FAQ’s

What kind of projects?

Projects:

Know Sweat creates service trips that will connect your group, and those they serve, to the heart of God. We build relationships with churches, ministries, outreach centers and communities in order to give groups the best service experience possible.

There are three major types of projects that groups participate in at Know Sweat.

    Home Repair: Fixed Income Individuals and Families

  • Interior and exterior painting
  • Minor construction and repairs
  • Yard clean-up
  • Weatherization
  • General cleaning
  • Ministries: Urban Churches and Homeless Shelters

  • Facility maintenance and repairs
  • Sorting and distributing clothing, food and other essential items
  • Outreach programs – feeding homeless, home visits
  • Community Service: Housing Authority and City Parks

  • Interior and exterior painting
  • Landscaping and brush removal
  • General cleaning
  • Minor construction and repairs
  • Who participates?

    • Junior High Only Weeks: Students entering 6th grade through 9th grade
    • High School Only: Students entering 9th grade through graduated seniors
    • Jr. & Sr. High: entering 6th through graduated seniors

    All students come with a youth group or sponsors. Know Sweat requires at least one sponsor per every five students attending. If you have both males and females, you will need at minimum one sponsor of each gender.

    Why choose a junior high only week?

    During a junior high week, extra attention is given to ensure that everything your students see and do is age appropriate. From the devotions, projects, speakers and music leaders everything is created from the ground up to maximize its impact on a junior high student. Group leaders also mention that junior high students, surrounded by their peers, create an environment of maximum impact.

    Regardless of the location you choose, each week of Know Sweat is created with youth ministry in mind. From morning devotions to group time in the evening we have created a week for optimum growth in your student ministry. Due to the experiential nature of a service project, students have the chance to put their faith into action and to have their eyes opened to the needs of others in a controlled environment. No matter what week you choose, your students will be challenged and an appropriate environment is selected.

    When do we arrive and leave?

    Know Sweat check-in is on Monday, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The event concludes with breakfast on Friday morning and groups are encouraged to be off campus by 9 AM.

    Where do we stay?

    A unique feature of Know Sweat is the accommodations. Instead of sleeping in a classroom or showering in the locker room, you eat, sleep, shower, and gather for Connection at a local college campus. Housing arrangements allow for 2 – 6 people per unit and consist of a traditional dorm with community bathroom or suite style dorm with private bathroom. Each college campus provides a great level of privacy and security for your group during the week. Check out the Dates and Locations page for more information on specific campus housing and recreation opportunities.

    What will we eat?

    Hot Breakfast, Bag Lunch, Hot Supper

    Breakfast and dinner are served in the host college cafeteria and prepared by their staff or catering service. We believe meals are an important time for your group to hang out, interact with other groups and build community. During breakfast time each day you will pack your own lunch to eat at the worksite. Each lunch consist of a sandwich, chips, fruit and a snack.

    Will our group work together?

    At Know Sweat, we desire for the service week to be a time that brings your group closer together as they serve with the same mind and heart. Because of this the students and leaders of your group will work alongside each other at the project. If your group is larger than 25 people, be prepared to be divided into multiple groups to provide the optimum service opportunity.

    What do we do in the evening?

    Each night, Monday - Thursday, groups gather for Connection. This is a time for the church to come together to celebrate what God is doing during their week of Know Sweat. There is a time of singing, reflection through interactive elements and a message which connects God’s Word with what students are experiencing on the worksite. The music and preaching are done by qualified youth leaders and communicators who understand the hearts and minds of students and have experienced what a week of Know Sweat can do in the life of a student.

    Immediately following Connection is group time. During group time you have a chance to share, reflect on the day and apply the lessons learned to the lives of your students.

    What do registration fees cover?

    • 11 Meals: Monday dinner through Friday breakfast
    • Program T shirt
    • 4 nights lodging: On a college campus, traditional to suite style dorms.
    • Connection: theme development, band, speaker, devotions, interactive elements and production.
    • Project: preparation, equipment, paint, building materials, including delivery.
    • Organization and administration by qualified full-time and summer staff.
    • Future Development

    • *You are responsible for transportation to and from project worksites. If you are considering bringing buses, please contact us.

      Know sweat requires you to bring general supplies needed for your specific project. When you register, indicate that you will bring the supplies yourself or "Don't Sweat It" if you want Know Sweat to provide the items for $25 per person. These supplies can include but are not limited to the following:


      Each person may be asked to bring:
      • Paint Roller w/ pad and tray
      • Paint Brush w/ dish
      • Wire Brush
      • 5 in 1 Tool
      • Dust Mask
      • Drop Cloths
      • Painters Tape
      • Goggles
      • Gloves

      • Each group may be asked to bring:
        • Contractor Grade Trash Bags
        • Hammer(s)
        • Screwdrivers
        • Tape Measure
        • Pliers
        • Tin Snips
        • Utility Knife
        • Chalk Line
        • Rags
        • Paper Towels
        • Wasp Spray

    What steps are taken to insure safety?

    Know Sweat takes the statement “safety first” very serious. We count on the leaders at each worksite to care about this as much as we do but we have also taken the following steps:

    • Know Sweat staff completes a national criminal background check on all staff
    • Churches are required to provide adequate and qualified drivers
    • All details of the work site are inspected and evaluated prior to the week. All tools, ladders and materials are inspected for safety as well.
    • Groups are provided instructions on the worksite prior to arrival and are not asked to do anything that is beyond their skill or comfort level.
    • Goggles, gloves and appropriate clothing (including shoes) are required for each participant.
    • Groups are required to bring at least 1 adult for every 5-7 students and if you have both males and females, you will need at minimum one sponsor of each gender.
    • Local medical facilities are identified ahead of time with directions and phone number provided to participants.