1995 - 2000
Place: Nazarene District Center, Howell, MI
1995--104 campers 1996--108 campers
1997--90 campers 1998--68 campers
1999--82 campers 2000--90 campers
Director: Tim Begeman
Nazarene campground is now our home and we have grown used to it. It has a lot going for it. One thing that is different here is that we have cabins for boys or girls and then dorms for the other. There is an indoor basketball court by the dorms and they like that. We still miss the "away from everything feel" but life and camp change constantly.
There was a big change in 1998 as we decided to end camp on Friday night after a big vespers. We have lots of parents for guests and most staffers have liked the change. That change brought another--now we have to have the pizza party at lunch. The winning cabins are escorted into tablecloth draped tables decorated with flowers and served by Director Tim and Elder Moore all dressed up in white shirts, ties, jackets and shorts with a towel over the arm.
Our teaching staff try to co-ordinate the lessons together--Rob Vaughn, Kay Nevil, Joe Smeltzer, Jon Lane and Charlie Moore with many younger teaching helpers.
Our Dirt Balls go on under Lisa Begeman, Jamie Vargas and many others.
Our nursing staff becomes more important as the state steps up requirements. Melinda Begeman is in charge.
Camp music has become quite a ministry under Kathy Smeltzer, Kay and Jim Nevil, Sally and Lloyd Smith.
Peggy Charles still heads up our Nature Classes with many helpers.
The cooperation of each staff member under Tim's leadership is wonderful.
Our waterfront staff is important here as the swimming area is over their heads. There is a big swim test to pass before the kids can go to the raft, proudly displaying their bracelets. Brian and Tim Begeman and Kelly Gabriel or Stephanie McCaskey take care of all that!
Crafts continue under the able hands of Sally Smith, Dale and Don Begeman, Sonya Pease with Diane continuing basket making.
The kitchen continues to serve great meals and better peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (ask Helen Belcher) with a great clean-up crew. A special award should go to Ruth Charles, Gerry Begeman, and Geneva Begeman for longevity. New staff men we couldn't do without are Dave Fedor and Jeff Begeman. In 1998 Jeff put all the menus on computer and analyzed them for their nutritional content (I'll bet the inspectors never saw that before).