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Last June, Central and Oakland Catholic embarked on their third annual trip to Webster Springs, West Virginia, in hopes of improving the lives of people in need. While this trip was undoubtedly an influential spiritual and emotional journey, the friendships and experiences made after a hard days work created much more than a mission trip.  Although the idea of service and stewardship is promoted as the main goal of the mission trip, you soon find out that there are an equal amount of fun activities available to make a solid balance of work and play.

Upon first glance, the small town of Webster Springs does not conform to most people’s idea of fun. There are limited attractions and all participants on the trip have no access to their cell phones. But as the week progresses, you begin to realize that you don’t need much to have a good time. From playing basketball against the locals to rafting down the famous Webster Springs River, there is always something to keep you busy after a hard day of work. And of course, one could not forget the numerous trips to the Custard Stand and Rite Aid that are essential to the overall Webster Springs experience. Through all this free time, you have the opportunity to grower closer to old friends and create new friendships with people you’ve never met before. 

On this action-packed mission trip, the fun does not stop at night. Speaking solely for the guys, the night-time experience is the highlight of everyone’s day. The annual Ball-Ball tournament, a Webster Springs classic, is always a great end to a fun day… if you’re a spectator. But once the lights go off, students enter a atmosphere like no other. From messing with teachers like Mr. Sczweck and Mr. Leonard to glow-stick wars, there is a slim chance that you are bored at any time during this mission trip. And the best part, it’s too dark to be seen, so students are essentially granted full immunity once the lights go out.

The Appalachia Mission Trip is essentially what you make of it, there is much more to the trip than the service alone. Yes service and faith are obviously the main focus of the trip, but that doesn’t mean that fun is eliminated entirely. The surprising combination of work and play that the mission trip provides makes it a completely different experience than most mission trips. This balance is what truly makes it the best trip Central Catholic has to offer. So if your looking to grow closer in your faith and have a good time, look no further than the Appalachia Mission Trip.