Pilgrim Lodge Director's Log

October 21, 2007

Not sure what happened to September.  There was an annual meeting in there (pictures linked to the news page)and we've had an entire rental season.  Hasn't this been an odd fall?  Today, Oct. 21 was blue sky T-shirt weather. 

The Balbrook Footage:

OK I'm all excited to write about the new web acquisition.  At the end of the summer Kathy Ankermann came into my office bearing the Holy Grail of archival material.  Her father, Joseph Whelan, is the nephew of the late Edith Moore, wife of John Moore who was co-owner of Balbrook Lodge (and one of the J's in "JBJ").  Balbrook was the private camp that the Maine Conference bought in 1956, creating Pilgrim Lodge.  Two years ago I went to Dr. Whelan's summer camp, just two buildings down the lake to the south. There on his porch were several rocking chairs identical to the wicker rockers in the lodge, but in much better shape. On the wall was a handcrafted sign made of sticks that read 'Balbrook Lodge.'  It was one of my attempts to both connect with the families that built and ran the camp, and to document their stories. This is part of a wider projects of interviewing past PL directors and folks involved in Outdoor Ministries in Maine before PL. During the interview Dr. Whelan mentioned that somewhere he had 16mm footage taken at BL. My ears perked up, my eyes widened and I'm sure I said something polite like "can I have it?.... now?" Turns out it was in a storage compartment somewhere making it the proverbial needle in a haystack.  Sigh. 

Dr. Whelan's grandchildren still attend PL to this day, so this summer I mentioned to his granddaughter about the mystery film. I guess she took it to heart and started to gently work on her grandfather who somehow managed to find a canister of film.  I was a little shaky as I opened the can.  The room filled with the strong smell of vinegar; a sure sign that the images on the reel were deteriorating before my eyes.  Up in the farmhouse I stored an old 16mm projector from back in the pre-video days when PL campers would gather for an evening movie.  But I stopped in my tracks.  The projector is ancient and I didn't want to damage the fragile film.  So close.  A conversation with Eric C. Smith led me to Larry Kalp, a minister in Gorham who is something of an archival film buff.  I emailed him and he assured me that the film was usually pretty sturdy and as long as I cleaned out the projector path it would be OK.  So that night I threaded the old projector (Flood Jr. High School AV club, thank you very much) and Janos, Gabriella, Andy, Deborah, Eric and I watched the treasure.  (Eric fell asleep).

The film ran about 15 minutes.  The canister reads "Maine 1935 & 36"  Most of it is in black and white with about 3 minutes of color footage at the end.  My assumption is that the black and white section is from 1935 and the color from 1936, but this is only a guess.  At first glance I was a little disappointed that the shots were non-descript.  It was clearly people partying in the woods, but it could have been most anywhere.  Still there were a few shots that showed our site and it was so fun to see all the fashions and mannerisms.  There was a lot of smoking going on in the thirties.

Larry Kalp agreed to digitize the footage for me.  He did so at his own expense and with my gratitude and I could breathe easy because the decaying footage was transferred.  The method used was to aim a digital camera at the screen while the film was projected.  I was a bit frustrated by the flicker that came through and the fuzzyness of the images, so, with no disrespect to Larry I sent the film off to be transferred professionally.  After a FedEx debacle I received the transferred footage on Friday.  I intend to make copies of the entire reel and give DVD's to all the Balbrook descendants I've managed to get to know, as well as the Goodwins next door to PL who once worked at BL.

The film was full of shaky images and repetition (these were, after all, a family's home movies) so I decided to try and edit it myself on my laptop.  I've never even opened a film editing program before so it was touch and go, with a steep learning curve.  First, I picked out the B&W clips where you could clearly see it was PL.  There was one brief shot of two women walking from the lodge to cabin S1 but both ends the shot were quick.  I couldn't find a slow motion function so I captured stills of the lodge and S1 and essentially froze those images to give the viewer a sense of where the shot was. At the end I rearranged the order of some of the color shots but left most of them in.  I edited the 15 minutes down to just under 6 and a half.   I added a copyright free silent music piano soundtrack and the result is now on the news page for your viewing pleasure.  Its ultimate home will be on the history page but that whole page is scheduled for an overhaul so I'm waiting on that until there is time (note the optimism in that statement). When that finally happens I hope to put the higher resolution version on our own server instead of just loading it to You Tube, which is an easy way to do it right now.  

Here are some things to look for: There is an early shot of John Moore, the man who started it all.  I think I may have seen both Edith his wife and their business partner L.O. Andersen, but I'm waiting confirmation on that.  Note the chefs and the waitresses in full uniform.  The young man early on at the dock with an H on his shirt is one of the boat boys that worked there each summer.  The level of the water is way low (look at the islands), much as it is in the winter months now.  That low water level, and tons of trucked in sand, made for a nice beach. (Try that today and your looking at pretty hefty DEP fines). I believe the canoe that the (I presume) mother and son launch is still in service these 72 years later. After the placard "Mighty Fishermen, Oh Yeah" you'll see a boy fishing and later two different shots of boys holding fish up.  Notice the face on the third one who is clearly disgusted by the whole affair.  The next shot is the same boy standing in front of the lodge.  It looks like he is holding up the dead fish for yet another camera and this time he holds it so long he has to use his other arm to support his fish-holding arm which must be getting sore by now.  It's pretty cute. 

Next is a collection of shots of the staff and clientele. Be sure to see the fine waitress uniforms.  (I'm considering reinstituting those for the staff next summer).  Then there are those whacky Balbrook Lodgers; eating, dancing, singing, drumming, falling all over each other, climaxed by an all out, everyone-must-participate, conga line.

We now move into the color era.  The kids playing ping pong could have been shot this summer.  Note the lack of a door on the end of the porch.  Next the boys play horseshoes where the shuffleboard court/pizza-serving/chalk mural concrete now stands. This is followed by a shot of a man holding a catch of fish: look behind him at the guy hand pumping water in the place where our current well head still stands.

Finally at the very end is a shot of people relaxing on the lodge porch just as people have every summer since.  Look at the chairs.  Yes, those are the very same wicker chairs that still adorn the lodge and have stood up to 52 summers of children's camp.  Amazing.

I hope you enjoy the show.  I realize I may be the only one quite so fascinated by all this.  It's become my hobby and it makes me happy.  Oh, and if the music gets annoying just turn it off. 

Enjoy.

Bryan

ps. Kathy tells me, there may be more to come.

August 25, 2007

The summer of 2007 is about done.  Have you seen the article from Bangor Daily News?  It was really a nice affirming piece that sums up PL quite well.  Here's another way: This poem was left on my desk.  It was written just last week by a camper going into fifth grade.  I don't have permission to give his name but if I can get it I think I'll put this in next years camp brochure:

Sometimes
It feels like
there is waiting to be
a voice,

my true voice
waiting to be let free
waiting to be me
waiting to do my own thing
my own way

I can let that voice free
at Pilgrim Lodge.
everyone should
my voice - is now free

Pretty powerful stuff.  We had a remarkable summer!.  First of all the staff was so very dedicated, hard working and polite.  I don't think I heard a harsh word or tone all summer, and that may be a first. The summer of 2007 will most certainly be remembered as the summer we received our first visit from the American Camp Association.  It was a grueling, but productive process.  It started in earnest last December when I attended a workshop in Pennsylvania.  All winter and spring Karen and I worked on preparation, then when Steve came on board in April he started working hard.  The staff put up with me and my desire to have a top notch camp quite well. Somehow I switched from wanting to pass to wanting to (as I kept reminding them)  'get an A.'  It kind of woke some dormant fears from my school days.  The fevered pitch grew until Sunday night, July 22 when I finished the last of the paperwork and took a last look around.  That night at staff meeting I was able to come to my self and remind everyone that we had done our best and we should feel proud whatever the results.  Only prayer and grace helped me remember to just relax the next day so when Tuesday came I was not the crazed, sleep deprived nut job I had been the week before.  Two camp directors showed up at 8:15 and spent the entire day.  They split up at several points inspecting every nook and cranny, entering cabins, and lunching with campers.  They were pleasant and professional.  Much of the day was spent on the porch of cabin S-1 going over the mountains of paperwork that had been generated and implemented since December.  We won't know until November if Pilgrim Lodge will become an accredited camp.  There is a computer process and then a vote by a board of directors.  I'm pretty confident we will indeed make the grade as we achieved every single one of the applicable standards.  We got our "A." 

That night was a bit magical.  Knowing that the staff had pulled together and worked so hard I, with the help of Karen, Steve and Deborah, planned a special evening.  OMC and former staff members showed up to take over the serving of supper, cleaning of the kitchen and washing of dishes.  I directed the staff away from the lodge and to the dock where Steve picked us up in his boat and brought us to Karen's for an evening of surf n' turf, chocolate covered whoopie pies and water skiing.  They deserved every bit of the release. 

Much of the ACA process was very helpful; much was revealing; much was affirming; some was just silly.  For example - we were told we had to cover the silverware between meals.  Now the visitors told me this was a probably not necessary, but we were going for perfection so...  Artie Flanders grandma made us a sweet cozy to cover up the silverware. Here I present to you, the application, or rather attempted application, of the cozy.  I should note that we indeed did get it to fit.  Thank you

While there is no defense on the charge that there has been a dearth of blogging on this site, I hope you have kept up with the rest of the website.   If you haven't checked out the staff page, do so now. We just posted a bunch of candid photos.  I hope you've been keeping up with the work of Becca, our new camp photographer who did an outstanding job with the support of our adjunct staff member Rev. Gil Healy.  Also the news page was completely overhauled a few weeks ago.  I am going to resist reporting on all the good stuff I wrote about there.  One of those items, however, has a bit of ceremony to report.  We overhauled the Health Center (aka "the Nurses Cabin").  The timing was good because of the ACA requirements but we were going to do this anyway.  It was overdue.  Medications and state regs have expanded and it was just time.  I wanted to enhance the changes with some nice signage but was having a hard time coming up with the funds since we'd spent quite a bit already (though through the magic of Steve Jones we got a whole lot of bang for our buck!).  As if answering my thought waves I received a call from Roger Condit's family who were looking for a suitable gift and voila! Here is the result.

After the ACA visit, things relaxed quite a bit although the professionalism and kindness showed by the staff were not among those things.  In spite of the distraction I must say that this summer was a remarkable one.  The deans were all top notch, and dealt with the changes with a great attitude, as did the counselors.  Everyone put up with the paperwork nightmares without much grumbling (to me anyway).  The new process developed by OMC to 'handoff' campers for option time worked quite well.  In general there was singing, laughter and deep connection throughout the site all summer long. 

Laura, Alan and Joanne Bartlett

Sgt. Jordan D Cable

A great moment of thanksgiving came just a week ago when Joanne Bartlett called me to say there was someone who wanted to say hello.  On the other end of the phone, standing on American soil, was our own camper/counselorr Alan Bartlett, home from Iraq for a second (and final) time after his third tour of duty.  His first was in Afghanistan. Blessings and prayers of gratitude for a safe homecoming.  Welcome back Alan.  In the same week I received an email from the father of my Godson Jordan Cable (with whom only recently re-connected) on his deployment to Iraq.  So please, in your prayers please hold Jordan tight.

In a summer of blessings and grace, I must take a moment and ask for your prayers for our colleagues across the lake at Camp Cobbossee where two days ago a 15 year old member of one of their rental groups drown.  It's every camp director and every parent's nightmare.  You are all being held in prayer.

One sweet personal moment that took me by surprise happened when Karen and Bill, the deans of Finding God's Way asked me to attend their closing program and presented me with a sign that read "Celebrating ten years with Director Bryan"  It was kind of startling to see it in writing but there it was.  Thanks guys!

You may remember a bit of hoopla last year over PL's 50th anniversary.  Well, this summer marks the 50th year of the Connecticut Outdoor Ministry site.  Silver Lake was where I went to camp and worked as staff member for seven summers.  It's where I learned both the 'how to' and the reason why.  After making such a big deal out of our own party I felt it was appropriate to make my way Silver Lake for the festivities.  So Deb, Eric and I packed up and drove to CT last weekend.  It pained me to miss "A Day at Camp" which is one of my favorite days at PL, but I am told through story, photos and testimony that it was a great day.  Meanwhile, at Silver Lake I had quite a grounding experience.  In 1979 I met my wife Deborah there when we worked on staff together ("and may Skylab not descend upon your head") and we both wanted to show Eric the camp where we grew up. I was excited and prepared to see my former staff members, some of whom I had not seen in over 25 years.  It was one of those family reunions where you are so thrilled to see everyone, but you really don't get much of a chance to see anyone in particular. What caught me by surprise were running into people who said "Hi, you and I were campers in the same cabin!" or "You were my first dean - what a powerful camp that was." Or looking up and seeing my own first dean and remembering the powerful connections to that experience.  And of course, I was thrilled to spend just a little time with Alden and Ruth.  Alden was the camp director with Ruth his partner, at SL for over thirty years!  I was blessed to be a be a part of their ministry in the middle of that run.  Silver Lake looks great.  One fun moment was during the recognition/worship: "how many of you were campers? how many on staff?" etc. Finally "how many of you were forced to come here by your parents?" And sitting in between Deborah and I, Eric's hand shoots up like a rocket.  It was a moment: first horror, then laughter. Of course, by the time we left that night for our all night drive we couldn't get him to leave.  "I want to live here, I never want to leave!" Eric said.  Deborah and I could only answer "believe us, we understand." On the way out I was grateful for SL past and present, but I was truly thankful to be coming home to Maine, and Pilgrim Lodge where I belong.

 To the summer staff of 2007, the deans, the counselors, the OMC and most of all the campers.  Thank you.

June 11, 2007

A poignant and powerful moment in Pilgrim Lodge History as the mantle and camera are passed from beloved long time photographer to a new generation of PL staff.  (Red stole by anonymous Elvis impersonator)

Moments from the ceremony:

May 10, 2007

Each year there is a special moment signifying the movement of the camp office from the long winter exile in the Farmhouse, back into the heart of camp where it belongs.  The sign points the way.  

May 1, 2007

It never ceases to amaze me.  I'm sure there is a huge lesson in faith that I keep missing.  Every year I walk the site in preparation for Jump Start Weekend and tour the ravages of winter.  Pilgrim Lodge is always beautiful, but that brief moment between the snow and the blossoms brings a sad, barren chill to me. Even though I know from experience that Jump Start will work miracles, I'm always apprehensive.  Then it starts.  Peter and Sara Godfrey are often the first to show up late Friday afternoon.  They hug me, put their bags in cabin 1, spend a moment catching up then say 'where do we start?'  Then others begin to arrive.

Friday night the Lodge was put back together after having its floors re-finished (they're beautiful); All the dishes were washed and the kitchen was given its first cleaning.  Cabins were checked for immediate occupancy issues (detectors and extinguishers).  The youth groups arrived.  It was an early night.

We had youth groups from Waterville, South Berwick, and Farmington.  They were great groups.  I was amazed how much hard labor they did, and with such a great attitude.  And of course we had many adult work day regulars and a few new faces as well.  Quite a few former staff showed up, which always makes things easier.  Just the clearing and sweeping of the boardwalk makes the place start to come alive. Then came the raking  wood stacking, and the cutting of downed trees.  This year we spread another 12 yards of 'erosion control mulch' over the area in front of the lodge and waterfront.  Many thanks to Steve who, as always, had the groups equipped, informed and moving from project to project.  He's so good.  And the OMC fed us well.  Rachel Tracy, Karyl Condit and Joe Turano spent the day giving the kitchen a second, deeper cleaning and preparing us breakfast and lunch.  Thanks guys!

The late winter and early spring have been full.  There are four subgroups working on ACA standards as well as Karen, Steve, Darci, Scott and I.  That plus all the usual start up stuff is keeping us on our toes.  We put carbon monoxide detectors in all the sleeping quarters.  Luckily Steve found one that combines with a smoke detector and fits our existing hard wire housing.  I told you he was good.

When he started in early April he built some new counters in the summer office.  No more moving press board furniture from the farmhouse each year.  That furniture didn't have many moves left in it.  The new counters and desk areas are beautiful.  They fit in with the existing structures perfectly.  And we've removed that huge honking desk I used to drive.

Steve brings lots of activity with him.  The camp is being readied. Yesterday in the pouring rain we had an excavator come in a move all the rocks protruding from the picnic field.  One less potential hazard.  While here they took down the dead tree between S-2 and S-3 and cleared out the old debris to make way for a handicap ramp that was donated by someone my sister-in-law found on the internet!  Many thanks to Jim Morgan from S. Berwick.  He organized a group of men from his church to go and disassemble it and he plans to bring it to us this weekend.  Another excavator job was to move the huge rock that sits right on the road near the summer office and is the nemesis of all drivers of large trucks.  It's a big old empty hole now.  And speaking of donations, we had not one, but two trucks donated to PL this winter.  Thank you Allie and John, and to Deane in Cumberland!

In March we had a really special Deans' retreat.  In an effort to support our sister-site, we moved it to Rockcraft.  The change in venue was great (not to impugn our friends at Mechuwana, we love their site too!) The OMC got all excited about providing an 'extravagant welcome' and their infectious joy carried the night.  Deans arrived and had their bags whisked to their room and were offered a set of cozy fun slippers (I chose the giraffes); next they had their choice of fancy drink.  Yes, they were served in martini glasses but they were soft as a pillow - no alcohol.  Next, they might choose to sit by the roaring fire, or with a foot bath, or perhaps opt for a journey of relaxation atop Allie's massage table.  It was fun.  The next day we went over lots of changes as a result of ACA and state regulation changes; we looked at the curriculum and the mission project and then headed over to Windham Hill Church for training on how to use the new labyrinth.  To make the training experiential, we borrowed the labyrinth from First Parish Church in Brunswick.  Many thanks to First Parish for such a wonderful opportunity.  The whole retreat had a nice, gentle feel.  I saw lots of good connections being made.

Another task that filled many hours was the summer staff hiring process.  I interviewed a lot of really nice young people, and I think we have a stellar team lined up.  I'm still waiting on a few to send in paperwork, but when it's official I'll post the new crew.  Once again, a great number of staff have returned from last year, for which I am very grateful and gratified.  It won't be long before I'm welcoming them back.  And we have an impressive list of newbies too. 

Deb, Eric and I took a week off during school vacation to visit family in Connecticut. We went to see The Lion King on Broadway.  It was amazing, truly a beautiful production.  The adventure was heightened by being trapped in Manhattan during the big nor'easter with the train tracks washed out.  We also went to an aquarium, entered a fishing derby, and Deb and I took her dad out for an 80th birthday bash.  It was good to be with family.  And by the way, PL did fine during the storm.

In early March I went to Indiana where I attended the bi-annual UCC Outdoor Ministries Consult. It was a bit different to show up for the event after having been on the board for the previous six.  It was great to re-connect with my colleagues and get some great ideas.  A lot of turn-over in the Outdoor Ministries arena brought in a lot of new faces as well.   Don Eaton provided the music (Don wrote "I Am One Voice") and the keynoter was an old dear friend of mine from seminary days, David Turner who gave us an incredible if sobering look at why our work on environmental justice is so essential.  It was an inspiring event.

I hope you have been keeping up to date with the adventures of Artie and Liz.  They've been in Honduras since January.  Liz maintains a blog at www.hondurasinterns07.blogspot.com.  They've got chickens.  I've been keeping in touch and they are indeed finding their way through all sorts of cultural, administrative and spiritual mazes.  They're doing great work.  There are also Photos posted by Artie and Photos  posted by Liz that are a lot of fun to look through, including a visit by fellow PL staffers Jack and Becky.  One photo sent to me by Liz was taken by Artie and is currently our Photo of the Month.  It's fun.

I've done a lot of preaching this season, stopped in at SYC's midwinter, and kept things rolling in West Gardiner.  Those few nice days were a tease for what is to come.  I'm sure you are as ready as I for summer weather.  The rental groups start tomorrow and Saturday is a meeting of the Outdoor Ministries Committee.  The summer vortex has begun to swirl. 

In all the activity I am finding a peaceful center.  I have a great staff and I know it will somehow, someway, all get done in time for a summer of faith exploration, stillness, and hilarity. 

Happy May Day,

Peace,

Bryan

February 13, 2007   "Errata"

There's always at least one error in the camp brochure.  Keeps me humble. I think of the stitchers of quilts, or eastern rugs who always stitch in one error because perfection is blasphemy.  No real concerns about that this year.  All I can think is that two pages got "saved as" incorrectly after changes were made and an earlier version went to the printer.  I went the OMC. I went to the deans. I showed them the copy.  They found quite a few errors, which is why one proofs after all.  I changed the errors, I know it.  In fact, Karen in the office can prove I'm not insane. 

OK, that's a little far reaching; Karen remembers me making the changes.  One error was caught before the mailing and fixed with a very attractive sticker (which instead of the corrected information screams unprintable things at me).  The next we noticed during the mailing.  Luckily it contains first the correct info: That Vintage Ventures is for people 55 years old and above, but then it lists the ages again, this time as young adults (clearly a little copy and paste magic gone horribly wrong).  Just now Cathy called and said she is getting calls about a mistake in the DATES (yes the dates) for CIT training.  Ugh.  That's a biggie.  The actual dates are FRIDAY and SATURDAY June 15 & 16 and I KNOW I changed that because Joanne Bartlett my co-dean caught it "in the nick of time."  There are of course other errors that are just embarrassing without a lot of consequence.  But these are doozies.

Now indulge me a moment and let me believe that those who don't know me all that well, are imagining that "wow, that must be really annoying" and picture me making the changes on-line, shrugging, and moving on. 

Those that know me a little better are probably aware that I am deeply chagrined and bummed out as I take a certain bit of pride in the camp brochure.

Those of you who are closest to me now have a vision of me like this: 

"action"

Close up on my face as I scream "NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! while the camera pulls away to find my fists curled, while I'm kneeling on the edge of a beautiful canyon, something Southwestern perhaps.  As the camera continues to pull away my scream becomes an echo throughout the canyon walls.  Cut back to me: My hands are now on the side of my head, tears streaming, shoulders heaving at end of a breath, and moaning "why?  Why?  WHY? WHYYYYY-HYYYYY-HYYYYYY-HYYYYYY" Followed by a barely discernibly "Oh, the humanity!"  Cut back to far away with just a silhouette of me on the edge of the canyon as my voice feebly echoes through the walls: "what a world, what a world."

Then of course, I stand, straighten my shoulders, set my jaw, and turn 180 degrees back into the reality of a brochure gone wrong.  You can hear the lilt in my voice as I reckon: "at least it's shiny!"

January 28, 2007

The holidays are kind of a blur.  Christmas itself was nice; a quiet day at home with the family.  Eric was a donkey in the Christmas pageant. We still have a stack of Christmas cards ready to be sent out complete with a little photo of the family affixed to the front. We're thinking of making them Valentines.  sigh.  Right after Christmas I had the honor of giving the sermon at a worship service to commission Liz Charles and Artie Flanders as they prepared to journey to Honduras where they are now working as missionaries for a year.  If you are going to Honduras with the Maine Conference Honduras Partnership (and I know many of you are) you will no doubt have occasion to cross paths with these two PL staff members.  I'm still working on how I will make do without them this summer. Honorary staff member Gil Healy was there and shot some photos of the dedication which I have posted.  And yes, I've gotten a haircut since then.  Please keep Artie, Liz, their Honduran partner David and the whole partnership in your prayers this year.

Shortly after Christmas I had a nice visit from the entire Bartlett family, who came to PL the day before Alan was to return to duty from a Christmas break.  He recently returned to Iraq so again I ask your prayers for Alan and his family as he completes his third tour of duty.  I told him I hated this war, but I loved him and thanked him for his bravery and service.  He smiled and kind of shrugged.  He is resolved.  We are all blessed by the honor with which he, and so many others, serve our country.  Joanne shot a couple of photos.

OMC met on January 6 and we welcomed several new members including Rachel Tracy, Joe Turano and Dana Reed.  Among all the usual tasks we went over American Camp Association stuff and they helped me proof what I had of the camp brochure (which was a big help as they found lots of typos and some omissions). The brochure is off at the printer now.  In fact I think it might have shipped today.  Next Wednesday ,Feb. 7 we'll be doing the big bulk mailing.  You'll get one if you came to camp last year, or the year before.  If you'd like to be on the list email Karen. 

On Jan 18, I attended a board meeting of the Maine Youth Camping Association.  It's a great organization that works tirelessly for the benefit of Maine camps.  This year we've got lots (as in a complete overhaul) of new state regulations and MYCA was instrumental in helping the legislature develop them appropriately.  Unfortunately it looks like the legislature is going to require us to charge a restaurant tax on meals served at camp.  Go ahead, call your state representative.  I'll wait.         When you go to a restaurant, at least you get a bill upon which the 7% can be levied.  We have to figure out how much of your tuition is spent on meals then charge the 7%.  Sounds simple, but we have to include more than food; we have to include staff time, even things like utilities which have to be broken down by what gas and electricty is food related and what is not. Then we have to subtract all the staff meals and get a per meal price which you, good people, get to pay tax on!  Good thing too, I can spend more time indoors doing paperwork this summer.  YES! 

On January 25 I attended a American Camp Association standards course.  Accreditation requires that we follow 208 standards, many of which standards are already met at PL, plus several ‘foundational practices.’  Upon my early analysis, 43 standards do not apply (DNA) to Pilgrim Lodge.  The standards are broken into ten categories.  Each category has several ‘mandatory standards.’   These are the categories:

1. Site and Food Service

2. Transportation

3. Health and Wellness

4. Operational Management

5. Human Resources

6. Program: Design and Activities

7. Program: Aquatics

8. Program: Adventure and Challenge

9. Program: Horseback riding (DNA)

10. Program: Trip and Travel

OMC has approved the set up of four sub committees to help work on specific areas.   

1. Made up of OMC members, to work on “Program and Design”

2. One OMC member and a group made up of doctors and nurses for “Health and Wellness,”

3. One OMC member and a small group of former staff for "Program: Challenge"

4. Made up of one OMC member and the two primary trip camp deans for “Program: Trip and Travel"

So far, most of the people asked have responded positively.  I am going to post a schedule of meetings on the website. Staff members Steve Jones, Karen Steelhamer and Conference Business Manager Mark Schussler also will be helping.

Finally, David Gaewski has asked me to take charge of the visitors, both youth and adult that will be attending General Synod in Hartford, Connecticut at the end of June.  I asked for a role so I could attend since it's the 50th anniversary of the UCC.  It promises to be quite a memorable party.  That's quite a role, especially at this late date, but my wife Deborah has agreed to help, plus Heidi Bennett at the conference office is offering her support.  There will soon be a webpage up about it on the conference website.  The tricky part is that youth will have to make their decision by March 1 which is coming quickly.

One little thing national has done is put together a 'photo mosaic' featuring photos from around the UCC.  I couldn't help it, I submitted a PL 50th photo and they put it in. Go to the mosaic, then move your mouse around and different photos will pop up.  Find the PL photo.  Go on, it's fun. 

In addition I've been meeting with Deans and potential 2007 staff members.  We're on track but the ACA and Synod stuff promise to make the pre-season quite a ride.  It's all good. 

Pray for peace,

Bryan