Camp Tulahead

leaving

2009-03-13T12:11:00.001-07:00

Andy has been let go of his job here at Camp Tulahead as of March 2, 2009 and we are required to leave by April 5, 2009.

I am writing here to let you know I will no longer be updating this blog.

We have really enjoyed our time here at Tulahead.

Hope those of you who visited here have appreciated the randomly updated posts here. Thanks.

Cara

winter re-cap

2009-02-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

Hello. I haven't blogged in a while, but wanted to give a little recap on some of
what I can remember that happened this winter.

The septic tank under the dining hall froze again, leaving the toliets unusable.
Kinda handy no rental groups were scheduled for winter.Our last rental was in November.

Also a result of the extremely low temperatures was some flooding in the basement bathroom of McPhederon Lodge around Christmas. I actually heard the running water from upstairs. The damage was minimal which was good.

The tractor stopped working (the hydraulics) for a while and Andy was able to
remedy that situation just in time to plow snow.The hydraulics may have just gotten too cold during a cold snap.

In Feburary we attended the BC Camp Conference at Stillwood camp and Andy took a lock keying course. This enabled him to key the locks on the cabins so they all open with one key.

Here are some of the other winter-time projects Andy has been doing:

-repairing and refinishing picnic tables and benches

-collecting new bailers

-had a heater for games room in to Kelowna for repair

-collected supplies for testing our water at camp

-peeled a huge log to replace the one from the entrance to camp

-collected and peeled new logs for bucking broncho area

-replenished shop inventory

-tractor maintenance

-built some new floats for the dock

-indoor paint prep and painting as well

Work has been done on the guest cabin as well...I don't know the exact names of everything, but Andy put up some plastic on the walls and then Craig (one of Carol's brothers) installed the drywall.

Camp is trying to sell the 2 vans we have here, but has had no success thus far.

A Post for Fall

2008-10-21T12:06:00.001-07:00

Thought it was time for an update. Thanks for your patience if you've been checking here. A few pictures from the summer, to start.

Fall views of Main Street.

.

This fall we had a bear come to camp and sample and savor some berries, hawthorne bushes, crab apples and leave many piles of you know what all over. This is what he did to one crab apple tree.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming workday planned for Oct. 25!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day to Remember Games

2008-06-25T22:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from the Day to Remember on the field.
Shaving cream hair sculptures...the models with their stylists (only 2 teams shown).
Chad is counting the number of puffed wheats that are stuck on Vicki's wet face.
Everyone is muddy on the field and ready for the next game (pop a balloon in a tiny pool filled with mud).

The Staff are Here!

2008-06-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hello,
Summer staff arrived on the 19th and we are in the mist of staff training.
Andy has been painting the girls central washrooms and working away at his 'before the campers come' list.

The staff are learning lots, getting to know each other and having many evening campfires where each person has a night to share their testimony.

Yesterday was the 'Day to Remember' with crazy games on the field involving mud, puffed wheat, jello etc., swimming and then the summer staff made a meal together for the leadership team and our family. It was lovely and fun. The night before the DTR the staff were woken up after just going to bed for a special late-night fondue.

You can see write ups about the summer staff at: http://www.camptulahead.com/staff/meetstaff/

We still have needs for some cooks and volunteers staff for the summer. Contact the office (link to camp website) for more info.

Hopefully more pics coming. I have been having a bit of trouble posting pics lately.

Cara

Spring Work Day

2008-06-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

A great crew came out and helped put all the docks and all the boats out in one day.

Sarah tries out the new benches along the beach wall. Since this photo, they have been sanded smooth and Sarah approved.

The crew enjoying their well deserved coffee break - OK Smarties cookies, oranges and juice break.

Thank you everyone for coming out and doing all the work for camp. The support means so much.

more April 19 work

2008-05-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

Andy backing the tractor down to the trail to the treehouses to pick up another load of firewood.

Dan and Geroge put up siding on the back of McPhederon Lodge. Some old joists were removed before they put the siding on. The weather wasn't good enough to do any painting so our house is still mostly blue and some brown that was done on a previous workday.

workday April 19

2008-05-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

I'll begin posting a few pictures of workday.
Here Pat, Brandon and Steve (l to r) burn underbrush etc. from the "Teen Challenge Trail" that leads to the treehouses. It snowed on workday so the warmth from the fire was appreciated.

guest cabin

2008-04-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

I took these shots near the beginning of March. The snow is much more melted now.
You can see the 'path' to the office, the outside back wall, the view from the guest cabin and a part of the inside. We have a work party coming up in May to help work on the cabin more. The people that will be doing this are from different camps in BC, each a part of the Fellowship of Christian Camps. We had a general workday on Sat., that went well, although weather kept some who were hoping to come out away. Thanks everyone!

Camp Conference Update (photos below)

2008-02-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

Thought it was time for the camping conference update. Andy, Carol, Karla, Joanne (for part of a day) and I went to the BCCA (Bc Camping Association/FCC (Fellowship of Christian Camps) linked camping conference at Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre, near Chilliwack Feb.4-7. It is a linked conference because camp people, whether they are running a 'Christian' camp or not deal with the same issues with regards to facilities, staffing etc.
Again, it was a neat experience to be able to meet other people who are doing the same thing as us.

A few highlights included:
Meeting new people and reconnecting with people I met last year. Hopefully being an encouragement to others too.

Hearing John Ashmen speak. He is the executive director of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions and the Christian Hospitality Network. I attended his workshop on Para-Church Ministries in a Post-Modern World. I appreciated his encouragement to "see your ministry as a haven of refuge" and to "simplify everything" and "watch for opportunities." Camp Tulahead is so different (the place, the people, the truths lived and shared here) than what young people today experience. May it be a haven of refuge.

Families were on my heart this year, as many people left a spouse behind. I am honored and appreciative to be able to go these last two years.

Seeing some more 'green' or ethically minded companies at the trade fair (i.e. Wesclean who carries 'green' cleaning products and a few shirt designers/companies that carry American Apparal shirts which are sweatshop free and made in the states.)

The singing on the 2nd or 3rd night...these great camp songs put to the tune of recognizable songs. The words were changed. I especially enjoyed the song put to the tune of "I love Rock and Roll."

The live auction. This year, Herb Harder, of Charis camp, tossed loonies into the audience in order to coax people to catch them and make bids (I saw that hand, thank you, $20:). At one point people brought their retrieved loonies to a fellow, enabling him to increase his bid a few
dollars at a time.
Karla and Carol helped with recording who bid on what. That was a tricky job as it wasn't always annouced who was the final bidder.

Another amazing highlight was that Camp Tulahead was the camp that was selected for the FCC camps to do a work project at. So exciting. Every year, they pick a needy camp to volunteer time at. The money raised at the auction will be used to buy supplies to help with the projects we
select. I believe it is helping finish the guest cabin (hooray) and maybe helping the cabins (windows, doors).

There was snow and wet rain and ice for weather.

Carol and I were on the tour of Stillwood's two new facilities which were two 100 sleeping buildings and a gym which looks like a barn. The gym sure looked fun to play in.

Andy and I experienced some great high-pitched whistling sounds coming through our door in the middle of the night as a result of the strong winds that were present.

I enjoyed a workshop on games - like ice breakers and get-to-know-you games.

Other notes:
The snow on the camp driveway is almost all melted away.
It has been warmer recently.
We heard a robin and other birds. Andy saw a red-winged black bird. Spring is coming. It really is.
Early in March Carol does interviews. Please pray as people complete and get in their application forms and staff are selected.

Photos: Carol, Joanne, Karla. Cara enjoying a sunset one evening. Stillwood facilities: The field and dining hall in background and their new barn/gym. Beautiful valley they are situated in eh?

yesterday

2008-02-13T10:12:00.001-08:00

Getting warmer. After returning from the camping conference (more on that later) it has warmed up considerably. Yesterday we went out and took these shots.
Andy's been dealing with septic issues. You can see here the bricks are removed to gain access to the septic system.
We put on a 'fantastic winter show' at the campfire pit. I did some dancing and singing and a lesson on how to build a snow girl and it kept falling apart which sent Sarah into great giggles. Then she sang some songs - This Old Man and ABC. You can see the snowman and Sarah in the picture. We didn't get far toboganning in the deep snow, but I thought this would be a good shot.

2008-01-24T09:26:00.000-08:00

So, you can see how much snow we have with the picture of Sarah walking towards the shed after visiting Mr. Dottie.
Was thinking about what to write as things are slow around here. I thought you might be interested to know that Andy is doing lawn mower repairs and also looking at the Honda water pump. When he went to the auto parts shop in town for lawn mower parts the employees asked where he was from. :) He also has been doing some indoor drywall/painting work in the dining hall...and yes, when it snows, he keeps the roads clear. The last couple of mornings have been around -21 degrees C.

beautiful snow day

2008-01-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

There goes Andy on the tractor - I didn't get the camera out in time for a closer pic. Mr. Dottie, the snowman Sarah and I built has changed a lot since we've built him. The wind has been leaving it's mark on the piles of plowed snow.

2008-01-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

Hello.
We've been enjoying the snow. Carol is back working (in Abb.) after a 3 month leave of absence. Andy and I are looking forward to attending the BC Camping Association/Fellowship of Christian Camps Conference at Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre early Feb.
It seems we haven't gotten as much snow as last year...at least not as early.
It's fun that Sarah enjoys tobogganing this year.

2007-12-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

Main street in the snowy sun and Sarah on the driveway.
We haven't had a ton of snow or anything. Andy asks me in the morning many days, "Is it snowing?" I think he is looking forward to plowing.

more snow shots

2007-12-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

Can you see the snowblower path Andy made in the right hand photo?
Main street in Dec.

2007-12-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

You can see our snow and I went skating on the lake for the first time last week. Andy was working on the garage last week also.
The tractor tire came in yesterday, but not after Andy snowblowed the camp driveway for us to be able to get to town the day before :)

2007-12-04T13:55:00.000-08:00

Sarah and I saw this shoeshoe hare a few weeks ago. You can see that the docks and boats are in now...the bay is frozen.

2007-11-29T13:37:00.000-08:00

Nov.17 Brandon, Jordan (Abbotsford), Chris and Lynda (Kelowna) came and helped bring the docks and boats in. It snowed near the end of it. The next weekend the lake was frozen in the bay. Thanks guys for your help. Sorry, no pics of that time. We loved visiting with you that day and had Chris and Lynda spent the night at our place as the weather was not cooperating for nice driving conditions (snowing from all directions as they said).
We've had our first snow about 4 days ago. We had a flat tire on the tractor so a replacement is being ordered. Hopefully we don't have any serious plowing needing to be done before then.

Oct. 29 at camp

2007-11-28T12:25:00.000-08:00

Sarah went on a beautiful fall walk Oct. 29. Here is what we saw. I love the shadows in the teeter-totter picture. The shot of the reeds and water is taken from by the zip-line.

2007-11-28T12:06:00.000-08:00

On Oct. 15 the cement for the retaining wall behing our house was poured.

back awhile some work was done

2007-10-11T14:08:00.001-07:00

2007-10-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

In late Sept., Mark, Brandon, Matt and Joanne came up to help primarily with putting trusses on the guest cabin. They did that and helped with some forms in our backyard for the retaining wall and near the office.
It was great to visit with them and have the work done, of course, too.

happy fall to you

2007-10-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

Andy learning something about the tractor from the manual. Sarah wanders on a nice fall day.

2007-09-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

More shots from "Grad" night at senior high. Abrahams family (Sarah, Andy, Cara), swing time, one cabin's 'wish' came true for a ride in a convertible, and Cayley and Natalie.

hanging about at senior high camp

2007-09-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

...a few more from senior high camp.

more from senior high

2007-09-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

Karla and Brandon, Kelly's cabin, campers come down from dining hall, and Brittany (middle) and 2 campers (I feel bad I don't know many camper's names). You are loved!

In front of "Trail's End"

2007-09-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Trail's End shoe line-up at cabin clean-up time and 2 of Vicki's campers proof-read a 'make a wish' letter.

a few from senior high

2007-08-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hello! Paul and Jordan (teeth not showing:), some campers on swings and Kelly's cabin goes wild. Jordan was out for the last 2 weeks of the summer helping film for and produce some fantastic camp DVDs! He was a busy guy. After our family vacation more photos will be coming.

foil, decades and brunch

2007-08-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a unique perspective on camp, in not being involved in many of the activities. I feel this blog doesn't show much of the classic camp stuff, but hey, it's from my perspective right, so enjoy what you see :)
After dinner on Monday people created things with the foil wrapping from the garlic bread. I love recycled crafts. Fun. Sarah and I for 60s dinner on Decades Day (we enjoyed the dance party after also). Brunch is served on Tues. after a good sleep-in after night games.

chapel monday morning

2007-08-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Singing 'Lifted Up'. Song leaders, Pinky, Skittles, Keeper and Project.

monday evening

2007-08-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

From this Monday, yesterday. Campers learn the rules, performed creatively and hilariously by these girls. The gals in the rugby shirts represent guys (you know - no girls on guys porches).

2007-08-14T14:13:00.001-07:00

Len and Deb (Pinky's parents) help put vinyl siding on a shed. They were also helping in the kitchen.

watermelon day

2007-08-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

These shots are from Wed. hotdog and watermelon day outside a few weeks ago. The guys are playing 'hotdog football' with Doggie (creative use of leftovers?:), Beaker and Surf hand out watermelon and some girls enjoy eating it.

bink and horseshoes

2007-08-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

Bink on a bike and kids trying out horseshoes at '45 Alive' - do something with your whole cabin time.

relaxing and working

2007-07-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

A group of LIGHTERS (leaders in guided hands-on training) relaxing during free-time and Gekko sweeping after lunch. We have some great people here at camp! It's 8-10 yrs. old camp this week again.

a few shots

2007-07-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hi. This week we have a rental group in, but here's a few shot of some campers. Sarah and I were in Abbotsford last week. We are glad to be back.

2nd week almost over

2007-07-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hi. Things have been going along at quite a pace here. I am trying to balance home and camp life...wanting to attend chapels etc. and still keep the house in shape.
We've been experiencing incredibly hot weather. Yesterday it was 37 in the shade (perhaps hotter).
This week people have been working extra hard as 4 volunteers that we were expecting did not come.
Rocky and Doogie shared the speaking position this week.
The Counsellors in Training had a trip to Kelowna to watch a movie I heard.
Our family is heading to Abb. to see Andy's family and Sarah and I will spend a week there as well, with my family.
Prayers for a refreshing break for the staff would be appreciated.
It seems the kids are having a great time despite the heat.
Haven't gotten out too much to take pictures, perhaps more of those at a later time.
Thanks for your support and interest in camp.

And camp is on!

2007-07-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

Chapel time and speaker Rocky. She is doing such a good job communicating bite-sized pieces of truth to the 8-10 year olds on loan to us this week.

CAMP. l love camp. I love camp so much I am having trouble sleeping cause I'm thinking all about it.
We are in our 2nd full day of camp currently. Andy and I had our day off Sun. and we experienced 'rush hour at Tulahead' as we came back from our picnic lunch just as parents were dropping their kids off.
There has been a Seasame Street Theme night already and kids are into the swing of regular activities.
Sarah and I have made it to chapel yesterday and today and it is impacting her already as she comes home and plays. She set up her squirrels and monkeys with one of them facing a group of them and told me, "He's telling them about God." "Reminds me of chapel," I said. Then this morning, the little bowtie stickers on the racoon's shirts were 'camp words' and 'camp names.'
So, what else? Thank you for your continued prayers for staff and camper safety and energy and encouragement from each other and God.
Andy said yesterday felt like a week happened in one day. A big day. We are enjoying this time where we have so many people around and campers are here and having a blast and learning about what matters in life. Andy's starting his bi-weekly trips into town for milk and bread as well.
Before staff came I organized the 'library' in the staff room. That was fun. Tossing old books, books that don't need to be in there etc. and bringing some down from our place for leaders to borrow. I also covered the horribly stained couches in the staff room with sheets tucked in around them, so I (and others) feel comfortable sitting on them.

staff training hurray

2007-06-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

Staff training. Staff arrived Thurs. night and have been busy learning and getting to know each other. There have been evening campfires with singing and sharing of testimonies and praying for those who shared after. Sunday the staff lead the bulk of the service at Princeton Baptist. Cayley and Chris shared how God used their experience at Tulahead to shape their lives.
Today, everyone was trained in how to use the fire fighting equipment. This is what the pictures are of.
We have a lovely group. Some new folks and others who've been here before. Please see camp's website for write-ups about each one.
Don, from Princeton Baptist, was out again to cut a path through a few sections of fallen trees on the path to the treehouses. The path is now useable to make it to the treehouses. Thanks Don!

recent guest cabin photos

2007-06-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

Father's Day weekend the cabin was completed thus far.

Cooler action

2007-06-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

Our second work day of the season just brought out a couple people. Pastor Dan, of Princeton Baptist, helped out in the kitchen cooler. It got some paint, new laminate floor and new shelves are coming. Carol looks on.

hello

2007-06-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted.
Here are a few from a few weeks ago. The one with Sarah shows the grassy 'square' next to the dining hall with the new cabin (in process) in the background. Hope you can kinda get a feel for where it is.
Karla and Brandon and Carol and now up for the summer. Karla is helping lead the LIT program and Brandon is helping Andy this week and will be a cabin leader for the summer.
Luke and crew is up this weekend and the walls are coming up on the cabin.
Staff come up at the end of the week for staff training. We lead the church service at Princeton Baptist on Sunday, as a staff team.

Staff Alumni Weekend

2007-06-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the first annual Tulahead Staff Alumni Weekend.
We had a blast! Here are some shots from the weekend. Many of these are taken by others on the weekend, as I did not attend all events. Thanks for sharing your photos and yourselves this weekend. It was great to meet and re-meet some of you. There were a ton of photos to sort through and with each photo taking approximately 15 min. to load on our dial-up connection here in the 'sticks' this feels like a great accomplishment, giving you this glimpse at our weekend.

Sarah and I had a blast playing with the other kids. Fun times. And I enjoyed talking with the other adults. Andy and Sarah and I enjoyed a boat ride together too, as he was not scheduled to work this weekend. Nice.

2007-06-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Mary catered this event. Thanks Mary! There goes Carol in the background, I think.

2007-06-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

Who's who game. Try and find the person who corresponds with the 'interesting fact' on the sheet. Here we see David, Karen and Grant's faces.

2007-06-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Anthony and Lynda take the sailboat. Randy and Sophia explore in the kayak.

world records

2007-06-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm not going to list names for these, but this is during the 'World Records' portion of one day - a classic activity at camp. The next generation is introduced to the craziness :)

2007-06-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

Joshua and Amelie (with Dad, Eric) give the climbing wall a try.

hiking

2007-06-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

A group hiked to the cross. The picture with the green roof is a picture of people who'd walked to the twin pines trail.

hanging out and campfire

2007-05-31T16:23:00.000-07:00

The weekend had a great combo of scheduled events and 'hang-out' time. People just enjoyed being with each other...playing games, talking, and a couple campfires, songs led by Joanne and Mark. Highlight for one campfire night was Joanne handing out her collection of percussion instruments so people could 'play along' to 'Lord of the Dance.' Sorry about the sporadicness of where I named people. I feel like I'm already forgetting names - yikes.
Carol and helpers, thanks for organizing this weekend. We had a wonderful time.

evening shadows

2007-05-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Evening shadows and sprinkler activity behind the bushes. Isn't everything lusciously green?

growing things

2007-05-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Andy doing some pruning. Mary preparing the garden bed in front of the office. Cyril is in the background. Mary and Cyril have both been busy beautifying the camp property's flower areas.

boat house repair

2007-05-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well, a bit ago the boat house door blew off during a rental group stay. Andy was able to prop it up so it could be locked.
On Tuesday, I took my Mom-in-law, sister-in-law (up for a short visit) and Sarah for a row boat ride one day. The door fell off (I'd used the other door sucessfully several times on different occasions) when I opened the other door on the way to get lifejackets. I was so thankful that my family wasn't at the boat house yet and I didn't get hurt either. Here's Andy sawing wood for the new hinges to attach to. He's using a non-power saw because the power was out.

beach mystery

2007-05-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

Ok. What happened here? Andy noticed this rowboat overturned a few days ago. It is still locked up. Could it have been the wind? What do you think?

concrete

2007-05-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

Last friday the concrete was poured for the new guest cabin. The truck came in the morning and Sarah and I got out there after a quick breakfast to take in all the action. There was a pumper truck and 2 concrete trucks that came. After it was poured, the guys came to our place for an early lunch of wraps and chips and chocolate cake. Sarah said she wanted them to come again, because "I like to look at them." It is very interesting indeed - seeing a 'house' be built.
I thought, as I watched this cabin 'go up,' that it feels like 'we' are kids buliding it, because it looked like everyone from the pumper-truck operator to Luke's crew was under thirty years old (the concrete truck drivers where older, though). And I still feel like a kid at 28. Cool skill to have, I thought, to build a house. Something mysterious has happened down at the beach. Soon I will post a picture re: that and ask for your ideas on what exactly happened here.

boats and creek

2007-05-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

I took a little boat ride on Mother's Day and here is a shot of the 'run-off creek' flowing just past the trail-head for the hiking trails to the twin pines and the cross. This creek rarely flows and is the reason we had to move the building site for the cabin. You can see the mound of dirt that was excavated for the original cabin site, in the background.

working weekend

2007-05-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Well, this Sat. and Sun. more work was done on the the new cabin. Below you see pics of Luke and Justin, who came up from Summerland to work on the cabin. Luke is heading up the project.
The shot with the tractor is to give some perspective of where the new cabin is, just left of 'great adventure' and the office if you are looking at the above mentioned buildings. Ang and Grant came up to help put the docks and boats out. They worked with Andy and Carol and Cyril, on the tractor, to accomplish this.
Tiana, Luke's wife, and baby came as well and Sarah and I enjoyed a visit from them to our house.
Didn't make it down to the lake to get a shot of the process of the docks going out, but you see a very happy grant drying a juice jug and Angela's beautiful smile here too during kitchen clean up time.
Thanks everyone for your joyful work.
We are expecting a concrete truck tomorrow.

filling water barrel

2007-05-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a shot of Andy filling a water barrel with the firehose. Did you know we are beyond the boundry for the firefighters from Princeton (or area) to come and help us in the event of a fire? So, every year our staff is trained in fire fighting procedure, with our fire hose and other equipment.

oh yah, the weather is grand

2007-05-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hello. A quick note to say we are experiencing lovely weather currently. Very warm, no mosquitos just yet and buds all round. Dandylions too. :)
We had a guest group in last weekend. Carol was up for a bit last week/end and Mary did the cooking for the group. Andy was in the kitchen helping wash dishes. My folks were also up for the weekend and my Dad did a shift in the kitchen.

roof and new cabin update

2007-05-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

A short update. Pat and crew came up and replaced the roof. Look at all those shingles - lots of kindling for years to come :)
The 'digger' fellow is back and here is a view of in front of the office. A big ditch was dug to lay water pipes. Andy has been involved in the ditch digging with a shovel. More pics another time.

April 21 Work Party!

2007-04-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a go at 'captioning' the pictures (scroll down for more). Should not be too tricky to figure out which caption goes with which I think:
Vicki and Holly at lunch, Kathy and Penny? painting our house, Linda hauls firewood, Carol delights the kids with sounding the triangle for a meal, someone (sorry - didn't get all the names) and Joanna rake, Grant makes MANY cuts with the chainsaw, Jason and Drew take a break, a kind worker smiles at me, Jim (forground) at the worktalbe by the garage, the 'digger' takes a stump out of the ground behind our house,
Sarah inspects the fence and Andy hauls brush.

So, a week ago we had a group from Summerland Baptist Church come up and do a bunch of work here at camp. We had an incredible 'work party!' About 40 people came and did everything from clear brush (saw up trees using a chainsaw, rake, haul firewood), build a fence along the driveway, installing doors on the garage, a railing in front of the skit room and by the flags at the top of the grassy 'square', put'softening' (I think it was called) on the central
washrooms, start painting our house and probably more stuff I am forgetting.

On Friday Don, from our church, came and felled (is that how you say it?) many trees near the cabins, along the beaver ponds trail, one near the beach and one by the Skinner's house. These trees were weighted down so heavily by snow in the winter, they became damaged and unsafe now.

About four people came Fri. night and everyone else came out for the day and left after dinner. Mary did a wonderful job planning and making the meals despite non-optimal health.
Cyril, also under the weather, was out to carve the roast that evening.

Ya, it was a good day. The people enjoyed working together - young and old (how cool is that? different generations modelling for each other, encouraging one another and being
Christ's hand and feet), camp was blessed and lots of work was done.
We still have much more too do - a lot of tree clearing to do it seems - hauling new firewood.

I enjoyed a walk with Grant and Angela and Carol, down to the lake Fri. night. Sarah did too and said, 'Thank you for the walk Mom. I really enjoyed it." Something like that.
A couple kids ages 4 and 3, I believe, came up with their parents and S. and I had fun playing with them and I talking with their Mom some. Sarah learned about doing 'plays' on the stage at
campfire from Jack, the 4 year old. The next day we had to come back and do the same. She did a dance and I watched and then it was my turn and she watched and I sang the hokey pokey. We have many months to prepare for skit nights eh?

Andy enjoyed a handful of days off (and us too) after the workday. After I posted last, things did get better in terms of energy for him. Thanks for the prayers. Our days off included a nice trip out to Summerland and Penticton for shopping and enjoying much warmer weather than
we have here. I was thinking we should have brought the tent to stay over.

So, thank you and God bless you to those who came up for the work party and those that prayed. There were no injuries and the rain held off as well, as far as I know (we were napping
for 2 hours during the middle of the day).

Plans for the new cabin are underway. We had a sight excavated by the office but were later told it was too close to the 'creek' - the run-off from the spring meltdown - so a new site, on the other side of the office, has been selected.

Luke, also from Summerland Baptist Church, and his wife and baby daughter, were up Sunday to take a look at the site. He is heading up the building of this cabin.

picking up the pace

2007-04-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

Oh yes. Hello. Lots has been going on here. Andy has been preparing for the rental group that is in now and preparing for the work 'party' coming on the 21st. Pat and someone else delivered a donation of lumber for the new guest cabin and Andy served them coffee that I put on. I called my mom for the 'recipe'. Sarah and I helped with mopping (me) and folding before the guest group came in. Sarah folds dishtowels really well.
We woke this morning at 7:20 am with Andy running downstairs to answer a phone call from the group at camp about where the switch for the fan in the kitchen was.
At home Andy is making sure our plants (seedlings) and chickens are growing well. He also spends time at the garden plot behind the barn, digging new beds. Sarah and I help pick rocks and build 'dirt castles.'
Andy said there is a fellow who is volunteering a lot of his time to help build the forms/frame (something) on the guest cabin. They will come up on Wed. for a few days...maybe bring their wives he said.
The weather has been beautiful and sunny although today is overcast which is nice too I think.
So, if I can ask for prayer it'd be for energy for both of us. I am usually tired so that's an ongoing request for me and I think the increased work load of late has hit Andy too, as he was quite exhausted last night.
May you continue to know God's realness and provision in your life.
In hope and Christ's perseverance.

Fundraising Dinner

2007-04-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Annual Fundraising Dinner was held at White Rock Baptist church, last week Thurs., with approximately 80 people in attendance. It was a good night of seeing some footage of last summer (thanks Joanne), hearing stories of God's working at camp (thanks Karla), and fellowship over an excellent meal prepared and served by Len and Deb Walters and crew. Carol emceed the evening. Appetizers and dessert were done by Mary and Merrilee. Young and old attended and $21, 930 was raised.
Thank you God for a good night, for our supporters and the encouragement they are and the vital role they play in giving through word, deed and passing along resources God has given them.

I don't know everyone's names in the pictures, but here is a go at it:
Len and Deb (caterers). Good job!
Mary Skinner and Kathy (my Mom) with the grand total balloons
Andy and Joanne
Angela and Cayley
Cyril Skinner visiting with someone
Julie and son and Anita?

Evening Walkabout

2007-04-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

Went for a walk on April 2 and these are some shots from around camp. Saw the beaver busy at the lake too.

First day of spring to you

2007-03-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Hello! Well, there is more mud around camp now, that's for sure. When driving up the driveway you really had to take a run at a while back - felt like it was snow you were trying to drive through, how thick it was.
The birds have been back for weeks now with their quick movement activity and seed gathering accompanied by their beautiful and varied song. We have two honking geese that have returned as well. I've seen deer tracks but not who they belong to yet. A silent soaring hawk went overhead on my walk yesterday. Oh, and squirrels have been climbing the post near our bird feeder. I half expected them to jump onto it like my Mom's squirrels in Abbotsford do, but they haven't - just looking and enjoying the fallen seed on the ground.
Here is a family shot - Cara, Sarah and Andy - on a Sun. family walk. I call this our 'Everest' shot. It really was quite warm, but Sarah wanted to where her balaclava.
The other day we helped Andy 'pick rocks' out front of the office. That was fun. Sarah picking up 'Sarah-sized rocks' as well. The rocks come out with the tractor really easy right now because the ground is so moist and soft.
We've been having great weather. Sunny mainly, some overcast days but it's still been cool. We hope the snow melts melts melts before the work day in a month.
Next week is the Fundraising dinner in Whiterock. Looking forward to that.
Ski season (cross country, which I had been doing) is definately over. It seemed to sneak up on me, but that's ok. I am now excited about spring and Andy is really excited to get gardening. We have a plot out by the barn he started last fall. Now, on his time off, he is installing a deer fence. I joked with him that if we have way too much produce for our family that we can set up a stand to sell some on the days when campers come and go. Watch for that :)
Yah, with the melting snow and camp 'things' (campfire ring, buildings) becoming more visable I am drawn to think of the summer. I am really getting excited about staff and campers coming. It will be a huge change of pace for us and I am already praying regarding that.
Walked by the 'cabin' where the LITers (leaders in training) stayed last summer and was reminded of them and how they'd hang around their little dwelling - swim towels drying out on the line along the cabin wall and flip flops and shoes piled outside the door.
Also walked on the road to the beach today and could look right through the trees to the outdoor chapel - snow in between the benches still. All is laid bare. In the summer the foliage is thick and you can't see the chapel. God, lay bare our hearts and motives and concerns. Help us bring them to you, who sustains us, equips us, and delights in us.

deck time & tractor time

2007-03-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

Here is Andy and Sarah enjoying the finished deck. He recently put the rails on it. The picture beside that is him working on it. You can see the rail-less deck in the background.
Then you see Andy driving the tractor with Cyril and Mary's broken greenhouse in the background. Kinda sad, the weight of this year's snowfall was too much and it collapsed. There is the camp truck in the photo too. We used it a couple of times while our car was in the shop for 2.5 weeks recently.

Meltdown

2007-03-08T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hi, pics are of mainstreet currently and a view up mainstreet the other way from the dining hall porch. Also a picture of the shop with Sarah in it. People often ask what Andy does when camp is not on. Well, this is one of the things he's been doing - organizing the shop, clearing out stuff that has been stored there for a long time etc.
In regards to weather, things are really thawing out here. We have drip drip drips coming off the roof all the time because of the melting snow. The snow resembles course granule sugar. The driveway down to camp doesn't have any snow on it anymore.
The latest edition of the "Tulahead Times" was filled with interesting and exciting things one of which is the plan to build a guest cabin with indoor plumbing. This will accomodate the need for more housing for volunteers and staff that are older, married or have children. The cabin will have 3 bedrooms, a sitting area and washrooms. It will also "provide accomodation for those wanting to come and visit the camp and possibly bring new people to share what the ministry is all about."
Ya, we've been getting some nice sunny weather and Andy is also gearing up for a work day April 21 as well.
Sarah and I even made our first sand castle of the season in front of our garage and Sarah flattened it 'for the campers' so they wouldn't trip on it. We are talking about the changing seasons and talk about summer some 'when the campers come.'She'll ask "where are the campers right now?" Yes, where are they? At school, at home. God, prepare them, prepare us.

BC Camping Conference

2007-02-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

Hello. This is the post that will tell you about the BC Camping Conference Carol, Karla, Andy and I attended Feb.5-8. How's that for a formal introductory sentence? Not feeling very inspired at the moment. So, the conference was a linked conference between the Fellowship of Christian Camps and the BC Camping Association.
The first picture is or Andy, Karla and Carol at the 'banquet' (no dressing up necessary - now, that's my kind of banquet:) Then, the band leading music, some people engaging in an 'group building' activity during one of the sessions, potato launchers on the field with people gathered around (people were invited to bring their potato launchers from their camp if they had one and they had a little potato launching 'party'), then Carol visiting with someone and me and Brock Tully. Brock was the 'inspirational' BCCA keynote speaker who's done a couple big bike tours, writes reflections and organizes 'concerts of kindness' in Vancouver.
The other speaker, Glen Madden, from Summit Pacific and Pacific Academy, had some really good stuff to share about spiritual matters. There were a variety of workshops to attend on a host of topics - from employment standards to starting an outdoor program at your camp to the 'power of intrinsic motivation' (which I loved) to supporting your spouse and learning about praying with scripture (also a really good one I attended). There was a 'death by chocolate' night with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie, an apperance from Elvis one evening, a 'stand up' lunch while people could browse 'supplier' (food suppliers, paper towel suppliers, outdoor adventure companies, people who print stuff on shirts) booths. The conference was held at Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre. We are very thankful to be able to have attended. It was a refreshing time and a unique opportunity to connect with people doing the same thing as us (and that does not happen every day!). So, thank you to the board and supporters of camp for making it a prioity to attend this important conference. We left Sarah with grandparents in the valley and she had a blast while we were at the conference.

Missionsfest!

2007-01-31T17:10:00.000-08:00

Hello - Got back a couple of days ago from Missionsfest in Van. - telling people about camp, praying that God would bring the right people by the booth. We - Carol, Karla and I - were hoping to connect with potential summer staff and rental groups primarily. It was fun to see some former staff and campers too. Here are a few pics from our time - didn't get a pic of everyone we saw (not even of us, imagine that). In order of apperance:
Doogie, Legend, Chad
e looks at booth (camp name? I'm new here :), Andy (camp name -Dutch?).

2006 summer staff

2007-01-31T15:55:00.000-08:00

Winter

2007-01-31T15:25:00.000-08:00

Took this pic one morning while skiing in the field.

Welcome here friends!

2007-01-22T16:17:00.000-08:00

Hi. Greetings from Camp Tulahead this fine winter day. It is a 'balmy' (as Carol, and now Andy and I say) minus 1. I am going to help out at the Missionsfest booth. I am excited. Hope to see some old Tulahead faces and meet new folks who may want to join what is going on here. This winter is our first here and we had a record snowfall, I think it was, for the end of Novemeber...and very cold (minus 24 at one point). I hope to have this blogger thing figured out soon, and hope that uploading pictures won't take as long as I think it might.
Hope to add some earlier reflections from the fall at some point. Let's get this blog rolling.

Shifting Seasons

2006-10-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

Since the time of the last entry lots has changed in regards to the weather and seasons. This past Sun. we woke up to snow – just a bit, but snow indeed. It feels like it is winter officially now. We are struggling to keep our house warm and I've dug out of our closet some warm clothes I had 'retired.' Well, we need them all now, so they are being put to good use, once again. Yesterday I sewed Sarah a pair of fleece pants – that was the morning’s project. No pattern, used one of the many fleece baby blankets we were given at her birth.

Mr. Beaver has been busy chewing branches off trees all over camp. The sawed off branch I saw was the thickness of a junior camper’s (think eight years old) arm. A week ago we had a rental group in from Surrey and Tara (Panda – helped in kitchen this past summer) was up with them. It was good to see her again. We also had a group (3 people) from Summerland up to help put the roof on the boathouse lean-to and work on the garage again. It was a busy weekend, with us serving meals for the workers at our place and a guest group at camp. Dug some of those fancy cookies (favorite was the cookies with white chocolate in them) out of the camp freezer for work crew snacks.

Mary, Cyril!, and Carol are back as of yesterday. We are glad they are home and that Cyril is recovering well. Will be nice to have neighbors again.

Andy has been busy chopping wood and moving it to the appropriate places. We really enjoyed the fall and even had a few picnics (Sarah and I). We get even less sun now (8:30am-1:30pm at our house) because of the narrow valley we are situated in.

Sarah and I enjoy a Tues. morning playgroup most Tuesdays and our family has recently joined a fellowship group from our church.

Have enjoyed some more morning walks or runs on my own lately and have taken to fueling my brain/soul and body by carrying some material for meditation (truth-scripture) in hand. The other day it was a small hand-sized book with scripture and reflections in it. The reading was from Matthew 5:1-12 (the beatitudes). I will quote part of the reflection – “To Jesus, being ‘blessed’ by God means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances.” Outward circumstances can be so powerful though, I thought. Been struggling with not enough sleep lately and that exhaustion through the day can impact everything, but having hope and joy through that (and faith that God will provide patience and love for my family) is a gift I want to be more fully aware of. May you also grow in living more fully in the hope and joy that come from knowing Christ.

October Brilliance

2006-10-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

Andy on the tractor hauling pieces of dock in. A group from Teen Challenge came up to help with this project.
Sarah in the stroller at the top of the driveway to camp.

Greetings from the fall brilliance out at camp Tulahead. It is a very quiet at the time of this writing, as Carol and Mary are on the coast with Cyril as he recovers from surgery. Sarah and I helped dig up the last of the potatoes in our garden and helped split some wood today. Sarah enjoying the bark ‘boats’ that came off the logs we were splitting. We had a group in a few weeks ago and I was encouraged for this place to be used as it was for that weekend. I breathed deep and smiled as Sarah and I walked past the ‘extension’ and heard their worship music.

Got to go for a kayak around the lake a week ago and that was wonderful. Imagining the lake frozen solid is interesting. Carol’s brother’s were up a bit ago to help put the top of the garage near the Skinner’s house on and a fireplace guy has been up to help get our woodstove all ready to roar. It’s very cold in the mornings and the sun goes behind the hill around 3 pm, so the shade and sunlight time is definitely shortening.

It’s been good to keep in touch with some of the counseling staff. They are doing all sorts of things and prayer for them is always a good thing.

This season is a quiet one at our physical location, and that provides more time for reflection, pondering, prayer and perhaps some planning. Campers are in the thick of school and extra-curricular activities and relationships (family, friends, God). Consider praying for our campers – as God leads - when you see a group of children or youths. Pray the spirit is not quiet in their lives, but drawing steadily people into a deeper relationship.

Fall Reflections

2006-09-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hello. As I (Cara – Andy’s [the new maintenance fellow] wife) type, we are enjoying some respite from the drifting smoke from the fires south of us. Sarah, our two year old daughter and I are recovering from illness (flu, ear ache (S)) that has effected our respiratory systems. Camp has been over for just over 2 weeks. Andy is making a run to Keremeos for more tomatoes and fruit, as we are canning to store up for the rest of the year.

Summer. Our first summer here…well, Andy was here in 1999 as the rock wall instructor and I volunteered one week that summer as well in the kitchen. We were engaged at the end of that summer and married in the fall – on my 21^st birthday in fact. We kept in touch with Carol over the years and were aware of the maintenance position need and once approached last winter, decided it was time to apply again. We are thrilled to be here as camp work is something we wanted to do on a full-time basis ever since we were married. We moved from Abbotsford. Andy was working in a small custom cabinet shop and I was being a full-time Mom to our daughter Sarah. Prior to Sarah’s birthday I was working at my Dad’s bookstore, the House of James, and Andy and I spent over 4 months at Crowsnest Lake Bible Camp.

This spring Andy was quite busy with a commitment to pursue a Day-Hiking guide certification through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. He read tons about flora and fauna and brushed up navigation skills then spent a week in Canmore, AB participating in the course/exam. He passed and is now a certified Day Hiking Guide – the first step towards becoming a backpacking guide. Summer approached quickly and the mounting work to accomplish with it. Soon enough a few staff started arriving and friendships started forming. Before we knew it summer was in full swing and we were having the task of finding a pace of life/work that was reasonable for our family. Sarah enjoyed new friends and their special interactions with her.