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SUMMER CAMP UPDATES
Camper Updates
We had an AMAZING summer at Camp Mardela! We were very excited to see many campers - new and old - coming to join us for these weeks of camp! Here are the statistics:
38 winter retreat campers
110 summer campers
Approximately 40% of those campers were first-time Camp Mardela campers
There are still 2 camps coming up in the fall - Family Camp and the Birding Retreat. Overall, the camp ministry is recovering from the slow-down from the pandemic, and we are getting to minister to many new people, and continuing to nourish relationships with past campers as well.
Volunteers
Camp Mardela has long depended on the dedication of volunteer directors, counselors, and even volunteer staff. This year between all of our camp programs, we had over 100 volunteers help with our winter, summer, and fall programs! We also had 8 paid staff working to cook, clean, and fill in with programs as needed. Camp truly would not be possible without the help of those who give of their time and talents to make these camps unforgettable for these campers. Thank you to everyone who helped make camp possible!
FUNDRAISERS
Scrip
Order gift cards online & a percentage is given to camp when you use camp's code (request via email). Order at
Brick Sale
Order bricks with custom text to put in the brick garden at the Peace Pole! 4x8 for $75 and 8x8 for $125. Profits from these sales will go towards heat and AC in Krabill Hall. Website to order can be found at www.campmardela.org/keeping-krabill-cool.
Camp Store
Buy camp shirts, stickers, and bandanas from the camp store online at www.campmardela.org/fundraisers.
Donation
To make a donation, visit www.campmardela.org/payments or www.paypal.com/paypalme/campmardela.
GENERAL UPDATES
Rentals
We have 31 rental groups on the books this year, each one a welcome guest. We've had music groups, reunions, weddings, and entire camp programs come and rent our facilities. It is always a blessing to see new people come and use Camp Mardela and see just how blessed we are to have this space to share it with others! Visit www.campmardela.org/rentals-facilities to learn how you can book a stay here as well. We are already booking for 2024!
Krabill Hall
This summer we have raised almost $11,000 for Krabill Hall heat and air conditioning! We are slowly working towards our goal, but still have a long way to go. We are starting a brick fundraiser to help us reach this goal. See the fundraiser page to learn more about that fundraiser, or send a donation to P.O. Box 460, Denton, MD or at www.campmardela.org/product-page/keeping-krabill-cool-donation.
BVS Volunteer
We are VERY excited to announce that we should have a BVS volunteer at Camp Mardela starting in August coming to us from Berlin, Germany! We are in the process of finalizing details now, and look forward to sharing more information about our volunteer soon!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Camp Clean-Up Day
There is no greater joy than serving together in community, and many hands make light work! Help us clean-up after summer camp and prepare for the fall season at camp. We will have a lot of work to do after a summer full of campers. Examples of work to be done:
Cleaning cabins
Organizing program supplies
Grounds maintenance
Litter pick-up
Lost-and-found collection
Prepping archive materials for Family Camp
Anyone is welcome to come for these service days, and students can earn service learning hours! Lunch will be provided at noon for all volunteers.
Family Camp 75th Anniversary
This is your chance to experience camp with your whole family! Stay in a cabin, a camper, or a tent, and enjoy a weekend of camp activities together. Activities will include:
Camp activities
Singing & worship
Guest speakers - previous administrators
75th Anniversary history displays
This is fun for all ages. You are sure to make memories that will last a lifetime at this camp. Come for free during the day or register to stay for the whole weekend! Check out the sample schedule, registration information, and more at www.campmardela.org/event-details/family-camp-75th-anniversary-celebration. Registration deadline is AUGUST 28TH.
Save the Dates
Camp Supper - September 16th, 4pm-7pm
Bird Retreat - October 20-22
Fall Service Day - November 11, 9am-5pm
REMEMBERING KEN GRESH
See full blog post at www.campmardela.org/post/remembering-ken-gresh
75TH ANNIVERARY
Weaving Project
This summer, with the help of Jo Ebling and the Anniversary Committee, we created a project for campers to contribute to a piece of Camp Mardela history. Whether they grew up at camp or this is their first time here, every camper got the chance to weave a piece of themselves into the fabric of Camp Mardela. This weaving project is displayed in Krabill Hall as a reminder of how God weaves us all together in harmony & love!
Stories Needed!
Our goal for this year has been to organize and compile the camp archives in order to make a Camp History Book. We want to have it finished before the end of the year. We all share pieces of camp's story, and YOU are a part of its story! Share your camp stories from any era - from the origins of camp to this past summer! Send stories to campmardela@gmail.com to be written as a permanent part of our history!
Join the Celebration!
Come to Family Camp September 1st-3rd and join in Camp Mardela's 75th Anniversary Celebration! You can come during the day for FREE or register for meals and lodging. Register online at www.campmardela.org/event-details/family-camp-75th-anniversary-celebration