Long road ahead

I think just about everyone in the Drift Creek circle has heard about the upcoming road closure. If not, and you're wondering what my gray hair is about, here's the skinny: a culvert 3 miles from camp needs to be replaced and work will require that the road be closed in order to remove the broken culvert along with 50 feet of land that lies heavily above it! The work will be close to the creek and could potentially pose a threat to salmon if rain water would wash unwanted debris into the creekbed. So work is scheduled for July 15-September 15 in hopes of avoiding work-delaying rain.

Sounds simple, but the reality is that having the road closed will completely shut down DCC operations. Groups that normally rent the facility following our summer camp, will not have access. The financial impact is enormous! In a normal year, DCC depends on summer revenue to supplement the slow winter months. In 2012 we will miss out on $60,000 in revenue, which translates to $1000 per day. OUCH!

The losses would be even greater if people were not so flexible! We're squeezing our program into about 2 and a half weeks to make room for one rental group prior to the closure, which will reduce some of the losses. 

The schedule will be adjusted to accommodate school calendars.  Camps will run back to back with no weekends between groups. In order to maximize time at camp, we grouped 5th graders with the younger 3rd and 4th graders while 6th graders will be with the older 7th & 8th graders. This seemed like a better solution than running 3 day camps. 

In 2012, camps won't begin and end on the usual Sundays and Fridays so transportation will take place on random days of the week as follows:

Parent and Me: June 15-17
High School: June 19-23
Grades 6,7, 8:  June 23-27
Grades 3, 4, 5:  June 27-July 1
Surf Camp:  July 8-13

More than ever, we hope you will join us in the summer of 2012. We are excited about what God has in store for another season and pray that in spite of challenges, the time together will be a blessing for each camper. Summer camp is why Drift Creek was created, so we're thrilled that "camp will go on!"
We look forward to seeing you, or your camper!

In the coming winter months plans will come together to create a great camp experience for children and youth. We are eager to work with counselors, volunteers, pastors and parents to create a memorable experience for each camper we're entrusted with. This is the purpose of our work. We are looking forward to serving the youth and walking with them on their spiritual journeys.

The 2012 theme, Take me to the Water:  God's love flows, will lend itself perfectly for DCC. We will dive into stories from the Bible that use water to show God's gift of life and blessing! Campers will explore the use of water in Bible times and examine water issues around the world today. Through learning experiences as well as creative response activities with cabin friends, campers will have opportunities to see God as the source of life. Through chapels and firesides, kids will gain a deeper understanding that just as God provided life-giving water in these stories, God continues to be the source of life and sustenance for us today!

If you are thirsty to learn more, look for updates at www.driftcreek.org.
Until then, please remember our staff in prayer as winter winds are always cause for concern...