Camp Conference Update (photos below)

Thought it was time for the camping conference update. Andy, Carol, Karla, Joanne (for part of a day) and I went to the BCCA (Bc Camping Association/FCC (Fellowship of Christian Camps) linked camping conference at Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre, near Chilliwack Feb.4-7. It is a linked conference because camp people, whether they are running a 'Christian' camp or not deal with the same issues with regards to facilities, staffing etc.
Again, it was a neat experience to be able to meet other people who are doing the same thing as us.

A few highlights included:
Meeting new people and reconnecting with people I met last year. Hopefully being an encouragement to others too.

Hearing John Ashmen speak. He is the executive director of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions and the Christian Hospitality Network. I attended his workshop on Para-Church Ministries in a Post-Modern World. I appreciated his encouragement to "see your ministry as a haven of refuge" and to "simplify everything" and "watch for opportunities." Camp Tulahead is so different (the place, the people, the truths lived and shared here) than what young people today experience. May it be a haven of refuge.

Families were on my heart this year, as many people left a spouse behind. I am honored and appreciative to be able to go these last two years.

Seeing some more 'green' or ethically minded companies at the trade fair (i.e. Wesclean who carries 'green' cleaning products and a few shirt designers/companies that carry American Apparal shirts which are sweatshop free and made in the states.)

The singing on the 2nd or 3rd night...these great camp songs put to the tune of recognizable songs. The words were changed. I especially enjoyed the song put to the tune of "I love Rock and Roll."

The live auction. This year, Herb Harder, of Charis camp, tossed loonies into the audience in order to coax people to catch them and make bids (I saw that hand, thank you, $20:). At one point people brought their retrieved loonies to a fellow, enabling him to increase his bid a few
dollars at a time.
Karla and Carol helped with recording who bid on what. That was a tricky job as it wasn't always annouced who was the final bidder.

Another amazing highlight was that Camp Tulahead was the camp that was selected for the FCC camps to do a work project at. So exciting. Every year, they pick a needy camp to volunteer time at. The money raised at the auction will be used to buy supplies to help with the projects we
select. I believe it is helping finish the guest cabin (hooray) and maybe helping the cabins (windows, doors).

There was snow and wet rain and ice for weather.

Carol and I were on the tour of Stillwood's two new facilities which were two 100 sleeping buildings and a gym which looks like a barn. The gym sure looked fun to play in.

Andy and I experienced some great high-pitched whistling sounds coming through our door in the middle of the night as a result of the strong winds that were present.

I enjoyed a workshop on games - like ice breakers and get-to-know-you games.

Other notes:
The snow on the camp driveway is almost all melted away.
It has been warmer recently.
We heard a robin and other birds. Andy saw a red-winged black bird. Spring is coming. It really is.
Early in March Carol does interviews. Please pray as people complete and get in their application forms and staff are selected.

Photos: Carol, Joanne, Karla. Cara enjoying a sunset one evening. Stillwood facilities: The field and dining hall in background and their new barn/gym. Beautiful valley they are situated in eh?