Frequently Asked

To join the trip you must have completed your sophomore year of high school or be 16 years of age. High school students, college students, and adults all serve on the team together.

No experience is required. Before starting at a worksite, every volunteer goes through a day-long training so you are familiar with all the tools, terminology, and expectations of the workday. The only skills we ask for are patience, listening, and a willingness to learn and work hard.

The cost of the trip is $300 per person. This can be paid by the individual or covered through fundraising. The only exception is CYO musical members, whose cost is $200. If this does not match your current financial situation and you would like to go, please reach out to Craig or Dave.

The best way to sign up is to email Craig or Dave to get information about our pre-trip meetings.

We always come home on the last Saturday in June and depart the Saturday before. The current year's dates are shown on the home page.

We stay in the David School cabins. The setup is two bunks and a cot in each room with a full bath. Cabin assignments are made based on gender and age group.

Each morning begins with an optional Liturgy of the Hours, followed by breakfast together as a group around 7:00. Breakfast starts with a morning prayer and reflection for the day, along with safety tips and weather updates. We then head to our worksites in 12-seater vans around 8:00. We split into six or so crews of 7 to 10 people depending on the site.

Lunches are prepared the day before (PB&J and snacks) and eaten on site. We have experience with peanut allergies, and if needed we set up a designated peanut-free crew and prep accordingly. After the workday we head back to The David School, shower, and get ready for dinner.

All meals are pre-planned, but each crew takes turns cooking and cleaning up. We eat every meal together as a group. If someone is not there yet, we do not start until everyone has arrived. After dinner is free time. There are yard games and board games that have become Project H.O.P.E. traditions. Lights out is 11:00 on work nights.

We do heavy construction: additions, decks, structural work, roofs, and handicap ramps. To see examples of our past projects, browse the photo galleries. We also always have one crew dedicated to a project at The David School itself. Rookies are in every group, but those who start at the David School site are often moved out to a family worksite during the week so they can meet the families we serve.

We partner with the St. Vincent Mission in David, KY. The Mission takes applications for home repair and vets every applicant to make sure the work goes to safe, deserving homes.

Yes. Families either pay the St. Vincent Mission a portion of the materials cost, or they volunteer a set number of hours at one of the Mission's other projects.

Each year the trip leaders go on a recon trip to scout the worksites. They assign each crew leader to the project that best fits their skillset. From there, everyone signed up for the trip is divided into crews balanced by trip experience, gender, and skillset, so each crew is well-rounded. If a crew is struggling in one area mid-week, members can be swapped between crews to make sure all the work gets done.

See the packing list on the documents page.

The full itinerary, including the meet-up time and location, is on the packing list on the documents page.

Every crew has leaders who have been on the trip for 15+ years. Leaders are briefed on up-to-date safety protocols before the trip, and each day we share safety tips to watch for at the worksite.

Donations directly fund materials, tools, meals, and travel. Visit our donate page to give through Venmo. Prayer support and spreading the word matter more than you know.

Yes. Our tax exempt letter is available on the documents page. Reach out if you need a receipt for a specific gift.

Often, yes. Contact Craig or Dave before the trip so we can coordinate what is most needed for the year's projects.