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| Director's Log 2002 | |
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Director's Log
2002
Friday January 4, 2002
Happy Birthday Rich!
And Happy New Year to all! Deb, Eric and I had a lovely Christmas eve and morning in Maine and then hit the road to be with our Connecticut families. Our parents live about five minutes apart). Nice time, including a big party for Eric at my folks with about a hundred people there representing every segment of our lives. A quiet New Years Eve and we're back at it!
The computer is still down, so I have hooked up an old one at the office. I tried to load the summer of 2001's pictures on the hard drive only to find out that the photos take more room than the entire drive. And this computer was new three years ago and I was sure we'd never fill the drive! Eric C. Smith is on break from school so he is working all week. Hopefully, he can manage the office so I can get this brochure to the printer by the middle of next week. Tomorrow there will be an OMC meeting at the farmhouse and we will welcome five new members: Karen Choate, Allison Smith, Todd Goodeill, Pat Seward, and Kevin Please (Kevin is the new pastor in Camden). Welcome!
I have posted a letter about the rate increase in rates at PL this summer. It was sent to all parents of PL campers and all Maine Conference pastors So far I have received several encouraging and understanding emails from parents (for which I am very grateful). I posted a version of the letter and some of the responses. I think if you read it, you will understand why this is important.
I will be hyper-focusing on the brochure and then wrapping some loose ends up for a Late Jan/Feb vacation.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
May your Epiphany be energizing and enlightening!
Bryan
Thursday, January 10, 2002
Computer's still down, and brochure is getting there. The big news, however, is the departure of my friend, assistant, and partner in ministry Eric C. Smith. Click on Eric's name to read the whole story. As I said in my OMC report: expect my efficiency to plummet.
Friday, January 11, 2002
Two days in a row: a record. First, if anyone you know is looking for a summer job, I have completely updated the summer job pages to include job descriptions and a job application. Let them know. PL is a great place to work, you'll take a lot more with you than you can imagine.
I received a call today from Nurse Linda Carroll who gave me the very sad news that camper Paul O'Neil passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with Paul's family.
Wednesday, January 23, 2002
As David Gaewski put it, I "went into hiding" for a while to finish the camp brochure. I dropped the brochure off at the printer last Wednesday, drove home and found the camp computer was ready to be picked up. How's that for irony? Friday I attended the coordinating council meeting in Bangor. Monday I proofed the brochure at the printer and I am very pleased with how it looks. It's a different format than previous years (don't want to get stuck in a rut, now do we?) Although it will look expensive it actually cost less than last year's. It is scheduled to be bulk mailed the first week of February. If you don't get one, email Cathy and she'll see that you get it.
I spent yesterday at a conference staff retreat at Rockcraft. Always a nice day. Now I am running around getting ready to leave the office for a month. It always makes me crazy. I have someone coming in to check email, mail and phone calls so Nurses can call and request dates to come nurse at PL, prospective staff members can get and send applications and the basics should keep moving along. I will be back in the saddle on Feb. 25
I have posted a new Photo of the Month (a week early or three weeks late, depending on your disposition). It's a nice tribute to Paul O'Neil a camper who, as reported below, passed away earlier this month. Enjoy the brochure.
In the meantime, hang on, Summer's coming. See you in one month.
Bryan
Monday, March 18, 2002
Hey there, remember me? You've probably given up on checking this site for updates since it has been so long. My apologies. Where to begin? Well, I had a great break; much needed and well spent. Since I've been back I have been trying to catch up, then I took off again, this time on business.
Last week I attended a meeting of the Board of Directors for the UCC Outdoor Ministries Association at Slumber Falls Camp near San Antonio, Texas (what a GREAT town!). This is a great group of people. I really value my time with this group as it is comprised of other UCC camping people. I get energized and exchange ideas with them. This was not the big event that happens every two years, but a board meeting. You can see the happy board down in Texas on this page of the Merom conference center's site . Yup, that's me in the front row wearing the Pilgrim Lodge shirt.
On Thursday I flew back into Manchester, NH where I spent the night so I could attend part of the American Camping Association's regional conference. This is a very different kind of experience with camp directors from all kinds of camps. The workshops were good (especially one on the emotional needs of teen age boys) and the folks are friendly, but the big asset for me is the vendors room to connect with all sorts of service and good providers. I always walk away a little overwhelmed, but glad I went. It's amazing to listen to some of the directors from the private camps and realize they have a year round staff of seven or eight to do all the things I do here at PL. Of course, those camps cost seven or eight times as much as a week at PL (and I'm rather partial to our shared ministry here).
So... what is going on here on the home front.
Currently I am working on:
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updating and continuing to develop the PL database
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developing a new water system for the camp. (Praise ye the Lord, another new infrastructure system!)
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trying to get the showers in the cabins before we open
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recruiting, interviewing and hiring the staff for summer 2002. (check out our summer employment pages if you or someone you know is interested)
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researching and ordering store stuff (d'ja hear that Ann?)
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the 2003 budget with friend and colleague Mark Schussler.
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still trying to get the computer up to speed (ugh)
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planning the deans' retreat which is in less than three weeks
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planning this summer's mission project
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reading this summers curriculum
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going to churches (every Sunday) to wave the PL flag and educate them about our work here. (this is a really fun thing to do).
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And of course, all that's involved in keeping this office running
One note about the brochure, there are two errors. "Promises to Keep '02" does NOT cost $235 as printed, it is actually $88, and the cost for "Wilderness Awakenings" is $230. Ooops, these errors are how I stay so humble.
There is also a new photo of the month on the site.
Remember Jump Start Weekend is the LAST WEEKEND in April. See you there.
Summer's coming (at record speed it feels). Remember PL in your prayers please,
Bryan
Thursday, April 11, 2002
What a great weekend we had at Mechuwana! Last weekend with the OMC and the deans from this coming summer. It was wonderful to see all these terrific, dedicated people together in one room, sharing, laughing, planning and generally enjoying one another. I have really good feelings about this summers' program. Check out the Deans retreat page and be sure to click on the link for all 24 photos!
In the meantime I am spending much time dealing with new water system. Don't ask. Lets just say that when the chlorinator was installed in 1993, nobody stopped to think that we hold our water in a concrete tank. Chlorine + concrete = crumble. Also, it looks like showers in the cabins might not be a reality for another season. Fear not. We'll get there.
I'm still in the midst of hiring staff. It's a big task, but it's looking good. In the meantime, please get your troops together for Jump Start Weekend on April 26-28. This is our annual weekend to get the camp brushed up for the season and there is lots and lots of work to be done! (sounds like a broken record I know, but it's true!)
Before you know it this place will come alive once again. The ice of off of Lake Cobbosseecontee a full month earlier than last year!
Here we go!
B
Wednesday, May 8, 2002
I was feeling a little like Scotty in the engine room during a battle. "Main energizers out, the phase inducers are shot! Ah can't hold her together much longer!" Then along came Jump Start Weekend. As always, the place is transformed and we are sailing for another season. Our new water system has been kind of a challenge. I'll leave it at that. But thank goodness for all the volunteers who came, with smiles on their faces ready to work. I thanked many of the individuals and groups on the JSW page so I won't repeat that here, but I should mention that as a water emergency ensued, David and Sueli Gaewski dropped everything and came over to help out. Many thanks to both for both personal and professional support.
Without an assistant I am kind of swamped. I told Joanne Bartlett of the OMC that you could often tell my level of busyness by how often I updated this page. I'm batting about once a month these days. But... we are on track for summer. I'm still looking for one more lifeguard so if you know any, let me know.
Thanks also goes to Jack Braggden and Dan of GMT, one of our rental groups for rolling up his sleeves and cleaning the lodge before his group came. We have a great relationship with our groups and they really help out a lot. Most of them understand that we are not the Hilton and are willing to pitch in and help.
Sunday the Kennebec Valley Association met here for their annual meeting. I posted a few photos. There's also a new photo of the month (sorry, I missed April). I have lots of stuff to update on the web but haven't gotten to it. So... tune in, you never know when it'll happen. Registrations are strong so get yours in so make sure you or your child attends the camp of your choice. And we can always use good counselors so be in touch!
Off to order items for the camp store (fun!)
Bryan
Tuesday July 9, 2002 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!)
I exist, oh faithful Cybercamper!
Greetings from the porch of the lodge. You thought I was stranded on Wilderness Island didn’t you. Can’t say as I blame you. The spring was just a whoooooosh of activity and issues. But I can safely say that I am beginning to feel caught up.
“Caught up?” you say “Caught up in the middle of July? Why that’s against the laws of physics!”
Perhaps, but I have begun to perceive that all things are indeed relative. So here I sit beside the hummingbird, listening to the sounds of children happily playing at the waterfront while others sit around a picnic table painting each other’s faces. This is my favorite spot in the universe.
This summer is definitely a transition summer for me. It’s number five. And while there is still much to attend to, I am starting to feel, (dare I say it?) relaxed in the midst of the joyful pandemonium; anchored in the chaos; centered in the hubbub. It’s a nice feeling.
I thought about all the things I wanted to write about in this log, and then I thought some of them deserve their own spot on this website. So if you haven’t already seen it, I invite you to take a look at our new section devoted to our summer staff. This is a turn around year (note the use of the summer theme please) for staff as well. We have a few wonderful returnees and lots and lots of folks new to staff, many of them new to PL. Everyone is working hard finding his or her way. The presence of the Holy Spirit is tangible among us. I am so grateful to be working with such great people.
I have also put several items on the recent news page about the physical camp. Next I will update the photo of the month (look for it by the end of the week). It’ll be a doozy. (how does one spell ‘doozy?’)
So far the camps have been great. "Women In The Wild" deaned by Ann Withee-Heald was a fun, relaxed weekend. "Vintage Ventures" run by Jackie Davidson, was a little smaller than in years past and had to deal with cold, rainy weather, but it didn’t seem to bother them a bit as they just became more cozy and intimate. The Post High "Promises to Keep" led by Bruce Burnham & Marraine Kettell overlapped with them and the interaction was great. Each group had its own space, but interacted well. Then we started with the half-week of third and fourth graders “Turn Around To God.” I had heard Peter Godfrey and Joanne Bartlett were great deans, and had worked with them for years on OMC, but what a treat it was to see them in action. Enthusiasm and organization are a powerful combination and I think every single child had a ball and is ready to come back for an entire week!
Next, during the last week of June, we welcomed in our "Arts Alive" crew. It’s always such a treat to see a large group of artistically minded young people being creative and exploring the connection between artistic expression and spirituality. It was good for my soul. It also seemed great that we have 7th through 12th graders here together interacting so naturally. And of course dean Sally Colegrove is simply one of the most gifted youth ministers in the world. She has a gift that brings out the best in both her counseling staff and her campers. We are blessed to have her be a part of Maine Conference Outdoor Ministries.
"Arts Alive" was followed by "Friendship Week" led by Amy French and Amy Heggeman. It’s important and fun to have some of our deans be ex-PL campers. They bring tradition and a love of the ministry. They were so well organized and used the theme of Friendship intertwined with the Turn Around theme. The campers had a great week overcoming that little three day heat wave with grace, and were sad to leave, but seemed to be truly touched by the event.
This week we welcome Diane Tinkham and Stacey Mulrey for the 4th and 5th grade “Joyful Discoveries” and they also present that great mix of organization and flexibility. These two deans and their staff were triumphant through an arduous week last year (the result of external circumstances like – a week of pouring rain) so to see them thrive with good weather and a great week is inspiring.
Also grateful for good weather are Lucy Begin, Ron Tracy and their crew out on Manitou Island for their "Manitou Island Adventure." I have not yet made it out there for a visit, but reports coming back are that they are having a super week.
Thanks to Ray Cooley and Jane Chandler, we have also sent off a trip camp, down the Allagash. From the reports of the travelers, it was a fun and meaningful experience that each would repeat (maybe without the bugs next time) in a heartbeat. We have just received and posted photos of this "Wet and Wild" adventure. Take a look.
I wish we had time and space to write about each counselor and camper. The counselors volunteer their time and talent. What an incredible gift and expression of faith. We are so richly blessed. Praise God for PL, and mostly for the people who make it sacred ground.
TTFN
Bryan
Monday July 22, 2002
So... did you see the article? I received a call on Thursday from Ryan Blethen who wanted to interview me. This sent off a few bells from unhappy experiences with the press from long ago, but he seemed to want to write a community minded piece and so I agreed. During the interview he asked if I had any former campers who were now counselors and I immediately thought of Laura Barrantes since she loves the place and program so much and because she was on the porch of cabin one which was in the range of my cordless phone. She did a great job, don'cha think?
On Friday they sent a photographer, nice guy named Fred, who shot the photos. He ate lunch with Laura and her campers. I was very pleased with the final result. You can read the article on line. Mr. Blethen captured the spirit and intent of PL quite well. I was a little embarrassed that the part about increased enrollment sounded so focused on me personally, when in fact, I was trying to point out that it was the result of many dedicated people. For example, the article made it sound like the "visits to churches" were all mine, but actually the Outdoor Ministries Committee has been very diligent and worked very hard to get out to the churches consistently. In fact the success of the past few years is the result of an incredible number of hard working people who love this ministry. And most of them are volunteers.
I also wish he had included my statement about working with camps in three different conferences and never having experienced such intense loyalty and devotion to a program as here in Maine. But these are small observations about a wonderful piece. I've received lots of nice, supportive emails, phone calls and comments about it. One last thought on the subject: In the photo, my son Eric can be seen on the lodge porch; since the story was published on his second birthday, Deb and I thought it was kind of a quiet little tribute to the fact that SO many people in the Maine Conference prayed so hard and so long for this boy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC!
What a fantastic camp we had last week! Tom Hancock and Paula Smith brought their bountiful talents and energy, and their incredible counseling staff, to create "Middler Spirit" 2002. It was a nice group of campers who truly got the PL experience thanks to the constant reminder by the deans of "keeping our eye on the ball" (the campers). It was a fun, relaxed and exciting week. Just look at the young people in the photos as you will see that of which I speak.
And now, I sit across the desk from dean Jonathan Doughty. Such marvelous evolution: first a camper, then staff member, then counselor, now dean. Jonathan brings his boundless energy and enthusiasm to a new role; and it shows. Coupled with organization and an exited and eclectic team, his campers are having a ball. Granted it is still Monday, but spirits are high and things are clicking along like a well-oiled machine.
Actually, this whole summer has been quite smooth. We are just at the half way mark so I won't say that too loudly. But Thanks be to God for wonderful first half of 2002! Please keep us in your prayers as we move forward through the summer, in unbroken line. And don't forget to pray for our "Wilderness Awakenings" camp under the leadership of Mike Seavy and Rev. Susan Gilpin, somewhere out on Moosehead Lake.
I had a great conversation with a camper yesterday. I remember when he came his first year, and now he is back for his fourth. His excitement and positive energy about being back gave me that mid-summer boost. So when in doubt, speak to a camper, the reason we do all this wonderful stuff.
So.. until next time,
My little red wagon may have a broken back seat, and though the axel, is in fact, draggin'; you can ride in it anytime you like.
Bryan
Friday, August 16, 2002
"Perfect." "No demerits." "Nothing wrong." "Everything perfect."
These are not terms one usually hears from the state health inspector. But that's precisely what she had to say during her surprise inspection yesterday. She could not find one thing wrong. We achieved 100%.
I think that's something to celebrate (yippee!).
Today is the last full day of our weekly camping schedule. Oh we still have lots more: 'A Day at Camp' for little ones and their parents (please pray for good weather on Sunday); Grandparents and Family camps. But the rhythm of Sunday to Saturday ends tomorrow morning. Our staff is in the process of saying farewell. It's a rich and poignant time. It's also a hot and tired time, but everyone is pulling together.
After my last entry we went into "Turning Around 1 & 2" the Senior High camps led by the triumvirate of deans Todd Goodeill, Pam Burnham, and Jon Young. What a fantastic camp! I sat and listened to the reinvented Senior speeches with awe and reverence as young people gave joyful testimonies about what PL has meant to them and how it has changed their lives. This one called it his salvation; that one spoke of faith development; the next about dropping the social masks and being himself like nowhere else; another about hearing the call to ministry; still another about how he intends to continue to be involved. And all of them paying tribute to their friends. It was very joyful, very moving.
Again, using the three dean approach we welcomed John Rimkunas, and former PL staff members Allie Rimkunas and Rocky Ackroyd. Lots of good energy with this group named "All God's Gifts." They used the new field up by the shower house to make a huge maze out of fallen branches from the woods. Each family group took a section of field and all six sections connected. It was wild! They also helped the campers (and the adults) come to a comprehension of how many children in Zimbabwe have been orphaned by AIDS by making 800,000 thumbprints on a very long, very tall sheet of paper that stretched from the start of the ball field all the way into camp when parents picked up their campers on Saturday. Speaking of which, we are going for a new record, we have raised approximately $6,500 so far to support the orphanage in Zimbabwe. Matt, on camp staff, updated the mission project page if you are interested in reading up on it. If you'd like to make a donation: mail it by September 15 to "Mission Project" 103 Pilgrim Lodge Lane, W. Gardiner, ME 04345.
Now we are at the tail end of "Spiritual Discovery" expertly run by Laurie Mooney and Bill Ingraham. We've missed Bill on staff (he's our volunteer Chaplain for the summer) but I am happy I suggested he take a week and be a dean. Between Laurie's incredible attention to detail and hard work to pull a quality team together, and Bill's eternally ebullient spirit and innate understanding of group dynamics, we are ending the summer on the same high note that we have sustained from day one. It's just been incredible.
Deb
and I will have the staff over to our home on Saturday night and after
our day for the little ones we will begin to depart. Our Honduran
friends will be leaving
Tuesday. More after clean up on Wednesday. By Thursday morning
the staff of 2002 will be ready for the history webpage, but what a
great summer to remember.
Now, I should mention a few items about the physical plant that got worked on this summer. The front of the Farmhouse, which was peeling when I arrived five years ago has been painted thanks to Jonathan Doughty, other staff members and campers from "Turning Around." I no longer cringe when I turn into the driveway. Thanks everyone!
Also, we have a brand new stairway to the waterfront. The old one was just rotting away and long overdue for replacement. Thank you German, Jay, Jonathan and Jack our stellar maintenance team.
Next, the campers and counselors at "Turning Around" also rebuilt the poor old boat dock. I had looked into buying a new one and the cost was just prohibitive, so these folks rebuild it for just over a hundred dollars. Pretty amazing, huh? Special thanks to team leader Jim Morgan and thank you Senior campers!
Finally, the approach to the new summer office has been hazardous from day one. Likewise, the beginning of the jaunt up to the craft cabin which follows the same route. German has spent the past three weeks building a deck with seating (for small program groups) outside the office. Now the approach includes a set of stairs and a straight walk over the rough and rocky ground. The deck is but the first step in a plan to make the entrance to PL handicap accessible. Phase one.
I do have photos of all these events and will put them up on the recent news page (I suppose "recent news" is redundant, isn't it?). I haven't updated this page for a while and was waiting until I could get all that together. Then, after enough time passed I thought "well that's kind of silly, just update the log and put the photos up when you get the chance."
Ta da!
Thanks to EVERYONE who helped make this such a phenomenal summer! It's one to remember.
Must go stir the purple soup!
Bryan
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
It's very strange to be here on such a hot day, all alone. The temperature is over 90 degrees, which is of course, odd for this late in the season. But it feels like mid-summer, and yet, the only sounds at PL are coming from the wind and the critters. Family Camp was great this year. Thanks to deans Gloria Leveillee and Nancy von York for the good, hard work. There were several new families and a very relaxed feel. Grandparents camp was sure a lot of fun. Both events had every cabin filled. What a great time. Thanks to Grandmother/daughter team of Nancy and Sara Godfrey! And of course, the camp staff had fun with the little ones during "A Day At Camp" which is a way to give Kindergarten through second graders, and their folks a taste of what PL is all about. Please check out all three of these events photos on our photos page.
On the beautiful Sunday, during Labor Day Weekend, the family campers were very gracious to allow us space to have a few family and friends around for a very powerful worship service at the chapel where we baptized our son, Eric. Since PL is his home in the summer, a center of his Christian community, it seemed right. Some of you probably realize this is the culmination of quite a journey beginning before Deb and I even arrived in Maine. I intend to get some photos on a personal website (if I can figure it out), and will link it to a future log. Eric was great (although his response to having Rev. David Gaewski dump water on him was "No like it!"). I will never forget the day. Or the image of watching Eric, with his Aunt Wendy, walking up to the chapel from the lake with a bucket filled with the water of baptism, while we sang "Child of Blessing, Child of Promise."
I took a week off between Grandparents and Family camp. It was nice. Deb, Eric and I got some home projects accomplished, and took small day trips to Maine points like Pemaquid. Last week I spent cleaning up the office from all the small details that pile up over the summer. There is still a hefty pile on my desk, but it is getting smaller. Saturday, I met with Outoor Ministry Committee and we are already sketching out next years schedule. Nice work by a great committee, well led by Karla Swanson-Murphy. Thanks to a hardworking team. Nothing official yet, but as soon as we know I'll post the schedule on the site.
I also spent some time with Bill Ingraham, our summer chaplain. Bill spent his sabbatical being a PL staff member this summer, which was an amazing gift to us all. His amazing energy was seen all over camp. He is a gifted pastor and an all around great guy. He did not just spend his sabbatical, hanging out on the docks and relaxing, but rather he was always helping out by cleaning, listening, leading program or helping out in whatever way was needed. I will be posting an open thank you letter I intend to write to his church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, later this week. In the meantime, thanks Bill, and thanks to The Church of The Good Shepherd. Bill left yesterday, and it's kind of lonely around here without him.
Rental season has begun. Woodfords church out of Portland was here last week. They had about 80 people. They've come every year since PL began, which is pretty remarkable. This weekend we'll welcome the North Windham church for their annual retreat. It's nice to see the site used by Maine UCC churches.