Panama 2019 Mar 8-16 camp construction updates
Panama City, Panama
Location: Panama City, Panama
Opportunity Type: Work Trip Adventures
Dates: March 8 - 16, 2019
Word of Life Panama was established in 1992. In 1994 a piece of land was purchased and two years later God started to bring different individuals and groups to begin the construction of the camp. Little by little the camp was built and in January 2001, they had their first camp on this property. It has been amazing to see God’s provision in this camp. There are always opportunities for camp projects as the camp is continually growing and there are always different needs and projects. Our camp is a all year long use facility where thousands of young people are presented with the gospel and receive Christ as their savior. Many discipleship and leadership development programs take place. For us to be more effective in achieving what God has called us to do with the WOL ministry in Panama we need to keep the camp up to date and usable for these ministry.
Panama is a great country to get involved in. Work teams stay at the camp to work. The food is good and so is the water. We have our own well. The group will probably stay in the small apartments which have a queen size bed, bunkbed, and a bathroom. There is no air-conditioning but there are fans. We have a snack shack with sodas, juice, gatorade, chips, candy bars, etc. The team can also enjoy a gym, swimming pool, and sports fields. There are several different opportunities, depending on the skills of the team. Four Main Projects Needed at the Camp 1. Re-roof of our Multi-purpose building roughly 8 thousand sq ft. 2. Paving the camp internal road, approximately 0.8 mile. 3. Building two new cabins for 40 people each. 4. Re-roofing our two apartment units, 3000 sq feet Smaller projects: 1. Building storage room for camp programs and especial presentations. 2. Building a first aid room. 3. Building a laundry room 4. Lights lines along the camp road. 5. Redoing windows in general dorms to improve ventilation.
Details
Travel
All international flights arrive to Tocumen International Airport at Panama City, arrival from the US are scheduled from midmorning to late evening with just a few flights arriving late at night. Departures are from 6:00 AM through the rest of the day depending in the airline company. United, American A, Delta and Copa flight to most of the mayor cities in the US. There is no airport fees collected at the airport as those fees are already included in the airfares costs. There isn’t any shots required to flight to Panama. No need for especial visas either. The camp is located about one hour and half from the airport.
Visa
No visa is required, American citizen have a visa waiver as tourist for a period of 6 months, and are allowed to engage in volunteer work without perceiving pays for it.
Food
Meals will be mainly at the camp with the exception of eating at Panama City when we go for sightseeing. Food is a mix of Panamanian, American, and southern latino meals. The schedule for the meals we do it as best fit the work team, we had some teams that wanted to start working at 6:00 AM, as we have a very tropical weather, stop at 8:00 am for 30 minutes for breakfast, resume work and have lunch at 12:30 PM to have dinner at 7:00 PM.
Housing
Housing is at the camp property for all the time the team will be working at the camp. There is the possibility to stay the first and last night of the trip in a Christian hostel at an extra cost of $25 per person per night. Most groups decide to stay there the last night in country so they could be closer to the airport instead of leaving from the camp as early as 3:30 AM to get to the airport at 5:00 AM if they have an early flight. If the flight is midmorning or later in the day leaving from the camp is fine.
Transportation
Transportation is all done by our WOL vehicles, (vans or buses), for ministry or sightseeing purposes.
What To Bring
A list of tools and others things will be sent to you when you sign up for the trip.
What To Wear
Panama is very casual, more from casual to informal as far as attending church. Casual is good, even jeans are accepted.
Finances
Cost
$578.26
About the Finances
Trip cost covers food, lodging, transportation, background check, travel insurance, in-country transportation and $125 work funds.