Guest Post: Shira of Water 2

First off... let me say water 2 is having a wonderful time at Ferncliff Presbyterian Camp... Being here at Ferncliff is such an eye opener for others and me. Ferncliff has shown me so many things in just a couple a weeks, such as: teamwork, welding, demolishing a cabin, building a deck, salvaging wood, and plenty more. The best lesson that I have learned is to be more grateful and thankful for the things and people around me.


Ferncliff has been, and still is, such a big impact on the community. I have not once heard any bad comments about it. When we first arrived we were greeted by the security officers who just happened to be David Gill’s, our sponsor’s son Joel, Joel’s wife Ashley and cute little daughter named Margie. They were all very nice and welcoming, as were the rest of the staff and residence of Ferncliff... It felt like home. Soon after, we met our work supervisor Steve Wilson. Steve is very nice and easy going. He knows just about anything and every thing when it comes to fixing things and can teach you every thing he knows in under 5 minutes

We took a tour of Ferncliff Presbyterian Camp in a 15-passenger solar cart. Ferncliff is as beautiful as the pictures make it look. It’s a very peaceful and serene environment and there are plenty of things to do on-site. We all have gone on great hikes, bike rides, took a paddle boat on the Ferncliff Lake, bon fires, and we have attempted to fish.

Here at Fern Cliff our objective was to build a deck and fix up things on site. The first thing we did was pre-set the deck and demolished a house, which we did in two weeks. We also salvaged wood for future use and welded things together for the deck. It has been a great experience. I realized how hard it is to be a construction worker. Some of us are doing things we have never seen ourselves doing in a lifetime but we love the feeling we get after each day of work. Water 2 is GETTING THINGS DONE!!!

For my very first spike with Water 2, Ferncliff was the best decision made for us... it has given Water 2 a great chance to get to know one another and the history of greatness.

Ferncliff has a lot of history and has changed a lot of lives. So we are very proud to be apart of the legacy. There have been numerous AmeriCorps teams before us. When you walk the camp you see the marks they have left; and pretty soon you will see water 2 Class 17 2010.

Shira Bradley

AmeriCorps NCCC class 17

Water 2 2010