Tara Polley to take job in Indiana

On May 28th, our administrative assistant, Tara Polley, will be stretching her wings as she flies to Waycross, Indiana to be the assistant camp director of Waycross summer programs. Waycross is another beautiful camp in the Episcopal Camps and Conference Center network. This is a wonderful opportunity for Tara and we wish her the very best in this adventure. When Tara returns in August she will be packing up and heading off to Boise State University to finish up her BA. Tara we will miss you and thank you for all that you have given us at Camp Cross and in youth ministries. Have fun and remember…”Keep coming back!”

God’s Peace,

Evita

Docks are finally in!

They are in! Finally after more than a year and a half of planning, the new docks have been installed. Colin reported in from Camp Cross this afternoon with the news. Alleleuia! As soon as the pictures are in we will post them!

And then…

A very special thank you to Pat Cruver and boys, Chris Stone, Ben Jenness, Colin Davis and Jane Jett for coming out and helping prepare Camp Cross for the coming weekend. Ben and Pat carved out three new log benches, repaired the bell, while Chris and boys cleared, raked and burned a lot of debri. The trail was opened, plumbing fixed and in the kitchen Jane washed, scrubbed and prepared it for a season of fine cuisine. Colin Davis continues to be there and help us clean, move, and upgrade the facility. We are truly blessed by their commitment to this ministry.The docks are at Camp Cross but have yet to be installed. They are incredible. We look forward to their installation and the variety of program uses they will provide, in addition to the safe haven they will provide.

Dock tidbits…

The docks are designed to withstand the intense wake action generated by the high traffic on the lake. Although the first aid staff may miss the continual stream of campers visiting the ‘nurse’, we are sure the campers will not miss the slivers. No doubt we can still come up with some good stories about remember when…We were generously blessed by receiving a UTO grant last year in addition to St. James Pullman joining together to raise money and individual donors, enough to complete two of the three docks. Rest assured that when you join us at Camp Cross, whether by your boat or ours, there will be a safe place for you.

Leadership Opportunities

It is time to register for the upcoming Leaders in Training weekend at Camp Cross. Held June 1-3, this is a time to begin the next step of your journey. People from all across the Diocese and beyond gather together to brainstorm and learn about Camp Cross from the inside out. Staff and Camp Leaders join with you to teach, share and provide invaluable opportunities in leadership training. Sign up early so that we can complete all of the necessary paperwork before the event. Contact us if you have any questions. We are looking forward to working with you.

Staff 2007

The staff for Camp Cross 2007 has been hired! We welcome Chase Shields as our incoming program director. Chase will be supported in his leadership by Audra Krislock who will be returning as our food service director training our kitchen team. Colin Davis is returning as our facilities manager and Stacy Krislock, after spending last summer working at Camp Marshall, MT will be carrying on the high standard of meals at Camp Cross. Jeff Warner will be rounding out the leadership team by serving as our waterfront supervisor. We can look forward to quality programs in and out of the water, clean facilities, and good food with these dedicated leaders in place! In addition our program staff will be there to implement and carry out incredible programs and activities, making Camp Cross a place that you will not want to miss this summer. Returning staff are Rachel Waite - CdA, Michelle Dowling -CdA-Spokane, Alex Monge - Quito, Ecuador,  Ashley Miller - Spokane, Nic Mather - Moses Lake, and we welcome new hirees Katie Longinotti - formerly of Spokane, Jeff Warner - formerly of Moses Lake, Kate Moore - Bellevue, Mitchell Wold - Liberty Lake, and Kyle Weyand - Ellensburg.

Of course the staff continue to need the support and prayers from all of you to ensure the success of the ministry of Camp Cross. We invite you to be a part of this ministry by keeping us in your prayers, and consider joining us for a session or two, volunteer as a counselor or helping in the kitchen. Visit during the July 14th Open House and share in some of God’s New Creation! Come and be ready for the spiritual gifts so freely shared by this amazing staff.

Camp introduces blended sessions

Why did we first consider and then change to blended camp sessions for our ministry at Camp Cross? We recognize the challenge many families face in trying to find the right session or opportunity to enable them to share in the Camp Cross experience. Schedules are increasingly overloaded and families often do not have the opportunity to spend time together. Four years ago we started a pilot program offering a blended session and discovered this session to be overwhelmingly successful. Campers of the same age share small groups and cabins together. They also share in larger program offerings with mixed ages, mentoring and being mentored by the counselors and older or younger campers. When campers develop a sense of the bigger picture they assume the responsibility for and with the needs of the ministry. Behavior is better and, when you witness the care and nurturing that occurs, it becomes apparent that this is indeed something special.

Camp leaders write the season’s prayer

Camp leaders met on February 12th and 13th to prepare for the upcoming season. As Episcopalians we believe that we are shaped by prayer. As these leaders gathered with Bishop Waggoner to begin their visioning for the upcoming season of God’s New Creation, they started with prayer and went on to develop a prayer for this camp season. This prayer envelops the dreams and ideas for the individual sessions and ties in the total camp ministry to each session and congregation.

We ask that you print this prayer and post it on your refrigerator, or keep it with you, add it to the prayers of the people in your congregation and continue to hold Camp Cross in your prayers throughout the year and especially during the upcoming season.

Blow across our faces, wind from God, as you blew across the faces of the waters. Unsettle us, disturb us, love us as we become one in your new creation.
And it is good.

Loving God, you said “New things I now declare.” At Camp Cross we celebrate new insight, new opportunities, and new creation.
And it is good.

Amen