Covenant News
Train Station Highlights Various Camp Renovations
YELM, WA (March 12, 2005) - A new train station has opened for business this
spring at the Cascades Camp and Conference Center in Yelm, just one of
many camp projects either scheduled or already in progress at a number
of camping centers throughout the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Brightwood Station (see accompanying artist's rendition) will
accommodate 130 campers and staff in its 13 boxcar cabins and train
station/meeting room. With the addition, "We nearly double our summer
use capacity," says Tom Moline, the camp's executive director. The
addition is targeted for use by fourth through sixth graders during the
summer, but will be used by adults as well at other times, Moline says.
The area has a long history of logging and trains being used to
transport the logs, Moline says. The history led to the concept being
developed in 1999 during a long-range planning meeting.
The camp has been undergoing steady improvement, with 1,500 square feet
of kitchen space added last fall. Plans also have been developed to
build a multipurpose building that will accommodate 800 people. It will
be used for year-round gatherings and indoor sports.
The improvements are part of phase one of the Legacy of Faith campaign,
which includes the kitchen expansion, train camp and multipurpose
building. So far the campaign has raised $1.3 million, Moline says,
adding that phase one is expected to cost $1.8 million.
"This allows the whole camp to operate as one unit, which we haven't had
the opportunity to do except for in the summer," Moline says. The train
theme has attracted a number of outside groups. "We've already had as
much business out there as we forecast for the year," Moline says. Phase
two will add space to the main building, Moline says, giving the camp
the capacity to host regional and national conferences. "This is huge
for the camp," he adds.
A number of organizations have used the camp in the past, but need more
space. "They're just waiting for us to get bigger," Moline says. To
learn more about the camp, its projects and ministries, visit the
Cascade website at www.cascadescamp.org.
Other camp updates include the following:
COVENANT PINES, McGregor, Minnesota, is celebrating 50 years
of ministry this year. Several events are scheduled: a board and
founders dinner on May 1, a camp celebration August 18-21 and a singfest
on October 9. The camp's website is www.covenantpines.org.
BLUEWATER COVENANT BIBLE CAMP, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, has
begun a two-phase project of remodeling the dining facility. In the
first phase, the dining hall portion of the building was torn down and a
local contractor built the shell of the new building, says Terry
Robinson, camp manager. Volunteers have been heavily relied upon to do
the electrical wiring, insulation, and finishing the interior. Plans are
for the facility to be ready by the end of May, says Robinson, who
manages the camp, with his wife, Terry.
COVENANT BIBLE CAMP, Koyuk, Alaska, is building on a June
2002 meeting with Bruce Lawson, the director of camping and planning
ministries, in which he recalled the story of Joshua and how he used
stones to mark significant events and places during the Exodus. Camp
leaders are looking to the future as a result of recalling their past
with their "stone-stories," says, Earl Swanson, director. In the last
year, two cabins have been built, the naturalist program has become more
secure and a native worship leader has been added to the staff. The camp
expects another 250 campers this June, 75 percent of whom will arrive by
airplane. "We also expect God to bless our Upriver Uplooks Canoe Camp,
Vision Camp of about 60 campers and our addiction recovery camp called
Camp Gilead," Swanson says. The camp's website is
home.gci.net/~eccak/biblecmp.htm.
COVENANT CEDARS BIBLE CAMP, Hordville, Nebraska, has
dedicated a new dining hall. At the October dedication, Dan Buhr, the
executive director, asked if any of the 160 people attending had
attended their first youth camp in 1949. "The surprise came when 10
people stood up," he says. "That spoke volumes to the value and
commitment of a camping experience." The camp's website is www.cedars.org.
COVENANT PARK BIBLE CAMP, Mahtowa, Minnesota, is celebrating
its 65th anniversary. A celebration dinner will be held April 17 in
Duluth. People who are interested can call the camp at 218-389-6398.
"One of the other highlights this year is that we are starting the
process of winterizing our facility," says Bryan Muecke, director. Two
cabins and Borgen Hall will be winterized by the end of summer. New
bathrooms also will be added to Borgen Hall and work will commence on a
shower house facility. The camp has received a $20,000 matching grant to
help pay for the changes. For more information, contact Muecke by email
at bryan@covenantpark.org. The camp's website is www.covenantpark.org
COVENANT HARBOR BIBLE CAMP, Lake Geneva, WI: The camp
experienced record attendance in 2004, enabling it to stay in the black
without adding any debt, says Jim Steere, director of development. In
order to keep up with the camp's steady growth, officials are review and
updating the strategic plan with a five-year-plan being developed and
implemented. A new maintenance facility has been funded and is under
construction. "This 40-by 100-foot building, the Nicholls Facilities
Center, will greatly improve our ability to care for our site," says
Steere. "It also makes room for future growth." Several buildings have
been remodeled, with the latest being Hilltop, Steere says. Hill Top had
the lounge and bathrooms completely remodeled, and the guest rooms had
new drywall, carpet, windows installed. Guest House was completely
gutted and rebuilt inside, with a new roof and porch. The camp's website
is www.covenantharbor.org.
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