Youth group members from around the country traveled to Fox Ridge State Park last Friday, giving up part of their summer to participate in a six-day service project focused on making improvements to park facilities.

“Caring, Construction and Crusading,” an annual service project sponsored by the Immanual Lutheran Church in Charleston, hosted 32 teenagers who volunteered their time and energy by participating in construction and restoration projects at Fox Ridge.

“We tried to find something that the community could get something out of and that could host 40 – 50 people so we contacted Fox Ridge and they said they had some work we could do,” said Lisa Bluhm, Community Life Leader for the project.

Endeavors taken on by the group included trail repairs and construction of new volleyball facilities and possible work on the Fox Ridge youth cabin.

When completed, the youth cabin will serve as a host facility for groups visiting the park.

Youth groups attending the projects held various fund raisers such as car washes and spaghetti dinners to fund their participation. Many of the groups home congregations also helped fund their travel to Charleston.

This is the Immanual Lutheran Church’s first attempt at such a service project, which they feel has met with astounding success.

“The kids are doing great,” said Bluhm. “It’s so hot but they’re getting their work done.”