A wonderful group of young people!

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Created on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 09:51

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A few weeks ago, a group of high school students from Seattle Christian Schools came to Warm Beach Camp as part of their school’s InterSCession program. This program provides the opportunity for students to have a week-long creative learning experience, and gives both teachers and students opportunities to pursue specialized subjects and skills. Students select from a wide variety of optional learning experiences that can be either academic or service and short-term ministry related. One of those options was to spend a week at Warm Beach Camp, volunteering on projects.

Nineteen students and their adult chaperones spent a week here helping with several projects that had to be done to meet requirements of the Camp’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Tree planting, blackberry and ivy removal probably don’t make it to the top of most peoples’ “fun list,” but over the course of several days, these students made huge progress on these important projects. Altogether, they gave over 170 hours of volunteer service at Warm Beach Camp.

Staff member Julie Land, who supervised the group said, “It’s not very common for us to get a volunteer group for several days in a row. It was good to get to know them and get our hands dirty. We had a great time!” It was wonderful to have such a great group of young people come and help out!

Volunteer groups like Seattle Christian play an important part in the ministry of Warm Beach Camp. Last year, over 25 groups participated in volunteer work, doing everything from raking leaves, to greeting guests during The Lights of Christmas. If you would like to learn more about how your group can participate in volunteering at Warm Beach Camp, call Jessica Wilson at 360-652-7575 x2276 or check out the Camp's volunteer page at WarmBeach.com.

It's time for Spring cleaning

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Created on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 09:36

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Have you made a list of spring cleaning projects to tackle around your place this year? I can assure you that, at Warm Beach Camp, we have a long list of projects that need to be done before summer arrives! Every year it seems like that list gets longer, and the only way we ever get everything checked off is an annual event called Working Weekend.

Memorial Day Working Weekend is an event that brings volunteers together to help the Camp prepare for the busy summer camping season. Volunteers paint, garden, clean, sew, pressure wash, chop wood, help with The Lights of Christmas projects, provide child care, or help with other important projects.

It’s a great opportunity for individuals, families, and groups to get involved in something significant. When asked what they liked best about volunteering at Working Weekend one volunteer said, “It’s the fun of working alongside other people.” Another said, “I love getting a pair of heavy duty pruning sheers and whacking away at something. It’s really gratifying.”

This year, the event runs from May 24-27. Volunteers arrive and get settled in on Friday night, then the work begins on Saturday morning. Sunday is a day of rest, worship, and recreation. Then, it’s back to work on Monday to complete that list of projects. What a celebration there is at the end because of everything that gets accomplished!

You’re only able to make it for one of the work days? We can still use you! You are welcome to stay with us while you volunteer or commute from home.  Housing and meals are provided for a small fee.

For more information, or to register, go to our website, or call the Registration Department at 1-800-228-6724.

Update on Projects - May 2013

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Created on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 09:41

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Here is the latest news on the Camp projects currently underway:

• The old restrooms in Lower Cedar Lodge have been dismantled in preparation for the renovation work to come. Throughout the year, we will be moving offices and storage areas around to free up the space to install a larger walk-in cooler and freezer. The space currently occupied by the freezer and cooler will eventually become additional work space and storage for the kitchen. This will vastly improve the productivity of the kitchen.
  
  
• The projects on the lawn between Cedar Lodge and Cascadian have been completed! The overhead electrical lines that ran above the lawn have been moved underground, and an underground sprinkler system has been installed. Grass has been planted and should be green by summer! Together, these projects improve the safety, aesthetics, and functionality of this area of the grounds. Our sincere thanks goes to the family who provided the funding to make this project possible.
  
  
• The native growth buffer along the property line between the pools and the Senior Community has been planted, and work along the property line above Bayview Ranch House is underway. Invasive plant growth is being removed (blackberries and ivy), and a new native plant buffer and fencing are being installed. These projects are part of the requirements of our Conditional Use Permit.
  
  
• The conversion of Chinook Village into the new home for the Special Friends Camps continues. Modifications to the restrooms are underway to accommodate wheelchairs and meet A.D.A. requirements. A medical room is being set up and equipped to allow for care of the special needs campers. Volunteers from several senior volunteer organizations are coming this month to help with the construction of a new fire circle with seating that will better accommodate those with mobility challenges. These improvements will be completed in time for the first Special Friends camp this summer.
  
  
• Some current projects include: painting the interior of Cascadian Lodge (finished), replacing the server for the Camp’s computer system (installed), power-washing and cleaning as many of our buildings, roofs, and other areas as possible (lots of progress on this with the help of some staff and wonderful volunteers), and the sprinkler system in the ball field is being repaired and both fields are being leveled for safer play.
  
  
• This summer, Cascadian Lodge will be getting a new roof to repair some leaks and preserve the building. In our climate, roofs always seem to be an issue! 

If you would be interested in volunteering to help with any projects, whether you have a few hours or a few days, contact Jessica Wilson at the Camp or by email at jwilson@warmbeach.com.

Changing lives with stinky feet

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 14:56

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Check out this story from last summer and learn about the life-changing impact summer camp can have in a child's life.

In the quiet stillness of Warm Beach Camp, secret plans were being laid in Cabin One. Counselor "Chip" briefed his guys on the scheme.

     "Okay boys, remember to be perfectly quiet. And don't spill anything!"

With bowls full of water, they turned out the lights, and snuck into the night. As the boys crept up to Cabin Two's door, Chip whispered,

     "One, two... three!"

The boys flung the cabin door wide open and yelled in unison,

     "YOUR FEET STINK!"

Startled, the boys from Cabin Two sat right up in their bunk beds. Not knowing what to think -- the boys from Cabin Two began throwing socks and yelling,

      "NO, YOUR FEET STINK!"

Chip gathered his boys in the center of the room.

     "O.K. guys, settle down, settle down. Cabin One is here to do a foot washing! We know Jesus showed his friends that love serves others, even if that means washing smelly, sweaty feet!"

From rowdy yelling to shocked silence, the boys in Cabin Two slowly started to laugh. Instead of a prank, they were getting... a foot bath?

With that, the Cabin One boys washed their friend's feet. As the boys stepped into the soapy water that night, the odor of stinking feet faded into a sacred, life-changing memory of camp.

Would you like to make a lasting difference in a child's life?
Here's how you can help . . .

Just drink coffee! When you drink coffee from Camano Island Coffee Roasters they will donate 10% of your shipment back to the Kids 2 Camp scholarship program.

Every kid deserves to go to camp. With your help we can make a positive change in a child's life.

Click here to find out how a FREE pound of coffee for YOU can change the life of a disadvantaged child.

Warm Beach Camp
Life changes here