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The Mid-South Youth Camp Advisory Board met for its annual spring meeting at Wallace-Gano Dining Hall on Saturday, March 18, 2006. Board members in attendance were Larry Bloomingburg, Frank Bradford, Ronnie Branch, Stephanie Christensen, Mike Eaton, Robert Farrow, Elizabeth Harris, Danny Jackson, Bob Landon, Andy and Doris Maness, John McCaskill, Gayle McDonald, Betty Neilson, James and Altha Rogers, Jack and Gean Seward, Milton Sewell, Roy and Jan Sharp, Richard Taylor, Jr., Burton and Nicole Williams and Mitch and Natalie Zlatovich. Guests included Emily, Claire, Sydney and Kyle Christensen, Alvin and Otha Dell Conger, Rosalee and Isabel Harris, Jason Heady and his son and Trent Watrous.
Past Chairman Robert Farrow opened the business meeting, presiding in the absence of newly appointed Chairman Jeff Spears. Farrow appointed Mike Eaton to chair a nominating committee that will present a new candidate for vice-chairman at the June meeting.
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 (6/1/05 to 5/31/06) and reviewed those same figures for the last 5 years of camp operation. Projected Special Projects revenue has increased significantly this year primarily due to an increase in cash gifts received. The projected net loss in Operations is due primarily to a $20,000 increase in utilities charges. Because of the Operations deficit, Taylor moved not to transfer the $5 per camper to the Special Projects fund this year and to reevaluate the transfer annually. The motion was seconded by Burton Williams. Motion passed.
Danny Jackson reminded board members that this year’s FISHING RODEO is slated for May 6. He reminded the group that the primary source of revenue for the event is the business sponsorships that are solicited by the board. EACH BOARD MEMBER WAS ENCOURAGED TO SOLICIT SPONSORSHIPS FOR THIS EVENT AND TURN THEM IN TO FRANK OR DANNY ON THE APPROPRIATE FORM BY APRIL 10. Members will also be needed on the 6 th to run the event. Jackson expressed appreciation to Randy Sullivan for continuing to promote and sponsor the event.
In his remarks, Camp Director Frank Bradford stated that the theme for this year’s camp sessions is “Basic Training.” Lenita Powers is now the full-time secretary to Bradford, and Gayle McDonald, Frank Bell and Sandy Cravens will continue to assist him throughout the summer during the camp sessions. Pre-Camp Weeks (day sessions for young campers ages 6 – 8) will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the weeks of May 29 and July 10 (the first and seventh weeks of camp). Tracy Blair is the coordinator for these weeks and, after being introduced to the board, discussed preliminary plans for the weeks’ activities. The format for each of the sessions will be very similar to MSYC weeks of operation to prepare these youngsters for their future MSYC Camp experience. Cost for these sessions will be $75/week or $25/day.
One less counselor of each sex will be utilized this summer due to the lower numbers of attendees at last summer’s sessions. An effort is also being made by Bradford to encourage youth ministers to bring their youth groups to camp as an additional means of increasing camp enrollment.
Bradford moved to use this year’s Special Projects revenue to complete the camp’s Zip Line and Climbing Wall ($25,000) and to tile the bathhouses ($10,000). The former expenditure is designed to make the camp more attractive to prospective campers. The latter expense will be of benefit to campers, Lectureship guests who spend the week at the camp’s facilities, FHU Bible Bowl guests and to those using the camp for retreats. This motion was seconded by Mitch Zlatovich. Motion passed.
In his closing remarks, Bradford expressed appreciation to Boy Scout Troop 25 for their contributions to the camp’s Ropes Course.
No decision has been made yet regarding this year’s recipients of the Pierce-Alexander Award.
The meeting concluded with a prayer on behalf of Marie Colvett, Cissy Gooch and James Rogers.
Board members and guest reconvened at the camp for the dedications in memory of Valerie Watrous and Ouida Landon and in honor of Roy and Jan Sharp.
Respectfully submitted,
L. W. Bloomingburg, Secretary
NEXT CAMP BOARD MEETING – TUESDAY, JUNE 6 at 6:00 P.M. |