Indianola Camp and Retreat Center 2006
Greetings from the Director,
I’d like to encourage you to share with others your personal “hands on” knowledge of Camp and Retreat experiences. What is it for you that make those experiences so special? Through summer camp sessions or weekend retreats – as camper / participant or volunteer in leadership service:
For Camp and Retreat Ministries to really fulfill the potential as a resource in the life of our Church, we must continue to share our stories. Our most effective and meaningful promotion will come from those whom have been campers and guests here.
We are now actively developing/planning and recruiting in efforts to prepare 2006 Summer Camp sessions. Some creative dedicated folks have made a commitment to serve in Volunteer program leadership. Christian education outdoors curriculum has been selected with a timely theme of “Peace Talks”. We will design communities with the intent of living out God’s message of love. Even if only for a few summer days, we can still provide HOPE through an example of what Christian life can be.
The catalog of Pacific Northwest Conference United Methodist Church 2006 Summer Camping Ministry opportunities will soon be mailed out to past participants and all local UM churches.
We hope to fill each summer session to capacity and we need your help in spreading the word.
“Peace Talks” ( Agape, Ubuntu, Heiwa, Shalom)
Sincerely, Pete Simpson - Director Camp Indianola
Who Uses It?
The Camp and Retreat facilities of Indianola have served United Methodists of the Pacific Northwest in a variety of ways. As a PNW Conference managed operation since 1978, thousands of United Methodist children, youth and adults have attended events here each year.
Local churches hold family retreats, youth group events and men's/women's retreats. Some local church staff and committee groups have held planning and training events at Camp Indianola. Many pastors have spent time alone on this beautiful site in mini-sabbatical.
Conference-planned meetings, church leader training events, and Camping Ministries events are purposely scheduled at Camp Indianola to make full use of the facilities and wonderful property. The Conference Board of Ordained Ministry has conducted "candidate for the ministry" interviews and evaluations at Indianola.
In addition, conference and district UM youth retreats and college campus ministry events have taken place here. District clergy events, the PNW Cabinet and the Executive Staff have used this site. The Camp has also hosted some UM jurisdictional events and some participants with national UM events through the years.
Camp Indianola has continued to serve as a popular site for Camping Ministries Summer Camp Age Level Sessions, with over 100 volunteers and approx. 600 campers participating each year.
As a local outreach Mission, Camp Indianola is engaged in a Ministry of Hospitality. The facilities and grounds are available for rent to faith-based and secular non-profit educational, recreational and spiritual organizations.
For example this last year the Camp hosted religious groups ranging from Episcopalians to Quakers to Zen Meditation groups.
A variety of cultural and ethnic groups, including Korean, Chinese, Filipino, and Hispanic groups have organized events at Camp Indianola. With several of the events, English is a second language used by leaders and participants.
Other non-profit groups scheduling and renting facilities include Alcoholics Anonymous, Americorps, EPA, Marine Environmental Educators, 4-H, Scouts, local county agencies, Youth Soccer Organization, US Navy affiliated groups, and Washington State Ferries committees. Camp Indianola has also served as a popular site for many Puget Sound area public and private school groups.
Extending Camp Indianola's hospitality to groups and organizations beyond The United Methodist Church has created a positive connection with the community. We extend nurturing hospitality to these groups because we understand them to be partners in healing, justice, and personal, spiritual growth. By supporting these groups, The Pacific Northwest Conference extends its love to people and places far beyond what we will ever know. This type of outreach has also enabled an increase in income to help maintain and improve the camp for all to enjoy.
The Feb. 4th Storm of the Year 2006 may be the storm of many decades
Saturday morning Feb. 4th the Tide calendar predicted a 9:00 am high tide of 12.4 feet and the winds out of the South were reported to be 30 -40 mph with gusts above 60 miles per hour… The sustained winds coming from the South created a huge storm surge of water which washed pounding waves directly upon Camp Indianola’s waterfront. The rare combination of High wind and High tide completely rearranged many years build up of driftwood , beach sand / gravel and garbage.
At the peak of the storm the water was flowing across our playfield three feet deep on the basketball court. None of the Camp buildings were seriously damaged, however some of our waterfront Camp signs and the Lifeguard equipment station area was washed away.
After the water receded and the winds slowed down, a huge mess of garbage and driftwood was left on much of our lawns and playfield areas.
With the help of some super volunteers ,Camp Guests and Staff we have already done much to clean up. On Sunday Feb. 12th volunteers filled 175 garbage bags raked up from waterfront lawns. Staff took three full truck loads to the Dump/landfill. Staff also rented a Bob Cat machine to move larger driftwood logs back along the normal high tide mark. We still have much more clean up to do but things are generally functional.
WANTED ALIVE!
CAMP INDIANOLA
Camp Indianola is now accepting applications for paid summer Staff positions. If you would like an application please contact the Camp; we’ll need your postal address to send you our basic application form.
Email office@campindianola.org
Phone 360- 297-2223
We are looking for positive energized folks willing to work and play together in our Christian summer Camping ministry. Must be 18 years old, flexible, creative, fun, honest, team oriented but able to function independently, not to mention a mature and all around good person.
Summer Staff Season; (eight to nine weeks)
June 26 the – 30th Staff orientation
July 2nd - Aug. 19th United Methodist Summer Camp Sessions
Aug. 21 – Aug. 25 optional paid work project week
Salary range; approx. $200 – 275 per week (plus room and board) depending upon position and experience etc..
Positions; all positions will have a primary job focus but all are subject to overlap and assist with various aspects of Camp Program Operation as needed.
Waterfront- (2- 3 people)
Boating, kayaking, swimming etc. must hold current Lifeguard certificate
Cabin Leader / Program Assistant – 4 people needed (2 male / 2 female)
Crafts Leader /Program Assistant (1 position)
Kitchen Support / Housekeeping (2 positions)