Summer is coming!
by Ana Watts
Summer is coming, and so is the annual Faith for a Lifetime donation envelope. You will find it in the March edition of the New Brunswick Anglican.
Funds from this campaign go toward refurbishment and upgrading our diocesan camps Medley and Brookwood, with the lions share going to Camp Medley, which is in the midst of a huge infrastructure replacement project. The cabins, kitchen, dining hall and washrooms are already replaced. The remaining major building project is the administrative/staff building. It is truly in dreadful shape. That is why Peter Irish, the perennial, popular and persistent Faith for a Lifetime campaign chair keeps his nose to the grindstone.
As of Dec. 31, 2007 the campaign total –– made up of cash donations and pledges –– was $619,597.34. That means in 2007, the campaign raised more than $143,172.05 in donations and approximately $3,800 in renewed pledges. And that total does not include the $100,000 loan we received from the Anglican Foundation.
If you do not receive the paper copy of the New Brunswick Anglican and
would still like to donate to the Faith for a Lifetime campaign, you can use your own envelope and send a cheque to the campaign at 115 Church St. in Fredericton, E3B 4C8. Have a look at the pictures of kids having fun at Camp Medley last summer before you do it so you’ll be smiling when you write the cheque.
In 2007 the diocese appointed Christian Education Director Liz Harding as year-round, part-time director of Camp Medley and she has taken every aspect of the camping experience in hand, from programming to health and safety.
In 2008 the camp calendar includes a leadership week for teenagers. “It will provide opportunities for teens to learn more about their own personal skills and how to use their abilities to lead in any role,” says Liz. “It will be a time for them to celebrate their own unique selves. This program will run twice during the summer and will include a mixture of old and new activities.”
All the camp sessions will offer new activities like nature and drama programs and a daily newspaper.
Staff application forms are available on the diocesan website http://anglican.nb./ca. “It is exciting to see that not only are previous staff members reapplying, but new people are looking to work in a Christian Camp community where we strive to accept every child and adult as an individual,” says Liz.
A new Camp Medley is about to be launched, and you’ll find a link to it on the diocesan website http://anglican.nb.ca. It will be packed with lots of camp photos, including ones of the facilities as they are changed and upgraded. “We will also post photos of this year’s camps as soon as they start and incorporate some interactive activities, so explore the site and have fun.”
A team of volunteers will soon be contacting parishes throughout the diocese requesting the opportunity for a group to come and give a presentation about what camp has to offer young people throughout the diocese. Each visit will also be an opportunity to ask questions and sign your children up for a fun and exciting week or more.
“The best way to see all the wonderful improvements at Camp Medley is to join us on June 1 between 2 and 5 o’clock. Check out the awesome new showers, the amazing kitchen and the cool cabins. Find out more about our summer programs and get a little taste of camp. Bring a picnic and enjoy it down by the Saint John River. This event is open to anyone interested in Camp Medley, even if you are not sending a child to camp. Everyone is truly welcome and we hope to see you there.”
Diocesan Communications
04 March 2008
