Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Paul Walker, Director of Admissions and Marketing at St. Louis Catholic School and Memphis Camp Director for Catholic HEART Work Camp, along with Katie Pohlman, who works in Marketing at FHN Financial and serves as Memphis Camp Manager with Catholic HEART Work Camp, who both highlight the mission trips mobilizing young people to put their faith into action through hands-on service that benefits communities in need, including Memphis, Tennessee.
Paul shares the history of how he was introduced to and got involved with Catholic HEART Work Camp, explaining how their annual Florida beach retreat for youth shifted and evolved into a national mission program. The program started in 2006 with a trip to Mobile, Alabama, and has since expanded to include two separate trips annually for junior high and senior high students. Paul describes how the mission trips help students put their faith into action by taking them out of their comfort zone and exposing them to teenagers from across the country and service projects where they can make a difference.
Katie notes her involvement with St. Louis Youth Ministry since 2009 and her transition to managing the Memphis camp, driven by her parents’ instilled values of community service. She and Paul describe how the Memphis camp serves as a destination for hundreds of teenagers each summer, with work being coordinated through agencies like 2-1-1 Link Service and Catholic Charities of West Tennessee to address local needs such as yard work and home repairs. Paul notes that the camp is already fully booked for June 13-19, 2027, with 355 campers from multiple states, demonstrating significant community impact.
Paul and Katie discuss the structure and purpose of the camp program for teenagers, emphasizing the importance of showing hospitality and building relationships with seniors and the community through service projects. Paul explains the daily schedule, which includes morning and evening programs, work sites from 9 AM to 3 PM, and social activities. He details his role in directing the program aspects while Katie sets up and manages the work sites with local residents and agencies.
Paul and Katie discuss the positive impact of the camp program on teenagers and community residents in Memphis. Paul shares a personal story about how St. Louis Parish youth initially hesitated but quickly formed strong connections with peers from across the country, maintaining friendships even after multiple years. The discussion highlights how the program helps break stereotypes while fostering leadership and service among teenagers, with residents also spreading the positive word of mouth about the program’s benefits.
Paul and Katie discuss the upcoming Catholic HEART Work Camp scheduled for June 13-19, 2027, seeking volunteers with construction, plumbing, electrical, and concrete skills to help with larger projects. They also request financial support through Home Depot gift cards and ask for referrals of residents or agencies in Memphis that could benefit from work projects. Katie provides her contact information as chwcmemphis@gmail.com and 901-292-4740 for those interested in helping or making referrals.
