Monday, May 31, 2004


Camp Emmaus
P.O.Box 128
3011 W Camp Rd.
Mt. Morris, IL
61064-0128
May 2004

Editors
Jim & Jane Bicksler
P.O.Box 259
Dakota, IL
61018-0259


Manager's Corner

Camp season is rapidly approaching, which brings many phone calls regarding shelter reservations, open swim times, questions regarding age group camp schedules, and numerous other items of camp business.

The water level in the lake has risen enough to run out of the overflow. The springs upstream had not produced enough since 1ast summer to keep the lake full.

This winter we removed several large dead trees near facilities before they caused problems.

Maintenance work is progressing on the Log Cabin to eliminate some problems there.

The wild flowers, shooting stars and spring beauty, were spectacular this year and many people from nearby and as far as 60 miles away have come to enjoy nature's splendor.

The windows in the manager's house will soon be replaced as some don't open and close properly and some are 50 years old.

Remember to sign up your kids, grand kids, and neighbor kids for camp this summer.

Come and see us!

Bill Hare
Camp Manager
Property & Maintenance Committee

Mid-May, Bill and several helpers are busy getting ready for the upcoming camping season. Several churches are scheduling the cleaning of the various cabins, lodge and other buildings as we await the first campers. Literally hundreds of hours will be spent getting the camp ready.

Forty-two years ago, as I attended my last camp as a teenager, I gave no thought to the work that it took to maintain the camp or the cost of doing so. If anyone would be willing to spend a day or more helping at the camp, please contact Bill Hare.

Last year we had several unexpected problems including the water damage in the Retreat Lodge, the need for a new well, and continuing problems with the pool. This year we've had the unexpected failure of the water line to the manager's house and are faced with a problem with the roof of the manager's house. But I am confident the Good Lord will provide us answers to our problems and grant us with another successful year of camping.

Mark, Chapter 24, tells of the two followers who walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus and how their eyes were opened to the identity of the person they were walking with. Camp Emmaus is also a place where many young people over the years have met the Risen Christ. Camp Emmaus is a testimony to the Living Christ. This year many campers will experience Camp Emmaus and will leave with life long memories of camp fires, crafts, swimming and, most importantly, Christian fellowship. Please continue to pray for our camp and managers.

Mike Schnierla
Property Committee
Send your child to camp!
by Doug Firebaugh

As camping season approaches and we begin making our plans for the already busy summer, I would like to share some thoughts about why we should encourage our youth to attend church camp. The Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) of our church (which is comprised of all of our camps nation wide) publishes a newsletter from which I gleaned much of this information.

Camp does change lives. First it exposes children to new things. Camp is not like school. But I don't think children can go to camp without learning. Camp is like sending your child to a huge biology lab, and not only will they visit the lab, but they will live there.

Second, at camp your child has the opportunity to make life long Christian friends. At camp, being a Christian is "cool". It is an atmosphere where Christian children can be themselves. They can learn to appreciate their faith and feel accepted by their peers for their belief.

Third, children will see the Christian life modeled by someone they learn to love and respect; their counselor. This can have a large impact on children to see this teen or young adult living Christ's love in front of them. (This is an awesome responsibility, pray for our camp counselors!) I believe the most eye opening fact is that if you send a child to camp for one week they will be exposed to the Christian life which is twice the number of hours that they will experience in a full year of weekly Sunday School; and I do believe in Sunday School. The opportunity for Christian growth in this atmosphere is immense!
Program Committee

For many people, including children, nature is one of the first places they encounter God. The awe of creation, the peace of solitude, the abundance that is God is truly visible when surrounded by the great outdoors. Many adults will tell you that being out in nature is where they feel most spiritual. That's why camp is so important. For many, it's the first encounter, not only with God, but also with being a functioning part of the church community.

That puts a lot of responsibility (and pressure) on the camp directors and counselors. How do they most positively affect this spiritual encounter? How do directors and counselors create that complete church community in a few short days? It's not an easy task, but one with great rewards.

We are hoping to help young counselors understand their responsibility to the camp community with a Counselor In Training Event. All high school youth who wish to counsel at the younger camps are asked to attend this event. The training will equip young counselors to be a more effective part of the community, to help them understand their young campers better, and to hopefully enhance their encounter with God while counseling. All high school age youth will need to attend this event if they wish to counsel, even if they have counseled in the past. Others, including adults interested in counseling, are welcome to come. This event will begin July 11th at 7:00 p.m. and be finished by July 12th at 3:00 p.m. Please contact Sarah Garner, Teresa Otake, Bill Hare or myself to register. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me (630-844-1703) or e-mail me at jamcnary@aol.com.

Please encourage everyone to come to camp this summer! It truly is a wonderful place to be. You are Invited to Join God's Party!

Sincerely, Jewel McNary
Program Committee
A Simple Answer

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal, they lay down for the night and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.

Holmes said: "Watson, look up and tell me what you see."

Watson said: "I see a fantastic panorama of countless stars."

Holmes: "And what does that tell you?''

Watson pondered for a moment: "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow."

"Why? What does it tell you, Holmes?"

Holmes was silent for a moment then spoke: "Someone has stolen our tent."

***********************************

Old socks can be made into high fiber beef jerky by smoking them over an open fire!
Submit an Article!

"Road to Emmaus" is looking for additional articles to be included in future issues. Tell us about a special experience or memory that involves a camping experience. Articles can be submitted by mail or email. Please mail your articles to:

Jim or Jane Bicksler
P. 0. Box 259
Dakota, IL 61018
or
email them to
jbjb82193@aol.com
Camp Dates

May 28-31
Memorial Day Family Camp
Directors: Sally & Matt Medearis

July 2-5
Mid-Summer Family Camp
Directors: Alwin Christian & Neemita Pandya

July 18-24
Junior High Camp
Directors: Teresa Otake & Gene Schmidt

July 25-31
Senior High Camp
Directors: Sara and Mike Garner

August 1-4
Elementary II Camp
Director: Stan Rodabaugh

August 6-8
Womens' Camp
Directors: Lorrie Harms & Becca Iler

August 8-13
Elementary III Camp
Director: Kathleen Brinkmeier

August 14
Elementary I Camp
Director: Lynn Glavan

September 3-6
Labor Day Family Camp
Directors: Blaine & Elmer Miner

September 11
Camp Appreciation Day
(Dinner @ 5:30pm)

November 13
Leaf Raking Day

November 20
Rain Date for Leaf Raking

Tuesday, February 03, 2004


Camp Emmaus
P.O.Box 128
3011 W Camp Rd.
Mt. Morris, IL
61064-0128
January 2004

Editors
Jim & Jane Bicksler
P.O.Box 259
Dakota, IL
61018-0259


Manager's Corner

Nature has put part of Camp Emmaus to bed for the winter with the leafers' hard work, the frosty mornings, and the light, wet snows of early winter.

0ur summer season went well with no major problems, but many happy, positive events and experiences.

We have added two new rental weeks to our summer schedule for 2004, which will further enhance the stewardship for our facility.

The winter here will be spent tending wood fires, doing repairs and maintenance, cutting firewood for the winters of 2004 and 2005, plowing snow, and trying to keep up with the book work.

Stay warm and remember the summer camping season's only five months away.

Bill Hare
Camp Manager
Property & Maintenance Committee

We have recently completed another successful camping season, many children will have lifelong memories of the days they spent at Camp Emmaus this past summer.

The year began in a very unusual way with the water damage to the retreat lodge, which resulted in major remodeling in half of the two floors of the retreat lodge. We are thankful for the insurance company and generous contractor that covered all of the costs. This was followed by the failure of the camp well which, although expensive, was covered by the generous supporters of the camp. The year ended well with the annual leaf raking, which brought together members from several churches for fellowship as we worked together. A special thank you to all of you who have contributed your gifts of time, talents and money, and a special thanks to those who pray for the leadership of our camp.

Mike Schnierla
Property Committee
Camp Board Notes

The Camp Board met on November 16, 2003. Those leaving the board were Kathy Gingrich, Bill Williams, and Ed Garrison. We extend to them our best wishes and express our gratitude for their many years of service and leadership of our camp and its program.

The newly elected board members serving in their place are Janis Butterbaugh, Pat Ball, and Sara Garner.

The officers for the new year are: Doug Firebaugh, president; Aaron Gerdes, vice president; Pat Ball, secretary; and Paulette Stitzel treasurer.

The new chair of the program committee is Jewel McNary who serves with Pat Ball, Sara Garner, and Paulette Stitzel.

The new chair of the property and maintenance committee is Mike Schnierla who serves with Janis Butterbaugh, Aaron Gerdes and Don Post.

Teresa Otake has again generously offered to serve as recording secretary for the board. We are grateful to her for this important service.

Jim and Jane Bicksler will continue to serve as Camp Newsletter editors. They would appreciate any news items relating to camp or the camping program.

As we prepare for another camping season we solicit your suggestions, ask for your help as counselors, directors, and leaders, covet your prayers for guidance, and acknowledge with thankfulness your generous gifts of time and money to the camp.

Doug Firebaugh
Camp Board President
Program Committee

Greetings from the program committee.

After reading through the camp evaluations, the program committee is looking to implement some changes. There was some concern over the actions of a few counselors at camp last summer and we are hoping to avoid that with an extended training session for the Jr. Counselors this year. The date has yet to be announced, but watch for information.

The committee is still looking for the correct curriculum to use for the 2004 camping season. A decision will be made soon and directors will be contacted. Also, the directors' manual is being updated and a list of possible counselors is being compiled to share with directors. Any adult who has not counseled in recent years and is interested on being included on this list should contact a program committee member.

The 2004 camp calendar is listed on the camp website. The camp representative list is being updated and brochures will be sent as soon as possible.

Respectfully submitted,

Jewel McNary for the Program Committee
Paulette Stitzel, Pat Ball, Sara Garner
Greetings From Chicago

About three years ago, Bill Hare left me a message, "Call, call as soon as you can.'' My mother and I guessed correctly that the camp needed me for service. I had filled in for Margo a couple of times before. I was thrilled to be asked to come and cook at camp for the summer.

A native Michigander, I moved to Chicago at age 14 and settled in right around Bethany Hospital and the old Brethren Seminary on Van Buren, eventually residing across the street at "3446". I did my stint in the dietary department at Bethany after school, back in the days when the BVS House was just around the corner. That is when I started attending First Church, about 35 years ago.

I graduated High School in 1970, attended college, Antioch in Ohio, then obtained my certificate in Culinary Arts at Washburne Trade School in Chicago, after 3 years of college.

When I tell you that it is an honor and a privilege to serve at Camp Emmaus, I humbly say so. I have been a camper myself at Women's Camp long enough to have developed many long lasting relationships, where campers are no longer strangers, but have become a family of sorts, faithful to each other and sensitive to each others' needs, as we grow together spiritually.

Finally, I can't give enough high praise to Bill & Betty Hare, Camp Directors, for their many years of hard work and dedication which has provided our district with a wonderful camping facility. With their continued hard work and daily efforts, we as campers have this special place to come to and renew our relationship with God and each other. My personal thanks to everyone who helps in this endeavor.

Margaret Scott
My Summer Working at Camp

For those of you who don't know, I spent a great deal of my summer working at Camp Emmaus as the lifeguard and helping with the camps. Throughout the summer I met many wonderful people of all ages and had several experiences I would like to share with you.

When I started out working at camp, I wasn't sure of what Camp Emmaus was or what my role in the camp was to be. I would show up, put in a day's work and go home. That was it. However, as the camps came through one by one, I started to realize that Camp Emmaus was much more than a job. It was like a home. When I would have my hour break, instead of sleeping I would spend it walking some of the trails and looking at all of God's wonderful creations. I started going to the campfires and talking to the campers, and by the end of the year I realized what Camp Emmaus is. Camp Emmaus is a place where people of all ages come together to grow stronger in their relationship with God and their relationship with one another. Now I had heard that earlier in the year and at that point it made sense in my mind, but it wasn't until I had witnessed it and been a part of it, that it made sense in my heart. I just hope every person has an opportunity to see what I saw.

Most of my time at camp was spent working at or around the pool, which reminds me I would like to take a moment to remember Norman, the pool vacuum, who is no longer with us (replaced at the end of this summer). I got to know Norman VERY well and he and I worked very hard this summer trying to keep the pool clean, which is no small task by any measure. I have a new respect for pools around the world and the people who keep them clean. I also have a new respect for anyone who has to enforce rules, because it can sometimes be a challenge.

When I wasn't at the pool, I was usually off helping Bill Hare with many assorted tasks, which would seem like a bad thing, having to do all these jobs, but if you know Bill Hare, you know he makes anything fun. Even shoveling dirt, and yes, we shoveled dirt… lots of it.

Overall my experience at camp was great. No, it was awesome. I thank God for allowing me the opportunity and the ability to work there and for the possibility of working there in upcoming years. I thank the staff, the counselors/directors, and the campers for helping open my eyes to what Camp Emmaus is all about. And I thank anybody else who has ever done anything for the camp, whether it was donating some money or coming and helping do a project.

Paul Hamilton
Camp Lifeguard & Maintenance
Signs in front of Churches

  1. Under same management for over 2000 years.
  2. Soul food served here.
  3. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
  4. Beat the Christmas rush, come to church this Sunday!
  5. Don't give up. Moses was once a basket case, too!
  6. Worry is interest paid on trouble before it's due.
  7. A clear conscience makes a soft pillow.
  8. May is God's apology for February.
  9. God answers knee mail.

Submit an Article!

"Road to Emmaus" is looking for additional articles to be included in future issues. Tell us about a special experience or memory that involves a camping experience. Articles can be submitted by mail or email. Please mail your articles to:

Jim or Jane Bicksler
P. 0. Box 259
Dakota IL 61018
or
email them to
jbjb82193@aol.com