I don’t want to oversell it, but for many of us Mountain T.O.P. is the best week of our year. It is a great combination of serving others and camp life rolled into one. My church did a great job preparing me for the fun and gratifying work that we would do. Here are 10 tips before coming to Mountain T.O.P.

10. You don’t have to know everything and you don’t have to be a construction expert. You will be paired with people that have experience, the Mountain T.O.P. construction guide they give you does a great job explaining, and there are always people to help. Projects range in difficulty. You could be raking leaves or building a 37-foot wheelchair ramp with 3 switchbacks. In all jobs you will be positioned for success.

9. It’s not all about the work. The relationships you create are more important. Some of my best projects were hanging out with little kids. Before I went, I thought it was about building something. I quickly realized that is only 1 of the 4 needs we meet. We meet the physical needs of the families we serve, but also their emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

8. Measure twice, cut once. We use our resources wisely because there is not a handy dandy Home Depot everywhere you go.

7. God does great work through us. I now know what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Christ. You get as much out of it as the people you are serving. It is a 2-way street. I thought I would be doing all the giving, but the love and appreciation I have received far outweigh what I gave.

6. Swishers have a special place in heaven! We split up the chores at camp as a community to keep our camp clean and running smoothly.

5. We have fun events you can participate in if you want. Wednesday is HUM (Halfway Up the Mountain) Day. You can dress up and wear crazy costumes. Campfire at the end of the week is where we do skits and more to have fun, laugh, and appreciate each other. Figure out what you would like to do early so you can practice and have a full list.

4. The staff is INCREDIBLE! You will meet some of the coolest college students around. They love God so much that they give up their summer to help serve those in need and help us. PRO TIP: Ask them for their favorite dessert or food and when you are out in the community, bring it back for them.

3. Get ready to meet amazing people from all over the country. I now have friends in North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Ohio, Florida, etc. Funny how in just 1 week I feel like I have known them my entire life. Every year I look forward to seeing them again and we pick up right where we left off.

2. Your work groups are called YRGs (Youth Renewal Groups). We form these on the first day and they are awesome because you get to meet more people from all the different churches. Then when you are back at camp, we all hang out together and you get to know everyone.

1. Be open to new experiences. Live in the moment. Take the challenge of never saying no. Be the person that says, “Sure, I’ll give it a try and do my best”. You will be glad you did.

I am Greta Mock and this will be my 3rd summer attending Mountain T.O.P. I attend Bethany UMC in Austin, TX. My church has been going to the Mountain for 28 years.