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Mid-South Youth Camp
Advisory Board Meeting
March 19, 2005
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The Mid-South Youth Camp Advisory Board met for its annual spring meeting at Gano Dining Hall on Saturday, March 19, 2005. Board members in attendance were Larry Bloomingburg, Frank and Beverly Bradford, Fred and Marie Colvett, Mike Eaton, Robert Farrow, Paul and Elizabeth Harris, Larry Kail, Jane Magee, Ralph Maynard, Betty Neilson, James and Altha Rogers, Jack and Gean Seward, Richard Taylor, Jr., Susan Warren and Burton and Nicole Williams. Guests included prospective board members Ronnie and Dana Branch and Gayle McDonald and Rosalee and Isabel Harris.
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Chairman Robert Farrow opened the business meeting by expressing the board’s appreciation to Robert Buske and the Aramark staff for the brunch.
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Richard Taylor reported that this summer’s Fish Fry netted a profit of approximately $4500. The current balance in the camp’s special projects fund is $28,000, but 2004 camp operations incurred a loss of $20,000 (copy enclosed). Because of the camp’s operating deficit, a discussion ensued regarding the return of retreat revenue and/or FHU’s camper proceeds to the “operations” fund rather than to the “special projects” fund. Taylor agreed to outline the various options the board has in this matter, so that they may make a more informed decision on this issue at the March 19 meeting.
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Camp Director Frank Bradford began his remarks by introducing Gayle McDonald from F-H U who will serve as his assistant director this summer. He reported that the liner for the second swimming pool has been installed, although work on this pool’s deck has been delayed due to an increase in the projected cost of this part of the project. Jack Seward suggested that Bradford might contact Dale Treadway about completing the deck. Treadway provided a similar service on the first pool. Susan Laird has agreed to record all the names on the tiles found around this pool, so that these people can continue to be remembered for their contributions to the camp in the event that these tiles need to be removed from the pool’s perimeter.
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Bradford urged the board to visit the MSYC website www.fhu.edu/msyc and review the camp’s Christmas and Easter “Wish Lists,” projects that individuals could complete on their own time that would be beneficial to the camp.
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F-H U has completed construction of a new “Ropes Course” on the MSYC property on the north side of camp off the Magee Trail approximately 200 yards from the Colvett Gym. The university assumed the cost of the course’s construction since it will be incorporated into university programs, but it will also be available for use by other groups. Tony Allen from F-H U is already a certified “Ropes” trainer and Bradford and McDonald will be certified before the course is open. The course is somewhat isolated from the campsite and is so constructed as to prevent no safety issues for summer campers. The director expressed his appreciation to Wade Cox, Trent Scott and SWTEMC for their contributions to the project.
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Online camper registration is catching on slowly. Prepaid campers this summer will be able to view cabin assignments upon arriving and avoid the onsite registration line. Bradford is expanding his scope of church/state coverage in an effort to increase attendance at MSYC and the other F-H U camps.
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May 14 is the date for this year’s FISHING RODEO. This year’s goal is $6000. If a donor can be secured for the concession food, the camp would be able to realize 100% from their fund-raising efforts. Robert Buske (Aramark) will be supplying the condiments and drinks. Jack Seward will provide the chips. Tony Woods will be asked to provide the buns. The director expressed his appreciation to Robert Farrow and his son for their work in clearing brush around the lake. Albino fish have been introduced into the lake and will be the object of special prizes at this year’s rodeo. Farrow has also secured a donation of approximately $800 in fish for the lake.
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Pierce-Alexander award nominations will be made at the June 7 board meeting.
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Chairman Farrow informed the board that the next camp work day is scheduled for May 7 from 9:00 to 12:00. Rodney Neilson will be making needed repairs to many of the cabin bunk beds.
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All camp board members with e-mail addresses were asked to e-mail Frank Bradford (fbradford@fhu.edu), so that he might begin to compile a master list of board members’ addresses. This will allow him to send out reminders of meetings and work days online and save on printing and postage. Members were asked to submit their preference for board meeting times. Currently, some meetings are 10:30 brunches on Saturday mornings and some meetings are 6:00 suppers on Tuesday nights.
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Camp teaching stations are in need of roof repair. Jack Seward expressed his opinion that metal roofs would be a welcome replacement, but their cost is currently prohibitive. Bradford is attempting to secure shingles at a drastically reduced cost from Lowe’s.
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Richard Taylor, Jr. distributed a financial statement to board members that reviewed both the camp’s current and projected income and expenses for this fiscal year (6/1/04 to 5/31/05) and reviewed those same figures for the last 5 years of camp operation. After Taylor’s presentation, Frank Bradford moved to continue transferring $5 from each camper registration fee to the special projects fund for camp improvements and renovations. The motion was seconded by Fred Colvett. Motion passed. A motion to form a finance committee to review current and future special projects was tabled until the June 7 meeting.
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Director Bradford informed the board that Trent Watrous is making a donation to the camp that will cover the cost of all canteen items purchased for resale to the campers this summer in memory of his wife Valerie Watrous. This gift is estimated to be approximately $5000 in value.
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Richard Taylor informed the board that the F-H U Home Economics Building was being named the Thomas-Landon House and invited board members to attend the dedication ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on November 13, 2004.
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Chairman Farrow thanked the board members for coming and for their continued involvement in the work of the camp. Mike Eaton closed the meeting with a prayer. Former Camp Director Hoyt Kirk is suffering severe sciatic pain and was remembered in this prayer.
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UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 7 – Camp Work Day
May 14 – MSYC Fishing Rodeo
June 7 – Summer Board Meeting
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Meeting adjourned.
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Repectfully submitted,
L. W. Bloomingburg, Secretary
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