Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) is part of the service ministry branch of the Church of the Brethren, matching volunteers of all ages with domestic and international nonprofit organizations for a year of service. BVS holds two to three orientation sessions annually, where volunteers gather to build community and prepare for their year of service ahead. This year, fall orientation took place from September 24 through October 4. Nine volunteers were joined by three orientation leaders – Chelsea Skillen, BVS Director; Virginia Rendler, BVS Volunteer Coordinator; and Benjamin Hoffman, BVS alumnus and photographer. Of the nine volunteers welcomed by Camp Koinonia and BVS, six were sent to BVS by EIRENE, a partner volunteer organization based in Germany. For some, Cle Elum was their first experience of the United States! From Camp Koinonia, BVS sent volunteers to Colorado, Washington D.C., Oregon, California, and Arkansas to serve at summer camps, food pantries, shelters, and more.

Volunteers loved utilizing the space at Camp Koinonia while getting to know each other and adjusting to a new experience. They participated in archery tag, hiking, hatchet throwing, an escape room, and endless hot chocolate. The BVS group also participated in a service project on site with the assistance of the lovely camp staff. They were also able to spend a day exploring Seattle, chauffeured and facilitated by Kent Verbeck, a friend to Camp Koinonia and whose brother, Grant Verbeck, volunteered with Brethren Disaster Ministries.

Orientation was also joined by Ed Groff, member of the Peace Church of the Brethren in Portland, Oregon, who filmed a short segment for his community television program, Brethren Voices. You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFXjvjRZnbo BVS is grateful to Camp Koinonia for their flexibility and gracious hosting. Orientation is sure to return to Camp Koinonia, and camp itself is both a BVS project site and site for FaithX.