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An Update from Gracefield !

Things are coming together for this 50th anniversary Summer at Gracefield. Alan and Dorothy Herbert are helping to coordinate the plans for the 50th anniversary weekend celebrations. More information about that can be found here on the camp website or on our Facebook page.

Registrations: Registrations are coming in, but there is plenty of room for more campers. Please contact Liz Broun our Office Administrator for more information, or you can do your registration online through the links in the “Camp Programs” section above.

Water Treatment System: It may seem hard to believe, but we are actually in the process of installing the new much anticipated water treatments system! A trench has been dug from White Pine to the lake and the new water line has been laid. In the next week the trench will be filled in, and once the new pump is installed and the filters and chlorination system are set up it is our hope and dream that we will be able to drink water out of all the taps onsite without boiling the water first. It is expected that this project will be finished by the end of May.

Staff Update: The Board wishes to announce that Relena Lyddon Myers will not be returning from Maternity/Parental Leave to work at Gracefield due to family medical and other reasons. Relena and Tommy, Toby and Ryanna will be returning to Nebraska in June. The Board of Directors wishes to thank Relena and Tommy for their work at Gracefield and wish them and their family God’s blessings in their future endeavours.

We have been fortunate during Relena’s maternity leave to have David Goldsmith, long time Graceifeld staff person, camper, friend and volunteer filling in on a half time basis. Starting in June, Dave will be full time for the summer. The Board would like to thank Dave for helping us in this transition time. We are also blessed to have Liz Brown in the camp office keeping us organized and responding to the many emails and phone calls, camp registrations and retreat bookings.

David Goldsmith is very pleased with the senior staff Brent and Suzanne Veenstra who have been hired for the summer. They will be on site starting in May and have just attended a professional development conferences hosted by the ACQ (Quebec Camping Association).  Suzanne and Brent are looking forward to getting up to camp and working with the staff and enjoying time with the children and families that come up. Dave is excited with the other staff hired so far, both on program and those providing operational support. Everyone that has been hired has felt that camp is where they have been called to and are really looking forward to a very positive and rewarding summer.  We are continuing to look for some specific staff talents at this point;  Tripping and waterfront staff, camp nurses/health centre staff, unfortunately we will need someone to fill the senior maintenance position, and we are looking to augment our more experienced kitchen staff.

Work Weekends: Are you wondering what to do with your spare time in May? We would love to have you up at Gracefield! People are welcome to come up any weekend through May and there will be an assortment of work that can be accomplished in preparation for the summer.  It will include both inside and outside work; painting, cleaning, brush removal, waste removal (workshop), organizing, and helping with cooking for all the other volunteers as lodging and food will be provided for those coming up to volunteer. Contact Dave Goldsmith to co-ordinate your work weekend. director@gracefieldcamp.ca.

 

A bit about our staff…

David Goldsmith – Interim Director: director@gracefieldcamp.ca

Our Interim Director, David Goldsmith has been associated in various roles with Gracefield since he started on camp staff as a lifeguard over 30 years ago.  He has been a staff member, a board member, an occasional Tent and Trailer camper, and a parent of campers and even staff.  Dave and Sherry met at camp in 1984 and have both worked at different camps through out their life together.  They have 3 boys Alex, Ben, and Matthew.  The whole family is excited to be at camp this summer and is looking forward to contributing to the 50th year of camping at Gracefield.

Liz Brown – Office Administrator: info@gracefieldcamp.ca

Liz Brown has been with the Camp for one year now.  She brings an extensive background in both the public and federal government sectors. In earlier years, she was Manager of the very large island vacation home of Lilias Massey, sister-in-law and hostess for former Governor General Vincent Massey at many regal and diplomatic functions.  This followed with a hiatus of a few  years raising her four sons.  Following this, she held the position of Director of Marketing and Communications at the United Nations Association out of Ottawa where she engaged with the top 500 corporations in Canada and many levels of government.  Politics enticed her to enter federal government, and for many years worked as Office Manager and Executive Assistant to three Deputy Ministers and one Minister.  Liz is driven by challenge and has a very strong belief in the potential of the Gracefield Camp.  Coupled with her strong beliefs, bilingualism, and expertise,  she lends to the Camp very strong assets in going forward in our mission.

Debi Brown – Bookkeeper: Debi has responded to the need expressed by the Board for someone to take on the challenge of keeping our financial books in order. Debi is the office Administrator and bookkeeper at Rideau Park United Church and treasurer for her own congregation in Aylmer Quebec. Debi comes to us with extensive experience in bookkeeping and administration.

Suzanne and Brent Veenstra – Program Directors/Senior Staff:

Suzanne and Brent are excited to join the Gracefield team this year. Brent worked as a counselor in 2008 and after getting married in 2009, the couple made it a goal to come back to Gracefield together. After four years away, the couple is excited for the opportunity to serve. In the middle of “a year of adventure” the couple is originally from the Niagara Region and have spent the past 9 months in Ottawa focusing on their marriage, experiencing life in a new city, and learning more about God’s direction in their lives. Both with degrees in Sociology from Brock University and post-graduate diplomas from Niagara College, Suzanne and Brent bring many professional skills to the table along with great experience working with youth. The two have served as youth leaders, worked in youth drop-in centres and have been in mentorship roles throughout the past six years. Most recently, Suzanne has worked in the not-for-profit sector doing Community Development work and Brent within the Human Resources and Data Management field.  A summer at Gracefield is the final leg in their adventure, and they look forward to a summer of fun, challenge and growth.

Check out our website for more information, recent Board Documents, and regular updates.

Please keep our ministry together at Gracefield in yours prayers in the days and weeks ahead!