Final Chapter – Louisiana, Alabama and Texas

Hello everyone, Today is Tuesday, August 31st,  but wanted to share about my last two stops on the 2009 Face to Face Trip!!

Louisiana – The Solomon Episcopal Conference Center

The state of Louisiana, is geographically split in to two dioceses, Louisiana, formed in 1838 and Western Lousiana, which was voted on and formed in 1979.  A charming story if you have a second to read. But this summer, I only had a chance to visit the Diocese of Louisiana’s center, The Solomon Episcopal Conference Center.

One of the younger centers, started in 1992, it sits on 80 rolling acres of piney woods.  It is a very serene and quiet place set apart, with plenty of benches to sit down, relax and enjoy nature.  Or meditate in their Chapel.

Alabama – Beckwith Camp and Conference Center aka “Camp Beckwith”

Beckwith is the center located in Fairhope, Alabama about a hour south of Moblie, a hour west of Penscola, Florida and is in the diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.  Founded in 1933, as a summer camp, it is on of the older Episcopal Camps, with the conference center part built in the 60’s/70’s.

It is on 84 acres with waterfront property on Weeks Bay an inlet bay off the Mobile Bay, that is rich with many ecosystems.

And one of the reasons I put aka “Camp Beckwith” is because they have a strong summer camp program with 800+ campers for the season!! Above are the outside Chapel, recently built, and outside Pavilion.

Texas – Mustang Island Confernece Center

My final car stop on the trip was Flordia, the home of the new ECCC office, Duncan Center, then flew to Texas to see one more center.

But back to the last visit, Mustang Island Conference Center, another on of the newest centers, opening up in 2003! Located south of Corpus Christi, TX on the Gulf of Mexico, it is one of the centers in the Diocese of West Texas.

Above is the picture of the architectural Award Winning designed Conference Center, and the Gulf of Mexico it overlooks!  During the summer there are 12 Family Camps, Thursday-Sunday programs, focused on family.

And speaking of family, my last day of the roadtrip was very similar to a campers last day at camp,  my mom,  Sandra Slocumb, came to pick me up…

Thanks to all that read this blog and especially, thanks to Camp Allen and Valle Crucis Conference Center, with others who contributed to support this trip.

In Faith,

Bill

Georgia and Florida…

Honey Creek, Diocese of Georgia, was opened in the 1950’s , and is located on 95 pine-wooded acres, that are bordered by a deep-water tidal waterway, and that over look the Georgia marsh land.

I arrived just after the summer camp season had ended, but an another youth program, that means as much as summer camp to me, Happening, a renewal retreat for people in high-school, was going on.

The Chapel of Our Savior at Honey Creek… like most Episcopal Camps, Honey Creek has a chapel built on property, and on my travels the last two summers, I have found at least five centers that have an Active Parish that uses the chapel, the Church of Our Savior is the parish.

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Camp Weed and The Cerveny Conference Center, Diocese of Florida, on 500 acres of north Florida forested land. Located right in the center of the diocese.

It is one of our oldest Episcopal camp ministries, with the summer program starting back in 1924!  It has since moved locations, now settled in its 7th spot, which opened in the early 1980’s.  And the name come from the third bishop of Florida, Rt. Rev. Edwin Garner Weed.

In 1995, Mandi’s Chapel was built at the center. A most beautiful sanctuary that is used for Weddings, Happenings, Cursillos, and Summer Camp.

And wanted to tell y’all about the latest building, the Youth Pavilion built in 2006.  Used by the summer program, but also used as the host site, of the Diocese of Florida’s, composed of 77 congregations, Diocesan Convention!

***Side ECCC history note — After Rev. Jack Andersen, founding Executive Director of ECCC retired, the office moved to Camp Weed, where I started as the first ECCC intern in 2006.

Three Visits, Three States

VIRGINIA

Chanco on the James is the home to Camp Chanco started back in 1968, and Chanco on the James Conference Center, located on the James River, in the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Camping in Chalets, open air cabins, with no electricity, no a/c, without a single luxury… but are a strong community builder, and campers enjoy cookouts once a week!

Big Day – The sessions at Camp Chanco that are two weeks, have the Saturday in between be a Theme day with all activities based on one theme.  I had to leave for my next visit, but got to enjoy breakfast with Medieval Big Day (see pictures below)

NORTH CAROLINA

Trinity Center is the Camp and Conference Center for the Diocese of East Carolina, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  It has a most unique and awesome set-up, that the Atlantic Ocean (pictured below) and the Bogue Sound, are two of their property lines!!

The Bogue Sound

The Trinity Center also operated and Environmental Education program, Sound to Sea, the dock above is one of the many learning tools they use to teach youth during the year about the biodiversity of the Barrier Islands.

And below is a picture of The Outdoor Chapel, with a driftwood cross in the background, found in that shape, after a storm.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Gravatt Camp and Conference Center, established first as a camp back in 1949, is located in a well forrested area right outside Aiken, South Carolina and is in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina.

Their newest building on property is the Chapel of The Transfiguration!!! Consecrated February 16th, 2009

Camp is one of the few that still uses tents for summer camp lodging (pictured below).  I joined the camp for the meals and was invited to the Talent Show on the last night, very entertaining!

And a great saying to end on, Camp Gravatt, A Missionary Outpost…

The Return of the Episcopal Traveler…

Back on the Road again, visiting centers in Province III.

Camp Arrowhead, Diocese of Delaware

Started back in 1954, Camp Arrowhead sits on 165 acres wooded acres with waterfront property on Rehoboth Bay.

The Summer Camp sessions are broken down by ages, and the younger aged youth, stay in homestead cabins, like typical camps, and the Middle School aged youth, stay in Pioneer Villages (pictured below) where campers stay in three cabins, counselor in one cabin, and cook out at some meals during the week as a village.  Rustic and Awesome.

And here is the outdoor chapel overlooking the Bay.

Roslyn, Diocese of Virginia

Roslyn, located on 150 acres of beautiful rolling hills property, is right outside of Richmond, Virginia.  In 1934, the property like many of our centers, was donated/bequeathed to the diocese.   Pictured below left is the Outside Altar with new oak tree, replacing one of the oldest oak trees on the campus that came down, a few years ago.  Picture below right, is an oak tree and bench in the rolling hills.

New Construction at Roslyn! The Right Rev. Peter J. Lee, will retire after being the Bishop of Virginia for the last 25 years.  A Chapel is being built and dedicated to his ministry as Bishop.

ECCC History Notes

In December 1988, 72 Staff Members from 41 Episcopal Centers, met together and voted to form the “Association of Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers” the first ever national organization of the 108 camps and conference centers of the Episcopal Church.

The Board of Directors then appointed The Rev. Jack Andersen, Director of the Roslyn Conference Center, to be the Executive Secretary, first ECCC employee.  Which made Roslyn the first official home of the ECCC, Inc. Offices.

Another historic moment, in 2006 at Roslyn was the first Annual Conference, the yearly meeting of Center/Camp Directors, etc., that I attended.  Here is a picture of Joe Chamberlain, ECCC’s first Director of Member Services, Bill Slocumb, soon to be first ECCC Intern, and Rev. Jack Anderson, Founding ECCC Executive Director.

Bill’s Trip to General Convention

Off to General Convention in Anaheim, California.  For those of you who do not know, General Convention is the main governing body of the Episcopal Church, it is a time of legislation, committees but also a time of worship and fellowship, not unlike a summer camp

The ECCC Booth

One of the highlights for the booth for me was the map of the 104 camps and conference centers across the nation, and people could put pins in, where they were from.

ECCC Booth Visitor of the Week

That’s right the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, stopped by the booth and I got to tell him about Camps and Retreat Ministry and about our centers.  Quick funny story, my friend Patrick, had told me right before the Archbishop was coming and to get ready, but when he said that, he said ABC is around the corner.  So in my head I thought ABC News with a camera crew was coming and I was totally nervous, then when I saw it was the Archbishop, I was relieved, because it was way easier to talk to him

Camping Ministries Resolution B003 – was approved unanimously by the Education Committee and passed overwhelmingly in both the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops.  This help set “Camping Ministries” as one of its priorities for the Episcopal Church for the next three years.

2009 Hero of Camping Ministry – ECCC hosted a reception honoring Bishop Tom Shaw of Massachusetts.  The event was well attended and well received, and it resulted in a story in Episcopal Life Daily

Part of the presentation was given by Tom, a counselor from Camp Stevens (Diocese of Los Angeles and San Diego; and Sam, a Deputy and staff member from Barbara C. Harris Camp (Diocese of Massachusetts).  Both represented their camps well.

Tom and Sam, West Coast and East Coast Unite

Next time on the Episcopal Traveler Blog, I am back on the road, this time Delaware…

The Fab Five, five visits before General Convention

I just got back from the General Convention of the Episcopal Church and am back on the road.  Here are short descriptions of the five (5) i visited before convention:

The Phoebe Needles Center, Inc. – Diocese of Southwestern Virginia

Phoebe Needles Hall built in 1917; the land and buildings were originally used as a mission school for mountain children.

Back to Camp…I arrived mid week, when two summer camps were going on: “Color Your World” @ Art Camp & 50’s “More or Less” Camp.  The 50’s camp was a 4-day Day Camp focused on activities for adults!

Shrine Mont – The Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration, Diocese of Virginia

So where does that name come from…The Cathedral is literally the Diocesan Cathedral of the diocese, which is very unique, since most if not all are physical buildings, usually near the Diocese home offices.  It was built in 1925, from local mountain rock and built by local people.  (closing of one of St. George’s summer camp sessions)

Another one of the many highlights of Shrine Mont, was seeing the “Virginia House” build back in 1873, as the Orkney Springs Hotel, it was purchased by the diocese in 1979, and now used a one of the two Dining Halls and meeting spaces, including a 5,000 square foot (size of an NBA court) ballroom!

Peterkin Camp and Conference Center – Diocese of West Virginia

Peterkin is a place rich with Summer Camp history, going back to 1946 for their first summer camp;  it is one of the common ones people ask me about.

New buildings at Peterkin, in 2003, they built the Cambell Lodge (shown above); along with two other lodges, that are used for year round lodging.

And taking a step back (and looking up) at the 56 acres of the 1400+! The main campus is canopied by some of the most beautiful trees, older and younger, they are all giant, which provides great shade in the summer.

The Claggett Center, Diocese of Maryland

The Monocacy Meeting Hall and Shenandoah Dining Hall, were finished a couple years ago  and one had a unique design idea for the old silo from when the property was a farm. The Thomas Beckett Chapel, room for about 22 adults.

Camp Wright, Diocese of Easton

Sitting in the dock of the Chesapeake Bay, an amazing view.  Camp Wright is one of the oldest Episcopal Camps starting summer programs in 1930.

Another excellent aspect of their summer program is the hiring of international staff, each summer is different with at least 10, being from other countries!!

And on a patriotic note, being as I was there July 4th, wanted to show a picture of their flagpole, which they still raise and lower the flags as a community everyday.

Two Finished Chapels

One thing that you find at Episcopal camps and centers are Chapels, spaces that are set aside, for quiet reflective time or loud joyous gatherings of camp communities.  The are both buildings and outside chapels at all of our centers.  Last summer I went to two centers that were in the process of building of Chapels and thought I would fill everyone in on their completions!!!

Grace Point – St. Paul’s Chapel – First Picture, August 9, 2008 – Second Picture June 18, 2009

Valle Crucis Conference Center – St. Anthony’s Chapel – First Picture – August 10, 2008 – Second Picture June 21, 2009

To the North Carolina Mountians, we go

The trip has now taken me to one of the newest Episcopal Centers, Lake Logan Episcopal Center and new home to summer program Camp Henry, located in the Diocese of Western North Carolina.  The site was a former Executive Retreat Center of a major paper company, and became part of the diocese in the early 2000’s.

Above is the photo of the swimming area in Lake Logan and the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains surrounding the lake.

Most of the time on this trip, I make it the centers I am visiting during the week when a summer camp is going on or a retreat/conference group is meeting.  This stop was a Diocesan Picnic and separately organized yet joined in the picnic was a 50th Anniversary of Camp Henry.  Parishes from all over the diocese came to a big potluck, with lake activities available to all!! (Saturday was also the first week of camp, so needless to say the center and summer staff were busy this day )

Also, tucked away on Lake Logan is a place they call Sit ‘n Whittle Village, consisting of a main Lodge and six log mountain cabins moved from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  I got to stay in the cabin in the first picture, very nice and next to a brook to fall asleep to.

“Back to the Mountian”

Back to the Tennessee…

Stop #1 -  Dubose Conference Center in Monteagle, TN.  The property, like some other Episcopal centers, started out as a school, back in 1872, it was a varity of instituions. Its final version after World War I,  was DuBose Memorial Church Training School, “to train mature men with professional and business experience for the rural ministry”.  The school closed down and in 1956 was bought by then the one Diocese of Tennessee.  Now is a fully operational Conference and Retreat Center.

Above is Claiborne Hall – Built in the 1920’s, is now one of the main lodging areas of the center.

Camp Gailor-Maxon is the name of the summer camp program at Dubose, and they have a rich history going back to 1936.  One of the neat things they have a the center is a wall dedicated to group shots of youth/summer gatherings.

Stop #2 – St. Mary’s Sewanee – A Center for Spiritual Development in Sewanee, TN.  Located on 230 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, with a peaceful bluff overlook.

Also originally a school, St. Mary’s Preparatory School for Girls—which closed at the end of the 1967-1968, it was run by an order of nuns, The Community of St. Mary (CSM), it is an Episcopal order (yes there are Episcopal Nuns!) that orginated from 1865.  The center is one of the ECCC centers that is non-diocesean, although they have members of the Sewanee School of Theology and Diocese of Tennessee on their Board of Directors.

St. Mary’s Sewanee is now focused on being a Center for Spiritual Development, and hosts a wealth of there own Programs.

Stop #3 – Sewanee University of the South and School for Theology

2,000 miles into the trip…

Hey everyone, I am 2,000 miles, 13 days, and 6 states  into the trip, and am at the 6th stop, Camp McDowell, the Camp and Conference Center in the Diocese of Alabama.  The camp part opened on site in 1948 and like many of the current camps and conference centers, it has added the conference (adult retreat) space.  And much, much more…

And let me take a step back to explain the terrain, they are on 1100+ acres, that they have acquired over the years, of forests, canyons and have a Clear Creek as the call it, a mini-river, that runs through property.  Below is a picture of the swinging bridge, and me on the swinging bridge.

And when I speak of the much more, to put in scale, they have 1300 campers for a summer season, which is excellent!  The other major components of Camp McDowell, are the Conference Center, which hosts ~375 groups a year, and Environmental Center, which host children for outdoor education programs during the school year.  And one of their programs, I hope to go to in the future is their Alabama Folk School – making the lost arts of past times.  Please look at there website about all their programs, they explain it way better than I could.

Above are pictures of the recently finished Chapel of St. Francis, and will let the pictures do the talking…

And wanted to share a cute directional/landmark picture with everyone.

Next Stop, back to Tennessee – a camp and conference center, a retreat center, then a seminary