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Saving Coolamatong
Five years ago Daryl and Elaine Brown, who soldier at
Doncaster Corps (Vic.), knew nothing about running a commercial campsite.
Daryl, who has his own accounting practice, and Elaine, who
coordinates several corps’ children’s ministries, don’t appear to
have the experience you would expect to successfully adminster a camp that caters for 2,500 students a year. But in 2003
that changed dramatically. That was when Daryl and Elaine
stepped out of their comfort zone and into Camp Coolamatong,
a 70-hectare property built on the Banksia Peninsula 280 km
from Melbourne. The campsite was owned and operated by
parachurch organisation Scripture Union Victoria (SUV), which
had run school and church camps there for almost 50 years.
Elaine, who was working for SUV at the time, came home one
August day with distressing news. Management had announced
that Camp Coolamatong no longer fitted the organisation’s
strategic plan and would terminate its schools camping ministry
that December. ‘The news devastated many staff and supporters,’ she recalls. ‘We knew that if the schools ministry went
down then it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to
get it started again.’ At the time about 2,000 school children
from 35 schools attended Camp Coolamatong each year to take
part in activities such as horse riding, canoeing, cycling, orienteering and bushcraft in its beautiful bushland setting.
But Coola, as the camp is affectionately known, was always
more than just a stunning location and quality programs, says
Elaine. The camp’s Christian staff and interns were committed
to building relationships with campers and sharing their faith
through friendship. Its regular schools program included an
optional Wednesday evening get-together, where staff and
interns share their life experiences and testimonies with
students.
‘We looked at it from the outreach perspective, that all these
kids who come to Coola’s school camps wouldn’t have the
opportunity of hearing the Christian message any more,’ Daryl
says. ‘Many students have little or no idea about the Christian
faith until they pass through the program. We never thought it
would be God’s plan to have Coola close down.’
A Salvo couple find that being ‘God’s people for a time’
took them right out of their comfort zone.
Not long after the announcement that Coolamatong was
closing, Daryl received an unexpected phone call from the
camp’s residential director, Graham Webb. ‘He asked me if there
was anything I could do to avoid the closure,’ Daryl says. ‘I gave
it a lot of thought, because I still had a business to run, but after
consulting with Elaine, we said we’d see if we could put something together as a rescue package.’
Daryl admits now that he underestimated the enormous amount
of time the project would take, or the obstacles he and Elaine
would have to overcome. But they believe they were ‘God’s
people for the time’. ‘Coolamatong became the focus of our
lives,’ he says. ‘At times it was exciting, at other times it was
depressing. ‘But support from Coola staff and volunteers was
exceptional and, despite some difficult times, it was an exciting
journey.’ There was also a personal cost. Daryl’s business was
neglected because he spent so much time on camp issues such
as setting up a local management team, board of directors and
negotiating the myriad of small business and compliance
issues.
But on 1 February 2004 ‘Coola Ministries Inc’
commenced operating.
Daryl and Elaine have seen some exciting developments at the
camp: upgraded facilities, a working farm to enhance city kids’
country experience and weekend camps for Koori children. ‘The
camps are life-changing for some of these children,’ Daryl says.
On reflection, as their work at the camp draws to an end, they
both feel Coolamatong has changed their lives, too, by deepening their faith and understanding of God’s faithfulness. Daryl
says it was always his plan to structure the camp so that he and
Elaine would eventually be ‘out of a job’. ‘Scripture Union Victoria is now negotiating to take the campsite back, and we’re
ready to back away when the time is right,’ he says.
‘It has been an amazing experience for us. There are many
instances we can recall where God honoured our efforts and
affirmed his leading in our endeavours—and incidentally my
business has doubled in size over the past five years. ‘It’s been
exciting to be God’s people for a season.’
Faye Michelson
This article reprinted with permission from On Fire magazine, 6 December 2008, published by The Salvation Army.
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Introduction by: Ken Pullen
Dear God, not again!
Victorian Bushfires
By Lieut. Colonel Don Woodland OAM
Specialising in Trauma Management for the past 30 years.
Tragic incidents occur which involve individuals, couples, families,
communities, States and the Nation. All involving individuals, and you may
well be one of those who were affected by the February 7 big fires. Indeed
a shocker of a chapter in the history of our nation.
It was so dry as I drove from Melbourne, through Yarra Junction, past Bunyip State Forest
and on to Phillip Island. The radio station repeated, every half hour, how the next day was
going to be bad, but the day after (Saturday) was predicted to be worse than Ash
Wednesday. It was February 5th 2009.
I have been a Bush Fire Fighter for over 27 years, a Captain for 12 of those and I now serve as a volunteer Deputy Group Captain with seven rural
fire brigades in my group covering about 380 sq km of Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains terrain. It was as dry as I had seen anywhere, and the
Bunyip State Forest was already burning well. The signs were not good and I joined in the prayer of thousands that the predicted conditions would
not eventuate.
I returned to Sydney on the 6th. By late on the 7th the news was starting to filter through. The fires had come, they were as bad as predicted, and
many were in trouble.
On Sunday the country awoke to the news. Many, like Kerry and I, had endured fires previously and the memories could not be repressed. We were
reliving the experience, while in prayer for the current situation. Many had never experienced any form of fire but were equally in shock at the
developing news and pictures.
Each and every individual (including me – and that means you),
has been traumatized (an incident that brought forth
a strong emotional and physical reaction). We find ourselves
somewhere along the scale between ‘absolutely blown to
pieces’ and ‘I think I might have been affected by what has
happened’.
I was asked to write a 300 word article to help you in these
circumstances. After thinking about this, I could have written
‘God loves you’ one hundred times; and certainly it is my
prayer that you are still aware of and experience the truth of
those words. However, for this occasion, let me take another
approach:
The role in which you may serve may place demands and
expectations upon you which sometimes are beyond the
‘normal’ pattern of every day living. You may also be called
upon to go through, or provide support to those who have
been severely affected or traumatized.
• Where the death/deaths were violent or occurred in
horrifying circumstances.
• There was a death or injury to a child in particular tragic
circumstances.
• There have been a large number of casualties.
• You were involved in the incident for a long time.
• There has been a major disaster.
• There are a set of circumstances with which a certain
person or group identifies.
• There has been a strong physical and emotional reaction to
the incident.
• No body was recovered.
• The victim was known to those in support.
These incidents demand a response from you which may
place extreme pressure on your coping skills. You may
experience some negative reactions, even to the point of
feeling that you have failed after such a traumatic incident.
How would we as a nation, as a state, as an association, as individuals respond? Those stories have been told and are being told. You will read
examples of them within these pages.
Courage. Fear. Thankfulness. Hope. Love. Shock. Support... The list of emotions is endless as we contemplate the Future while being thankful for
the Past. As you read; be thankful, be prayerful as you remember our God is more powerful than all the forces of nature combined.
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Dear God, not again! (cont’d)
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FEELINGS AND REACTIONS YOU MAY EXPERIENCE.
Fear for your own safety and for those you care about,
• of being left alone or having to leave loved ones,
• breaking into tears and a feeling you are losing control
of yourself,
• of a similar event happening again,
• or just a plain feeling of being scared.
Sadness for the death, injuries or losses of those concerned.
Guilt for things done and said, for things not done or not
said and being in a much better off situation than others
around you.
Anger at what happened,
• at whoever caused or allowed it to happen,
• at the waste of life,
• with the senselessness of it all,
• with people who do not understand or say they do
understand about why these feelings and emotions are
happening to you,
• with yourself for feeling this way.
Memories of your own experiences can be revisited and you
remember other traumas and losses in your own life.
You may be puzzled or worried by some of the physical and
mental reactions you may experience.
Although these
reactions can be distressing and cause you discomfort, they
are part of the normal stress reaction to a traumatic event.
You may even experience
• sleep disturbance or bad dreams,
• thinking about the event,
• being irritable or jumpy,
• loss of concentration,
• feeling down or flat,
• appetite disturbance or upset stomach,
• muscle tension which can cause headaches and other
physical aches and pains.
9
Relationships can be strained. Tensions can appear with
work personnel, partners, family or friends. You may find it
difficult to talk about what you have been through. You may
feel you do not want to burden them with your problems.
Changes in your behaviour may worry you or your friends.
These aspects need to be talked about.
Regardless of the foregoing, you must remind yourself that
you are still a normal human being who reacts normally to
abnormal situations.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT TOMORROW and the next day
these ministries will continue”
• Don’t be too hard on yourself for what you are going through.
• Know that life is not always fair.
• Try to make some sense of what has happened.
• Try to do something you enjoy doing.
• Do not make any life changing decisions at this time if you
can avoid it.
• Spend time with others who find themselves in like situations.
• Take time out to catch up with yourself.
• Do things that make you feel good, for you deserve it.
• Talk to people about your experience.
• Give yourself permission to have a good cry and even to
feel rotten for a while.
• Don’t expect memories to go away, for the experience had
been significant for you.
In conclusion, if you feel you cannot handle the intensity of
feelings or reactions you are experiencing right now; if your
normal ways of coping are not working for you; if you don’t
seem to be getting back to normal as soon as you would
expect, I suggest you contact your Senior Chaplain Major Errol
Woodbury who can be reached on 0407 433 055, or if Errol is
not available, my phone no. is 0418 401 620.
Just remember, God’s promise to us each is ‘as our days, so
shall our strength be’.
“In Remembrance” A Prayer
During the first week of the Victorian Bushfires Peter Gill, from El Kanah, told
Ken Pullen they had received hundreds of calls of support from people helped
by their ministry. In response, Peter said to Ken, “This ministry will continue!”
One after another, Christian Venues members effected by the fires have echoed that cry. These ministries are too important to allow this event to cause
their closure. In most cases the losses are material. Buildings, facilities, houses, vehicles. Ministries are not built with these! Ministries are built by
God’s Holy Spirit working through faithful Christian servants.
Here are the stories of 6 member centres, some in their own words. While photographs show the devastation of the recent past, we encourage you
to hear their heart for the future God has prepared.
Lord God Almighty, You are Sovereign over all creation.
We come before You, amidst sorrow and great pain, casting
our cares on You. Thank You for Your promise, that You care
for us.
You know O God, the 210 people who lost their lives in these
fires.
They were mothers, fathers, grandmothers,
grandfathers, sons, daughters, brothers or sisters,
grandchildren. They were loved. They are missed.
John Donne wrote “Any man’s death diminishes me, because
I am involved in mankind”.
And so Lord Jesus we
acknowledge that this tragic event has affected us all.
We pray for the following people:
Family members of those who have died,
Children caught up in these terrible circumstances,
Those whose homes have been destroyed,
People whose workplace & livelihood has been devastated.
We pray also for the process of recovery. We pray, through the
midst of heartache and hard work, that there will be
opportunities for the grace of God to be woven into the fabric
of new beginnings. Heavenly Father, as thousands of people
have been faced with mortality, we pray that their hearts will be
drawn to eternity and to the salvation that comes through faith
in Jesus Christ alone.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent,and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a timefor peace.
El Kanah Marysville – More than a Guest House
El Kanah has been a place of refuge and restoration for many people. It was a restored Tudor Guest House from the 1930’s and retained much of its
original charm.
One of El Kanah’s main aims has been to provide a place of belonging, offering subsidised and low priced accommodation to various guest groups.
In particular they have served those who are disadvantaged or in special need of care such as single mums & their children, children from abused
backgrounds and many others. Part of their service has been to offer professional counselling at heavily subsidised rates.
Situated in Marysville, El Kanah is now focusing on providing a caring ministry to their own community. During this time of rebuilding they will offer their
counselling services to residents. Located practically next door to the Marysville temporary village El Kanah are also setting up a coffee shop as a place
where people can find a listening ear.
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Breakaway Camps Inc.
Breakaway Camps has been a provider of camping programmes using
other people’s facilities. Recently Breakaway purchased a property of their
own. At the time of the fires the property did not have any manager and so
it was unattended. Anxious days passed before it could be inspected for
damage. Praise God all the major buildings survived!
Since the fires Breakaway have been thrilled by the number of volunteers
who have dropped everything to help out, rebuilding a bridge on site that
was destroyed. Another wonderful praise point occurred. Originally half
the property was donated and half remained as a mortgage. This mortgage
has now been generously paid off. This will enable Breakaway to expand
the programmes they run to help more young people in the future.
The accommodation on the property survived. In the spirit of generosity
Breakaway are delaying the commencement of their own use of the
property and have offered their accommodation to others involved in
Christian camping.
Mobile Mission Maintenance
The headquarters of MMM in Whittlesea was destroyed by the fires, but the ministry of MMM was never found at headquarters. The mission of MMM is
found in the hundreds and thousands of individual people who give their own time and effort to assist others in building and maintenance projects around
Australia and around the world.
At this time it would be understandable if MMM gathered their troops to rebuild their own headquarters. What is more inspiring is their commitment to
helping others. MMM are not allowing these fires to divert them from their mission. Indeed they see that their calling at this time is to pour their own
resources into helping Christian churches, campsites and other Christian organisations with reconstruction work. Those who donate their labour to MMM
will be directed through to projects that assist other Christian work – just like they always have!
Camp Narbethong
Upper Plenty Conference Centre
Dale & Sue Bradshaw were terrified during the fires, but God led them all
the way. Their original evacuation plan was to turn left from their
property, but under God’s hand they turned right. Had they turned left
they would not be here today.
Life has seemed relentless for the staff and volunteers of Upper Plenty Conference Centre.
Fires threatened the site continually for 6 gruelling days during which constant vigilance was
required, resulting in very little sleep. During this time they had to evacuate a group that was
on site and cancel another. Their fatigue was mixed with sorrow at the tragic death of David
Stokes, brother of Howard & Wendy Stokes.
The biggest challenge Dale & Sue now face is rebuilding. They have
nothing but themselves yet they are filled with hope for the future and
where God will lead them. Please pray for God’s guidance as they work
with builders in reconstructing their centre.
Since the fires their attention has been taken up with the all the usual tasks of running a
conference centre, caring for and working with guest groups. However there have also been a
multitude of additional activities; finding housing for David’s family, helping them move in,
replacing fencing and so forth.
Dale & Sue send this message:
“We would love to take the opportunity to thank all the people for their
loving kindness through this time of stress. God’s humanity working as
the Kingdom of God on earth is amazing to say the least. We have been
graced with our lives but the Camp is no longer.
Some houses were destroyed in the fires, but by the grace of God, the centre’s main buildings
were saved. Please pray for God’s hand upon the Stokes as they continue to serve Him by
serving their guests.
We are still overwhelmed at the notes of love and encouragement to
move forward as our wonderful Campers have shown. It really seals the
desire to rebuild and move forward as each step unfolds.”
The Roller Coaster by Barbara Gellert
ESA by Barbara Gellert
“On Black Saturday, at 3.45 pm, conditions seemed to be deteriorating. Allan (Gellert, Manager of ESA Camping & Conference Centre) returned to the
CFA who told him to ‘evacuate our campers’. A meeting was called, clear and calm instructions were given and the campers had left by 5pm. At 6.30
pm we saw flames about 1km away and decided we too needed to evacuate. By 7pm it went black, the noise was incredible and we knew it was time
to go. I remember standing at my desk and saying “Lord, guide me to what I need to get”. I have been blessed by what we did grab – including Allan’s
briefcase with the ESA backup hard drive. We evacuated to Alexandra – the only way out – and congregated at the home of Peter and Wendy Geldart,
ESA Field staff workers.
And so ended a day we will never forget, when we knew God to be with us in an incredible way. Our campers and staff are all safe even though our
campsite is devastated and two staff houses (including ours) are gone.
What does one say after the events of recent history? So many lives have been turned upside down, pain is excruciating and tears fall so readily.
The roller coaster chugged its way so slowly to the top that we were almost lulled into some sort of complacency and we were unprepared as it rolled over
the crest and hurtled down into the depths. We were startled by the intensity of the grief and the anguish that met us at the bottom and we wondered if
we would be able to get through this and climb out of it ever again. We somehow knew that it wouldn’t be our own doing – our resolve had all but
disappeared. And as we approached the rise we felt a stirring, a power greater than our own and we felt the climb commence. What was it that had the
power to lift us out of this pit-like place? IT WAS LOVE. It was like God’s hand reached down and grabbed the carriage and pulled – slowly at first so we
had time to deal with our pain and leave it behind. And we began to sense that Jesus, as He hung on the cross, loved all of mankind. He loved the
arsonists. He loved those who caused so many to lose their homes and livelihoods. He died for them. He hung there for the sins of the whole world and
much of His grief was because so many, He knew, didn’t care – weren’t interested – wanted only their own way.
But love kept pulling us up the slope into a new day and we sensed the companionship, the reality and the absolute drawing of a love that would never let
us down. We knew peace like we’d never known before and this time as we reached the peak there seemed to be a hope, the sense of a plan, the
knowledge we were not alone. God would walk into this new day with us and we needed to take His hand and trust Him to take us on with Him where
love, joy and peace abound.
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Reflections on a Rebuild
Greenhills Canberra
PAULA’S STORY - Recovery From Bushfires
A personal recalling of the events in Canberra in 2003 and of the
recovery of Greenhills Centre. Written in 2006, it is particularly
relevant today in light of the Victorian Bushfires and their toll on
Christian campsites.
Paula & Ed Challenger
Managers, Greenhills Camp & Conference Centre, ACT
Greenhills Centre is all about a ministry and mission outreach. The
Centre comprises a set of facilities and services that provide for
live-in training for church, youth and community groups within a
Christian environment that are focused on personal growth and
development. To achieve these we obviously need adequate
facilities.
The loss of 88 beds and two meeting halls, outdoor recreation
facilities and extensive landscape in the January 2003 bushfires,
had cut our capacity in half. It is now several years since the fires,
but the impact was so profound that it is appropriate to recall the
event and how it has led to our recovery so far.
It was a hot, windy, combustible Saturday. The surrounding
bushland had been ablaze for over a week. But, apart from the
smell and haze of smoke, life at Greenhills continued. We still had
magnificent views of the tree covered Brindabella ranges, flowering
shrubs, freshly mown grass and 150 tall pine trees that stood
proudly around our boundaries. Ninety-one fire fighters from the
previous day and night shifts slept in the dormitories of the Cotter
Units.
As the fires approached, we watched the flames plunge over and
roar down the beautiful Brindabella hills to the north-west. The fact
that we were directly in its path was still not a reality to us. The sky
darkened, the wind and heat intensified as another fire front
exploded towards us from the north.
The next hour and a half would change the face of Greenhills
forever. All of the firefighters, Greenhills executive officer, the chef,
a relief manager plus Ed and me - 96 people in total - headed for
cover in the main dining and auditorium building.
As the firestorm raged around and over us, we crouched at the
back wall of the auditorium, swaddled in wet towels and breathing
through tea towels. It was like a bomb shelter! The air in the room
became contaminated with smoke and debris. As soon as the
worst of the fire had passed overhead, we were ushered upstairs
into the main dining room. In the blackness, we watched the Cotter
Centre’s dormitories and recreation halls explode and burn. Later,
we were able to go outside and put out spot fires around the main
building, our residence and the cabins that remained.
Our relief to be alive somehow, overshadowed the impact of the loss and that we had not lost everything. It was not until a few days later
when Max Hill, the founder of Greenhills Centre, sat at the edge of the crumbled ruins, that I began to imagine his thoughts of the great
loss of effort by so many people, as he gazed into the destruction. These, now destroyed, buildings and facilities had been the fruits of
the work of dedicated and committed Christian people whose faith and determination had turned a vision into a reality. In these ashes lay
the memories of the beginning of Greenhills, the struggles, disappointments and eventual successes of these people – and the fond
memories of the many groups that had enjoyed, and been blessed, in this special place.
When the sun rose on Sunday 19 January, we walked through the devastation, checked the buildings still standing and tried to assess
our priorities, unable to grasp the extent of damage and the enormous task ahead. Those trees left standing on the nearby hills were black
and smoldering, our boundary of pine trees destroyed, the ground charred and barren.
Over the next days, weeks then months, we were encouraged, inspired and humbled by the generosity, love and support of so many
people. One prime example was Cyril Tresize who came out every day with drums of fuel to keep lights and fridges going, and newspapers for us. The only power we had was from four generators – and I didn’t even use my hair dryer, as it took too much power. At the front
of the residence – miraculously saved – Ed and I had set up a table and chairs and a barbeque to boil the billy. This became the meeting
place for those who came to offer help.
inspired and
humbled by the
generosity, love
and support
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One of the things I remember very clearly, was the hugs that were given by people arriving for the first time after the fires – full of emotion,
tears, joy, relief, compassion and hope. Those simple hugs gave us strength and, more importantly, an awareness of the value of life.
Committee members, volunteers, Friends of Greenhills and other acquaintances, reinforced that we are not just part of the workforce, but
valued members of an extended Greenhills family.
These same people rallied to clean up the ash, to wash curtains and mattress covers, to paint walls and clean up what remained, so that
we could function again as soon as possible. From the first day, we were encouraged and strengthened in our resolve to, not only survive,
but to overcome and rebuild.
One of the less pleasant necessities at this time was to notify the numerous groups of cancellations to their bookings of Cotter Units
accommodation. It was not just the refunds of deposits, but more the disappointments – and in some cases disbelief – that the place that
had been home to their group for many years, no longer existed. More and more we became aware that our loss was felt and shared by
a much wider community.
We knew that operating on half a site would, inevitably, result in a marked loss of income. We were under no illusion that the rebuilding
process would be a long and difficult one. Could we remain viable in the meantime? Would groups still attend, using the Murrumbidgee
Units that had survived the fires, to come to a burnt campsite? Many of these groups requested to see the site, before confirming bookings, to determine if the visual aspects and grounds were acceptable or too depressing to complement the purpose of their gathering.
Greenhills had become known cynically as “Blackhills”.
by Kingsley Alley
Patience
...full of emotion, tears, joy,
relief, compassion and hope
With 88 beds and two meeting halls lost, we were restricted to
accommodating only one group at a time. So the Management
Committee resolved to construct another hall, completed in 2004,
to enable us to service two groups simultaneously. We purchased
additional bedding for groups whose numbers now exceeded our
capacity, as they were determined to still come.
Bookings for the reduced facilities continued to increase in 2003,
2004 and 2005. Part of this increase was the loss of other camps
that had fallen victim to the January 2003 fires, reducing the
availability for group accommodation around the ACT. My belief is
that God’s blessing is on this place and that He would ensure that
His ministry here would continue. However, He does not work
alone and there were many people chosen to do the groundwork.
Many individuals and groups – from churches, community and
special interest organizations – have given their time, money and
skills plus plain hard work, to bring about the recovered Greenhills
Centre. These include the stand-alone office and workshop, new
Cotter Centre, with modern accommodation for 66 people, John
Louttit Rotary Hall and landscape re-establishment by the end of
2006.
The management Committee members and their supportive
spouses and families, have been the cog turning the wheel of
redevelopment. Without their planning and direct contributions,
the works would not have come to fruition. Together with the other
volunteers from churches and Rotary, they have spread countless
barrows of mulch and planted hundreds of trees and shrubs.
Rebuilding has been a well-orchestrated production. Our
conductor is Executive Officer Harold Small, who – although not
composing all the music, nor playing every instrument – has been
responsible for the harmony and ultimate success of our
combined efforts. He has given countless hours – all as a
volunteer – to the Centre. His love for Greenhills and its purpose is
infectious. This has enabled him to work patiently ‘behind the
scene’ with some setbacks and struggles to gain approvals,
contracts, finance and resources to carry out rebuilding. His
example of faith and commitment has been a stronghold for us
over the past four years.
We are constantly aware of Psalm 121:1 that “Unless the Lord
builds the house, its builders labour in vain” So I thank God
for His provision to allow us to continue our ministry in this
special place called Greenhills.
Paula Challenger, November 2006
PS. The Greenhills Centre now operates as a 174 camp bed
facility with three large meeting rooms, five lounges, four family
cabins, fully catered dining room for up to 200 people, large
auditorium with breakout rooms and a landscape setting with
magnificent views of the Brindabella ranges. It was the spring of
2005 before the black hills became green again – and now
somewhat browner with the drought. Bookings have increased
from 7000 bed nights in 2003 to over 16000 in 2007 with the new
facilities in place. Effort is now being devoted to outdoor facilities
for recreation and environmental education as the newer and
recovering landscaping matures.
My father, a senior officer in the headquarters of The Salvation Army, was a completely unflappable and phlegmatic character
whose approachability, in spite of his high rank, was legendary. Most people who knew him called him by his first name Syd,
even in those days of more rigid relationships than the comparative informality of today. (This was rather ironic since Syd was
his second name!)
Everyone, including his only son, knew him as a supremely patient man whose dry sense of humour defused many a tense
situation. Yet he once told me that he was the most impatient man who ever lived, but God had given him the victory over this
character flaw. I must confess that I have prayed over many years for an emulation of his patience without a lot of evidence of
this fruit of the Spirit.
I was once told by a senior executive in the commercial close care like this!” How right she was as perhaps only those
industry in which I was involved for seven years that my who have been there will know.
impatience was a mark of great potentiality, if I could just
In these days I have had to ask the Lord for the grace of deep
harness it into productive channels.
patience following some occasions of impatience when I feel
In recent months, as many of you will know, I have been thrust that I have not only failed my wife, but the representation I
into a situation of accelerated care that has called for a greater endeavour to bear to her of the Lord Jesus.
degree of patience that I would ever thought would be
required of me. I have been called upon to care for my life’s There is a thread running in Scripture that overwhelmingly
companion with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease with the reveals our Heavenly Father’s supreme patience. Even in Old
Testament days people like Nehemiah and Jeremiah led their
subsequent deterioration of her mind.
people in times of confession and repentance. Nehemiah
A few weeks ago I was speaking with a lady who has a similar prayed these words, “Yet for many years You had patience
close care of her husband albeit with a different malady than with (us)” [9:30] while Jeremiah spoke of God’s “enduring
that of my beloved. One of the things she said to me was, “You patience” (15:15).
learn a lot about yourself when you’re called upon to give
(continued page 20)
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2. RE-EVALUATE YOUR MISSION STATEMENT
The vision must have its roots in a mission statement that places God’s
creation in high visibility in the whole camp’s purpose and curriculum.
3. WRITE A TENTATIVE PROPOSAL
Brainstorm and refine your vision until it reflects your camp realistically.
Include in this proposal the following details:
• vision and mission statement
• potential income and expenses
• rate schedule
• staffing
• use of Facilities
• natural area use
• recreational options
• food services
• day and/or resident programme
• marketing plans
• curriculum offerings
• start up dates
• target groups
• other
Address obstacles and objections as clearly as possible. Once a rough
draft is completed, then it is reviewed by leadership and revised as
needed. This proposal can later be rewritten as your programme manual
and eventually your administrative and staff manuals.
By Sterling W. Edwards
School’s in Session
How to start a quality Outdoor Education Programme on your property to attract midweek educational groups.
Many Christian camps and conference centres are seriously considering utilising their facilities, natural areas and staff in a variety of outdoor
learning programmes for local and regional education groups.
Designing and developing a quality outdoor education (OE) programme at your camp assumes that you have first considered a teaching /
learning model that reflects your camp’s vision and mission statement.
This model visualises OE as an education ministry rather than a camping, school camping or youth retreating focus. In fact, avoid using camping
language in your OE literature. This model speaks of structured outdoor learning classes with daily schedules, learning objective, outdoor
classrooms, outdoor learners and outdoor teachers using outdoor teaching methods. Nature/science would be clearly central in your curriculum. Classes in local history, outdoor skills and directed challenge course activities are included in your OE programme. This education OE
model is much more in sync with school goals, learning objectives, teaching techniques, learning models and local or district environmental
curriculum standards.
Typical OE curriculum includes:
a. forest studies
b. vertebrate animals
c. plant life
d. astronomy
A vision without a task is a DREAM.
e. low and high ropes
A task without a vision is TOIL.
f. special hikes
A vision with a task is MINISTRY.
g. aquatic studies
h. invertebrate animals
i. geology
j. orienteering
k. local settler history
l. meterology
Let’s look at ten design and development components which you will
need to address as you begin planning your OE ministry. These guidelines are all components of the building process and are rooted in
Proverbs 24:3-4.
By wisdom a house (OE programme) is built, and through understanding it (OE programme) is established; through knowledge its rooms
(curriculum, facilities, classrooms) are filled with rare and beautiful
treasures (God’s Word and God’s creation events and things).
1. FORMULATE YOUR VISION
First comes the OE Vision and an excitement for the development
process. Here is where the camp administrator and a “spark plug” OE
director dialogue and write, then communicate the vision to the camp
board. Once the vision has both content and direction, it is time to go
to work developing the 7 building blocks of the OE ministry: Start up,
Administration,
Staffing,
Curriculum,
Daily
Programme,
Facilities/Resources and Marketing (see 3).
4. DEFINE YOUR TARGET GROUPS
Defining groups to which you wish to market your OE programme is
based on your educational model. You want to market an excellent,
well-designed and well-instructed programme. These are many of the
typical large groups in the educational community:
Christian schools
Public schools
Home schools
Private, parochial schools
Day schools
Special needs schools
Church youth groups
Community groups (Boy Scouts, etc.)
5. TYPICAL FACETS OF AN OE PROGRAMME
a. Instructional classes using curriculum that you write or adapt that you
will teach in appropriate natural areas of your camp.
b. Food services that may include all meals for resident programmes or
lunch for day groups, which are served in your dining hall.
c. Student and adult fellowship in lodging, dining and recreational areas
during free time or school planned sessions, such as games, devotions,
firesides or other school events.
d. Group management challenges that include meal procedures, class
discipline, free time supervision, all group orientations and risk
management issues.
7. FINANCING YOUR OE PROGRAMME
In a general way, you can predetermine your proposed income
(proposed numbers of participants times cost per person for 1-5 day
events). The lodging fee, meal fee and instructional fee equal cost per
participant. Your expenses are generally salaries, equipment needs,
food purchases, administrative cots, marketing expenses and pro-rated
utilities.
Your camp will need to set aside start up funding to get the programme
going. A well-designed marketing plan is essential to getting OE schools
to participate.
8. MARKETING YOUR PROGRAMME
Once you have identified your target groups, then you need to get the
word out. Here are some suggestions:
• brochures
• visits
• orientations
• newletters
• phone calls
• exhibits
• VCR or DVD
• emails
9. USING YOUR FACILITIES AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Using your facilities/resources depends on what you have and its
availability for you OE programme. Consider:
• lodging areas
• instructional materials
• meeting rooms
• food services
• nature centre
• trails
• outdoor classrooms (natural areas)
• recreational options
• challenge course
10. YOUR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMME
In addition to your outdoor teachers, it is your outdoor curriculum taught
in your outdoor classrooms that is the reason why school groups come
to your programme! The daily instruction by your staff is the centrepiece
of your OE programme … it is the sphere of experiential learning and
impact … it is who you are! Your daily schedule includes meals,
instructional time, free time and utilises time wisely and productively. It
is your primary connection with a school’s mission and educational
programme.
Sterling Edwards has a Master’s degree in Science Education. He has taught in
public, parochial and Christian schools for 16 years. He recently retired as Director
of OE and OE teacher after 18 years at Spruce Lake Outdoor School in PA, USA.
He has led OE workshops for CCCA sectionals and national conferences. He can
be contacted at Hisotherbook@yahoo.com
6. STAFFING YOUR OE PROGRAMME
There are two staffing challenges. One is the OE director and the other
are the outdoor teachers.
The OE director should be a leader who is capable of high energy,
competent in writing educational curriculum, enjoys reading and
research, is a good communicator, has a clear vision, has plenty of office
and outdoor time, is innovative and creative, very self-directed and
purpose driven. This is not a staff person who already wears five hats!
Your whole programme’s success depends on qualified outdoor
teachers. These persons must love God and His creation. They should
be educators at heart, have adequate knowledge in nature/science,
understand different learning/age levels, can manage groups and can
integrate spiritual and natural truth.
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Head of the food chain
KEVIN EDWARD JOHN POOL
HEAD COOK - CYC THE ISLAND
Thankyou for this opportunity to share my Camping Journey and experience with you.
It all began many years ago. I was on a C.Y.T.A. Christian Youth Tour to the Snowy Mountains in June 1971, and
I felt the Lord speaking to me about a change in direction of my life. However, it wasn’t until January 20, 1972 I was on a work weekend to C.Y.T.A. Lodge, Cooma and just before we left to return to Sydney, the Lodge
Manager (Merv Clair) was closing off in prayer - when I felt a real commitment to God to come and follow Him.
It was so real that not only did I become a Christian at that moment, handing my life over to God, but I knew
that He wanted me in full time Christian Camping. WOW, what an exciting moment for me, one that continues
to this very day.
So after starting my full time Christian Camping Ministry on April 1, 1972 I was off and running on what I call the
longest C.Y.T.A. Tour there was. It has taken me to only 2 States, N.S.W and Victoria and has been going for 37
years now.
God has taught me a great deal in my journey from the mountain tops of Cooma to the valley (Mill Valley Ranch),
to the sea below (CYC The Island) on Phillip Island.
Often people will ask me what has been the highlight of my camping experience. To which I reply “Knowing that
I have always been where God wanted me to be with some of the finest people I know”. Some say, “Do you ever
regret not Managing a Campsite?” I say, “a resounding NO”. I have been offered the position on 3 occasions
but you have to know where you fit in and God made it very clear that He wanted me to be the “Back-Up”
person and one that was happy to work behind the scenes. My mentor is Barnabas, an encourager and one to
push and help others in the top job, so to speak. I saw my job in Christian Camping as top anyway.
My saddest times or down times have been when the Lord had made it clear to me that it was time to move on
to another Campsite of His choosing.
“Kev Pool - you were C.Y.T.A. Lodge! And you will be missed by all”. That was powerful for me and gave me the strength and
determination to carry on to my next big adventure to Mill Valley Ranch in Victoria. Again God showed me that I was in camping for
the long haul. As a matter of fact it was almost 20 years at the Ranch and it took me 5 years to leave there. Another sad time for me
but also exciting as the tour continued. Arthur and Bonnie are very inspirational people to work with and (if you know Bonnie) plenty
of laughs. I was the only staff member to get a building named after them, before they left (in fact some 3 years prior) – that was
also an honour.
This year will be my 10th year at CYC The Island. Going on my past stays at Camps it could be another 25 years, well after
Retirement. Oh boy what a tour. By now some of you that are new to Christian Camping may wonder what I do. My job position is
Cook-Catering Officer and have been churning out meals for kids and older folk for the last 37 years or so. What a privilege it has
been. Ministry to the interior.
“My mentor is Barnabas, an encourager and one to push and help others in the top job.”
Other areas of Ministry I have been involved in are World Vision sponsorship – currently 15 children and 1 Hospital. On a Monday
(my day off), a coffee ministry at Mad Cows Coffee Shop on the Esplanade in Cowes from 10am – 12 Noon. What a time and the
tour continues.
There is so much to say but very little space. Perhaps I will write a book one day eh!
All praise to our Lord Jesus for taking me on this most wonderful journey through Christian Camping.
Kevin Pool CYC The Island
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”
From the mountains to the valley and down to the sea below I’ve always been where God wanted me to be. K.P.
It took me 2 years to leave C.Y.T.A. Lodge in Cooma. When I did, Kev Craik (whom most of you know as First
Call Kev) our General Manager said to all present at my farewell in Sydney (which was a great tribute to receive),
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Patience (cont’d)
The story is told of a young Christian who went to his older
mentor and asked him, “Will you pray for me that I might be
more patient?” His mentor agreed and they knelt together and
the older man prayed, “Lord, send this young man tribulation
in the morning, tribulation in the afternoon and tribulation...” At
this point the young man blurted out, “I didn’t ask you to pray
In Romans Paul describes God as “the God of patience” [15:5] for tribulation, I asked you to pray for patience!” To which this
and prays for the Christians in Rome “to be like-minded perceptive saint said, “Ah, but it’s through tribulation that we
toward one another.” When he writes to his young protégé in learn patience!”
the faith he lists six similar qualities to the “fruit of the Spirit”
that doubtless he saw as peculiar to Timothy’s needs and When Paul writes to the Romans he speaks of the glorious
among them is “patience”, perhaps a reflection of the hope of Heaven that is the inheritance of the believer and he
“longsuffering” of Galatians. [1 Tim.6:11] So what does this all says, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not
hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if
mean for us?
we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for
In praise of two of the seven churches of The Revelation the it.” [8:24,25]
Risen Christ commends them for their great patience in times
of extreme trial - Ephesus [2:2] and Thyatira [2:19]. Then later Therefore it’s my prayer that I, and you, increasingly learn
on in this great book, patience is inextricably linked with faith through life’s chances and changes the grace of patience, and
[13.10] and this gives me, at least, a clue as to the exercising that above all we remember that such patience is not only to
of the trait of patience that I so much need in increasing make us more like Jesus here and now, but is also fitting us for
our ultimate destination – eternity.
measure these days.
CHAPLAINS
Kingsley & Pamela
Alley QLD
Errol & Dot
Woodbury NSW
Les & Marj
Batchelor TAS
Design: threelittlewords.com.au - COM-26
Many years later James, the earthly brother of Jesus, wrote
about the suffering and patience of the prophets and called us
to a similar example in our everyday lives. It was his insistence
that “the testing of our faith produces patience” [1:3] He also
exhorts us to “let patience have its perfect work.” [2:4]
Laurie & Rohna
Venables WA, SA & NT
Our chaplains are
available to provide
pastoral care & support
to members through
visitation, telephone
support & crisis/emergency
response.
To contact your nearest
chaplain call
1800 088 249
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