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The Lane - June 2025
- Camp Mardela
- 4 minutes ago
- 4 min read
For a PDF printable version of the newsletter, click below
Camp Auction & Yard Sale
This year marks one of the MOST SUCCESSFUL camp auctions in Camp Mardela’s history. We made over $20,000 at our auction this year - that is almost DOUBLE what we made last year! In a year where finances are tight, this was an incredible blessing. A big thank you to Miles Roe from A. Curtis Andrew auction house for helping with this auction for the first time, and doing such a wonderful job! Also, thanks to all of the many volunteers and donors who gave their time and resources to make this auction the success that it was.
A few weeks later we had our yard sale. We made about $900 at our yard sale - a tremendous benefit to Camp Mardela! Thank you to everyone who helped at the sale and the 5 vendors who purchased stands as well.
And of course, thank you to everyone who came to these sales and purchased items to benefit Camp Mardela!
New Maryland Law Impacts Summer Camp Volunteers
A new Maryland law passed & put into action this spring mandates all volunteers working in close proximity with children to have more background checks than previously required. This has greatly impacted the way we are having to plan for the summer.
To help our volunteers fulfill this requirement, we will have a fingerprinting company at camp June 21st at 12pm so staff and volunteers can do fingerprinting at camp and Camp Mardela will pay for this service.
Thank you to all of our staff and volunteers for being flexible with this change. Ultimately, this will help us to ensure that Camp Mardela remains a safe place for our campers.
Shop with RaiseRight
Support camp by shopping at your favorite stores! Order gift cards through the scrip program and a percentage will go back to camp without you spending any more money than you normally would for your shopping needs. Go to www.raiseright.com or use the RaiseRight app and enter the code* to purchase gift cards and give back to Camp Mardela.
*Contact campmardela@gmail.com for the code
Fun-Raising Camp-aign!
As costs have been increasing, we’re in need of financial support for camp programs. We used most of our scholarship funds last year for campers in need, and also need additional financial support to hire qualified staff - particularly nurses. We are hoping to raise $15,000 for summer camps for scholarships, staff, and program expenses. We’ve raised $7,000, but still need $8,000 to reach our goal. You can mail donations, or donate online at www.campmardela.org/donate.
Rental Groups
When you think about Camp Mardela, you may just think about the summer camps we offer. But, this year was one of our biggest “off-seasons”. We have had 35 groups in from September to May. We’ve had weekend groups that are looking for a large facility with adequate accommodations. Groups also come and meet here weekly throughout the year like homeschooling groups, cheerleaders, and a tumbling group. Local clubs have also had meetings and retreats here. And we’ve had our own events and retreats that we host as well!
Camp Store
We have new shirts! This will be the design on our staff shirts, which all staff and volunteers will get when they come to help at Camp Mardela. This year, we’re also offering our new design in a tank-top cut for $15! We also have hats designed by Donna Champagne that are also $15! You can send money along with your camper(s) to purchase these items while they’re at camp, or you cab order online at: www.campmardela.org/fundraisers
UPCOMING EVENTS
Josh Wilson Concert - June 7, 5pm-9pm
Volunteer Training - Dates Vary
Domino's Dough Raiser - June 18, 10:30am-12:00am
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Check out our fall camps - Family Camp and the Birding Retreat. These are both fun-filled weekends with something for all ages!
Garden Update - Justine Eckert
Starting this year, we will have a garden for our campers to learn all about growing their own food. Construction began in March with garden posts and fencing. Soon after, the rows were tilled and filled with a variety of seeds. Each plant is marked in multiple languages to extend the learning further. Campers can look forward to tasting the fruits, vegetables, and herbs we have currently sprouting and try out their own gardening skills while here. We also got approval from the health department to use food grown in our garden in our kitchen, so campers, volunteers, and staff can look forward to fresh produce in their meals this summer!
A big thank you to Jim Seymour and the Eckert family for all of their help in establishing this garden.
A Wish Come True!
This year, we have been putting out a wish list of items we need for camp, anywhere from queen-sized bedding to a new camp van. Many people have helped us get these items, but one group in particular helped us fill a big need by coming together to raise funds.
The Ecker family, who comes here annually for their Easter celebration, decided to raise money for camp to buy a brand new ice machine. Using our connection with J.L. Gannon who has graciously been helping maintain our fridges, freezers, and A/C for many years, we were able to get a SHINY NEW MACHINE! (pictured below)
Thank you to all who contributed to help us get items on our wish list. If you feel compelled to support in this way too, see our list at www.campmardela.org/donate
