THANK YOU!

I would like to extend a special thank you to all the volunteers who came out this past Saturday for our annual work day. A dozen people came out and completed various projects including: clearing trails for the summer, doing some upkeep and repairs around the pool, cleaning out the arts and crafts pavilion so it can be screened in, and building a new platform at campfire hill, to name a few.

Volunteers really do make camp run, so thank you to those came out.

If you feel left out there are still a number of opportunities for you to volunteer at camp. Scott is always looking for help with maintenance projects and we still need directors and counselors for summer camp. If you would like to volunteer, we can find a place for you. Please contact me at the camp for more information.

Donation Requests

It takes a massive amount of equipment to maintain and operate camp. Some things are essential and others would allow us to be more productive and thus more effective in our ministry. The following items are currently at the top of our wish list. Please contact me at the camp if you have a gently used item on this list or if you would like to make a cash donation so the camp can purchase an item.

Maintenance:
ATV/Utility vehicle (4 wheel drive preferred)
Carpet Shampooer

Program:
Video Projector
Golf Cart (2x) for moving older guests around camp
Van (15 pass, 12 pass, or mini)
Metal Detector
Telescope

NEW Store Items

As we prepare for the summer camp season, we are still excited to have so many of you stopping by this spring for retreats! We've been excited to see people here for retreats gushing over our new store items, and we wanted to let you know what you can look forward to!

Sweatshirts ($20)
These hooded sweatshirts are made from a poly blend that is comfortable all year round. The screened wording in white offers a nice contrast with the hunter green sweatshirt.

Hats ($15)
Our new logo is embroidered this sport baseball cap. Embroidered on the back of the cap is the name “Manidokan.” The adjustable fabric strap allows for comfort for all sizes.

Nalgene Bottles ($15)
Now Manidokan has a custom Nalgene bottle! These bottles are virtually shatter-proof, and great for long hikes or lazy days outdoors. Available in a variety of colors including classic gray, green, purple and orange.

Many other great items also available!
Don’t miss our new engraved carabineer key chains, Manidokan stuffed animals, and many other Christian novelty items.

If you're interested in any of these items, stop on by and pick them up! You can pay with cash or check. And watch for more exciting items!

Updates

I have several important updates regarding the coming summer camping season at Manidokan.

First, the brochures are done and in the mail. They should be arriving during the coming week. However, if you just can't wait, the brochure is already online at www.bwcumc.org/camping

Secondly, registration has started. You can register online at the link above, or you can send in the registration from included in the brochure.

Thirdly, there was an accidental omission in the brochure. There will be a 5-6 grade coed adventure camp the week of June 22. This camp is not listed in the brochure, however it is already updated on the website.

Finally, the camp's internet provider has changed their email system and as a result we have a new email address. Please contact the camp now at manidokan@gmail.com

God bless, and I hope to see you all this summer!

Camps, Camps, and More Camps!

Moving on to two more new camp offerings...

INspire Camp - This camp is offered for GIRLS ONLY in grades 7-12 and will be a time to talk about all those things important to girls. Today’s young women face many challenges as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Depictions of women in the media and throughout our culture challenge both parents and their daughters to find positive models of womanhood. Young women will learn more about themselves, growing into women of God, and building relationships that enrich their lives.

Eco-Camp - is for 3-5 graders who love being outside and learning about nature. We will study plants, animals, insects, and the geology of Manidokan. This camp will be very hands on, so be prepared to get dirty! Campers will learn about God's creation and how to be good environmental stewards.

As always, volunteers are needed. Please contact the camp if you are interested in helping with either of these camps.

New in 2008

This post is the first of several that will describe the new camp offerings at Manidokan in 2008.

Late Night Adventure - This camp is for night owls. Campers will stay up late and sleep during the day. We will play fun night games like glowstick ultimate Frisbee, flashlight tag, hide and seek games, and more. Plus we will still go swimming, night hiking, have Bible study, worship, and other standard camp activities. I am also planning on bringing in someone who can bring the stars into focus with some astronomy lessons. Late night adventure camp is for campers in grades 7-12.

Wet & Wild - You WILL get wet at this awesome new camp. For campers in grades 3-5, this camp will surely get your fingers pruney! Everything we do will involve water. We will go swimming and boating, plus we will play water games and even have Bible studies involving water! If you love swimming and playing in the water, this camp is for you!

Special note: I am still looking for volunteers to work with these, and all the other specialty camps at Manidokan in 2008. If you would like to volunteer for a week, please contact the camp. Even if you cannot commit to an entire week please consider sharing your talents by helping lead a specialized activity such as astronomy, environmental studies, metal detecting, horseback riding, or other specialized skills during the week. We need your gifts and talents to make this summer successful.

Some People

Rock was a great success for camping! We had over 300 people attend the workshops about camping. We played games, sang songs, talked about summer camp, retreats, working on summer staff, and heard from Andy Thronton about CCYM's challenge to youth groups. CCYM is challenging youth groups from around the conference to to raise money to help build the new dinning hall at West River. The will be prizes for the groups that raise the most money.

We also had hundreds of people stop by the camping table in the Rock Shop to request a camping brochure and register for a chance to win an Ipod Touch. The drawing has been done and we are just waiting to validate the entry before sending the Ipod to the winner.

The keynote speaker at Rock, Grace Matthews, spoke about "some people" who brought the blind man to Jesus so he could be healed. She talked about the importance of having "some people" who will take you to the place where you can receive help. Sometime we cannot see that we need help, or what will help us, and that is when we need others to guide us.

You can be "some people" for someone. Be "some people" and bring a friend to camp. Be "some people" and raise money at your church to send someone to camp who can't afford it. Be "some people" and volunteer as a director and bring your friends to be counselors. Camp may be just what someone needs, but they will never know until they have "some people" to bring them.

Camp at ROCK

The retreat and camping ministry will be well represented at ROCK this coming weekend in Ocean City, MD. There will be a table set up in the ROCK shop with information about the upcoming summer at Manidokan, West River, and Harmison! There will also be brochures and other materials you can pick up getting a group together for a retreat at one of our 3 sites. Remember our camps are open all year! I will also be there to answer questions about retreats and summer camping.

WIN AN 8GB IPOD TOUCH!

Oh, and one more thing...sign up to receive the summer camping brochure and you will be registered to win an 8GB Ipod Touch!

Plus I will be leading a workshop about camping during both of the workshop sessions at ROCK. We will sing some camp songs, play games, make a craft, and learn about summer 2008 at each of the camps.

See you there!

Blog - Take 2

This blog got off to a roaring start at the end of the summer, but as you can see it has laid dormant for several months. Well no more! Since we have started a new year I need a new year's resolution. Since I am already trying to loose weight I needed to find something else, and this blog is it. With the help of reminders in my blackberry hopefully I can stick with it.

Information for next summer is at the graphic designer being prepared for the summer brochure which should be mailed in about a month. Over the next couple blog posts I will detail each of the new camps being offered at Manidokan in 2008 as well as some of the other changes at camp.

Right now I am looking for volunteers, nurses, and staff for the summer. If you want to get involved at Manidokan contact me ASAP! Next summer will only succeed if we have the right staff and volunteers to provide a safe and quality camp experience. Can you believe it's January 4th and I am talking about the summer already?! It will be here before you know it, get on board today!

Retreat Season Underway

The retreat season has gotten off to a wonderful start with Cabin John Chinese American UMC visiting over Labor Day weekend. They were followed by Mclean Presbyterian Church who used camp as a staging point for doing mission work in the area. Both of those groups were coming to Manidokan for the first time. We hope to see them in the future. Limited space still remains for your group to experience Manidokan yet this fall. Contact the camping office for availability at 800-922-6795.

School has just started, but at camp planning is already underway for next summer. Summer 2008 at Manidokan promises to have exciting new camp opportunities for campers of all ages. Some of the ideas being kicked around include: girls only and boys only 3/4 and 5/6 adventure camps, Wet and Wild camp involving all things water, Appalachian Trail hiking, Treasure Hunting camp, Late Night Adventure camp, Eco-camp, A girls empowerment camp, Christian Friendship camp for those with special needs, and many many more! Be sure to check back here to find out what camps make the cut and ways you can get involved.

If you would like to get involved with Manidokan on a volunteer or financial basis please contact the camp we can talk about options for you. Thank you and God bless.

Chris Schlieckert
Director