What are those leafy things? Are they TREES?!?!

Well, it's been almost a month since I last wrote in this blog. During that time I've managed to make a trip to a sister NLOMA camp in Iowa where we discussed new opportunities in outdoor ministry. A very large opportunity was actually presented to Camp Dixie at that time. I can't tell you what it is yet, but check back sometime soon after New Years. We may have an announcement regarding a new ministry opportunity for Camp Dixie. But enough of the teasing.

Time sure does fly when you are busy. It's actually a common misconception that Outdoor Ministry is very relaxing during the month of December. Sure there are fewer groups that are using camp between Thanksgiving and New Years, and the grass doesn't need nearly as much mowing, but when the outdoor work slows down, it can only mean one thing. It's time to get ready for summer camp! I've been spending the last couple of weeks sitting down and working on the brochure for next summer, as well as a one-sheet poster we will be sending to congregations to help publicize our summer offerings. Today I started working on updating the website with the Summer 2007 information. The Board of Directors still has to approve a few items regarding summer camp, so the changes won't be posted until after New Years, but it's good to try to get ahead on these things (or so they tell me.) So, you can look for the new brochure to be coming to your houses (if you are on our mailing list) within the first couple of weeks of January, and you can start registering for summer camp at that time. Oh, hint, hint. Look for a COLOR brochure when you look in the mail.

I just looked back at the last time that I wrote an entry here, and we do have some changes that have been finished since then. The back girls dorm bathroom has been completely repainted, and it looks great. That leaves the dorm rooms themselves as the only thing that will eventually need to be repainted on the girl's side of the dorms. I am also hoping to get a chance to do some painting on the boy's side of the dorms (specifically the shower area) but I'm not sure how quickly I will be able to get to it. We've also started planting some trees! There are six new trees between the parking lot and the beach that have been planted, and seem to be doing well. It's winter, so it's a little hard to tell. Also, with the monies that were donated in memory of Board Member Ed Engel, we are planning on planting three larger trees around the camp. One is already in place on the beach side of the boy's dorms, and another will go in the corresponding place on the girl's side. A third tree will be planted in front of the little house on Camp's property. Hopefully within a few years, we will have some shade!

For anyone who is interested in being a staff member this summer, both the Summer Staff and Junior Staff web pages have been updated with the new information for 2007. The Summer Staff page will send you over to the NLOMA site to fill out an online application there, the Jr. Staff page has the new Job Description and application files right on the page. Check it out!

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas on behalf of myself and the Camp Dixie Board of Directors. We all thank you so much for your interest in Camp Dixie, and hope that God will bless you during this Christmas Season.

See you at Camp!
Mac