Who Can Participate

• Youth groups
• Intergenerational groups
• Family units
• Retirees

Group Participation

All groups wishing to participate with SWAP must complete a group application, including:

• Preferred dates of attendance
• Approximate group size
• Number of adults
• Number of youth

Family units and retirees not coming with a group should contact the SWAP office by email or phone to discuss options for service assignments, as well as financial expectations.

Participation Requirements

• Each group with youth must provide one adult leader (who will also act as a construction site team leader) for every five youth. Although this person need not be a professional carpenter, persons with a general knowledge of construction skills are an enormous asset for teams coming to SWAP.
• Each participant must show proof of medical insurance prior to coming to SWAP. Although every effort is made to create a safe working environment, SWAP cannot provide medical coverage for its participants and will not be held responsible for accident or injury.
• Groups should plan to begin each day with a devotion led by their group leaders. We believe that an effective day in ministry is best begun by committing our work to God.

Power Tool Policy

SWAP discourages the use of some power tools like power nail guns because of their impact on safety and workflow. With volunteers ready to hammer nails, a power nailer can replace 3 or 4 volunteers, leaving them with little to do but watch. With a somewhat limited material budget and an emphasis on building relationships- we don't want to sacrifice good group experience for faster production.

Experienced contractors are better utilized mentoring less-experienced youth (or even homeowners) in doing a project, even if it would be quicker for contractors to just do it themselves. For futher clarification, please check with your SWAP Location Coordinator.

Ultimately, our mission is to build relationships, not just houses. While production is an important and necessary part of our ministry, it must be secondary to relationship-building.

Continue to Terms, Procedures and Application