By Beth Fultz, Director of Christian Education
Anne Bourland told me years ago that I needed to do a youth mission trip at the camp that abuts their cabin property in Colorado. I didn’t think it possible until two years ago when both Anne and I tried to get something on the camp’s books. Scheduling blocked it then, but somehow in the ensuing year, the Camp added a new program called, “Mission Work Camps”. That new program enables church groups to come do repairs and construction simultaneously alongside their normal campers who are there to hike, canoe, rock-climb, ride the zip line, and fellowship nearest to God! We were contacted via Anne and Bob in August of 2012 that we were the first to be wooed into service. By September 2012, the deal was set! This is the first time we were sought after for a mission trip. We are honored.
Where are we headed in late July? To Highlands Presbyterian Camp, Allenspark, Colorado, just 36 miles from Estes Park and from Rocky Mountain National Park. It is “nestled among the aspen and the pines of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center offers a wealth of programming and lodging opportunities for adults, youth, and children. [They] are located at the foot of Colorado’s majestic Mount Meeker.” Beautiful, oh yes! Breath taking, uh huh! High Altitude, you betcha! At over 8,000 feet above sea level, we will be searching at first for all those oxygen molecules before we can work to our full potential. What are we being asked to do? One of the projects is likely to be adding another vesper amphitheater around the lake. Add benches terraced around an acre lake where the Thursday night vespers include floating a cross covered in candles across the water. One project might be trail maintenance or wood splitting. Another project in consideration is repairing a roof on one of the long activity buildings. There is always painting available for our group. We might send those with people skills to Estes Park for a VBS and a mission project.
Who’s been there and has seen the majesty? Jacob Fergus, Gabriel Ngeny, Tommy Wadley, Wendy Larmour, and me! The Bourland’s can tell you too, about the beauty and the facilities. We’ve got a multitude of photos from our Sneak Peek at the Peak over Spring Break. Just ask, we’ll share our memories. Who all’s going? We are buzy building unity among sponsors and soon Beth is hoping to convince every youth available in the church that we NEED YOUth to serve God!
What’s it take to get there? $18,000 is our goal. This covers the cost of supplies, food, gas, rentals, sweatshirts, post cards, stamps, a little fun. The fund-raising is about to kick off! We offer an all day option at St. Stephen’s Vacation Bible School, June 17 – 21. The extra day care costs go to the Youth Mission Trip funds. We’ll need your donations for an Independence Day Weekend Garage Sale, July 5 & 6th. We can take your Garage Sale stuff anytime as the Property Committee has set up part of the undercroft for storage. Finally, our biggest fund-raiser is seeking Youth Mission Trip Stock Sale – Stockholders purchase stock in our youth and our experience. Every $10 is rewarded with a post card and an opportunity to attend the Stockholders’ Dinner in August!
How can you help? Support us financially – any amount is helpful! Support us in prayer as we tackle the summer Vacation Bible School, Garage Sale, the Stock Sale, and on our trip. Help us with first aid kits, snacks for the trip. Seek out our youth and tell them that you’d like to sponsor them with stock! Seek out our adult sponsors and tell them you’d like to sponsor them with stock! Help us to the PEAK!
“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example
in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” I Timothy 4:12