Monday, February 28, 2005


Camp Emmaus
P.O.Box 128
3011 W Camp Rd.
Mt. Morris, IL
61064-0128
February 2005

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


Manager’s Corner

As I write this, the weather forecast is for a hard freeze tonight. How quickly summer turns to fall.

We had a very busy summer with 9 weeks of age group camps, 3 family camps, many church picnics and reunions, numerous events in the Retreat Lodge and Log Cabin, and several planning and camp board meetings. There were no major problems this summer, but rather several minor challenges to deal with.

With the approaching cold weather, I have been busy tending to the 100+ individual places to winterize.

This fall we plan to replace the kitchen hood over the range and update the fire suppression system there.

If you plan to schedule an event in the Retreat Lodge this coming winter or spring, please call soon to reserve your preferred date.

Thanks for the many ways you support our ministry here at Camp Emmaus.

Bill Hare
Camp Manager
Property & Maintenance Committee

Over the past year there have been several improvements and repairs to the camp property. The log cabin was stained and sealed by the campers of senior high. Thank you for your help! The walls in the pool house were reconditioned thanks to Duane Buttterbaugh, Ray Long, and Mike Schnierla who spent a couple of days chiseling and filling cracks with mortar. If you notice that the pool is a little warmer this year due to the solar panels in the northeast corner of the deck you can thank the Brinkmeier family for donating them in addition to Bill and Doug for installing them.

The kitchen fire suppressant system was updated. It is now capable of extinguishing any sort of fire that might be caused by the warmer cooking oils and methods that are used today. The manager’s house received a new porch thanks to Ray and June Tritt. The old porch had been in place for many years and was rotting away.

Other than that, normal maintenance continues on a daily basis thanks to Bill and Betty and we are gearing up for another camping season and look forward to seeing you at Camp Emmaus. If there is anything that we can do to enhance your camping experience, let us know.

Hope to see you camping soon.

The Property Committee
Camp Emmaus 2004

The theme for this year’s camp was “You’re Invited,” an adaptation of “Join the Party,” using curriculum material from New Earth. Our Program Committee has been active in writing material and leading our CIT (counselor in training) events as well as updating our director’s manual.

We appreciate the leadership that our Emmaus family provides each year in the form of directors, counselors, and junior leaders. The Program Committee has also ordered tee shirts for the counselors and other material with the camp logo for the camp store. There would be no camp without the Program Committee seeking out those willing to serve as directors and counselors.

Just as important as the program of the camp is the facility of the camp. The Property Committee of the camp has done an outstanding job of preventative maintenance, improving and maintaining our camp. The mold problem in the log cabin has been solved, the new well is working perfectly, new windows installed in the manager’s home, as well as a new water line installed to the manager’s house. Ongoing tree removal, pruning if one hundred and four walnut trees and general maintenance has been completed by Bill and the Emmaus family of volunteers. The pool bath house has been repainted on the boys’ side and two solar panels installed to help warm the pool water. The circulating motor (original equipment) had to be rebuilt before camping season began at a c0st of $2,400. When camping season is over, the kitchen fire extinguisher system and hood assembly must be replace to meet fire codes at an approximate cost of $6,600.

Bill and Betty have been great ambassadors for the camp again this past year, adding three new camps to the already busy summer. Their dedication and experience have proven so vital in the success of our camping season. Equally vital is our Emmaus family throughout the churches who continue to support us through prayer, contributions, hours of volunteering and powerful leadership. Working together we will continue to be Christ’s witnesses through the camping program.

Doug Firebaugh
Camp Emmaus Board Chair
Program Committee

As we start a new year, I want to let you know a bit about the new Program Chair for the Board. My name is Sara Garner and I live in Franklin Grove. I have been involved with Camp Emmaus as a camper, counselor, director and/or board member for the past fifteen years. I am always inspired by the amazing ways God’s spirit manifests itself in this wondrous place.

Last summer was no exception. Having directed Senior High Camp with my husband Michael, and attended Elementary I camp with my niece, Katie, I was able to see first-hand what a special place Camp Emmaus continues to be. I have also been fortunate enough to speak wit campers and counselors from other camps. They seem to have had great weeks as well.

One the highlights of our week at Senior High Camp was our trip to Pinecrest Manor. They invited both Senior and Junior High Camps to help with some work projects. This was a wonderful opportunity for the kids to help others and interact with some interesting people of another generation. The staff and residents of Pinecrest were extremely welcoming and appreciative. We were able to weed garden areas, wash windows, scrape trim, and even do some parking lot work. In addition, several of our small groups had the chance to visit with residents as the came upon us doing our work. The Junior High Camp even stayed for lunch!

As we look ahead to the coming camping season, I anticipate many more memorable moments. We have confirmed all of our age-group directors, and selected the theme for the year, “God’s Calling”. Directors are listed on the camp website and will be in the registration brochure. Look for these brochures in early April. They will be due on June 1 this year (earlier than in the past) to allow sufficient time for the directors to receive the names and contact campers before camp. We are always looking for people interested in counseling. If you, or someone you know, are willing to counsel, please contact a Program Committee member (Pat Ball, Sue Blankenship, Jewel McNary, or myself) and we will forward your name to the director(s).

Sara Garner
Program Committee Chair
Family Camp Memories

Another summer of family camp at Camp Emmaus has ended. I started attending camp with my family when I was pretty young and I have been faithful in attendance since then.

My earliest memories include camping in a tent that fit over the back of our station wagon. It was made of heavy canvas material that took up half of the back of the station wagon when it was folded up. How tents have changed since then! They now have three “rooms” and fit in small sacks. Early memories include seeing my father get pretty excited about catching and cooking frog legs, a delicacy that didn’t excite me. I think the frogs must have been bigger then.

As a young adult, my “family” changed to a group of friends who would share a cabin or camper with me. We would sit around the campfire long into the night, solving the problems of the world. I wonder what happened… We experienced weather from hailstorms to sunshine, all in one weekend.

When I was first married, my family included my husband and two nieces. The girls enjoyed everything from roasted marshmallows, to creek stomping and crafting. Now Todd is will outnumbered when we bring our two daughters and three nieces to family camp. I get to relive my childhood as I have fun with them. Camp now includes things like water balloons, shaving cream and rockets (Todd gets to relive his childhood too) along with the traditional potluck, swimming, pancake breakfast and vespers.

Since 1998 we bust drive over six hours to get to camp. Many would give up the experience, but my heart us still at Camp Emmaus. How can you stay home when you have a daughter who likes Camp Emmaus so much that she wants to live next to it? It is a lot of work to prepare for and then unpack after camp, but the great time, memories and values we are instilling are worth the work. At camp, we see and experience God in each other and the beautiful setting. Thanks to those who started the camp and ti those who keep it going!

Brenda Reish
2005 Camp Schedule

Memorial Day Family Camp   May 27-30
Mid-Summer Family Camp   July 1-4
Women’s Camp   July 15-17
CIT Event for new counselors   July 15-16
Jr High Camp   July 17-23
Sr High Camp   July 24-30
Elem 3 Camp (grades 5&6)   July 31-Aug 5
Elem 1 Camp (grades 1&2) (with adult accompanying)   Aug 6
Elem 2 Camp (grades 3&4)   Aug 7-10
Labor Day Family Camp   Sept 2-5
Camp Appreciation Dinner   Sept 10
2006 Camp Schedule

Memorial Day Family Camp   May 26-29
Mid-Summer Family Camp   June 30-July 3
CIT Event for new counselors   TBA
Sr High Camp   July 9-15
Jr High Camp   July 16-22
Elem 2 Camp (grades 3&4)   July 30-Aug 2
Women’s Camp   Aug 4-6
Elem 1 Camp (grades 1&2) (with adult accompanying)   Aug 5
Elem 3 Camp (grades 5&6)   Aug 6-11
Labor Day Family Camp   Sept 1-4
Camp Appreciation Dinner   Sept 9
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.O. Box 259
Dakota, IL 61018
or email them to bicksler@mchsi.com