He continues to bless the work that goes on for Him through Camp Omagh. It's hard to believe that in two short months camp sessions will be well under way. Already a great deal has been done to prepare for this summer's program.
If you were unable to attend our annual meeting, you missed a very comfortable and entertaining evening held in the Johnstone Hall. You might want to borrow a copy of the video showing what camp was like in the 1940's! The tape was put together from some film footage that belonged to Dr. Eleanor Robinson. The need for a camp historian was mentioned at the meeting and as a result we now have two volunteers to work in this capacity. Please contact Marg Sandiford (519-886-4162) or Wes McLeod (705-735-4326) if you have any pictures or short anecdotes that you could provide them with. We thank them for trying to keep our memories intact for us.
Also from our annual meeting our voting resulted in Brian Cox, Charles Kippax, Noel Walker and Eartha Zila being elected to serve on the board. Since that time we have regretfully accepted Guy Stopard's resignation from the board and Howard Taylor has agreed to sit in his place at the directors' request. These people join Brad Cook, Mark Heuston, David Jaggard, Don Rose, Bill Seppenwoolde and Lily Whitfield who are currently serving as directors. Brian Cox is again serving as president of the board. Please feel free to contact any of us with your input. This year's annual meeting is planned for October 28, 2000. Mark your calendar now!
The Ontario Christian Camping Workshop held on March 25th was very successful. It was a great encouragement to the nearly 40 people who attended. We certainly benefited from the various speakers who donated their time and wisdom, and from the opportunity to exchange ideas with others from the different camps which were represented. A big thank you to Noel Walker and all those involved in planning this great day. We are already looking forward to next year's workshop!
Noel Walker and Lily Whitfield also represented our camp at a workshop for Christian camps held in Michigan. They returned with lots of resources and enthusiasm for improving our own program. Our directors have been busy planning, preparing and assembling their staff. If you are looking for a way to volunteer, call Noel at (905) 563-7303, and he will connect you with the right person.
Our full time staff for this year has been hired and we are happy to have the following people participate in our camp program this summer:
Shanna Whitehead Office/Kitchen Assistant
Nathan Whitfield Maintenance Assistant
Jill Cann Lifeguard
Megan Brittain Lifeguard
With respect to the lifeguard positions, there have been some changes in the provincial requirements for guarding. As a result, we will be making it camp policy to hire only those with NLS (National Life Saving) qualifications. Both Jill and Megan have these qualifications. It simply means a slight shift from our previous head lifeguard and assistant to a team approach. Russ Walker will again be our camp manager for the summer.
Projects are always on the go at Omagh. Those to be completed this year include:
New sinks in the washrooms
Additional swing set
Camper/trailer electrical hook-ups
Permanent beds in all of the dorms
"Bed-building day" is June 3rd. So if you can make yourself available, please come out and lend a hand! Also needed are volunteers to cut the grass for one of the weeks before camp begins. If you can help in this way or need more information about these jobs, contact Bill Seppenwoolde at 905-336-7934. Some future projects being looked into include leveling the ball field, the replacement of the gazebo and the possibility of a patio behind Johnstone Hall with a pass-thru to the kitchen.
The Scholarship Fund and the Neil Hart Memorial Fund both provide opportunities for children to participate in our camp program. These scholarships are for children who would otherwise be unable to attend. Please consider a contribution so that these children can experience the blessings we have received through Camp Omagh.
The Camp Omagh Bible Fund could also use your contributions. This fund exists to provide a Bible to campers who do not own one. This is hard to imagine for those of us who have several! We would also like to be able to have class sets of Bibles so that those who are unfamiliar with it can use a page number reference rather than having to find a particular chapter and verse. The response to this fund has been great, but the need is ongoing. Please keep on contributing!
Our program schedule for this year has been sent out to all of the church congregations along with camp registration forms and brochures for our various special programs. If you haven't seen them yet, please check into it for us. We already have a number of campers registered!
Also included in this package was a form for corporation membership. The corporation is a vital part of keeping Camp Omagh alive. You help make the decisions of what our camp will be like. You choose the people who serve on the board to direct the camp's activities. Please make others aware of the corporation and encourage them to join. (A note of clarification regarding membership payment. If you paid at the dinner or after the dinner it was for 2000.)
As always, but most importantly, we ask for your continued prayers. God has blessed us richly through Camp Omagh. May we in turn use it to honour and glorify Him.
Sincerely,
Eartha Zila
Prime Timers (July 4-7)
Walter Straker
Sharpening The Sword (July 7-9)
Max Craddock
Week 1 (ages 7-9 years) (July 9-15)
Max Craddock
Week 2 (ages 8-10 years) (July 16-22)
George Mansfield
Week 3 (ages 11-13) (July 23-29)
Vern Hibbard
Week 4 (ages 11-13) (July 30-Aug. 5)
Guy Stopard
Singspiration 2000 (August 5-7)
Brian Cox
Family Camp (August 7-12)
Brian Cox
Teen Week (August 13-20)
Rick McBay & Sharon Ellis