New model to manage Medley potential
by Ana Watts
With Camp Medley’s state-of-the-art new facilities come exciting new possibilities for ministry, not to mention increased maintenance responsibilities to protect the significant investment in its infrastructure. In order to achieve its potential and maintain its valuable facilities, Diocesan Council recently approved a new governance model for the youth camp that includes a year-round part-time director, and two administration committees, one for programming and the other for maintenance.
“We have made a significant investment with enormous potential for ministry,” says Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall, executive assistant to the bishop and secretary of synod. “Many of the details about what will be new about working in the modern facilities still need to be worked out, but Diocesan Council is deeply conscious of the new level of stewardship that is required.”
In light of a complete renewal of infrastructure for Camp Medley and significant improvements to Camp Brookwood, last fall council struck a Camps Ministry Vision committee to explore the possibilities for both camps. It represented its recommendations to council at a meeting in Fredericton on Jan. 17.
The vision committee also recommended the Diocesan Council ensure sufficient funds to cover all property-related costs, including annual maintenance, repairs and upkeep, major equipment and insurance, be included in the diocesan budget. In co-operation with the Diocesan Property Committee, the Camp Medley Facilities Committee will manage these funds.
Camp Medley's annual program/operations budget would be administered separately. Fees set by the new Program Committee would cover staff salaries and operating costs. It will also recognize that any surplus funds belong to the diocese since it has primary responsibility for maintainance of the facilities.
Construction of a state-of-the-art new building to replace Camp Medley’s ageing dining hall and kitchen facilities, as well as its famous ‘rustic’ washrooms and showers, will be complete this May. It is phase two of a complete restoration project for the popular 60-year-old camp on the St. John River in Upper Gagetown. In 2004, double cabins designed in the Australian outback replaced the camp’s tired old log cabins and increased camper accommodation numbers.
A five-year, $1.5 million capital campaign to restore Camp Medley and upgrade Camp Brookwood is reaching the half-way mark with just one major component –– a new administration and employee housing facility at Medley –– yet to be constructed.
With such a significant investment in infrastructure, the visioning committee felt the administration of Camp Medley needed proportionally more time and effort than the traditional single volunteer board could be expected to provide.
The Camp Medley program committee will operate under Diocesan Council’s youth team. The part-time/ year-round director, who reports to the bishop, will work closely with both the facilities and program committees as well as oversee the annual programming, staffing and operation of the camp.
The Camps Ministry Vision committee recommended no action be taken or changes made to normal operation of Camp Brookwood until a separate committee conducts a thorough review of its current situation and future needs.
