HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-06-25, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015.
A Celebration of Volunteerism
July 7, 2015
5-8 PM
Central Huron Community Complex
First 120 People Receive a free gift from
Egg Farmers of Ontario!
Complimentary BBQ Meal Courtesy of:
Camp Menesetung history stretches back to 1921
In July of 1921 approximately 100
people gathered in Goderich for a
one week retreat, the beginnings of
the Goderich Summer School. Ed
Lawson sold land just north of the
town off Highway 21 to the
Huron/Perth Presbytery in 1933 for
$2,160. From 1947 to 1997 this
parcel of land was used for camping
under the title of Goderich Summer
School. Over the years since other
names have been associated with the
camping experiences there - Camp
Hiawatha, Camp Minnehaha and
Camp Menesetung. Since 1997 the
site has officially been recognized as
Camp Menesetung.
Barb Knox has been chair of the
board for the camp for 14 years and
stopped by the June 15 meeting of
the Londesborough UCW to talk
about Camp Menesetung and answer
questions. Although there have been
many changes at the camp since she
joined the board, Barb thanked the
UCW and Huron/Perth Presbytery
for their continuing support.
She noted that the presbytery
annually donates $12,000 to the
camp. But in order to stay solvent,
the camp hosts many fundraisers
during the year, most on site – a
pancake breakfast, a Zehrs hot dog
sale day, a spaghetti and salad
supper and a turkey dinner. Not only
do these events raise much needed
funds, but they serve to make the
public aware of the camp and to get
people on the grounds.
The camp is a public site and
groups other than the camps
organized by the board use the site.
It falls to the members of the board
and many volunteers to keep the
grounds and buildings in good repair
and safe for everyone. Barb read an
overwhelming list of things that
need to be done and a list of the
inspections that are yearly,
and in some cases daily,
occurrences.
The director for the camps this
year is Janelle Eeuwes and, along
with assistant director Mary Ross,
has developed the program and hired
the counsellors. The training for the
counsellors is extensive and involves
the Children’s Aid Society,
Community Living, first aid training
and Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information Systems (WHMIS) to
name only a few. Then they must be
familiar with all details in the 60-
page manual.
The success of the camp is
measured in part by the fulfillment
of the Board Mission to provide
recreation and learning in an outdoor
setting and to enhance the spiritual
development of all. However, with
the changes in society today, the
demographics of camping has
changed and the board and
counselors find it challenging to
present that spirituality without
overwhelming the children. They try
to instill determination, trust and
faith in a higher power.
Mrs. Knox reminded the ladies
that the camp has a bursary fund to
assist families who cannot afford to
send their children to camp, be
it day camp or a week-long
experience.
The board, of course, always has a
wish or strategic planning list. For
2015, it was to have the pool
repainted and that has been
accomplished along with a new pool
pump and pool house plumbing
repairs. An accessible washroom is a
future priority.
Barb ended a most informative
time with the group by reading a
poem by Linda Kish titled “Jesus, a
Camper”. Brenda Konarski, Joan
Howatt, Joan Goodall and Margaret
Wright led the evening’s time of
devotion during which the group
sang the hymn “It Only Takes a
Spark [to get a Fire Going]”. The
scripture reading was Luke 6:37 -
40. A poem, “My Friend”, was read
which talks about the camping
experience - the various activities,
the memories made, the laughter and
the friendships forged.
Hullett Students visit local landmarks
Businesses in the village had
young, energetic and well-behaved
visitors last week. Mrs. Stanley’s
Grade 1 pupils were participating in
an elementary map study. With the
help of Mrs. Bosman, the group
toured a number of sites, like the
church, in the village as well as the
businesses and learned of their
significance.
Each year the walk takes a
different route as they walk past the
homes of children in the class itself.
At each stop the children add a
symbol to their map of the village.
Radford’s and the post office has
always been a stop on the way and
we all enjoyed their visit. This year
we had a science surprise for them
as well. A big old turtle had been
touring the village for a number of
days looking for the perfect spot to
lay her eggs. That morning she
arrived on our doorstep in a large
bin. We kept her for the children to
see and then relocated her to the
creek at the edge of the village. It
was interesting to note she had
obviously suffered an injury at some
point, perhaps a lawn mower blade
had nicked her shell.
Have you been sleeping tight this
week? Early beds were made with a
wooden frame. Ropes were tied
across the frame in a criss-cross
pattern. A straw mattress was then
put on top of the ropes. Over time
the ropes stretched causing the bed
and mattress to sag. The owner
would then tighten the ropes for a
better night’s sleep. Flipping the
mattress as our mothers taught us to
do would no doubt be easier
and not need to be doe quite so
often.
The other half of that expression,
don’t let the bedbugs bite, most
likely refers to the fleas, etc that
might be enjoying life in the straw.
Kyle Bauke Gerretsen began his
faith journey on Sunday, June 21 at
Londesborough United Church
when his parents Frank and Karen
[Bergsma] presented him for
baptism. A large number of relatives,
as well as regular congregants, were
on hand to witness the event. Kyle
was wearing the christening dress all
his Bergsma uncles and aunts had
worn for their baptisms.
Darrell Bergsma was the elder
representative that morning and
Laura Scott presented Kyle and his
parents with the candle that
represented a new light in God’s
world and his first Bible. Following
the act of baptism, Rev. Fletcher did
a walkabout with Kyle to introduce
him to the congregation.
Bergsma uncles and aunts shared
their gift of music by singing an
appropriate number, “Go My
Children with Your Blessing”. The
senior choir sang “When We Sing to
the Lord”.
In keeping with Father’s Day, Rev.
Fletcher chose the scripture passages
Proverbs 4:1-5 and John 8: 18 -19.
The responsive Psalm was Psalm
103.
Terry remarked in his message that
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
PEOPLE AROUND
LONDESBORO
NEWS
FROM LONDESBORO
Catch!
In a celebration of the very essence of life, students at Hullett Central Public School held a
water activity day on Friday, which featured a number of fun things to do... with water. Here,
Carleigh Dale, left, and Amelia Greydanus, right, play a little catch with a water balloon. Pairs
all down the line were doing the same, seeing who could keep the balloon full and off of the
ground the longest. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Gerretsen baptism service held
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