By Patrick Patterson, Director of Administration

Warm Beach Camp’s ministry relies heavily upon volunteers who give days, weeks, months, and sometimes years, to “keeping the path clear to the cross.”

Our summer camps particularly rely upon a strong corps of volunteer nurses, camp pastors, and counselors. Typically each week, there are up to two nurses and one camp pastor assisting with Day Camp, Horse Camp, and W-Bar-B Ranch Camps. Additionally, dozens of volunteer counselors support the ministry throughout the summer. Not all volunteers can stay in their own motor homes and so the Camp provides housing on a limited basis.

Housing our volunteers can sometimes be a challenge. With heavy demand for year-around staff housing, any cottage on the grounds that the Camp can purchase from lease holders is a blessing. Many times cottages require a significant remodel before they can be occupied seasonally or year-around.

Going into the summer of 2008, we were one cottage short of what we needed for summer volunteers and the one cottage we had recently purchased needed a significant remodel before we could use it. Thanks to the generosity of Women’s Retreats, the Auburn Free Methodist Church, a number of individual donors, and several volunteers, we were able to raise funds and refurbish the interior, paint and re-roof the exterior, and prepare the cottage for use this summer.

Work was completed just in time for the summer, and each week, volunteers have been able to give of their time and talents because space was made available for them to stay on-site.

Our thanks goes to all those who contributed funds for this project, and to the many volunteers and staff who worked diligently to renew the cottage in time for use this summer.