Idaho Servant Adventures is back at it!

SHOSHONE COUNTY- Shoshone Mountain Retreat, part of Lutherhaven Ministries, is welcoming AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Team Silver 5 this summer to the Silver Valley to support the camp’s Idaho Servant Adventures.

The ten AmeriCorps members arrive May 25 and come from around the nation.

They’ll wrap up their ten-month commitment to NCCC here.

The AmeriCorps NCCC Team is using Shoshone Mountain Retreat, located up Coeur d’Alene River Road, as their base for seven weeks, assisting Idaho Servant Adventure’s goal to offer simple, significant service and repair opportunities to the people, organizations and communities of the Silver Valley.

This summer, Idaho Servant Adventures (ISA) will bring nearly 700 teens and adults from youth groups across the United States to Shoshone County for its week-long service-leadership camps in June, July and August.

ISA is actively seeking simple, significant community service projects around the Silver Valley for its dedicated young adult volunteers and the AmeriCorps NCCC members this summer.

“We’re looking for projects like home repair, yard work, light construction, kids’ programs, heavy cleaning, wood splitting, elderly assistance, work with the disabled, parks improvement, trail work- any way to serve the needs and people and communities of our valley,” Shoshone Mountain Retreat Director Clint Kunze said.

Kunze explains that the students with the program come for four or five days to repair and transform homes, lives, and communities in the area.

“In the last ten years of the program, more than 4,500 teens have volunteered over 72,000 hours of service with ISA here in the Silver Valley as the hands, feet and voice of Jesus.”

AmeriCorps Team Silver 5 brings a strong work ethic, construction skills, energy, and support to Idaho Servant Adventures.

Since their AmeriCorps commitment began in November, their projects have included home energy conservation projects in Oregon, native habitat restoration in California, and construction work at a California ranch for adults with disabilities.

All this has given the AmeriCorps members opportunity to cultivate their skills, personal strengths, and teamwork.

“The AmeriCorps members are totally thrilled to be able to wrap up their tenure with NCCC this summer here in the beautiful Silver Valley,” Kunze said.

“Their leadership says ISA looks like an amazing opportunity for Team Silver 5.”

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, national service program in which 1,200 young adults serve nationwide each year.

During their 10-month term, Corps Members (all 18 to 24 years old) work on teams of eight to 12 on projects that address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development.

Teams work in partnership with non-profits, local municipalities, government, national and state parks, Indian tribes, and schools to complete service projects in communities across the United States.

AmeriCorps NCCC is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Corporation improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering.

Anyone with projects, ideas, needs, or project connections can contact Idaho Servant Adventures by leaving a message at 208.682.2267 or emailing idahoservantadventures@lutherhaven.com.

Kunze wants Silver Valley residents to know that if they see the AmeriCorps team or ISA kids volunteering around town, “please don’t hesitate say hello, ask questions, or say Thanks!”

To learn more about Idaho Servant Adventures and AmeriCorps NCCC, visit www.idahoservantadventures.com and www.americorps.gov/nccc.