ELCA
Region 3

2481 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN  55108
Ph: (651) 649-0454, et. 228  Fax: (651)649-0468
Email

CAMPING NETWORK
NEWSLINE

Hear the Gospel!           

Celebrate God's Creation!

Find Spiritual Renewal!

A Newsletter for Outdoor Ministry Professionals in Region 3 of the ELCA
Vol. 8, No. 1, Winter 2005

Important Links...
Region 3 Calendar
Job Openings

 

The Camping Network is a member of the Minnesota Materials Exchange Program, an online network that connects organizations who are in need of or trying to get rid of "stuff."  Check it out at www.mnexchange.org.  Contact Ruth for user name and password.

Welcomes
Michael Mackeben, Executive Director, Camp Onomia
Karl Breddin, Program Director, Luther Crest
Teri Gayer, Director, NeSoDak/Klein Ranch
Farewells
 none reported
 The Greenness of Gospel    by Kelley Haldeman and Alana Butler
     Being environmentally friendly and running a church camp aren’t mutually exclusive, but they haven’t always been close partners, either. In this day and age, running an organization seems simplest if we don’t have to worry about factors such as waste reduction, impact on animal habitat, reduced resource consumption, or responsible food procurement. These concerns, at least in the short-term, can feel like they are clogging the way forward when we want to provide campers and staff with modern and abundant conveniences while they are at camp.
   However, as people of faith, it’s important to realize that our care for the earth and management of her resources is inextricably tied to the gospel message that 1) we are all God’s children and 2) that we are called to bring wholeness and healing to one another. Upholding reverence for the natural world around us speaks to a reverence for life itself, and that reverence, in turn, makes us life-givers to one another.
   Camp Amnicon, on the south shore of Lake Superior, is currently striving to make more life-giving decisions in the area of food resources. Much of our produce today comes from farms where toxic fertilizers and pesticides are channeled into soil and streams, oceans and air destroying the delicate life within, creating a health hazard for farmers themselves. Meat, poultry, and dairy products are often contaminated with antibiotics and growth hormones that not only harm consumers but also severely diminish the quality of life for the animals. Often these animals are raised in toxic and inhumane conditions. Furthermore, much of our fruit and produce comes to us from corporations overseas, which export goods out from under the noses of poor and hungry indigenous populations, leaving them with minimal nutritious food options.
   Having made connections with two nearby farms, Camp Amnicon is making moves to buy more of their meat and produce from these local, organic growers. This not only makes meals more healthy and nutritious for campers, but will also work toward creating a more sustainable, life-affirming environment for all of us and encourages the local economy. The decision to go local and organic has not been without its struggles. Certainly cost can be an issue. The ripeness of local fruits and vegetables in the northland does not always coincide with the summer camping season. Organic growers don’t always deliver and “free range” meat must be processed through a certified butcher. And certainly the varieties of food options are smaller with local growers than they are at Cub Foods. But some changes can be made, and as Camp Amnicon and other organizations support local, organic farming, the demand for more life-giving food alternatives will make way for the kind of large-scale organic market that will have a better shot at providing low-cost, convenient food options.
   The Gospel is Green. But like all aspects of living out the gospel, patience, faith, and perseverance are required. Recycling takes space and often there is no pick up in remote locations so it must be transported to towns nearby. Composting can be time consuming and also needs space and purchasing recycled products is more costly.  There are many obstacles but also many opportunities, and our God of Life bids us ever closer, even if it is only by baby steps. Even if you can only think of a small change to make, do it, and publicize it to get staff and campers excited about it! Here are some other ideas for coloring your gospel green at camp:
  • Buy fair trade, free range, locally grown and organic foods and let your campers/guests know you do and why – posters for instance by the coffee pot saying what free trade coffee is.
  • Look into buying organic cotton t-shirts for the canteen – 1 non-organic t-shirt takes 3 gallons of pesticide!
  • Put up “Did You Know..” signs that inform campers about how they can save resources for the rest of God’s children – by turning off lights or turning off water when it’s not needed.
  • Look into setting up a compost pile for discarded food – use as part of an EE program
  • Buy recycled paper products
  • Use no phosphate laundry detergents and less toxic cleaning supplies
  • Go very lightly on fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
  • Do not use Styrofoam products
  • Provide & Protect wildlife habitat on your property
  • Come up with one of your own!
 Please read this if you coordinate background checks for your camp!
In 2004, the Camping Network office processed paperwork for 608 applicants!  This is an increase over last year of roughly 40 applicants.  The average turn-around time was 15 business days.  There are two things that can be done to bring the turn-around time down:
1) encourage your applicants to use the online forms - check them out by visiting www.r3campingnetwork.org and clicking on "Applicant Forms."  Use of the online forms will generate paperwork that is more complete and legible! When your applicants use the online forms, they are instructed to send you a hand-signed hardcopy in addition to sending an electronic form to the Network office. If you would like the Network office to generate a background check for an applicant, you must then mail the hand-signed Authorization to Release Information page to the Network office. The Network office will not initiate a background check for any applicant until it receives a copy of the hand-signed Authorization to Release Information page from the hiring camp.
2) submit your camp's paperwork to the network office early and often - the process is more efficient if the stream of paperwork is constant rather than clustered around the end of May or beginning of June. If your applicants are using the online form, you will simply need to mail the hand-signed Authorization to Release Information page. If your applicants are not using the online form, you will need to continue to mail both the hand-signed Authorization to Release Information form along with the completed Self Disclosure form.
An added note regarding returning staff: if you request a background check for returning staff, please remember to complete and mail Form D-E along with the hand-signed Authorization to Release Information page.
An added note regarding Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) reports: If you DO NOT wish to receive an MVR report as part of an applicant's background check, please clearly mark "No MVR" at the top of the Authorization to Release Information page. The Network office will provide a stamp and stamp pad for this purpose. Contact Ruth to receive your complimentary "No MVR" kit.
Building Bridges theme takes shape at Joint Regions 3 and 5 Gathering
   More than 100 outdoor ministry professionals from across the 6 states of Regions 3 and 5, along with a variety of ministry partners, gathered in December at Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp to worship, play, network, share ideas and learn from each other. Wapo provided a beautiful, hospitable setting for the Gathering.  Participants were able to enjoy worship and keynote presentations while soaking in a view of lake and woods through the windows of the large-gathering space of Wapo's brand new Crossfire Center.
   Dave Eliason provided leadership for each worship experience, bringing together musicians who led the gathered group in sometimes joyful, sometimes contemplative singing.  Special thanks is due Bishop Berg (Northwest Synod of Wisconsin), Reggie Hansome (Lutherdale), Patricia Lull (Luther Seminary), Tammy Walhof (Bread for the World) and Jerie Smith (Lutheran Campus Ministry) for their part in sharing the Gospel through the spoken word.
   The Gathering planning team (Craig Corbin, Dick Iverson, Dave Herder, Heather Eggert, Dave Frye and Ruth Buuck) put together a program that had something for everyone. Keynote leaders included Paul Hill of Wartburg Seminary (adolescent brain development) and Rick Olson (unleash your greatness).  Seventeen workshops were presented with topics ranging from grant writing to camp meal ideas to web design to use of tillable land. Two special evenings included Wapo's Dinner Theater (what an amazing production!) and Christmas readings by Marilyn Mays and Company.
  Thirteen new staff made use of the $20 Gathering discount funded by Thrivent. Everybody went home with a long-sleeved t-shirt  (yeah!) and hopefully some new friends, ideas, and renewed energy for the important work they do.

Camping Network NEWSLINE
is published by the Region 3 Camping Network, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to share the news and ministry of over 30 outdoor ministry sites in the Region 3 area.

The mission of the network is to support the outdoor ministry professionals in Region 3 and its nine synods, and to serve the people and congregations that work with them.

STAFF: Network Coordinator/Editor, Ruth Dalager Buuck

Officers/Executive Committee:
Jon Hoyme, President; Loren Teig, Vice President; Gretchen Bachman, Secretary; Kyle Debertin, ND Rep; Teri Gayer, SD Rep; Marv Nysetvold, MN Rep.
Photos and information are welcome and encouraged!
Ruth Buuck, ELCA Region 3 Camping Network, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN  55108
Phone: 651-649-0454 x228   Fax: 651-649-0468   Email: ruthbuuck@r3campingnetwork.org

 


 

New President elected at Region 3 Camping Network Annual Meeting
On December 8, 2004, the ELCA Region 3 Camping Network held it's annual meeting. Marv Nysetvold (Mount Carmel) opened the meeting with devotions from the Daily Texts. People new to the region were introduced, and President Marc Grams (Green Lake) led of time of recognition for years of service. This culminated in the celebration of "25 years of service" (or more) for several individuals: Neil Sorensen, Jon Hoyme, Dale Anderson, Loren Teig, Paul Halvorson and Mark Burkhardt. Each person achieving this milestone of service received a commemorative fleece vest! Elections were held for President and Minnesota Representative. Jon Hoyme was elected as the new President and Marv Nysetvold as the new MN Rep. Outgoing President Marc Grams was presented with an embroidered bean bag!  A location for next year's Gathering was selected: Shetek Lutheran Ministries near Slayton, MN. In addition, it is hoped that the 2006 Gathering will take place at Park River Bible Camp, Park River, ND. The financial report showed that 2004 year-end finances are in good shape (better than expected), and the 2005 budget was approved. Camps are encouraged to consider selling a canteen item (something fairly traded) with proceeds earmarked for the Camping Network. Camps wishing to participate in this effort are asked to contact Ruth in the Network office.