Tuesday, September 28, 2010
everything I need to know I learned at Christian camp
I have an idea... and need your ideas! I want to write... a paper.... a book.... a something.... titled "everything I need to know I learned at Christian camp" for Gracefield. let me know what you think a chapter of a book would be.... the revenues from this idea will go 100% to the Centre.
everything I need to know I learned at Christian camp
I have an idea... and need your ideas! I want to write... a paper.... a book.... a something.... titled "everything I need to know I learned at Christian camp" for Gracefield. let me know what you think a chapter of a book would be.... the revenues from this idea will go 100% to the Centre.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Report on the use of the waterfront
Over the years there has been some confusion about what the rules are for the waterfront at Gracefield, and in particular the issue of where and when people are allowed to swim. There has also been discussion about restoring the beach and about the possibility of building a dock system to allow for deeper swimming. This report will be limited to the regulations governing what we currently have in terms of waterfront facilities and a later report will deal with the possibilities for beach restoration and swimming dock system. We thank the members of the Tent and Trailer community for looking into this further and helping to clarify some of the issues.
Could we install a dock system at the main beach and be able to use deeper water there? We have been unable to find regulations on this but the research is ongoing.
Could we find some way to renew the main beach? There are very strict rules that govern what is done near the shoreline, but there are certainly some thing that could be done.
Are these all some new regulations? If not how long have they been around? Some of these regulations date back at least to 1981, though they have been amended a variety of times over the years and we do not have the earlier versions of the regulations. We do know that the regulations we have now are the most recent version as of June 2010.
Is this all about insurance liability or ACQ regulations for the children’s camp? No, it is about following the laws of Quebec concerning the use of any waterfront in Quebec.
Can’t we just “Swim at our own risk”? Gracefield Christian Camp and Retreat Centre needs to show that we have provided supervised swim areas that meet the building code and publicized times for supervised swimming. We also need to show that we have encouraged the use of those swim areas and times and discouraged swimming in other areas.
We have heard that lifeguards are responsible for anyone within their “line of sight”. Is this the case? This does not appear in any regulations for the province of Quebec but is likely a requirement of the National Lifesaving Society. We are still trying to confirm some details with the National Lifesaving Society.
Many of us have grown up at Gracefield enjoying being able to swim wherever we want whenever we want. Swimming at Parliament Hill and Second Beach are longstanding and enjoyable traditions at Gracefield. It is difficult to change these patterns and traditions. The province of Quebec has these regulations in order to encourage the safest possible enjoyment of the rivers and lakes in the province. It is our hope that as improvements are made at the main beach over the years it will become a more accessible and enjoyable place to swim for the whole Gracefield Community.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Kendall
A Committee for Waterfront has been formed.
(For more information: info@gracefieldcamp.ca)
Could we install a dock system at the main beach and be able to use deeper water there? We have been unable to find regulations on this but the research is ongoing.
Could we find some way to renew the main beach? There are very strict rules that govern what is done near the shoreline, but there are certainly some thing that could be done.
Are these all some new regulations? If not how long have they been around? Some of these regulations date back at least to 1981, though they have been amended a variety of times over the years and we do not have the earlier versions of the regulations. We do know that the regulations we have now are the most recent version as of June 2010.
Is this all about insurance liability or ACQ regulations for the children’s camp? No, it is about following the laws of Quebec concerning the use of any waterfront in Quebec.
Can’t we just “Swim at our own risk”? Gracefield Christian Camp and Retreat Centre needs to show that we have provided supervised swim areas that meet the building code and publicized times for supervised swimming. We also need to show that we have encouraged the use of those swim areas and times and discouraged swimming in other areas.
We have heard that lifeguards are responsible for anyone within their “line of sight”. Is this the case? This does not appear in any regulations for the province of Quebec but is likely a requirement of the National Lifesaving Society. We are still trying to confirm some details with the National Lifesaving Society.
Many of us have grown up at Gracefield enjoying being able to swim wherever we want whenever we want. Swimming at Parliament Hill and Second Beach are longstanding and enjoyable traditions at Gracefield. It is difficult to change these patterns and traditions. The province of Quebec has these regulations in order to encourage the safest possible enjoyment of the rivers and lakes in the province. It is our hope that as improvements are made at the main beach over the years it will become a more accessible and enjoyable place to swim for the whole Gracefield Community.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Kendall
A Committee for Waterfront has been formed.
(For more information: info@gracefieldcamp.ca)
Saying Farewell to the Bell Tower
As the winter snows thawed and the spring winds blew the Bell Tower swayed. One evening while the wind blew I heard wood “creaking” and “cracking”. I looked out the window and the Bell Tower was moving. The next morning when we surveyed the damage we saw that the pressure from the weight of the Bell Tower had twisted the roof above the kitchen in White Pine Lodge. At that point it was apparent that the Bell Tower was jeopardizing the safety of White Pine Lodge, especially the refrigerator in the kitchen.
Therefore, work began to easily dismantle the Bell Tower.
The week after it was down, beams from it were used to improve the conditions of the Cottage, the ground was prepared for a kitchen garden and later this summer we will enjoy the greens.
“Change of any sort takes courage.” Anonymous
Therefore, work began to easily dismantle the Bell Tower.
The week after it was down, beams from it were used to improve the conditions of the Cottage, the ground was prepared for a kitchen garden and later this summer we will enjoy the greens.
“Change of any sort takes courage.” Anonymous
A New Vision
"Gracefield Christian Camp and Retreat Centre is dedicated to helping all people experience spiritual discovery, growth, and renewal. It is a community that nurtures a deeper love of Christ, provides comfort and support, builds leadership, develops meaningful relationships, and practices stewardship of the environment.” Approved September 1, 2009.
Our goal is to be a leader in the Christian Camping and Retreat industry by providing a calm, peaceful, clean, and healthy environment.
In order to accomplish the fundamental objective s of the Vision, the Board of Directors has identified three strategic priorities that need to addressed.
1. Renew and focus the children’s camping program. The Children’s camping program of Gracefield is very important. It has shaped the lives and faith of many children. This priority programming area has the potential to reach more children and have a greater impact on their lives. One important area of impact that Christian camps have had is the development of leaders and we believe that by focusing more in this area, Gracefield has the opportunity to affect greater change and make a greater contribution. Accomplishing this objective can be achieved through renewal of a series of activities including Staff Training, the Leaders-In-Training program, and augmentation of the outdoor education activities. Changes in these areas will improve the delivery of the camping program, the value and relevance of the programming to campers, and the growth of youth in the Christian church.
2. Develop a directed spiritual retreat program. Gracefield has provided many opportunities for churches, congregations, and others to gather as part of the Christian community. In small groups, they have gathered and joined in fellowship—some for renewal, some for growth, and some just for fun. In many cases, Gracefield has provided the context and the support, but the programming has been left up to each individual group. This kind of activity should continue in the future, but it should also be augmented by directed spiritual retreats. These could be silent retreats that encourage stillness, prayer, and reflection. Retreats could also be developed to support families and couples, to enrich marriages, to develop spiritual leaders, and to provide specifically designed programming for seniors. Priority areas of attention should go to: 1. A retreat for seniors to provide an opportunity to savour the splendour of God’s creation demonstrated through the stunning autumn colours. 2. A series of retreats focused on stillness, silence, and prayer. These retreats will nurture the ability to calm our minds, open our hearts, and listen carefully for God’s
voice. This is a new area of focus and we expect that we will draw on the expertise of other spiritual leaders in the development and delivery of this program.
3. Engage and support the onsite tent and trailer community. After meeting with representatives of the tent and trailer community it is clear that there is a deep desire to not only maintain this important ministry, but to see it grow. Crucial to this suitable infrastructure. No less important is the need and the desire to build up the experience of connectedness within this community and with the whole ministry of Gracefield. The Board of Directors of Gracefield Christian Camp and Retreat Centre will engage the onsite tent and trailer community as we work together towards our sheared vision of Gracefield. The first priorities are to: Develop suitable, easily maintained and accessible washrooms and showers facilities for the current onsite tent and trailer community, and for the tent and trailer community we foresee a generation from now. Provide a place for members of the onsite tent and trailer community to gather together for community events and on rainy days. Move the workshop that is currently in the middle of the tent and trailer community to an area that is less disruptive to the program. Identify the best area for new tent and trailer camping sites with the least environmental impact, and begin to develop those sites. Encourage activities that will help the onsite tent and trailer community to experience spiritual discovery, growth, and renewal.
Our goal is to be a leader in the Christian Camping and Retreat industry by providing a calm, peaceful, clean, and healthy environment.
In order to accomplish the fundamental objective s of the Vision, the Board of Directors has identified three strategic priorities that need to addressed.
1. Renew and focus the children’s camping program. The Children’s camping program of Gracefield is very important. It has shaped the lives and faith of many children. This priority programming area has the potential to reach more children and have a greater impact on their lives. One important area of impact that Christian camps have had is the development of leaders and we believe that by focusing more in this area, Gracefield has the opportunity to affect greater change and make a greater contribution. Accomplishing this objective can be achieved through renewal of a series of activities including Staff Training, the Leaders-In-Training program, and augmentation of the outdoor education activities. Changes in these areas will improve the delivery of the camping program, the value and relevance of the programming to campers, and the growth of youth in the Christian church.
2. Develop a directed spiritual retreat program. Gracefield has provided many opportunities for churches, congregations, and others to gather as part of the Christian community. In small groups, they have gathered and joined in fellowship—some for renewal, some for growth, and some just for fun. In many cases, Gracefield has provided the context and the support, but the programming has been left up to each individual group. This kind of activity should continue in the future, but it should also be augmented by directed spiritual retreats. These could be silent retreats that encourage stillness, prayer, and reflection. Retreats could also be developed to support families and couples, to enrich marriages, to develop spiritual leaders, and to provide specifically designed programming for seniors. Priority areas of attention should go to: 1. A retreat for seniors to provide an opportunity to savour the splendour of God’s creation demonstrated through the stunning autumn colours. 2. A series of retreats focused on stillness, silence, and prayer. These retreats will nurture the ability to calm our minds, open our hearts, and listen carefully for God’s
voice. This is a new area of focus and we expect that we will draw on the expertise of other spiritual leaders in the development and delivery of this program.
3. Engage and support the onsite tent and trailer community. After meeting with representatives of the tent and trailer community it is clear that there is a deep desire to not only maintain this important ministry, but to see it grow. Crucial to this suitable infrastructure. No less important is the need and the desire to build up the experience of connectedness within this community and with the whole ministry of Gracefield. The Board of Directors of Gracefield Christian Camp and Retreat Centre will engage the onsite tent and trailer community as we work together towards our sheared vision of Gracefield. The first priorities are to: Develop suitable, easily maintained and accessible washrooms and showers facilities for the current onsite tent and trailer community, and for the tent and trailer community we foresee a generation from now. Provide a place for members of the onsite tent and trailer community to gather together for community events and on rainy days. Move the workshop that is currently in the middle of the tent and trailer community to an area that is less disruptive to the program. Identify the best area for new tent and trailer camping sites with the least environmental impact, and begin to develop those sites. Encourage activities that will help the onsite tent and trailer community to experience spiritual discovery, growth, and renewal.
A Team that Truly Changed the World
"Miracles happen at Gracefield.” I have heard multiple times during my brief introduction and stay at Gracefield Christian Camp and Retreat Centre in the past 8 months. I have listened to many touching stories whose themes changed the lives of the people in them. “How so?” I asked. “In the most important way… people finding Jesus Christ, turning away from sin and living anew” they say. So, I began investigating further. I have seen the evidence of two people leading others, modeling for others, supporting others, selflessly giving for others here at Gracefield for 15 years. Yes, I believe there are angels on earth. I believe that each one of us can be one of those angels by making a difference in other people’s lives. Alan & Dorothy Herbert have been angels on earth time and time again. The young people I have had the privilege to visit with have told me how through their years at Gracefield Dorothy would show them the love of God for every creature, plant or animal. And, how Alan modeled God’s support by being that support in flesh and blood here on earth. I have seen the documents they have written with true love, commitment and devotion to the mission and meaning of Gracefield. I have seen the evidence of their selflessness in the way they have done their best with what they had where they were. My sincerest gratitude for leaving this special place changed, by making a difference for so many lives. I wish them the best with their new venture of retirement and deserved rest.
Sincerely,
Relena Lyddon Myers
Executive Director
Sincerely,
Relena Lyddon Myers
Executive Director
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