Local teens help build tiny home for veteran, Hurricane Helene Survivor during summer camp

BOONE — Local teens swapped summer break for power tools at Kingdom Overflow Ministries’ five-day Skilled Trades Summer Camp, learning carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and finish-work alongside licensed pros.

The 14- to 18-year-olds — from Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties as well as one from Asheville — put their new skills to immediate use by framing and wiring an open-wall tiny home for local Army veteran Tracy Poe — a Hurricane survivor still recovering from the effects of Helene and fighting his own battle with cancer.

Between build sessions, campers mixed hands-on training with group games, illustrating how rural communities can grow the next generation of trade talent while serving neighbors in need and having fun.

Ninety-four percent of U.S. contractors have openings for skilled trade workers, and 94% say those jobs are hard to fill, according to the Association of General Contractors of America.

As the demand for skilled trade workers continues to increase, Kingdom Overflow Ministries aims to inspire the next generation by introducing them to local experts and possibly sparking a career interest, thereby combining new skills with meaningful service opportunities.

“Our goal is to teach these teens skills that can benefit them in their future careers and also allow them to serve others,” said Matt Roten, Co-founder & President, Kingdom Overflow Ministries.

Each camper received their own tool belt, starter tool set, personalized Bible and daily instruction from local trade professionals.

On Monday, campers learned how to use heavy machinery, installed windows and explored the world of electric work thanks to friends at High Ground Electric. On Tuesday, they worked on trim, siding and insulation. Wednesday, campers continued work on siding while also diving into sheetrock and plumbing.

Day four included the installation of plumbing and cabinets. On day five, campers finished flooring, cabinets, sinks and learned how to use a skid steer while working on the driveway.

Daily team-building games kept energy high and friendships growing between shifts on the job site.

One camper shared, “The skills that we’re learning here, like the practical ones throughout trades, it’s just helpful to know and it’s awesome to prepare you, especially if you want to go into these fields. But also, the community that has been built here is just awesome. I was personally nervous coming in because it was a bunch of strangers and only one other girl. But the community here is just beautiful.”

Another added, “I bet a lot of them [the instructors], when they were our age, they weren’t thinking, ‘You know, 20 years down the line, I’m going to be teaching a bunch of teenagers how to put in insulation.’ But that’s where God led them. And they followed Him. And, just through their testimonies, that’s super clear.”

Each day also included a time for group devotions where Kingdom Overflow Ministries staff shared their faith and testimonies. The theme of the week was “Building a Home for Christ,” and as one camper shared, “These people…they’ll make sure you know Jesus by the end of the week. And that is just a beautiful thing.”

The week concluded with a heartfelt meeting with the future homeowner. While veteran Tracy Poe’s primary residence is being rebuilt, the camper-built Tiny Home will provide safe transitional housing now and a lasting asset for his family long-term.

“You just don’t know how it is to get help…during a time of need. What they’ve done for me is just—I really can’t say any words without choking up, but I just appreciate everybody that worked here,” Poe said.

Partners Make the Project Possible

Several like-minded organizations supported the camp’s efforts, so the completed home could be given at no charge. Patriot Relief underwrote most construction costs; Wind River fabricated the Tiny Home shell that campers finished out; and New River Revival supplied windows, doors, flooring, and handled on-site logistics. Lowe’s Home Improvement donated starter tool sets for every student, while Cornerstone Bookstore of Boone provided personalized Bibles. Heavy-equipment support came from Carolina CAT Rental, which supplied a skid steer, and additional materials were donated by Watauga Building Supply (sheetrock) and Real Wood Flooring (flooring).

“Patriot Relief’s mission is all about keeping people in the communities they love, and we’re particularly excited to partner with so many young people who can be active in recovery for years! We want to see our neighbors made whole, one at a time,” said Patriot Relief Founder Leigh Brown.

How to Help

Since October, Kingdom Overflow Ministries’ Construction Division has focused heavily on Helene-related rebuilds and repairs, coordinating skilled crews and welcoming volunteers in Watauga, Avery, and Ashe Counties. With a goal of 60 completed homes in year one, community members can volunteer, donate, or refer a storm-impacted homeowner, visit kingdomoverflowministries.org/rebuild/ and follow along for regular updates on social media @KingdomOverflowMinistries

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