@ Ferncliff

More Americorps Reflections

2011-02-28T08:56:00.001-06:00

Lucky us, we've been joined for the last couple of months by yet another superb Americorp team. Here's one of the team's members--Jacob--sharing about the team's time with us:

Since coming to Ferncliff Camp, our Americorps NCCC team of nine have enjoyed our stay in the Little Rock area. Working five days a week along side Steve Wilson, the camp’s amazing operations manager, our team has helped fix up the camp for summer campers and other groups who will use the campground around the year.

Americorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a federally-funded, ten month long program that allows individuals ages 18 to 24 the opportunity to serve with various non-profit organizations throughout the year. Teams of eight to twelve individuals spend one to two months working with that program on a project that that organization has developed. Americorps NCCC has had a relationship with Ferncliff Camp since 1999, and over twenty teams have worked with the camp since then.

In our time at Ferncliff, our team has helped to re-wire three cabins, demolished the chimney and framed part of the roof of Red Oak One, Two, and Dogwood One, as well as helped with landscaping around the cabins. We have also installed new insulation in four cabins and helped organize the storage area in the D.A.C. In the past two weeks we have transformed the area around the cabins, installing barriers to control traffic and creating a parking area in the back, while soiling and planting grass for a recreational area in the front. Lastly, we built a retaining wall and helped with irrigation around the access road and foundation of the cabins.

While were not working at the camp, our team has enjoyed spending time in the Little Rock area. During our leisure time, our team has explored the downtown area, hiked Pinnacle Mountain and have visited the Clinton Library. We have also have completed independent service hours with the Little Rock Animal Village, the Village Commons, and helped at the Lanterns Festival at Wildwood Park.

Perhaps the most enjoyment our team has gotten out of our time here is the opportunity that we have had to get to know the staff and volunteers, as well as about the various programs in which the camp is involved. When we first learned that we would be spending time refurbishing a summer camp, some of our members were skeptical about the value of the project. Such concerns were dismissed as soon as we arrived and we saw how beautiful Ferncliff is and we learned about all the wonderful educational programs that the camp offers to youth who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend camp, as well as the outreach and disaster relief programs. In many ways, Ferncliff Camp shares a great deal in common with Americorps NCCC: both are organizations that seek to educate young people about how to improve the world around us.

Guest Post: Shira of Water 2

2010-12-13T11:37:00.000-06:00

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

Rockin' Around the Clock

2010-12-08T19:19:00.000-06:00

The annual staff Christmas Party was held last night in the Dining Hall. All present partook heartily in delicious food, holiday gags, and general merriment. Here are a few snapshots I was able to capture.

Katy, Abby, and Hannah


Margie with "Pam Pam"


The only photo ever taken of Luke McGhee not moving

Shelly and Mark McGhee engaged in dinnertime conversation with Vicki Gill

We're so glad Water 2 was able to join us! Emily and Jeff look glad too.

Chris, Michelle, and Silas at the Gift Exchange

Papi keeping Margie out waaaay past her bedtime

It was truly a joy to celebrate with everyone's families. It reminds us how much Ferncliff staff feels like family, too. Thanks to all who pitched in to make the night such a fun time!

Belated Welcome to Water 2

2010-12-01T12:11:00.000-06:00

Here are the faces and names of the hardworking men and women of AmeriCorps NCCC's Water 2 team, living and working here at Ferncliff right now. We are praying that they find their time here as much of a blessing as we find their presence and their labor!

Michelle

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

What are your plans after the NCCC? After NCCC, I plan to pursue nursing school and potentially work at a nonprofit focusing on healthcare.
Fun Fact about yourself: My initials are the same upside down.

Shira
Hometown:
Las Vegas, NV

What are your plans after the NCCC? Go to school.

Fun Fact about yourself: I will try everything at least once.

Katie

Hometown: Boise ID

What are your plans after the NCCC?

I plan to attend college for an undetermined degree and to travel across the U.S. and beyond.

Fun Fact about yourself: I like jumping into lakes of all temperatures and sizes.

Jeff

Hometown: Rockaway, NJ

What are your plans after the NCCC?

I want to start grad school for Ancient History, be a TL in NCCC, or work for a non-profit.
Fun Fact about yourself: I’ve played trombone for 13 years and I’ve been to Norway.

Grace

Hometown: Fullerton, CA

What are your plans after the NCCC? After NCCC I plan on attending college.

Fun Fact about yourself: I am not very graceful.

Erik

Hometown: Dayton, OH

What are your plans after the NCCC? I hope to get involved with a non-profit organization and/or work for our government.

Fun Fact about yourself: I have been to Japan and I play a mean guitar.

Emily

Hometown: Orange County, CA

What are your plans after the NCCC? After NCCC, I will start law school in hopes of becoming a human rights lawyer.

Fun Fact about yourself: I can touch my tongue to my nose.

Dani

Hometown: Seven Valleys, PA

What are your plans after the NCCC? I plan to either go into the Peace Corps or get a job in either disaster relief or archaeology

Fun Fact about yourself: I did an archeological field school in Bermuda during the summer of 2009, so I got to spend 5 weeks in Bermuda digging.

Chris

Hometown: Oak Grove, MN

What are your plans after the NCCC? I am not sure what I want to do after I leave NCCC.
Fun Fact about yourself: I dig stuff up.

Brandon

Hometown: Vinton, IA

What are your plans after the NCCC? I hope to move after the NCCC or go to college.

Fun Fact about yourself: I have approximately 200 pets at my house.

Anna

Hometown: Cranford, NJ

What are your plans after the NCCC? I plan to attend graduate school to study public policy and women's studies.

Fun Fact about yourself: I am a former competitive figure skater and fencer.

Window View

2010-12-01T10:19:00.000-06:00

This photo was taken by Linda Brockinton, Queen of Ferncliff food service and champion dulcimer player.

Local Color!

2010-10-18T13:16:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what your favorite place to be in the summer looks like in the Fall (for a few days, at least)?

Summer Retrospective

2010-10-05T11:46:00.000-05:00

One of our superb counselors from this past summer, Morgan Gilley, just posted a Note on Facebook, in which she reflects on her time as a part of our summer community. Her words warmed all of our hearts, and we can only hope to have future leaders as adorable, compassionate, and soulful as she is. Counselors like her are the reason our campers love camp! She was kind enough to give us permission to share her words here:

This summer I embarked on a journey that I really didn't know where it would lead me. To my surprise it turned out to be one the hardest; yet, rewarding summers that I think I will ever experience. I worked at Ferncliff a Presbyterian church camp in Little Rock for basically 9 weeks. [...] These 9 weeks were spent with kids from the ages of 7 to 19. [...]I spent everyday for 9 weeks, reading the Bible, praying before every meal, and leading a Bible study for an hour a day. Most of you all are thinking, so whats the big deal? Try doing this in blazing heat and screaming kids, some days you prayed way before your meals just to get you through the day. God tested me in so many ways this summer. Not only did he test me he blessed me with some of the most amazing people I would ever meet. My co-counselors were seriously like family to me. It was so easy to connect with them because we all had the same thing in common. We believed. We didn't care about people judging us. We were just us. I could be my own person. I guess what I'm trying to get at is now that I'm away from camp it sucks. People care waaaaayyyy too much about what others think of them. Just be YOU. God made you that way. Embrace it. If you have a weird looking nose, well darn! I have a crooked toe! It doesn't matter. Love yourself. I hate it when people say "I'm so fat, or I'm ugly." Who cares! Be your own person and not something someone wants you to be. I wish life now could be like camp then. A bunch of kids running around trying to capture the chicken (its a game) without a care in the world. Its hard to explain what this summer was like, but I know my other co-counselors will know. It's something you can't explain, it's something you have to experience. How one summer can finally make you realized nothing in the world matters except God. You can finally be your own person and be comfortable in your own skin. And you can finally embrace life like it was meant to be embraced.

Thanks so much, Morgan, for reminding us what's special about this place. We're so fortunate to have known you, and we hope you'll consider Ferncliff a home away from home!

Dirty Summer in the Dirty South

2010-09-10T12:18:00.000-05:00

Margie has been getting down and dirty at Ferncliff this summer. No, really. Down. Dirty.

Sometimes a little dirty...and sometimes a LOTTA dirty.

But thank goodness she still likes cleaning-up!

Gill Reunion, Post Two; or the Post-Reunion Post

2010-09-08T22:18:00.000-05:00

Would you just look at these faces?

And, for that matter, have a look at these behinds:

Thanks for that.

From my perspective, the Gill Family Reunion of 2010 was a big hit. We came together for swimming, fishing, boating, laughing, reminiscing, shady chute-ing, eating, volleyballing, talent showing, and sundry other sorts of merrymaking.

One noteworthy trend in the Gill Family demographic of recent years is the booming 0 to 6 age group. Little ones! So, yes, the weekend held much adorableness, much "awwwwwe"-ing, and many photo opportunities such as those above. It also held a quite a few opportunities for talking about playing nice, and particularly about sharing. When I think of it now, sharing is really what the weekend was about for all of us, not just the babies and toddlers. We shared smiles and tears. We shared meals and dances. We shared news from our lives. We shared space and time. We shared prayers (spoken and sung). And--as Jason mentioned in his sermon on Sunday morning--every time we come together we just dive right into the sharing with no hesitation. As a Gill-by-association, I marvel at how at-home I feel with the whole Gill clan and how they have been willing from the start to share their family with me.

For this and for everything we shared, I thank God.

Gill Family Reunion, Post One

2010-09-03T12:31:00.000-05:00

This weekend is a BIG one for the Arkansas branch of the Gill Family tree! All of our relatives from Papi's side of the family are coming to Ferncliff for a Gill Family Reunion. Gills (former Gills, honorary Gills, and Gills-by-association) will trickle in from places as diverse as California, Wisconsin, Georgia, Costa Rica, and England! This works out nicely for Joel, Margie, and me because we only have to walk a few yards to attend! In fact, the last time we had a reunion here at Ferncliff Joel and I managed to sneak our wedding onto the itinerary.

Margie looks forward to meeting all of her "new" cousins!

So I pledge to make a full report of the weekend of family fun. Happy Labor Day (and safe travels) to all!

Back to School

2010-08-26T15:26:00.000-05:00

So, September is just around the corner. School is now underway for most central Arkansas students, and the highs are dropping just below 90 degress. Granted, it's not time to break out the sweaters and socks just yet, but I can feel the change of weather tingling in the air and in the ground.

Autum is my kind of season. As a consummate school nerd, I always welcomed it as the season of new notebooks and freshly-sharpened pencils. Back in my school years, it always felt like a fresh start, a clean slate, an "A" until proven less-than-perfect. This is an attitude toard Fall which, when I think of it now, is getting the issue a little bit backwards. Spring (and not Autumn) is more naturally the clean-slate season, and Fall is a time for drawing the year to a close, for harvest, for hard work in preparation for winter, for reflection, and for thanksgiving. So on this trip around the sun I want to use the rapidly-approaching Autumn season as a time in my life to cherish the memories of the past year and make way for the dormancy of winter. Though it's cliche to say so, now is the time to count our blessings and be grateful for the gifts that have been bestowed upon us.

by guldfisken on Flickr

I certainly count Ferncliff--the people AND the place--as one of my greatest blessings. Do you?

Also Known As...Papi

2010-08-02T16:10:00.000-05:00

The Gill family just returned from vacation in Ohio, where we enjoyed the use of a lake house for a week. I was just sorting through our vacation pics, when it occurred to me that you might like to know what time off looks like for our fearless leader. Here he is at his most chilled out (or as chilled as anyone can be with the two one-year-olds and two three-year-olds wreaking havoc).

Creek Dippin'

2010-07-21T09:41:00.000-05:00

One of the, shall we say, "perks" of living at camp is the scenery. No, wait. That's not quite what I mean. Scenery implies looking, and we do plenty of that, but what I'm talking about now is jumping into that scenery and being in the outdoors. Being in the outdoors. Being IN the outdoors. Margie's favorite version of this is going on creek walks in the stretch of stream between the bridge and the Home in the Woods. It holds special appeal for all of us because 1) we can go anytime (i.e., even when there are campers in the pool) and 2) being spring-fed, it is always MUCH cooler than the pool these days. So we all wade out (this being particularly cute when Margie does it) and splash around to our hearts' content. She loves it, because...well...picking up rocks and dropping them is FUN. We are so spoiled.

Drum Circle!

2010-07-14T21:13:00.000-05:00

I peeked in on the drum circle festivities at last weekend's military family camp and THIS is what I found. Quite the percussion section we have here, don't you think?!

A Joyful Noise

2010-07-06T20:23:00.001-05:00

This week and last we have been graced with the presence of the Gloryland Choir. The use of the word "choir" here seems inadequate. Let me see if I can help convey what I mean:

So, yes, they are a gospel-singing, note-belting, hip-swaying, hand-clapping, foot-stompin' force of nature!! Though they have been squeezing practice sessions into the hour just after lunch that is usually allocated for F.O.B (i.e., naptime!), they have been doing A LOT these last weeks besides just singing. I joined them for a couple of their activities, and this is what I saw:

Margie even got to hang out while they went boating. I'm thinking maybe some of their singing talent rubbed off while they were holding her and playing with her :)

So thanks to all who made it possible for the Gloryland Pastor's Choir to come to camp, and doublethanks to the choir members themselves who have brought a lot of positive energy and a truly joyous spirit to our neck of the woods.

Floatin' and Boatin'

2010-06-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

Today's adventures with the Discovery gals:

From Boating!

You Know You're a Camp-a-Holic When...

2010-06-20T20:45:00.000-05:00

For dessert you make "mini" s'mores over a burner on your electric stove after scrounging for ingredients and tabulating the Weight Watchers points (dark chocolate fares waaaay better than Hershey's, BTW). Because, well, it's just too darn hot to go start a campfire, and even so who would listen in case the baby wakes ?!

Photo Credit: Colin Purrington on Flickr

Our s'mores didn't look this delectable, but my taste buds couldn't tell the difference.

Out Back (in "The Outback")

2010-06-19T08:55:00.000-05:00

Convoy of Hope

2010-06-16T14:53:00.000-05:00

These photos tell the story of 25 pallets of kits donated by the Missouri Ingathering and processed at the Disaster Assistance Center by a mission team from Washington, IA. Just goes to show: It takes help from every corner to make recovery a success.

Dirty Work

2010-06-15T21:58:00.000-05:00

Don't you just hate it when your kids get dirty right before church? Well, something along those lines happened just before Vespers this evening...

And for later this week:

Yep.
That's a mud pit.
And many of Ferncliff's own are mud-pit-bound.
Quite an innovation, wouldn't you say?

But, of course, we promise to help clean them up:

After all, I mean...we aren't totally irresponsible.

The End of the Beginning

2010-06-11T20:02:00.000-05:00

Today Margie (my little one) got to spend the afternoon with her Daddy. In case you don't know how adorable they are:

So, anyway, they were going on a short drive to Nana's house, and when they pulled up to the office to pick-up the diaper bag my Marge-mallow was in her big girl car seat for the first time! Joel and I bought it last weekend, but we hadn't yet gone to the trouble of installing it, safety-checking it and all. While I was working Joel did it all by himself, and when I saw her it was such a shock to me how big (and sweet) she looked in it. Ah, how the months have passed. I just know I'll be saying the same thing about "the years" before I know it.

All of these sentimental feelings got me thinking about the bazillion other firsts we have coming up. For instance, the first time we drop Margie off at summer camp and say goodbye to her for a whole week. And...shortly thereafter...the first time we come to pick her up. Joel and I dropped-in on the closing ceremony of this (the first bona fide) week of summer camp this evening. What an exciting time. The most amazing thing about it is the energy of the campers as they struggle to translate to their parents the intensity of their camp lives: intense fun, intense play, intense new friendships, intense spiritual growth. And, try as they may, they can't do it. There's just too much. So they can only hint at it and relax in the familiarity of their parents' presence. But I'm sure the parents see the little changes in them that camp has made as they transition back into their daily lives. Tonight's little closing bash was fun-filled for sure. At one point, the campers got the parents on their feet to join-in an energizer:

See how energizing camp can be?

So just like it's the end of the beginning of the summer camp season, it's also the end of the beginning of my firsts with Margie. But that's just a way of saying that there's so much more to come.

The Troops

2010-06-08T20:15:00.004-05:00

Summer camp season requires a lot of planning and preparation. Activities must be selected and tailored to our campers; fire pits have to be built and repaired; cabins are aired out and scrubbed clean; poison ivy, ticks, and snakes should be discouraged from showing up; online registrations have to be uploaded and sifted-through for camper details. Because camp preparations can be so work-intensive, they can sometimes make us groan. "Arrrgh," we are tempted to say, "here comes camp." But then we remember that camp is also the most rewarding time of year at Ferncliff, so we prepare for it with joyful anticipation.

And one of the most exciting aspects of the start of the season is getting to know the summer staff. Their arrival infuses the year-round staff with new energy, enthusiasm, and youth. I mean, who wouldn't be cheered by someone who is psyched to be spending the summer walking up and down a hill, herding kids and keeping up with them in the devastating heat? I suspect they also do it because it's the only summer job that forces you to sing and scream with abandon multiple times a day, stipulates that you always take a nap after lunch (yay F.O.B!), and invites you to show your campers the love of God through your every gesture, word, and even by your very presence.

I have only begun to get to know this year's summer staff, but so far I like what I see. Do you? C'mon. Just look at these sunshiney faces!

To see this one better, click on it.

Got APD?

2010-06-02T13:19:00.000-05:00

So I recently told you how hard Abby Cain works, didn't I? In case you missed it, she works hard. But one of the reasons she gets so much done is that she has three right hands: the one attached to her arm, and the ones attached to the arms of Emily and Ryan, her Assistant Program Directors for the summer. They're her right-hand-man and -woman. That's just my very awkward way of saying, "Meet Ryan and Emily! They're our super-cool, hard-working APDs!"

One might think that being an APD would come with some perks. Perhaps so. They remain unknown to me. But it also seems to come (as so many high-powered jobs do) with a little getting your hands dirty. In these photos, Emily and Ryan are preparing to "clean" the Dutch ovens by burning the food remnants out of them. Over a campfire. On a 95 degree day. And they don't even stop to smile for the camera. Yow, they're tough. But, hey, that's what it takes to be APDs. Apparently it also takes cool hair, because Emily has cherry-red dread-ish locks (100% adorable) and Ryan shaved his into a mohawk. Maybe the cool hair keeps them from feeling the stress of camp season. Well, whatever it is (the perks? the cool hair?) they sure are keeping it together. I've never heard anything other than a positive and upbeat word from either of them, and they are really keeping the summer staff motivated throughout their training. Keep it up, APDs! And keep on making Abby's job a little easier.

Requesting Prayers

2010-05-24T21:29:00.000-05:00

This is the first week of full-fledged counselor training. Though I haven't yet had the opportunity to officially meet the troops (I think I'll get to tomorrow), I know that they are already hard at work preparing their minds and hearts to receive week after week of eager campers this summer. I also know that the week is the culmination of many months of planning on the part of Abby Cain, our stellar Program Director. I think the entire summer staff could use any prayers and/or positive thoughts you can spare to bolster them for this major undertaking. We are so grateful for all of the energy and and care they are investing in making it a great experience for everyone. I promise this won't be the last you hear about the 2010 crew, by the way. There's lots to come, so stay tuned and do your best to stay cool (it's hot out there!).

Puppies Up 4 Adoption

2010-05-20T20:58:00.000-05:00

These cuties showed up at camp last week, looking skinny and sad. But the McGhee family took them in, fed them, and cleaned them up and now they need a happy new home. Though adopting two puppies is a tall order, we would like to see them go together. Please tell anyone you think may be interested. Shelly says they have been very gentle with all of her kids.

Anchors Aweigh!

2010-05-19T19:27:00.000-05:00

Isn't it fascinating that the trucking industry has maintained so much language from ocean transport? Shipping...docks...etc? Okay, I've lost you before I've begun. Let's start over:

This week we shipped nearly 500 clean-up kits from our Disaster Assistance Center to Kentucky to aid in the flood relief effort taking place there. Here's what the kits looked like, palleted, shrink-wrapped (I keep wanting to say "saran-wrapped") and ready to go!

The Disaster Assistance Center (or DAC--pronounced "dack" to go along with our "cab" and "tab" and "jaymo") is the product of a multi-faceted partnership between fair Ferncliff, PDA, and Church World Service. It serves as, among other things, a receiving and distribution center for CWS Gift of the Heart Kits. The clean-up bucket is one of the handful of types of kits church congregations and civic groups from all over the US make and ship to the DAC (or to the Maryland warehouse, depending which is closer). The kits then get inspected, re-packaged, loaded onto pallets, saran wrapped (hehe), and eventually shipped to wherever in the world people have been affected by disasters (natural or manmade). To find out more about CWS Kits visit their website.

Bonus:
So..my computer died a slow and painful death this weekend, and I was particularly gloomy at work on Monday, what with everything being thrown out of whack because I couldn't compute. So David Gill--being the brilliantkindandconsiderate father-in-law and camp director that he is--decided that a lesson in driving the forklift is just what the doctor ordered. That, or he wanted to make sure someone else knows how to operate it just in case (winkwink). And let me tell you. What a pick-me-up!

Stills, or Playing With My New Camera

2010-05-15T09:05:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary, Jeff and Nadine!

2010-05-14T19:09:00.000-05:00

Meet Jeff:

I just met Jeff today, because he came by camp to replace the board he is holding in his hand with this new board on the railing at the old tabernacle:

Was it old or defunct? you might ask. Is he a railing replacement specialist? No. He is nothing more or less than a man willing to be unashamedly sentimental in the name of love.

Today is the five-year anniversary of his marriage to his wife, Nadine, and because the traditional gift for the fifth anniversary is something made of wood he decided to make for Nadine a picture frame using this piece of railing. As you may already suspect, the former location of this weathered, old 2x4 holds a special meaning for the couple. It was at this very spot that Jeff mustered the courage to ask Nadine for her phone number at a church picnic. She handed over her digits and the rest is history.

This is the photo Jeff is planning to frame with his gift.

Sorry it's blurry. So it goes with photos of photos.

Thus they began their life together at Ferncliff, and Ferncliff has seen them through a number of family milestones in the years since; Jeff and Nadine were both baptized here--as was Jonah (much later)--and it was at the couple's joint baptism ceremony that Jeff chose to propose. So it seems just as Ferncliff visitors and campers learn to love one another as Jesus asked us to, they can also lay a foundation for a life of happiness as life partners, parents, and friends. The Ferncliff staff is honored to have been such an integral part of your path, and we hope to continue to be. Happy Anniversary!!

[Nadine, be proud of your husband. He was forced to tell this story multiple times and he endured more than a few "ahhhwwww"s to be able to give you his gift.]

Paddle Battle

2010-05-13T13:36:00.001-05:00

This morning we had a special treat here at camp. A class of senior physics students from Joe T. Robinson High School used one of our lakes to test out their final class projects: self-made watercrafts built exclusively with duct tape, cardboard, and liquid nails. These budding engineers were divided into two teams to see which could make a prototype that would a) float, b) move through water, and c) do so faster than their competition. Here's the play-by-play:

The teams arrived and unloaded their impressive boats. Team 1's entry (pictured in foreground) went with a compact design and a very minimalist color scheme of red, black, and silver. Team 2 (entry pictured background) embraced a more experimental shape and look. Their long, narrow boat featured two side seats near the rear, so that the aerial view was a cross shape. Their hull was bright blue with multi-colored waves (or flames?) and a bright yellow USA proclaiming their national loyalty.

Everyone waited in anxious anticipation for the big race. Would they float? Would they fly? No one new for sure...

A whistle and they're off!

Team 2 is looking tough, but it's still anyone's race...

After the turn-around Team 2 increases their already considerable lead.

Things are starting to look pretty bad for Team 1, but they're cheering section was not giving up without a fight. Go! Go! You can do it!

Sadly, Team 1's boat crumpled along with their hopes of leaving Ferncliff victorious. Everyone jumped ship except one stalwart paddler who braved it to the bitter end.

It was an honorably-waged battle, and we salute the crews of both ships.

Thanks, Joe T. Senior Physics class! It was good to meet you. We're happy for you that it's "unofficially" your last day of high school, and we hope you have fun at Prom tomorrow night.

Spotted:

2010-05-12T11:31:00.003-05:00

A freshly-painted pool mural (thanks to the recently-departed AmeriCorps Team). Swimming season here we come!

A (Mostly) Peaceful Weekend

2010-05-10T11:28:00.001-05:00

We are feeling the calm before the proverbial storm of summer here at Ferncliff.

The Queen of Summer Camp, her highness Abby Cain, was in North Carolina all last week for the Annual Recreation Workshop, which left her cabin home vacant. Then, on Friday, our spring AmeriCorps team departed after eight intense weeks of work and play. They did an excellent job with the many projects they took on, and it was--as always--bittersweet to see them go. Because it was Mother's Day weekend, we hosted fewer groups than is common for this gorgeous season, so the camp quieted down and took a little rest.

Don't worry, though, it wasn't entirely uneventful. On Saturday, the McGhee family (the brood of our very own booking guru, Shelly) celebrated the birthdays of two of their own, Rachel and Matthew, with a cookout in the afternoon. They fished. They boated. They cooked-out. They played games. And then, when they had all the fun they could possibly take, they crashed. Or at least that's what the youngest McGhee did:

Don't you wish Mondays could be this peaceful?

Parental Anxiety

2010-05-08T09:18:00.000-05:00

Perhaps you've heard that we have some new residents here at camp: five little goslings hatched about a week ago, now. Five fuzzy, tiny, stumbling, bumbling bundles of cuteness. Cute-irific-ness. Cute-tastic-ness. And they are yellow. Well, they were yellow, but now they're just yellow-ish. Here, have a look:

Oh, you say you're having trouble seeing them? Sorry about that. How about now?

No? Still not getting a good view of the cute-a-licious-ness? Well maybe that's because these parent-geese are taking their job of protecting their brood very seriously. As soon as you get within 100 yards of them, the adults perk up. One of them takes an aggressive stance, ready to attack if necessary, while the other one herds the goslings toward the water, getting the whole team ready to push-off at a moment's notice. And push-off they do, single-file, one parent leading and one pulling up the rear, keeping any stragglers from, well, straggling.

I get a little frustrated that they won't let me get closer. "I come in peace," I call to them. "I am your neighbor, and I mean you no harm!" But, alas, they can't see me as anything but a potential threat. It might help if I weren't always hauling the stroller (my office on wheels) and a chubby little baby who kicks and squeals with delight as we approach. However, I also find myself congratulating them for their steadfast vigilance. I'm sure it is the only way there are still five goslings, all safe and sound. So, since they won't let me get close enough to say it to them, I'll say it here: Good work, geese! Keep those little ones in line, and keep your eyes peeled for giant turtles, toddlers on wheels, and all other threatening creatures.

A Proper Introduction

2010-05-07T11:04:00.001-05:00

I'm hoping to keep the focus of this blog on Ferncliff happenings, but I thought it would be rude to just jump right in without a proper introduction.

My first name is Ashley. I am a transplant to this area from Northeast Arkansas, and (when no one is listening) I'll admit that the Ouachitas are a much more beautiful place to live than are rice fields, which have an aesthetic appeal all their own. I am one half of a new volunteer couple, living here on-site, and we are to be responsible for hospitality and security duties after-hours and on weekends. I was an English major at UCA (some years ago), and I have also earned a master's degree in American Studies from the University of Iowa. That's just to say that I can't do much more than read and write and interpret, skills which I hope to put to use for Ferncliff by writing this blog. However, this isn't my first tour of duty here at camp; I was the Disaster Assistance Center Coordinator a few summers back, and I had a great time juggling mountains of kits and wagonloads of campers. I even got to pinch-hit as a counselor for Heart 4 Art Camp! These days I work for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, running the call center that is housed in Ferncliff's Main Office (I know, I know, what a commute!). I get to help volunteer teams from all over the US and Canada schedule their mission trips and join in the recovery of the Gulf Coast, Iowa, Georgia, and other sites in the wake of various natural disasters that have occurred in the recent past.

My last name is Gill. Yes, that's right. I am the daughter-in-law of Ferncliff's fearless leader, Rev. David Gill. My husband, Joel, has been a Gill all of his life, and he inherited his father's love for the outdoors and for working with children. Joel is the Coordinator of the Arkansas Outdoor School programs at 4-H, just on the other side of the hill named Luke. We were married at Ferncliff--which, by the way, is completely against the rules--so it's an especially special place for us.

Photo by Waynette Traub

Our nine-month-old daughter Marjorie, who we call "Margie," has agreed to come along for the ride. She mostly hopes to feed the ducks every day and listen to her own echo in the tunnel.

We feel incredibly fortunate to live at Ferncliff, and we are honored to have the chance to serve its many ministries in any way we can. Please stop us and introduce yourself the next time you're at camp!

But enough about me. Back to the blog!

Welcome!

2010-05-06T20:39:00.000-05:00

Hello, and welcome to the new blog featuring all things Ferncliff. My hope is that this little slice of the internet will be your window on what's going on at your favorite camp and conference center year-round.

Stay tuned for posts on the day-to-day excitement that is life at camp!