Misplaced and Found

By: Sara Knutson

Happy January, everyone! The Christmas holidays snuck up on me, and as a result I’m writing the conclusion to this series later than I had intended. But no worries… it just gave me more time to ruminate on the ministry we do here.

The last two posts focused on the busy routine of our school year, and that has certainly continued. Even this January, a traditionally slower month, has our volunteers facilitating retreats 10 days as well as taking their own annual 2-day retreat. And after Easter we’ll again have retreats nearly every day. So why put in such long hours and so much energy into a nine month stretch that just manages to pay for itself?

Because, simply speaking, it changes lives. (more…)

By: Sara Knutson

Last week I painted a rough sketch of the extent of our year-round program — we definitely stay busy! Today, I’ll go into a bit of detail as to how we pull it off.

Unlike our summer staff, which numbers well over 40 people plus week-long volunteers, the year-round program succeeds largely due to the efforts of six volunteers (called program specialists), two head cooks, and myself. With occasional (and much appreciated) assistance from Chris, Jeff, Rebecca, and Tricia, the program specialists work together to create meaningful, personalized, and fun retreats for each school and parish that visits.

They meet and pray before groups come, build community with the students, work in the kitchen, belay students on the climbing tower, plan and lead spiritual, teambuilding, and environmental activities, and clean camp afterward — all on the same retreat! Their pay? (more…)

By: Bill Van Wagner

Hello friends, this is Bill reporting once more. Finally, folks, the verdict is here. The answer to all your burning questions has arrived. By the end of this post you will be shocked to find out the how the twisting tragedy of the misplaced campers ends. (more…)

Greetings friends… Bill here. I left you last with many unanswered questions and untraveled paths. I had begun my investigation of all those in higher power and hit a bump at Assistant Director Chris Aderhold. It seemed as though after he made the tragic announcement that the campers had been misplaced, he disappeared. While others were frantically searching for the truth, Chris was nowhere to be found. When I searched his desk, a pair of scissors was found in a drawer. Curious that the scissors were found in his desk after the phone line had been clipped. Even more curious was the missing week on the online session chart; Chris is in charge of the website.

At this point, all roads led to Aderhold. It was clear that the next step was to approach him.

 …the Search Continues
Greetings worried friends. I have found a new secretive location to continue documenting the horrific events of August the 17th, 2008, the day the campers were misplaced. I left you last in a worrysome state of fear and confusion. I cringe at bearing the unfortunate news that this post will still not leave you with answers, but only more questions. But I must be true to my duties, so I continue on.

Shortly after the terrible news was announced, I began my investigation. My first instinct led me to the office, where i found the camper sign up forms. I pulled up the first one, a trailblazer girl by the name of Jendetta Keller. I picked up the phone and dialed the number, but nothing happened. No dial tone at all. The phone line was clipped. At this point I realized the gravity of the situation in front of me. Could this terrible tragedy find its root on the inside of this organization? I did not know the answer, or any answer to the many questions that filled my head, but I continued my search.

Next, I checked the Camp Gray website and the convenient session availability chart. I was shocked at the sight. The week of August 17 was not present on the site. I was almost certain of an inside job at this point. Someone with inside access to the office and to the website had to be behind this malcontent. I was now extremely cautious of who to trust in my search. Anyone in higher power could be the criminal behind this; I could not let them know of my inquiry.

The clear next step was to investigate those in higher power. I began with the staff supervisors and worked my way up. One by one each cleared my secretive search. All the way up until Assistant Director Chris Aderhold, where things became extremely interesting.

But once again, I must leave you here with many unanswered questions remaining. I once again beg you not to worry — in the end all will become clear. Until then, good night, and good luck.

Hello all, this is Bill here. I am writing due to a very unfortunate event that took place recently. This is a very sensitive matter, and even though people in higher positions of authority might reprimand me for releasing this shocking information, I feel as though I must. I feel that you, the Camp Gray family, have the right to know of this terrible event.

It was a normal Friday afternoon of summer camp, August 15, 2008. The parent program was wrapping up, and sad children moped their way to their parent’s cars to begin the trip home. The staff was joyful at the finish of another week, and eagerly awaited the arrival of the next batch of campers. To a squeaky, lemon-fresh shine, they cleaned every centimeter of Camp Gray, and took their day off to rest and recuperate for the coming week. And this is where the true horror of this story begins. I advise you to be cautious, the following events may be shocking.

Sunday morning arrived with the crow of a rooster. The staff awoke and began their final preparations for another week of summer camp, but as they moved to their registration positions, something just did not seem right. The time was 4:00, and not a single camper had arrived yet. The minutes ticked by like hours and the nervous staff waited in anticipation. 4:30, still no campers at all. By 5:00 still not a single camper had arrived at camp. Whispers filled the air as the staff remained in shock at the current crisis. The A-Team was rounded up to meet in the office to address the current situation.

After 10 minutes of discussion, they exited the office to address the staff, nervously waiting outside for the coming news. Assistant Director Chris Aderhold was first to speak. He took a breath and said, “It seems the campers have been misplaced.”

Shock filled the air as many of the frantic staff members were brought to tears. They spoke amongst themselves, comforting and consoling each other. Where the campers could be, I did not know. All I knew was that this was a crisis that needed to be investigated and I took it as my duty to do so…

This is not where the story ends, but is only the beginning. Unfortunately my secretive post may be compromised if I do not stop here and continue at a later time. So friends, I ask you to please not worry. I know this is a shocking course of events, but I promise a favorable outcome.