As I sit at my desk trying to think about what to share with you in this edition of the Compass, I find myself staring out watching the snowplows clean up last night’s snow wishing I could get out with my snowshoes and enjoy some of this winter beauty. During this time of year, many people think Camptown shuts down. That is not the case. I like to say we don’t have slow times at Camptown – we have busy times and really busy times. This time of year, we are currently in eight schools with our afterschool Wilderness Adventure Clubs. We have anywhere from 10-20 students in these clubs that meet every week during the school year for about an hour and learn about nature, the environment, survival, and working as a team. We just finished our Leave No Trace lessons. We also take a field trip four times during the year at each club. Last weekend we had a club at Turkey Run and one at The CRUX & Eagle Creek. This weekend we have a club at McCormick’s Creek and one at Turkey Run. Sadly,
the snow is expected to melt by then. We also have a climbing club going on at the CRUX, where each week a group of about 12 students from LeGore Boys & Girls Club comes to learn about
climbing and practice their skills. In addition, they are learning about goal setting, risk management, and building confidence. This is an eight-week session and we have five more of these
climbing clubs coming up throughout the year. While these programs are going on, we are attending to the business of running Camptown. Like any business, we have a year-end and year begin process. We have to prepare statements, complete audits, write grant reports, submit grants, file tax reports and the list goes on. We are also meeting with our program partners and volunteers, scheduling our spring and summer programs. So far, we have two spring break climbing clubs and two spring break programs consisting of day and overnight trips. For the summer, we have four backpacking trips, eleven of our fifteen Natural Wonders Day Camps filled, two other multi day trips, and it is only February! Let’s not leave out fundraising. Last year we received 24% of our total operating revenue from fees from services. That means that we need to raise 76% through fundraising. That includes meeting with prospective donors & sponsors, organizing events (see Save the Date in the Compass), writing grants, and lots of follow up. In the midst of all this busyness, we have to be mindful of why we are here. We are not here for the fundraising, for the paycheck, for something to do, to keep us busy. We are here to make a difference in the lives of the children God places in our path. We are here to be the love of Christ through our actions to these children. We are here for a purpose. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
James 2:18 (NIV). We are all here to show our faith by serving others. What else is there to do on earth that has meaning? Thank you all for your service to others. Whether you serve with your time, talents or
treasures, you are showing your faith by serving.
