Scholarship Program

The United Company Foundation is a vital partner as we work to deliver the Mountain Mission School (MMS) child from a position of need and future dependence. MMS provides a home, church, and school, for as long as needed, just as we have throughout our nearly 100-year history. Dedicated staff spiritually guide and work to empower each child.

As we provide MMS kids with the resources, strengths, and tools they need to succeed today, tomorrow, and years to come, we focus on three core components:

Educating Today, Preparing for Tomorrow
Nourishing Kids for Better Health and Better Learning
Empowering Kids by Providing Challenges and Opportunities

This approach is working. More than 90% of MMS residents go on to college, universities and community colleges across the nation and ultimately secure meaningful employment. This is a far different future than these capable children would have had without Mountain Mission School. Success is more economical than failure (juvenile justice, prison, entitlements). MMS graduates break the cycle of poverty for their families – a legacy worthy of investment.

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"What a blessing The United Company Foundation has been to the children of Mountain Mission School. For nearly 100 years this school has strived to serve those who need a little help in life and without the assistance of people like yourselves, this could not be accomplished. On behalf of every child we serve, I thank you for your financial contributions, dedicated personal service and continued prayers on our behalf. I am thankful that you have been blessed and are able, willing and eager to share that blessing with others. What better example of Christian living."

CHRIS MITCHELL

PRESIDENT

Mountain Mission School

Camp Success

Each year, the United Company Foundation sponsors a student group tour for Mountain Mission School’s senior class through the Camp Success platform. The group tour is structured to provide students with an enrichment experience that reinforces classroom education and cultivates social skills development through real world learning. Student group travel to historical and cultural settings is designed to promote a deeper understanding of our nation’s history and people and a cultural appreciation for the arts.

Fall is the perfect time to visit Washington, D.C. This year’s tour, led by Mark and Rachel Hood, provided many diverse educational and social opportunities. The seventeen seniors visited the National Museum of American History, the National Archives, the Holocaust Museum, the Library of Congress, Mount Vernon, and the U.S. Capitol as part of the focus on history. This year the group toured well-known memorials in the morning: Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. History was also the focus for the morning visit to the Arlington National Cemetery (including the changing of the guard) and time at the Ford’s Theatre museum before a performance of a new play titled “Something Moving” about the first black mayor of Atlanta. The play provided a cultural focus as well, as did the visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The final day of the tour included a visit to a new museum, Victims of Communism, and a student favorite, the International Spy Museum. Socially, the tour provided opportunities for some shopping in Old Town Alexandria and Pentagon City Mall, and leisurely suppers where the students could connect and discuss what they had seen and experienced that day. Based on the follow-up assignment, students gained new perspectives on the workings of government, the sacrifice of Americans for the benefit of their fellow citizens, and the challenges others in the world face when the government and its people do not work towards the same goals. Thank you for the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom through this tour.

This year the senior class traveled to Washington, DC with Rose Hurley and Russell Hertzog as chaperones. We left quite early the morning of Wednesday, September 28 and arrived in Washington, DC in the early afternoon. We first went to the Smithsonian mall and were given a couple hours to visit the museums of our choice. Most students went to the Museums of Natural History and American History, and several including myself went to the Art Museum. We also visited the Jefferson Memorial. Following dinner, we toured the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial before heading back to the hotel.

Thursday was our most active and longest day. It began with a tour of the Ford Theater and Museum. We also walked around the FDR and MLK memorials. Then we ate lunch at the US Capitol where we had an abbreviated guided tour (President Biden was actively moving around the city, so we had limited access to things). We saw the White House and several students corresponded with the only protestor who was grandfathered in to be able to stay posted in front of the White House. We also visited the WWII Memorial where students were challenged to find the hidden Kilroy images. We drove to the Library of Congress which was pretty incredible to witness from an artistic perspective, as well as being able to see Thomas Jefferson’s personal library. Several of us even signed up for library cards and were able to go down into the main rotunda library. We then went to the Lincoln Memorial, where we were able to witness several military promotion ceremonies along with a Wonder Woman impersonator. Following an excellent dinner, we were privileged to end our day watching a performance of Hamilton at the Kennedy Center. What an amazing treat! Everyone loved it.

On Friday, our team toured the African American History Museum. Although our time there wasn’t nearly long enough, it was a powerful experience. Later we drove out to the Arlington National Cemetery for a very informative walking tour. We watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. Following that, we toured Mount Vernon (which was one of my personal favorites) and ended the day at the Korean War Memorial.

Our last day, Saturday, we went to the International Spy Museum which was a lot of fun and very interesting. But following that we switched gears and visited the Holocaust Museum. This was as moving as one would expect it might be. The stories we read there have left quite a lasting impression that I hope our students never forget. Our last stop before returning home was at the Vietnam War Memorial. We were fortunate enough to see a lot of ex-military present who shared their experiences. It was a long drive home, and we got back close to midnight that Saturday night.

Thank you for the opportunity to have these experiences. These were valuable resources that can be built upon and provide perspective for our future leaders.

The Camp Success trip for the seniors returned to Washington, D.C. for a 4-day visit in September. Camp Success had not traveled in the fall before; chaperones Rose Hurley and Rachel Hood suggested the move in order to enjoy a more relaxed tour with fewer student groups in the area.

The trip began with a focus on history. The Holocaust Museum was the first stop, followed by dinner and the opportunity to reflect on what was learned. The evening provided a guided sightseeing tour of various memorials, including World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, and Korean War. The students enjoyed seeing these sites at night.

The second day included a couple of new additions to the itinerary. First was a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture; this was an excellent museum! After lunch was a U.S. Capitol tour which included a visit to the original U.S. Supreme Court chambers; this was included because fewer tourists allowed for a longer, in-depth visit. The second new event was a visit to the office of our Representative, Morgan Griffith. While Representative Griffith was not there, the students enjoyed visiting with the office staff, initiating a conversation about working on Capitol Hill with them. The day ended with a visit to Mount Vernon and an evening ghost tour in Old Town Alexandria.

Day three provided some flexibility. We first visited the Arlington National Cemetery and witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our tour guide also highlighted various individuals buried there. The day ended with a unique treat - a performance of “Cats” at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The students had been introduced to the production prior to the tour so they knew it included dance and music; it was a wonderful cultural opportunity everyone enjoyed.

The tour ended with a final new destination - the Museum of the Bible. All agreed the two hours allotted was not enough time to see all the exhibits, but what was toured provided valuable new insights.

Thank you again for the opportunity to expand the seniors’ knowledge of history and culture through Camp Success.

The Camp Success trip in 2019 returned to Atlanta, Georgia for a 4-day visit. Following the drive south, the seniors and staff chaperones (Rose Hurley and Rachel Hood) began the trip with a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. The Atlanta Botanical Garden followed, which was a favorite of this group. Dinner was at the Hard Rock Cafe, where the students entertained the other guests by dancing along to one of the songs.

Wednesday began with a visit to the High Museum of Art, a new place on the itinerary; students enjoyed the opportunity to view European masters’ paintings like Degas, Monet, and Picasso from the traveling exhibit that had just opened. This too was a stop they enjoyed. Following an appreciation for artistic culture was an appreciation for God’s natural creation at the Georgia Aquarium. For many students, this was their first opportunity to watch sea lions and dolphins perform. The Varsity provided dinner and the opportunity to relax at an Atlanta tradition.

Thursday was packed with activities: a studio tour of CNN was first, followed by a visit to the World of Coca-Cola. The seniors got to take a photo with the iconic polar bear, experience a 4-D movie, and taste sodas produced around the world. Stone Mountain provided scenic views of downtown Atlanta and an opportunity to hike. Thus, the Mellow Mushroom was a great dinner choice for the hungry hikers.

Friday brought the most popular stop on the trip - the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Students were challenged by what they learned about American history in the 1950s and beyond as well as the challenges faced by people around the world. Since the weather forecast called for rain, we spent the remainder of our visit indoors. The group attended a Good Friday service at the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and concluded their trip by visiting the APEX Museum.

Scholarship Program

Camp Success

2023 Camp Success – Washington, D.C. (September 27-30)

2022 Camp Success – Washington, D.C.