Postcards from Week 2
Welcome to Episode Two in our Summer Day Camps “Postcards” Series…enjoy! Once again, I would suggest you check back during the week, more photos will be added as the Teams send them in 😊
Team 1-
This week Team 1, under the able leadership of Janice, spent the week at CFB St. Jean sur Richelieu, about 45 minutes south of Montreal. We have been invited to the base for the past few years as (ex-officio) committee member Anna and her husband (Padre) Charles, with their two boys (Nathanael and Elijah) are stationed there.This Camp is different, and thus a bit of an extra challenge, as it is both a half-day Camp and is also fully bilingual. Janice (with Anna’s support) worked super hard both leading the program and empowering the Team to meet this double challenge (think 8am Team meetings each morning 😊). There were 14 Campers (their biggest turnout ever!!), mostly in the younger age groups and, according to Anna “the children seemed to have a great time (Nathanael did not want it to end)”.
Team 2-
Chelsea and Kelvin were also on an Armed Forces Base this week, at CFB Borden, just north of Toronto. This was the first Base where we were invited to lead our Program as Charles and Anna were first stationed there. Since Anna is Travelling Team alum she has been instrumental in promoting the Program wherever they go! The Week ran smoothly for Team 2 and they even enjoyed having the Base fire truck visit Day Camp for Water Day!!!
Team 3-
Happily Christopher, Mercy Jade and Miriam, had more than 3 Campers this week! I think they topped out at over 20 a couple of days, averaging in the “teens” for this week, which took place at an Anglican/Lutheran Church in the small town of Meadow Lake. This is our second year there and the Camp draws a mixture of “town” campers and those from a nearby First Nation. Their Closing Gathering took place yesterday as they are leaving today on a 5-hour drive to James Smith Reserve, which will be their Week 3 location.
Team 4-
Team 4 is also moving on today after a VERY busy week at St. Luke’s Regina, where they had a large Day Camp with 47 campers, including over 20 Scramblers, the youngest and most exhausting group of 4&5 year olds 😊. Joshua sounded pretty tired when we spoke last evening as he and Lauren were cleaning up and getting ready for the move to Fort Qu’Appelle. Although the week was pretty wild at times, Joshua reported that his group of older Campers had really responded to the stories and he had enjoyed some “deep” discussions as he mentored them. Lauren came to us from the York Region or Toronto and although she has no previous experience with our Program she has done a fine job jumping in 100%. They make a great 2-person Team!! Both Kelvin (from Team 2) and Joshua each celebrated their birthdays this past week and the host communities made sure to provide special treats 😊.
Team 5-
My heart sank on Monday morning when Emmanuel called for the second week in a row to report that at 10am there were “no Campers!!”. However as proved the case last time, by Tuesday they had a gymnasium filled with close to 30 excited campers and even though numbers were down on Friday most of the parents even came to the Closing Gathering, which was such a Blessing for everyone. For weeks 1-3 they are all billeted with Rev. Vicki, who Pastors 3 First Nation Reserves so they do not have to ‘move” their personal possessions, only all the Program supplies. After warning us for several years that his would be her “last summer” I think Rev. Vicki does really plan to retire after this year. We will miss her incredible support SO MUCH and are praying that our ministry to these three communities will continue under a new Pastor.
Team 6-
Annie and Donna have enjoyed a second week in the Calgary area, this time at Faith Lutheran Church. This is a “first time” community but they warmly embraced both the Team and the Program and the week has gone vey smoothly with approx. 25 Campers and plenty of keen helpers on hand! The Team is preparing for a Sunday Closing tomorrow after which they will be driven on to Edmonton for their third Day Camp.
Team 7-
Like Team 1, Team 7 had an “early start” Camp this week, quite the challenge for their “non-morning” Leader, Brian. This was another new to us Church although Rev. Stephanie had experience of our Program in a couple of previous Parishes, where she had been an assistant Priest. Sadly, she was not able to be very involved this week due to a family tragedy however there was a super coordinator who worked hard to keep things running smoothly. This Team includes two of our youngest 2017 members, Maynard and KC, and I think they had a struggle meeting the expectations of some of the helpers, who were retired teachers. Brian and I spoke a number of times during the week and I truly pray that the final analysis will prove the Camp to have been a positive experience for this community.
And there you have it, Week 2 is almost “a wrap” and the seven Teams are now at the midpoint of their missions. Please pray that their energy levels and enthusiasm can remain high as they gear up for Week 3.
Back here at home base there have been many many phone calls, texts and emails. It is such a privilege to connect with the Teams on an almost daily basis. I have no regrets about putting home life pretty much on hold over these weeks as this short “season” sharing the joys and struggles of the Teams is really the culmination of our Day Camp year, and this opportunity to see the fruits of our labours is truly such a blessing.
So just to say that apart from a bit of gardening, some knitting and a start on this year’s “Chicken Awards” there really hasn’t been time for much else! The weather has improved a bit and mercifully the two-week “construction holiday” has begun so I am temporarily free from the noise of the major renovations happening next door. After losing the phone line two weeks ago and having a hole punched through into my basement last week, I am very thankful for this space of relative peace and was able this morning to clean the brick dust off my living room windows and touch-up some of the paintwork that had been damaged.Before I head off to get dinner ready, I’ll just end off with a recipe. Last evening I made some open-faced sandwiches, which are hearty enough for dinner…
Tomato and Feta on Rye
- 1 dark rye baguette
- 2 heirloom tomatoes
- 6oz. Feta
- 1 small sweet onion
- 2 Tbsps. olive oil
- 2 Tbsps. Balsamic vinegar
- ¼ tsp. dried basil or a few fresh leaves
- salt& pepper
Slice the baguette crosswise and then lengthwise to form 4 long pieces.Thinly slice the tomatoes, cheese and onion. Drizzle the olive oil and vinegar over the bread and top with the cheese,onion and tomato. Sprinkle with the basil, salt and pepper and drizzle with a little more oil. Serves 2.