A retired nurse from Michigan, Barb Harlow travels the country in her fifth wheel and finds purpose in doing hands-on mission work as part of Methodist NOMADS.
BARB HARLOW
Northville: First UMC
Did you do all your financial planning for retirement but never thought you would need a “next adventure” plan as well? I’m sure you have heard many recently retired people stating that they are busier than ever and don’t know how they ever fit in work.
But there’s another group that struggles with their lack of purpose and camaraderie found in the work world. Sometimes golf and grandkids, while fun and cherished, just don’t fill that void.
That is just how Methodist NOMADS started when a group of golfers with RVs wanted to do something more meaningful while they traveled. What started as a small group in 1988 has grown into a nationwide organization with 700 members.
Across the country, historically Methodist churches, camps, outreach ministries, and disaster recovery areas look forward to receiving volunteer labor from groups of 3 to 10 owners of recreational vehicles. These groups assist with projects, facility upkeep, and community outreach. Typically, projects last three weeks and involve physical labor of varying skill levels.
NOMADS is an acronym for Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service. But unofficially, it also stands for Nice Old Methodists Avoiding Deep Snow! Most projects take place in the south during the winter and the north during the summer months. This is mainly because sitting in the sun in 100-plus degrees or below-freezing weather while in an RV is not fun! The only compensation NOMADS receive for the labor provided is a place to park their rig. But the ability to travel the country, meet lots of new people, learn new skills, and get a sense of accomplishment and purpose is awesome.
A typical three-week project involves arriving on a Saturday and getting your rig set up. The facilities range from gorgeous, full hook-up sites in church camps to temporary sites in church parking lots. All sites allow you to stay connected for the duration of the project without having to travel to a dump station. Work projects vary greatly, from those requiring basic skills to full construction skills. There’s a lot of flexibility given to you. Members can pick and choose what projects they feel comfortable completing. They are also able to work as few or as many projects that fit their schedule. No minimum number of projects is required to work each year, but once you commit to a project, you are expected to work the entire time.
A typical work week is Monday through Thursday, with three days off for sightseeing, chores, or whatever you want to do. We work from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with breaks to ensure we work safely. Safety is a huge priority for NOMADS as we ensure everyone works within their physical limitations. We are getting older, but we do get a lot of work done!
While there are currently around 120 projects in 31 states, Michigan is home to four of them. All four projects are hosted at historically Methodist camps: Bayshore Camp & Family Ministries in Sebewaing, Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat in Dowling, Lake Huron Retreat Center in Burtchville, and Lake Michigan Family Campground in Pentwater.
Read the following story from a volunteer who joined a project last fall at Lake Michigan Family Campground to get a taste of what being a NOMAD is like.
After settling into our sites, our team’s projects included the following: We removed the decking at the Camp Store/Welcome Center, revised the decking plan, and built a larger deck with added handicap ramps, handrails, and steps. Insulation was installed in Cabin Nazareth, and bunk beds were removed from the walls. Paneling was installed throughout the entire cabin, along with new vinyl plank flooring, baseboards, and trimmed windows.
And what kind of NOMADS project would it be without painting? We painted many picnic tables!
Our team moved all the old decking from the Welcome Center to the camp director’s house, reassembled it, leveled it, and built new steps, resulting in a recycled, usable deck for his home.
We removed all fluorescent ceiling lighting from the Craft Hall and replaced them with LEDs.
The old French doors from the Welcome Center were removed and replaced with a new one.
Just when we thought we were done painting, we were tasked with painting the dining room ceiling trim, baseboards, and the door and window trim.
Our sewing talents came out to repair the two couches in the recreational room.
Our team had a great time working, worshiping, doing daily devotions, and socializing together. We went out for many meals and played a lot of games. It is a lovely camp and area to come to, and we would recommend it to everyone. The bonus was the beauty of God’s creation around us this time of year; the fall colors were at peak season.
So, if you are looking to find purpose in retirement, meet lots of new people, and travel the country in your recreational vehicle, check out the Methodist NOMADS.
For more information, visit our website at www.methodistnomads.org. You can also follow us on Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here). We welcome Christians of all faiths. And you do not need a construction background to be one of our NOMADs — just a willing heart. Will you join us?
#RVersforChrist #MethodistNOMADS
NOMADS is a national Ministry Partner (General Advance #982658) with the EngageMI program of the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Barb Harlow attends Northville: First UMC at home and United Methodist churches throughout the country while traveling in her fifth wheel with her husband, Bill. Barb is a board member of NOMADS, representing those annual conferences in the North Central Jurisdiction, including Michigan.
Enjoy what you are reading? Click here to subscribe to our MiFaith e-newsletter and receive articles like this one in your inbox each Friday.
Last Updated on February 6, 2025