Youth Missions

Appalachia Service Project
West Des Moines United Methodist has a long history of taking groups of you to Appalachia (KY, WV, VA, and TN) to work on homes. ASP provides one of the most rewarding structured service opportunities in the nation — bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to rural Central Appalachia to repair homes for low-income families.

For 48 years, we’ve made homes warmer, safer, and drier(R) for families and provided transformational service experiences for volunteers.  Last year, 16,231 volunteers served with ASP, providing critical repairs for 493 families and constructing 26 new homes.

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Reggie’s Sleepout
More than 1,000 people gather to sleep outside in boxes, tents, and sleeping bags during Reggie’s Sleepout, raising much-needed awareness and funding to support child and youth homelessness in our communities. While one night can never completely replicate what it must feel like to be homeless, this outdoor, overnight event provides some insight into the lives of people who don’t have a place to call home.

Reggie’s Sleepout is one of the most well-known community events in Central Iowa. What began in 2001 as a unique grassroots event, has raised more than $1.7 million, with more than 10,000 campers.

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Youth Mission Trips
Youth groups have traveled to Colorado, Tennessee, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio in recent years for inner-city missions. Projects included working in soup kitchens, clean-up and repair of houses, working in Vacation Bible Schools, and working in daycare facilities.

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