Summer camp planning underway

With the arrival of some warmer weather, and the countdown to the end of the school year underway, many groups across the district are beginning to plan for another summer of camps at Sunny Cove east of Fort Frances.
A committee of members from the United Churches throughout the region have been meeting for several weeks to begin planning for their annual summer camp.
“We had our first meeting in early March,” noted Rev. Barb Miller, co-ordinator of this year’s camp. “We’ve been busy assigning duties to various people.”
Lincoln Dunn, music director of the camp, will be returning again this year with some of his favourite songs, as well as a few new ones.
The staff also will be joined by Matt Woodall, the new youth worker from Cambrian Presbytery.
“We’re really excited about Matt joining us this year,” enthused Rev. Miller. “He will be doing some of the leadership training for us, plus a few other duties while camp is on.”
Many of the other staff also have been assigned duties for this year’s camp.
“We’ve already got our lifeguards lined up,” said Rev. Miller. “It’s usually tough finding someone with the proper qualifications, but this year we’ve been fortunate in finding some eager people.”
They also are lucky to have Jack Kellar, who has agreed to return as the camp’s first aid provider.
The camp cooks also have agreed to return. From all accounts, their efforts in the kitchen last year were greatly appreciated by all the campers and leaders.
Rev. Miller and the planning committee, however, still are looking for a couple of kitchen helpers, as well as someone to co-ordinate and supervise the use of the canoes.
If you have skills in these areas, and would like to volunteer your time, give Rev. Miller a call at 483-5544.
The committee also is looking for youth counsellors, aged 15 and up, to help supervise the young campers in their cabins. Applications are available at all of the United Churches in the district.
Counsellors either can count their time at camp towards their 40 hours of volunteer service required for high school graduation, or receive an honorarium of $100.
With the cost of summer camp rising for all groups in the district, the United Church Camp is looking for support from its members and the rest of the community.
If you would like to donate to the camp’s fund, the churches gladly will accept loonies, toonies, or anything larger.
The theme of this year’s camp, which runs from July 7-11, is “Walking in God’s Way.” Activities and music will concentrate on this theme.
Rev. Miller and the committee are hoping for another full camp, so if you have a child or know of one who is interested in attending camp, contact one of the United Churches for information about registering.