The machines are at work!

There are exciting sights and sounds at Camp Arcadia! As the construction equipment comes in and out, the excitement surrounding the new Chapel on the Beach can really be felt.

Several of the required permits have been filed and approved allowing some of the work to begin on the construction site of the new Chapel on the Beach. The first step was to clear the area to make way for the large earth moving machines. Once a path was cleared to the location, work could begin on clearing out the brush and a few trees.

Once the necessary area was cleared, work to move the ground to the necessary grade began. Several days of moving the existing dirt and then bringing in some additional sand allowed the work crew to begin to create the “bowl” that will serve as the foundation of the amphitheater style chapel.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

The view walking Southbound approaching the location.

The "grade" of the amphitheater style chapel is starting to become visible.

Dutchman's Breeches, growing near Camp Arcadia. Photo by Chip May.

For many of us, finding the right gift for a mother can be a daunting task.  Here is something that might be the right match for the mother in your life.

Send her to a Women’s Retreat this September.  A Women’s Retreat Weekend is an opportunity for her to become renewed and refreshed in fellowship with other women.

Click here to see a certificate that you can slip into a card letting her know about your gift for her.

Steve and Kandi Roskam, 2011

“We first started coming to Camp 12 years ago when we were looking for a place to have our “Annual Roskam Highlife Family Reunions”. These have been going on since 1990 when my brothers and sisters became very intentional about creating an opportunity for our kids to know each other as they grew up. We had spread out all over the country and were afraid that the next generation of Roskams would not know each other. It worked! As a result of the time that our 16 kids spent together they are now young adults all over the world and are in relationship with each other. We gathered every year from 1990 until 2007 when there started to be attrition due to changes in jobs and kids growing up. It has now reached the point where the only family that is able to come to Camp is ours along with my Mom and Dad.

“At first it was really strange to be at Camp without the other 22 members of our extended family and I genuinely mourned the loss of our time together. But then a funny thing happened –- we made lots of new friends! Dear and wonderful people that have become our new Camp Family. So, while I will always cherish the time that I spent with my parents, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and am thrilled with the relationships that have grown out of our Camp Arcadia experiences, it has now changed into a different and equally wonderful experience for our family.”

The following excerpt from “Camp Arcadia – The First Sixty Years” by Frank W. Miller (1982, J.B. Publications) gives us perspective on how tennis has been a part of Camp for much of its 90 year history.

“Although it had been promised for the first summer, the initial clay tennis court was not constructed until the early summer of 1924. Some confusion has existed regarding whether one or two courts were built at that time. However, early photos clearly show only one court in existence. The probably cause of the confusion may be found in early local newspaper accounts which refer to the construction of a ‘fine double tennis court.’ The intent was, apparently, to show that the court was lined for doubles play as well as singles.

“A concrete tennis court was constructed in 1927 between the Inn and the Administration Building. The Onekama Lake Breeze gave the story front-page treatment…

“This court served admirably as both tennis and volleyball facility until 1947, when it was converted to the Plaza [now referred to as the Patio]. In order to replace this lost facility, an additional concrete court had been constructed the previous year on the site of the badminton court north of the Administration Building. These two courts, now known as the ‘Lake’ and ‘Woods’ courts, assume the dual functions of tennis and volleyball courts. Later, after the courts were resurfaced and lights installed for evening play, they became the center for square dancing. From time to time, discussions have been held regarding the construction of a third court. But cost and location remain major roadblocks.”

Very moist, rich and packed with chocolate. Mmmmm.

Here is Chef Kurt’s recipe for brownies.  He also shares an idea for how to use all those brownies left in the pan that no one has wanted to eat  (Yeh, right!).

Click here for the recipe.

Come to the Family Week of August 18–24, 2012 and save over 50% off the regular price of children ages 13 and under. Space is still available for this Family Week!

• Price for children ages 7 – 13 normally $295, REDUCED to $125 for August18 – 24, 2012
• Price for children ages 3 – 6 normally $200, REDUCED to $85 for August 18 – 24, 2012
• Learn more about the cost and speaker topics for this week here.

Family Weeks at Arcadia are times of inter-generational vacationing. The entire Family Week experience renews the whole person in fellowship with other Christians. Worshiping, playing, learning, resting and eating are all important parts of this rich community experience.

“In this world of technological distractions, we have all found such joy in getting back to basics: love, faith, family, friends, rest and fun.” -2011 Family Week Camper

As with all Arcadia Retreats, during this week the featured ‘dean’ and ‘lecturer’ will bring their knowledge and style to the program. Morning Bible study is offered Monday through Friday for adults; a children’s program runs concurrently.

• Learn more about family week retreats here.
• Learn more about the cost and speaker topics for this week here.

On our weekly surveys, we asked guests what the Camp Arcadia experience means to their family.  It’s not unusual for guests to reply similarly to this 2011 Family Week guest,

“This is a place to be with God and each other – few places are as simple, beautiful, and without distraction.  It has great food and accommodations, and has a beautiful beach with beautiful sunsets!”

Artist's rendering: Aerial view of the new Chapel on the Beach

Plans have been finalized and approved for the construction of the new Chapel on the Beach that will be located immediately south of Camp’s vehicle turn-around area. The project is expected to be completed in June, 2012 in time for the first Family Week Retreat.

The chapel will accommodate about 300 people and includes enough seating space for everyone at camp plus many cottagers. In addition to worship, the chapel will be used for the youth morning program, concerts, weddings, vespers, evening campfires and more.  The chapel will be wheelchair accessible, have comfortable stadium-style seating and include a robust sound system to ensure each and every program can be enjoyed by all!

Artist's Rendering: Sunset at the new Chapel on the Beach

Artist's Rendering: a portable fire pit will be used during some activities in the chapel.

Please check back to this website for more details about this project as it progresses. If you have questions, concerns, or are interested in donating to this project, please email executive director Chip May (chip@camp-arcadia.com) or call him at the Camp office, (231) 889-4361.

“Come Ye Back to RKD”, by Beverly Gay-Photiades, 11-11-2011

The view as guests walk from the turnaround to the front of the Inn.

“ ‘Come Ye Back to RKD’ … The sign posted at the camp exit beckons all those who see it to return again. And come back we do! When our family was new to Camp Arcadia, I was intrigued to hear the number of years other families had been coming to camp. Twenty, thirty, even forty years were routinely mentioned during the Saturday evening introductions. I wanted to know what compelled people to return and over the twenty years my family has been coming, I began to understand.   Certainly, people return to vacation with family and friends, to enjoy the delicious meals, the dean’s program, the morning program, the beach and all the camp activities. All are great reasons to return, but that is only part of the answer.

“The real reason we keep coming back is our love of the sense of connection and continuity camp brings into our lives. Camp connects the human and spiritual aspects of our lives to a place that devotes itself to helping these connections happen. I love that my family has had some of the same experiences each of the last twenty years-Sunday morning worship at Trinity, Trading Post visits, Capture the Flag games, Craft Shop projects, playing violin in the Camper Talent Shows and continues to look forward to doing them again with each return visit. I love that we have friends at camp — old ones and new ones we meet with each visit. All these have built a common base of experience that says “This is home”.

“I am connected to this place”.  In our busy lives, we often miss out on the joy that comes from being connected to others and having a sense of history in our lives. Contrary to the messages we get from the social media, connections are not about Instant Messages or Facebook postings. Connections are about the deep and abiding relationships that develop over time and will always be there in our lives. Camp is very much like the old childhood friend who continues to anchor our life throughout adulthood. The connection endures, even when separated by time and distance.

“This unchanging presence of Camp Arcadia in my life also reminds me of the unchanging presence of God in my life.  As my family returns each summer, we invariably comment on how the essence of camp never changes despite the constant upgrades made to its facilities and programs. It occurs to me that this is like God’s love for us–never changing and always abiding. So now I understand why people continue to come back to RKD. It is to weave the connection to others and God into the fabric of their lives in a way that endures over time.

The Photiades Family with Beverly's mother, Leona Gay. From left to right Christopher, Byron, Leona, Erica and Beverly Gay-Photiades.

“I am most reminded of this when I think about my Mom’s first visit to camp in 1994. My father had suddenly passed away three weeks before a scheduled visit to camp.  After much encouragement, I was able to persuade her to come join us at camp for what was to be a life-changing week. The compassion of other campers who had faced a major life loss helped heal her wounded spirit. She ate well, napped in the afternoon, took walks and made friends. One special friend was Ryan McKenna, all of about 14 years of age at the time. Like my mom, Ryan had a passion for flowers and gardening. By the end of the week she had an assortment of plants carefully placed in coffee cans awaiting transplant into her garden at home.  And so began a friendship based on ornamental grasses and balloon flowers. My mom lived to make nine more visits to Arcadia with us.  Each time we would pick her up for the trip Up North, she would ask us to wait while she dug up something from her garden to give to Ryan.  Each visit would end the same way with containers of flowers from Ryan going home to her garden.

Click the photo above to read more about balloon flowers.

“My mom passed away in 2006. The ornamental grasses and balloon flowers still have a special place in her flower bed. Each time I see her garden, I think about her first visit to camp with the healing and friendship it offered her at one of the darkest times in her life. I remember how she grew to love camp and looked forward to the next visit and more flowers. In this Arcadia story, I see the embodiment of connections and continuity brought to fruition. I see my Mom’s connection to Camp and a special friend. I see the presence of God’s healing hand. I see continuity as a piece of Arcadia continues to grow in her garden and as a piece of her continues to grow in Ryan’s garden.

“So this is why my family continues to return to Arcadia. If you were to ask me if we will be back again, my answer is a firm “Lord willing, we will see you in 2012”.

Pretzel at Camp Arcadia, 2011

Here is a great recipe to use this week as we finish the Lenten season.  The pretzel has, according to most sources, origins in German or French monasteries and can symbolize arms crossed over a chest.  Read up on the history of pretzels here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretzel

This simple recipe that has been made a number of times at Camp Arcadia and was originally given to Chef Kurt Harvey by Pastor Ron Glusenkamp.  Pastor Ron is a frequent dean at Camp Arcadia and led a pretzel making ‘workshop’ in the morning adult program in 2011. Here is a link to Pastor Glusenkamp’s Blog as he travels through Europe on sabbatical.

Recipe:
2 teaspoons dry yeast
1/4 teaspoon molasses
1  1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 3/4 cups milk
5  1/4 cups all purpose flour

egg wash
salt, seeds, or cinnamon sugar to top

Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer and kneed for 8 minutes on low speed. Adjust dough moisture by adding more flour or more milk until dough holds together, yet is still soft and elastic. Allow dough to proof for 2 hours, gently folding the dough every 30 minutes to remove gasses and further develop the dough.  Shape into 2 oz portions and fold into a pretzel shape, place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Brush with egg wash and desired topping.  Allow to proof for another 30 – 45 minutes.  Bake 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes until golden.  Yields 20 pretzels.

It is our pleasure to introduce the 2012 Camp Arcadia summer staff!   We are excited to share this news with you and ask that you pray for them as they finish up the school year and prepare for a summer of service at Camp Arcadia.  Most will arrive at Camp during Volunteer Opening Weekend scheduled for May 25-28, 2012.

Name – Hometown – College

Laura Becker – St. Louis, MO – Valparaiso U
Madeline Berger – Palatine, IL – Valparaiso U
Haley Bergman – St. Louis, MO – U of Missouri
Amanda Besa – Valencia, CA – College of the Canyons
Josh Bram – Waco, TX – Baylor U
Amanda Brandimore – Rochester Hills, MI – Wheaton College
Kristen DeWees – Bay Village, OH – Ohio Northern U
Neal Dierking – Hamilton, OH – U of Cincinnati
Ben Elling – Highland, MI – U of Michigan
Ana Eveler – Granger, IN – Valparaiso U
Sylvia Flachsbart – Haslet, TX
Matt Flachsbart – Haslet, TX – Baylor U
Katie Flachsbart – Haslet, TX – Baylor U
Elizabeth Gunckle – Troy, MI – Vanderbilt U
Leah Jaeger – Irvine, CA – Concordia U, Irvine
Amanda Kamrath – Livonia, MI – Schoolcraft Community College
Allison Lewis – Manchester, MO – U of Missouri
Mallory Lytikainen – Grand Rapids, MI – Grand Valley State U
Hannah Maier – Whitmore Lake, MI – Concordia U, Wisconsin
Janice McCraner – Arcadia, MI
Ryan McKenna – Bellevue, WA
Kacey Miller – Fairhope, AL – Concordia U, Texas
Emily Miller – Fairhope, AL – Concordia U, Wisconsin
Steven Neaton – Lenox, MI – Michigan State U
Evan Park – Ann Arbor, MI – Michigan State U
Andrea Pickelman – Holland, MI – Hope College
Molly Rathje – Port Huron, MI – Concordia U, Ann Arbor
Clare Robertson – Grand Rapids, MI Grand Valley State U
Adam Spagnuolo – Columbus, IN – Ball State U
Scott Tanner – Fenton, MO – Missouri U of Science and Technology
Christian Thomas – Shepherdstown, WV – West Virginia U
Andrew Tiemann – Valencia, CA – U of San Diego
Sonja Wall – Grand Rapids, MI – Concordia U, Wisconsin
Kristine Weber – Rochester Hills, MI – Concordia U, Wisconsin
Ellen Wendte – Glen Ellyn, IL – Rice U
Allyson Wetter – Macomb, MI Grand Valley State U
Erin Williams – Marion, OH – Ohio State U
Amy Wise – Clinton Township, MI – Valparaiso U
Andy Wyeth – Batavia, IL – Aurora U
Austin Wyeth – Aurora, IL – U of Illinois
Sarah Zielinksi – Leonard, MI – Hope College