“It is good to give thanks to the Lord,  and sing praises to His name”. Psalm 92:1

In a time of enjoying the camp for it’s beauty, even though there is work to be done,  we want to sing praises to the Lord for what He has given us to care for.  Any verse in Psalm 92 does exactly that.  Praise His Name.

This week is a reminder of what it means to be good stewards of the Holy Ground we have been given.  It is a good time to evaluate what you would like to do now or even get ready for next Spring.  This year we did a few things on our cottage,  like our brick walk on  the side of the  cottage which  needed to be taken up and leveled after  tree roots came out   .  As each cottager looks around their cottage and sees what needs to be done to preserve it, to make it more attractive,  to make it more inviting,  we also begin to work on common areas.  Every ( yours and the Camp owned)  cottage needs the leaves and debrie raked away from the foundation.  There will be lists of work that need to be done in the Biddle on Sept.24th and also Oct 8th, and you are needed. Some have already come to grounds and worked on special projects, which are all a part of the lists of work to be done. There are those who believe this is a part of their offering, their giving  to the Lord.

We continue to pray for those on our prayer list, those who are dealing with long haul Covid, and our children as they return to school.  

We seek Spiritual Wisdom in all things.

Betty

The 2022 Annual Meeting was held after a ” Groaning Board” luncheon, as they used to say.   Wonderful meal with wonderful cottagers preparing the meal.  It was a hot day but pleasant to be together in the Biddle Memorial Hall and for the most part in harmony, led by President George Philips.  The election was held with Alan McCarrick, Sarah McGovern and Simon James receiving the most votes.  They will join the rest of the Trustees: Jim Pierson-Perry, Marie Marhty, Ezequiel Hernandez,  Jacki Barycky, Jacki Brandt and Betty Purchase.  Thanks giving was expressed for the outgoing Trustees.  Both the excellent work on the pool this season and serving as Secretary John Krulick and the leadership of George Philips as President for the last 3 yrs.  was gratefully recognized. 

The Auxiliary held their Annual Meeting this past weekend and elected Mildred Hernandez, President for the coming term. Thanksgiving was given for Lori Policastro and her leadership.

Weds. at 7 pm Prayer and Praise will be lead by Simon James, in both word and song.  Prayer had been a part of the Camp Meeting long before the first services and we will keep lifting up  our hands in prayer, as we go forward.

Sat. at 5 pm will be a Covered Dish Dinner.  Be sure to bring your fresh veggies.  Share any extra produce you have with others.

These are exciting days in the life of the camp, as we continue to Walk in the Light, going forward.

See you at camp – dates for work days are coming!

Betty

Cottagers,

Our Camp Meeting Program Week begins this Friday, July 29 with a coffeehouse at 7PM in Biddle featuring Caitlin Jane.  It will be an uplifting evening of music.  Bring a snack to share.

Saturday, July 30, we will be celebrating Christmas in July.  Decorate your porches for Christmas.  We will encourage folks to walk the grounds after service to see the decorations.  Please bring Christmas desserts to the covered dish in addition to your dish to share.  Our evening concert will be a Christmas program at 7:30PM with comedian and musician, Mark Cable.  It has been a few years since he has been with us.

Prior to our service on July 30 at 7PM our Money Tree event will return to the Camp Meeting.  This is a children’s event, so have your children and grandchildren ready to collect dollar bills, ring the bell and hang the dollars on the tree.  This is a perfect beginning to our children’s programming for the week.  Of course, the adults will need to be ready with the dollar bills.  All money collected this year on the Money Tree will be used to replant trees that have been removed from the grounds.

Mark your calendars, invite family and friends and plan to attend!

Being a part of Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting this season has been a joyful experience for many. The Quiet Day lead by Sarah McGovern, with Marie Maharty, RuthAnn James and Judy  Stang as the support  team, provided a breath of fresh air to the many who attended.   Taking time to ” be still” meant a lot as we scattered all over the grounds.  Out of the 19 attending, 5 were new to being on grounds.  All reveled in our “Pocket of Peace”.

Tuesday Women’s Bible Study is studying the book of Ruth.  Although she was a Moabite and not a Hebrew, she is recorded in the line of Jesus and rates a mention in the book of Hebrews.   She made things happen and brought glory to our God.

HOPE will be the name of Jesus we pray this Weds. at 7 P M in the Collins Building.  He is our hope and our glory.  Betty Purchase will be the prayer encourager this week.

Our IGNITE weekend is finally here.  The camp Young Adults have been planning this for almost a year and look forward to all the cottagers helping to host this event.

• Friday, the 15th at 7 P M we will have folk music with Simon James, in Hilltop Pavilion.  The pool will be open.

• Saturday, the 16th a Continental Breakfast will be available from 8 – 11  and activities will begin at  9 A M in the area around the Museum. There will be 2 possible times for participation : 9 A M and 10:15 A M.  Nora Nickels, of the Brandywine Conservencey and Longwood Gardens Staff will lead a Nature Walk over the camp.  The bike hikes will be lead by Simon James, Ian James and José Cruz. 

• Lunch will be  provided by the Auxiliary at the Hilltop Pavilion,  with the making of your own  Walking Tacos.

• Concerts will begin at 2:30 P M and will include a number of Praise Bands, a Comedian and keep an eye out for a juggler, maybe.

• 5 P M Supper will be a hot dog roast with all kinds of food brought as covered dishes by the cottagers.  

• The evening Praise will begin at 7 P M. Come for the joy if it. 

• Sunday at 11 A M we will Worship in the old open air Tabernacle.  Ezequiel Hernandez will be our Worship leader for the morning. 

• Take note: the Pool and Corner Store will be open off on during the weekend.

Cottagers are reminded to park near their cottages, because we want to use any available space for parking for others. Keep all Fire Lanes open. 

Special thanks go to all the cottagers who are  making this weekend come alive. 

Try to have lights lit in your cottages even if you can’t be here, as we Walk in the Light.

The old-fashioned Camp Meeting Week schedule and summer program is set! Click here to find the details of the schedule. The theme this year is “Walk in the Light”

Come out and enjoy an Autumn Work Day on:

September 25 and October 8 from 8:30am – 3:00pm.

• A light breakfast and lunch is provided for all volunteers.
• Indoor and outdoor projects are available for all age groups.
• A flexible schedule throughout the day to accommodate busy schedules.
• Work days are set aside to work on common tasks to improve our campgrounds (not our personal cottages.)

And also….

Do you have a favorite soup recipe?

We need volunteers to bring a pot of soup to share on our next “Fall Clean Up” day (September 25). Bring your pot of soup and receive a copy of “Is it Soup yet?” by Nina Sausman.

Our goal is to keep everyone safe while on the grounds and to protect the most vulnerable! We will continue to monitor and follow CDC guidelines. At this time, all programming will be planned for out of doors. Invited visitors should be kept to small groups.   

1. When on the grounds, please practice the following protocols;
2. Wear a mask when in the presence of others.
3. Practice social distancing.
4. Clean all touch surfaces after using the bathroom, laundry and pool with cleaning supplies provided.
5. Monitor the number of people in the pool area to 15 or less.
6. Limit food at gatherings to dishes safely prepared by you, your family pod or a licensed food establishment.

We appreciate the cooperation of all cottagers. Guidelines are continually changing as the statistics are updated and more people become vaccinated. We want to demonstrate a faithful witness to those in our community.

Rationale behind why we’ve chosen these safety recommendations:

Christian Camping International 2021 Health and Medical Protocols 
Developed by: Elizabeth Purchase, RN. Cottage #26 Wendy Ziegler,  LPN. Cottage #16, Elizabeth Shrock, NP. Cottage #7

During the past 2 weeks all 3 of us attended webinars provided by CCI.  They were lead by Medical professions, lawyers and the 3rd one was lead by Camp Directors.    This is the major purveyor of health protocols for numerous years and also works with the American Camping Association.  Covid 19 has proven to be a challenge in the camping community.  The 2020 camping season was by in large cancelled across the country and this year the hope is that camps can recover to at least 60% capacity.  In some camps the Directors have been dealing with some people coming in from other states and not wanting to follow the host camp state regulations, also working with people who  believe Covid is a hoax.  
It is necessary to convey – “Camp is Safe, practices and procedures are in place”.

First:  all camp Boards must develop 2021 Protocols.  In order to do this the Board must decide:  are you a ” public accomadation” or a Bible Camp.Most of the decisions will be made with the direction of the State Health Dept. and State  Guidelines, as well as camp rules ( in our case ground/pool rules).   No negative wording.  Absolutes would include: face masks ( or duffs)  on everyone on grounds, everything only in out of doors,  social distancing,  small groups in pods. all public buildings would be on a rotating cleaning schedule every day.  Decide how often during the day buildings are cleaned.   Food distribution would be limited with separate protocols.

Board makes the decision whether only those who have been Vaccinated can be on grounds or not.  This also includes employees, both part time and full time.  Do they get tested periodically and who pays?  The fact that they must wear a face mask needs to be in the job descriptions.  There didn’t seem to be a question about face mask wearing.  
The State Health Dept needs to be alerted if someone comes down with Covid.  
Cleaning:     Clorox  1to10  in a spray bottle.  Less aerosols use.
Most camps are delaying decisions as much as they can. They are checking with State Health Depts for there recommendations. 
Food/Meals:   Anything prepackaged is OK.  No salad bars.   No Pot Luck.  If in the Dining Room there are many ways being worked on.  Suggestions; sit in family pods/cabins.  Food is brought from the kitchen by the staff, with gloves and masks on.  All food must be in sealed containers.Some can be in  family  bowls, but everything is thrown out afterward.  
Flexibility is the key word this year.  Different timing, Smaller groups, All camp event (like our Winter Social)  before the beginning of camp by video or Zoom.
Different states are making decisions on Vaccines,  what happens when someone leaves camp ( can they come back?) How to mitigate contractions.
Programs: Worship has been shortened with the possibility of video.  Only one program a day.
There were many other thoughts shared, but I believe this gives us a good point of reference for our 2021 Health Protocols.  They must be made public as soon as possible.  It looks like Covid 19 and additional mutants will be with us into the fall.  The mask  will continue to be us for awhile.  It helps to know we aren’t alone.  

Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss out on any new videos! Here is the latest video with images from the 2020 Campmeeting Season. Are you in these pictures?

Campmeeting week 2020 looked a bit different than other years, with careful social distancing and mask-wearing, but the sentiments remain the same as all old-fashioned campmeeting weeks. This was a special time to gather and encourage one another in faith – this year the challenge was to Come Alive! in Christ.