Appalachian Impact

Appalachian Impact is a summer service week for high school youth groups in Western North Carolina, where the work of rebuilding after Hurricane Helene is ongoing. Bring your group to show up for neighbors who are still rebuilding their homes, their livelihoods and their communities.

EMAIL DREW TO RESERVE

Questions, or ready to reserve a week for your group? Email Pastor Drew Yoos at dyoos@novusway.org.

How the week works ↓

Youth and adults from Advent Lutheran Church's service group at Lutheridge

Not what they expected.

After Helene, a group from Advent Lutheran Church spent a week at Lutheridge, serving with organizations around Asheville. Over the week, they had to rethink what recovery work would be.

Read their story →

“I thought we’d be building houses and picking up debris.”

Bryant, a camper in the group

What he found

“Instead, we did a lot of food preparation. That taught me that in a disaster area some people need shelter, but other people need food and comfort.”

Bryant, a camper in the group

“Coming to a disaster area, I expected for people to be unhappy.”

Deloris, an adult leader

What she found

“But everywhere we went there was so much joy. Everyone was so welcoming and appreciative that we showed up.”

Deloris, an adult leader

“I thought I’d be exhausted…”

Autumn, a camper from Charlotte

What she found

“…but I wanted to keep going and keep interacting in the community. I felt so connected to the work we were doing.”

Autumn, a camper from Charlotte

How the week works.

Each week includes up to three days of service and learning alongside local partners. Your group may also have the chance to experience cultural immersion in rural Appalachian communities and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, learning directly from the people whose history, traditions and ongoing story are woven into these mountains.

After the work, your group chooses an adventure day, with options like whitewater rafting, ziplining, tubing, hiking a mountain summit or swimming beneath a waterfall.

Out in the community

On service days, your group works with local partners. Projects may include supporting local food pantries and distribution centers, debris cleanup, community gardens, environmental restoration and community support efforts.

The group from Advent Lutheran Church spent much of its week preparing food. They helped serve a community meal at Blunt Kitchen, a feeding ministry in Swannanoa, and worked with Interfaith Assistance Ministry in Hendersonville.

Back at camp

Evenings and downtime bring favorite camp activities, giving your youth space to rest, reflect and grow closer as a group.

“Being able to be shoulder to shoulder with our youth and being the hands and feet of Jesus in this place – it was beautiful.”

Pastor Ward, Advent Lutheran Church

Lutheridge was hit too.

When Hurricane Helene came through in September 2024, it brought trees down across Lutheridge: on roofs, across roads and over both entrances. Staff and volunteers worked around the clock to clear the way, and friends of camp showed up with chainsaws and work gloves.

Within days, NovusWay began opening Lutheridge and Lutherock as a base camp for groups doing recovery work across Western North Carolina.

“Our goal is to provide a place apart that serves as a base camp for groups to do disaster work throughout Western NC.”

NovusWay, October 2024

Read the October 2024 update →

An uprooted tree fallen across the roof of a gray cabin at Lutheridge

Lutheridge, September 2024.

Bring your group.

Appalachian Impact is for high school youth groups and their adult leaders.

EMAIL DREW TO RESERVE

Questions, or ready to reserve a week for your group? Email Pastor Drew Yoos at dyoos@novusway.org.

Planning the trip? Here’s everything group leaders need to know.