Update

We wanted to update you on a few things going on at camp.

First, many of you have no doubt heard by now that Mindy Worthington, wife of former QMC Board member Danny Worthington, passed away this weekend. This was after a 15 year battle with a brain tumor. Surgery 4 1/2 years ago left her mentally intact, but a prisoner of her body. The surgery had terrible complications, leaving her unable to speak or to blink her eyelids (this complication left her virtually blind. Danny's love and care for her these last 4+ years have been nothing short of heroic. The stress he has been under has been incredible; financial difficulties caused them to lose their home last year.

For those of you who do not know the Worthingtons, suffice it to say that the Quaker Meadow story and the Worthington family story are closely tied. Danny particularly - but really the whole family - have a deep love for Camp, and have invested years (and generations) into its ministry.

Mindy was a lovely, dear lady who fought a very difficult fight. We are very sad, but we are also given hope that her old body has been taken away, and she now has her new body. Yet, we still are sad. Such is the way of the human condition.

Next: Do you want to serve on the Quaker Meadow summer staff? We are currently accepting positions. Go here: http://www.quakermeadow.org/employment/summer-staff-positions

Snow: The snows have been heavy at camp this year. This is to be expected with an El Nino event. We have had some folks go in to check on the condition of camp, and so far, we're doing OK. We are concerned about the deep snow levels and are keeping tabs on it. After the last break in by the bear, we haven't had any other major critter problems. One of our Board members, Jeremy Boyd, and his wife, Christine, snow-shoe'd in this last weekend. He reports that: There is a lot of snow up there right now and lots more fell while we were there. So far everything is holding up quite well. All the buildings are still secured and seem to be doing fine. There weren't any recent snowmobile tracks or foot prints in camp so people seem to be staying away, so that's also good.

To see some of his pictures, head over to the QMC Picassa site here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/qmcpics/Winter2010?feat=directlink#
Camp Manager: The job posting for the camp manager position is now over. A selection committee has been formed and they are going over the applications. (Checking it twice...) It will still take a few weeks before we are able to announce who the new person will be.

Summer Camps: We are currently booking camps for the summer. The prime dates are almost gone - so if you are thinking about a camp, we encourage you to go to the Quaker Meadow web site http://www.quakermeadow.org/ to check on dates and prices. We will need an increase in campers over last year to help us out financially. Of course, you can also donate directly to the camp.

We are also going to book some service camps to deal with work that comes with having a camp in an alpine area. More on this later....

The Stake Bed: Last, the stake bed. Staffers and campers alike know that the stake bed truck has seen much better days. We're looking at replacing this vehicle, so if you know of a good deal, let us know! (You can use the 'contact' page on the QM web site.)

Prayer requests: For the Worthington family in this very difficult time. For the snow - we need the water, but not all at once. For camps - we need to book some camps and "fill the beds" in order to help us stay afloat during these difficult economic times. A replacement stake bed truck.

And most of all, for the campers, counselors, camp directors and staff for this coming year at Quaker Meadow. Pray that the Holy Spirit will work with them to win and train youths and adults for Christ.