1985 - 1989
Places: 1985--Mill Lake 87 campers
1986-88--Cedar Lake 1986--90 campers
1987--99 campers
1988--90 campers
1989--Mill Lake 101 campers
Directors: 1985 Don Begeman 1986 Rob Vaughn
1987-89 Don Begeman & committee
Mill Lake and Cedar Lake camps were close to each other and it depended on which was available these years. We were having more and more difficulty keeping one of the state camps for good dates.
In 1985 we had permission to release helium balloons as camp closed with the message of John 3:16 inside. What a beautiful sight it was as they floated into the sky.
Our water safety program had been under Kay and Kathy for quite awhile and in 1986 Tim Begeman and Jon Lane took over that task. Berty Lane replaced Jon in the latter 80's.
In 1987 Dick Lane our leader of morning devotions and vespers had to have another open heart surgery (his fourth) and died about a month later. Big change in 1988--The Elder decided he would retire from the scene of camp. He had taught since the onset and would rest on his laurels. These two were missed greatly and left a hole in our staff that we are proud to say has been filled by younger persons. If different volunteers had not stepped up and taken over many times our camp would have had to close.
Our "Dirt Balls" have been an integral part of camp and 1987 was a special year. Peggy Charles and Nancy Begeman were in charge and took them for a walk in the woods and they got a little uncertain about where they were. Here is a quote from Kenny Smith "We're in the middle of nowhere and we're going the wrong way." and Daniel Vaughn asked "Will I ever see my mother again?'' Nancy was carrying two of them when they arrived back at camp. They had a screaming contest while in the woods and the adults think they won that year.
Crafts: Headed by Dewey Chapman, wind tunnels in 1985, ceramic picture frames in 1986 and a decorative sled in 1989.