes, and other major catastrophes. Disaster Relief has hundreds of responders from Kentucky and all over the country who are “on call” and ready to respond when we are forming a response team. 

In the event of a natural disaster, volunteers are alerted by email with instructions and will be provided the training they need to be part of the team. Volunteers with all different skill sets are needed to help with home and property repair and by helping organize behind the scenes. 

There is no obligation to respond to calls for Disaster Relief volunteers–if you are not able to join us for a response, you will remain on the list for responses in the future. Contact us to be added to the email list.

Mission Trips 

When can groups come and serve with CAP?  

Our Group Season runs May-October. Occasionally, we’re able to accept groups in the last week of April and the first week of November.  We welcome groups of churches, schools, businesses, and families/friends. College and high school/youth groups can join us in March and April for CAP's alternative spring break program but are still welcomed during the rest of Group Season if that timeframe doesn't work.

How much does it cost to serve as a group? What's included?  

Please contact us for the current fee schedule. Participation fees help defray the cost of lodging, meals, programming, and the provided service project.   

What is the youth-to-adult ratio? What is the minimum age a student can be to serve?  

We require a minimum ratio of two adults age 21 or older for every five youths attending the trip. Because our groups serve in home repair, students must be at least 14 years old to serve.      

Do groups need to provide their own transportation?  

Yes. We require groups to be able to transport themselves to and from the job site each day. Because we serve in rural areas, the drive may be up to an hour each way. Groups must have one vehicle for every seven volunteers they are bringing.   

Should groups bring their own tools for the job site?  

CAP provides tools for the job sites; however, group members can bring their own tools if they choose. All tools brought to the job site will be checked for safety by their CAP crew leader.