by Beth Dieker, Director of Outdoor Ministries
I was so happy to be a part of Bishop’s Ball this year. What a great event! About 7pm on June 3 rd, diocesan teenagers started pouring into Camp Magruder for a jam-packed weekend. 16 parishes were represented among the 52 youth. On Saturday afternoon, everyone was given the opportunity to write down any questions they had for the Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Schori, who was arriving later in the day. At 5 pm, Bishop Katherine answered all the questions, ranging from, “what is your favorite thing to see when scuba diving?” to “what does a Presiding Bishop do?” and “how many countries have you travelled to?” She answered all the questions with genuine interest and warmth. After dinner, she presided over Eucharist. The look on her face when our kids started singing was priceless! I think she was amazed at the energy and spirit of the group.
It really was a terrific group of young people. Many times I have been youth gatherings where kids would only talk with the kids from their own church. Not so at Bishop’s Ball! These kids were fully integrated and enjoying the company of each other. One of the biggest challenges we had was getting mealtime conversations ended so that we could get moving on to the next event! Many thanks to Catherine Healy, Youth Missioner, and the Youth Ministries Commission for planning and carrying out a great event! A big Thank You also goes out to the many adult volunteers who helped with programs and as cabin counselors.
I had the pleasure of eating dinner with Bishop Katherine and her husband, Dick. She asked me how the camping program was going, thought for a moment asked if we were the diocese in the combined camping program with the Methodists. I told her yes, we are the ones! Her response? “Oh, that is wonderful! I hope it keeps happening all over.” Well, that made all of us at the table feel pretty great! Then she asked me if I had ever heard of Teens Encounter Christ and would we be willing to host an event of this type. My answer? “Yes! Our first TEC event is the last weekend in August at Suttle Lake.” Then I said, “You know what else we are doing? We are having the first-ever Latino Youth Camp at the end of this month and having a diocesan-wide week at camp for all ages in August!” We got a great big ‘wonderful’ for that! And then we started talking about what it was like to be a pilot…
Teens Encounter Christ or “TEC” is a three-day weekend retreat put on by teens, for teens. It is an opportunity to learn about God’s unconditional love through words, actions and prayers. High school youth who have previously participated are charged with guiding the first-time candidates through the weekend.
TEC is scheduled for August 28-30 at Suttle Lake Camp. Sara Sather, youth minister at Christ Church is organizing this event which is open to all high school youth in the diocese. When Sara and I first discussed holding TEC, we found out that available weekends at the camps were pretty scarce. Then we realized that the last weekend in August was the perfect time to hold TEC as the youth would have the opportunity to get to know each other before school starts. What a great opportunity to fold new freshman into a youth group!
We invite youth ministers, leaders and volunteers to help us staff this weekend event. Information will be available very soon on gocamping.org or in your local parish mailbox.
I am happy to report that the number of youth signing up for our Latino Camp is over 20! It is absolutely fantastic! The kids have been hard at work trying to raise money to help pay for camp. I think that speaks highly of how much they are all looking forward to the week. Due to increased numbers, we still need a couple counselors, (1 male and 1 female). We are also in need of a camp medic. This can be an RN, LPN, EMT, MD, DO, NP or PA. If you, or someone you know, would like to have a great week at camp with delicious food, comfortable lodging and hot showers, please let me know. The dates for the camp are June 28-July 3.
A wealth of great minds met this past Tuesday evening to plan for our upcoming Diocesan Week-at-Camp. This is one dedicated group of leaders! I was amazed at the willingness to work together and provide a fantastic week at camp for the kids of our diocese.
Our week will be based on Ps. 121. Looking to God for our help, understanding what keeps us from asking God for help and knowing that God will guard our going-out and coming-in forever.
We still in need of male counselors at least 19 years of age for our middle school camp, and male counselors 16 years and older for our elementary groups. We are also in need of a camp medic. This can be an RN, LPN, EMT, MD, DO, NP or PA.
Please let me know if you, or someone you know, can help us out in this area. And yes, you can still enroll campers for our week! Go to gocamping.org
Our summer of camping shifts into gear…this week! Here’s what’s happening between now and July 15 th:
- Grand Camp I at Camp Magruder, June 19-21 (Grandparents and grandkids)
- Horse Whisperers at Wallowa Lake Camp, June 20-25 (Grades 4-6) Camp is Full
- Cowpokes at Wallowa Lake, June 26-30 (Grades 3-4)
- Music Machine at Camp Magruder, June 21-27 (Grades 3-5)
- MADD Camp (Music, Arts, Dance & Drama) at Camp Magruder, June 21-27, Grades 9-12)
- Family Adventure Camp at Wallowa Lake, June 21-25
- Latino Youth Camp at Suttle Lake, June 28-July 3 (Grades 6-12)
- Way Out West Family Horse Camp at Wallowa Lake, June 30-July 4
- 4 th of July Family Camp at Camp Magruder, July 2-5
- Explore Camp at Suttle Lake, July 5-8, (Grades 1-2)
- Mountain Fun Camp at Suttle Lake, July 5-10 (Grades 3-5)
- Tipi Camp at Suttle Lake, July 5-10 (Grades 5-6)
- Buckaroos at Wallowa Lake, July 5-11 (Grades 5-7)
- Quilt Camp at Suttle Lake (includes the Sister’s Quilt Show) July 8-12 Camp is Full
- Water Fun Family Camp at Wallowa Lake, July 12-16
- Discovery Week I at Camp Latgawa, July 12-18 (Grades 3-12)
I will be at Wallowa Lake Camp, June 20-25. Cell phones don’t work there and internet connection is limited to dial-up. If you need to reach me, please call the main camp phone number: 541-432-1271.
I will be at the Latino Youth Camp, June 27-July 3, at Suttle Lake. Cell phone coverage is in a couple spots in the parking lot but there is wireless internet. The best way to reach me during this week is via email or by calling the camp directly at 541-595-6663.
Beth
bethd@diocese-oregon.org |
