Care-A-Vanners

What are Care-A-Vanners?

Care-A-Vanners are volunteers who travel the US in their RVs and Campers to participate in Habitat for Humanity builds

The build is an event of the local Habitat affiliate, and so, is essentially like any other local project

What makes the project special is a group of camping enthusiasts who want to help others and travel the country at the same time.

Care-A-Vanner Facts

Where is this program available?
The RV Care-A-Vanners volunteer throughout the United States and Canada.

What are the requirements to participate in an RV Care-A-Vanner build?
Many of our builds do not have access to a bathroom or shower house, therefore you must have a self-contained RV with holding tanks that can be dumped in compliance with local, state and federal law. It is not the responsibility of the Care-A-Vanner desk nor the affiliate to accommodate your sanitation needs.

What if I’ve never done this type of work before?
No problem. We’ll be happy to teach you on-site. We have a wide range of projects to suit your comfort level including framing, roofing, interior and finish work and renovations. You can try something new, or stick to something more familiar. Alternatively, we also need volunteers in the Habitat offices, or to act as “gofers” around the build site.

What should I expect?
Generally, each build consists of eight to 20 volunteers and lasts about two weeks. The build begins with a welcome event hosted by the local Habitat office. Each work day typically entails a morning devotional and six to seven hours of building, with morning, lunch and afternoon breaks. Depending on the build, lunch may be provided.

What do you provide?
The local Habitat office will provide low-cost RV parking, instruction, supervision, power tools, building materials and ladders. Additionally, volunteers can expect at least minimal electric hookups, access to water and a nearby dump station.

What should I bring?
Please prepare to bring sturdy work shoes, gloves, a tool belt, hammer, square, pencil and measuring tape. While RV Care-A-Vanner volunteers each pay their own expenses, some may be tax-deductible.

Come Join Us

Call Carey at ‭717-578-2129 to talk about local activites.

CareAVanner News

Care A Vanners travel to Pagosa Springs

Carey Beamsderfer, board member of Habitat for Humanity of El Paso is on the road, joining other traveling volunteers in Pagosa Springs, CO to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity of Pagosa Springs. He says that they are currently building 2 garages which will be part of 2 modular homes for 2

Care-A-Vanner Build in Las Cruces – Covid-19 Update

RV Care-A-Vanners Las Cruces Home Build Update (May 2020) This Build Site was temporarily closed on Monday, March 23, 2020, as directed by Habitat International for the COVID-19 pandemic.  A Re-Open date is TBD. They are closely monitoring all directives from Federal, State, and Local

Care-A-Vanner Builds Cancelled

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Care-A-Vanner builds have been cancelled for the month of June. This announcement came from Mary Vanderveld, RV Care-A-Vanner Program Manager. To stay up to date on status, follow her on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mary.vandeveld.9

Las Cruces Home Build

In October, Habitat for Humanity of El Paso board president and his wife helped out with a house build in Las Cruces with Habitat for Humanity of Las Cruces.  He writes: Donna & I spent two weeks in Las Cruces, camped out at the Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity campground and office

Hobbs Care-A-Vanner Build

Hobbs Build (May 2019) Carey Beamesderfer, president of the Board of Habitat for Humanity of El Paso joined other Care-A-Vanners in helping with a Habitat for Humanity of build in Hobbs, NM in  May of 2019.   See his summary below for details
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