Camp Houma, Louisiana

	Situation Report — Hurricanes Katrina/Rita Volunteer Village #8 — Houma, Louisiana (Camp Good Earth)
	PODs offer housing for the volunteers. Photo: Tary Snyder Location: 6 1/2 acres on the outskirts of Houma, Louisiana. Houma is a city of about 70,000 people, which was high enough in elevation that it was not directly affected by the 6-10 foot storm surge that resulted from hurricane Rita. Houma volunteers are serving in mostly residential areas found along the five bayous (rivers) just to the south. These bayou areas experienced water up to 10 feet, some of which stayed for up to three weeks. Number of beds: 90 Needs as of January 2007: Greatest needs are for rebuilding and skilled labor such as roofing, drywall, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. Less skilled volunteers can be helpful in jobs such as scraping and painting. They can also learn from and work alongside skilled volunteers in jobs such as drywall and roofing. Additional information: The Village is in the heart of Cajun country, and volunteers who come learn about the environmental and cultural aspects of the area. They can also get a taste of Cajun cuisine and hospitality. In addition to the time spent on work sites, recently volunteers have helped make improvements in the village by devoting time to such projects as a floor for the dining room tent and replacing pods. Some volunteers have also helped with the construction of a permanent building on site, the result of collaboration between PDA, the local Elks lodge, and the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery. When completed, the building will serve as a dining hall and kitchen for the village, complete with indoor bathroom facilities, as well as a hall for many community events sponsored by the Elks.
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