Brooktondale Nazarene Camp and Retreat Center Board Meeting –26 July 2013
Held at Brooktondale Camp and Retreat Center, Brooktondale, NY
Started at 6 pm. Stan read a devotional from Acts 1:8. Dr. Sharpes opened in prayer.
Reviewed minutes from the 24 May & 6 July meetings.
Members present: Rev. Clare Pietra, Sarah McGrath, Jessica Cramer, Rev. John Cramer Sr., Cathy Lanning, Dr. Rev. David Sharpes, Stan McLain, Mark Cooper, Bruce Dickerson, Chris Brown
Members absent:Rev. Tim Maynard
Nonmembers in attendance: Mike Lanning, Richard Norman, Sue VanDusen, Dick VanDusen, Angela Keister, Rob Keister, Alice Brown. Deb Eddings, Doug Parks & Terri Ward were present to give reports.
Business:
Motion: Rev. John Cramer Sr. motioned to approve a cabin transfer from David Aaserud to Daniel Aaserud. Daniel Aaserud is a non-Nazarene. It is important to allow our campgrounds to be open to people from other denominations in the Wesleyan tradition.
Vote: Bruce Dickerson seconded, all in favor
Result: Motion carried
Motion: Sarah McGrath motioned to make a 2-year contract with Weebly for a domain name.
Vote: Dr. Sharpes seconded, all in favor
Result: Motion carried
Motion: Mark Cooper motioned to approve brooktondalecamp.com as our website’s domain name.
Vote: Bruce Dickerson seconded, all in favor
Result: Motion carried
Session ended at 9:08 with prayer by Rev. John Cramer Sr.
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SecretaryDate of Approval
Directors’ Reports:
Young Adult Retreat – Mark Cooper
Disappointed with numbers, but there were new people. Good messages from Doug Milne. Need to get the word out. Next year’s dates are May 29-June 1.
Family Camp – Deb Eddings
Struggled, but we got through it. Numbers were down. The weather was less than desirable. Camp was the weekend right after General Assembly. We had more young families this year. 116 people were registered by the start of the camp. Deb wants to shake the program up next year.
-Discussion: Is Sunday-Sunday a good way to schedule the family camp program, should we start on Sunday night?
-Discussion: We need housing for families
Camp 789 – Deb Eddings
It’s growing. It’s relatively new to Brooktondale. It was challenging not to have use of the tabernacle bathrooms and not having any A/C in the dorms above the rec center. We need more dorm housing. Stretch Dean (our speaker) was the highlight of the week. Deb pointed out that “facilities don’t stop what happens here.”
Kids’ Camp – Terri Ward
It’s tough to get workers. This camp was basically a “drama camp.” We had team leaders in addition to counselors and an ACT team in place of an ENC team. A water slide was brought in. It was expensive and required a lot of supervision. Its purpose: to attract more kids to come to camp. Jim Cox approved a higher budget. Terri’s biggest concern is lack of enthusiasm. This was a “young year.”
-Discussion: 40 is the break even number, we only had 38 kids. This camp is seriously “in the red.”
Sr. High Camp (had not occurred yet) – Doug Parks
Goals for senior high camp are to get teens to camp and for them to have fun and grow spiritually. About 90 were registered. Devotionals are made available. Instead of Taughannock Falls, the teens will be going to Greek Peak. Female counselors are still needed.
Urban Camp (had not occurred yet) – Rev. Clare Pietra
The age groups will be divided this year into kids (6-12) and youth (13-17). Each age group will be at camp for two days each. The goal is for them to experience God. The theme this year is Who is Our God?The cost per child is $35. They (campers & CITs) are earning their way this year through the lunch program at Valley Worship Center and must get approval. Prayers are needed that the funding will be available, everyone will be safe, and the campers will get a full experience of God. It costs about $3500 to run the camp. $1000 in hand, $1000 more is expected, which leaves $2500 left to be raised.
Discussion:
Snack Shack Leadership
Elizabeth Zolkosky has supervised the running of the Snack Shack this summer. We’ve had different people in charge each camp. There is a need for someone to take charge.
Tabernacle Restrooms
There have been setbacks. The showers are functioning.
Room Renovation – 41, 43, 45
Making the finishing touches.
Septic System
We need to get it done. We have plans in place.
Temporary Residence Camp Manual
Nancy Kupfersmith’s health has not allowed her to work on it.
Family Cabins with Toilets
It’s a slow process.
Heat & A/C
We’re buying used air conditioners. Dehumidifiers are being used for wet floors.
Sanctinasium
A survey is being taken. We’ll be reviewing the results at the next meeting.
Rooms 47-52
We need to keep the integrity of what is available in the rooms in line with what is being advertised. Pricing is to be decided with recommendations from Deb, Sarah, & Alice.
Kitchen Recommendations – Letter from Patty Cramer
- Patty recommended that Tina receive free lot & rent for her years of service to the camp.
-This recommendation was tabled.
- The washer and dryer need to be moved elsewhere (e.g. dry storage area.) Where they are now makes the kitchen even hotter and lint is in the air around food preparation. Shelves could be placed where the washer & dryer are now. The Health Department should be consulted.
- The cooks shouldn’t have to ask for their pay on time (there have been a few times when they’ve had to ask about it.)
- Separate storage for kitchen stuff was requested. Things get “borrowed”.
- The kitchen budget comprises other areas like bathroom supplies and snack shack expenses. It needs to be broken up better to show a more accurate picture.
- There needs to be a staff supervisor (Patty recommended John Cramer II)and an orientation for workers.
Future Board Meetings
Next Meeting:October 4th (7-9 pm) – at the campgrounds
Other Meetings: Apr. 5, 2014 – at the District Office
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