| Camp Emmaus P.O.Box 128 3011 W Camp Rd. Mt. Morris, IL 61064-0128 | May 2004 | Editors |
Monday, May 31, 2004
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
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
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!
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
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!
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
"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
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
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