Transitional Minister Training

So I am still trying to get the hang of this reporting and taking pictures thing. The Transtional Minister Training was wrapping up and I realized I hadn't taken any pictures yet, so I ran downstairs and snapped this one on my camera phone. Admittedly it is not the best, but it captures the essence of what I saw this week.

Cliff Brubaker and Gary Martin have designed a program to train persons in Transitional Ministry. Dan Miller was heavily involved in the process as well. It is a two event training time held in the fall and spring with coaching and mentoring involved in between. We just completed the first round and plan to go again this next year in October.

The great thing I saw was the networking and support between the teachers and the students. To see these folks who often walk with churches in the worst of times or through the heaviest of issues finding connections was very meaningful. The picture shows Cliff and Gary engaged in depth conversation with Frank Kandel and Lois Kauffman, engaged in carrying their passion for the church onward.

Greening of the Forest!

With the mayapples coming up and the trees budding, the

forest is turning green again. You can still see the brown oak leaves

as they turn to mulch. The cycle of life and death and life again

May your spring be full of grace and peace!

Woodcutting...or at least the results

This past Saturday with the help of about 18 volunteers, we were able to get a great head start on filling the woodshed for next winter. For those of you that don't know, we are able to heat the Retreat Center, Activity Center and Dining Hall primarily with wood from our forests. Through forest management with Bill Minter, we can keep the forest alive and well and provide a big chunk of energy. Thanks to all that came out to help.

Orienteering...A video post, Amigo Style

48 stater

It is not everyday you get to be part of a world record attempt, but yesterday we did. Richard Paff along with two friends are attempting to set the fastest time of driving around the 48 continous states and making a basketball hoop in each one. They are doing this to raise funds for New Dawning Christian School in San Juan la Langua, Guatemala.

Richard is the father of Brian Paff who works at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center in Mount Pleasant, PA, hence the connection to Amigo. Brian was actually able to surprise his dad at Amigo.

Their joy and friendship were evident as soon as they got out of the car. They even took the time to pose with Lori in the picture above. Hard to tell which is expecting...

Here is a link to their blog: http://48stater.wordpress.com/

Check it out, what a dream for all those basketball junkies, touring the states, spending time with friends and shooting baskets. Good Luck guys and thanks for stopping in, a real joy to meet you.

Jason Lichti

PS. Lori and I are looking forward to "little j" entering the world soon, will keep you all posted.

OEE begins

The first school buses of the season have dropped off the students. Looking forward to a great season. Please remember the teachers and students in your thoughts and prayers.

grace&peace

Jason

a new venture

Cheryl and Jess have been working on a series of videos to help teachers prepare and refresh themselves on the different classes we offer in OEE. Finding ways to use technology to promote the outdoors

Volunteers!!

Thanks to volunters, another room was painted with new wall hangings and comforters. It has been encouraging to see how people come to camp to volunteer time painting and cleaning and much more. The time and energy they invest not to mention the dollars is inspiring. And they do it quietly without fanfare or expectations of reward. So to the many volunteers who have spent time here, a very humble thank you. We know that we are lucky to serve at such an important place to so many people.

grace&peace

More Improvements!

The downstairs bathroom of the dining hall has been remodeled. There has always been a definite feel and look in the dining hall basement bathrooms. It always brought me back to church basements from my youth, smells do that don't they. Well over the past month Ross, JB and Bob have worked to remodel and freshen up the bathrooms, come and check them out.

Another improvement by Ross and company.

Another improvement by Ross and company.

Looking forward to spring...and summer

Here are a few things we are looking forward to this spring:

• Spring OEE season starts April 15 with Triton followed by Chandler, Benton, Parkside, Waterford, Westview, Millersburg, Centreville, Wakarusa, Riverview, Middlebury, and still some more firming up dates.
• Even more than the schools coming, our program continues to develop as Cheryl Mast works very hard to keep current and improving education opportunities. With Jess Andrews helping and some summer staff coming early, our instructors will do a great job providing unique experiences for the students.
• We have a transitional ministers training, a mother daughter crop and an Exploritas (formerly Elderhostel) session coming this spring as well.
• With Addie Leaman returning to lead summer camp, I am excited as we continue to focus on making the week a special time for the campers.
• I have been blown away by the quality of the applicants I have gotten this year, which has forced me to turn away some very good people.
• And Day Camp is coming back, Sara McDonald will be leading it as we continue to develop this program in serving youth in the area.
• And on a personal note, the Lichti family is anticipating a third child any day.

grace&peace

Jason Lichti

Spring time

Came down to camp yesterday and saw that the cherry tree had blossomed overnight and with the daffodils up and some little blue flowers up, I thought I should post a couple pictures from the archives of some different flowers in honor of spring and to remind me that "April showers bring Mayflowers"

Summer Camping

With getting ready for summer and thinking about all the things that will go on here, like Outdoor Ed with over 12 groups coming this spring, summer camp, day camp, family reunions, one of the most popular is camping at Amigo Park. It is a place set aside where connections are made and renewed each year. There have been families camping in tents and RVs for over 30 years. Fishing, playing volleyball, riding bikes, swimming, hanging out around the campfire, sharing stories, laughing and comforting.

Preparing for Summer Camp

We are getting ready for summer camp. We are processing registrations for the campers and applications for the summer staff, and I am excited about both. A few things to look forward to this year:

• Studying the Sermon on the Mount and finding ways to incorporate the Lord's Prayer throughout the day.
• Using pontoons to transport campers to the swim area and spending more time swimming.
• Quality staff who love working with kids, being outside, and following Jesus in community
• Survivor camps, Horse camps, Sports and Art Camp
• New ways to stay connected after camp and even during camp for parents
  

What we do, friendship and mentoring...

One of my favorite dynamics of camp is the friendship and mentoring that happen between counselors and campers. Young people pointing the way for younger people, taking time to guide and give once in a life time kinds of experiences. Here are a few pictures of the counselor/camper experience. I wonder who learns more the counselor or the camper? I think I probably learned more for my campers than I ever could have taught them.