Misplaced and Found

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.

Hi everyone, this is Sean writing to you this week. I hope everything is going
well, and that you are enjoying the beautiful weather while it lasts! The
Gospel this week comes from Matthew 20:1-16a…

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

So what does this reading mean? One important lesson in the reading is that in God’s eyes everyone is equal. It doesn’t matter if you were born and raised in a Catholic family, or turn to God later in your life. If you believe in God, and all that He has done for us, then you’re a Christian, just the same as everyone else.

God created all of us in his image, and he loves us all. He wants us to join Him in His kingdom eventually. We can help this plan by bringing others into the kingdom with us. If you know people who are struggling to find God in their lives, reach out a hand, and help direct them to Him.

Maybe you can do this by bringing a friend to Church, inviting people to a youth group, or starting Bible study. Just make sure you are staying connected with God and growing in your faith as well.

As you go about your days remember the two major themes here at Camp Gray. Try to be a servant leader (Luke 22:26) and remember to WALK THE WORLD!

God Bless,
Sean

 …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.

Hey everyone! We here at Camp Gray are pleased to introduce all you blog readers to Amy Baker, who is volunteering here this school year. We’re very excited to have her spirit and enthusiasm here, and she’s posting her first blog entry here. As you’ll see, Amy’s post strikes a more profound chord than other blog entries, and is all the more poignant for it. Enjoy the read!

A Slightly Different Note

Amy Baker

Most of us have heard the phrase ‘life happens,’ but what does it imply?  I see it as stating that life is about changes.  I am always amazed by change.  There are small changes such as changing a light bulb or my socks.  Or larger changes like volunteering at Camp Gray and moving out of the lovely state of Minnesota.  These are good changes, ones that I chose.  But what about the ones that I don’t want, things that just happen and cannot be altered?

Earlier today my great aunt passed away.  She was like a second grandmother to me, a rock in my life that I always thought would be there.  My great aunt only lived a couple of miles away when I was growing up, she always carried Werthers Original candy and Big Red gum with her.  She would only have half a stick of gum at a time.  How do I deal with this change?  There is nothing I can do but trust, trust that she is with God, and cling to that in faith and hope.

Praying for God’s blessings and strength,

Amy Baker

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.

Hi there camp friends!

This is Sara reporting, Program Director here at Camp Gray. This means that I focus on the year-round programs at camp, although I have worked the past few summers as well. This year on Misplaced & Found, we’ll again be running a sampling of the evaluations we receive from kids and adults who come here for retreats of all kinds — environmental, leadership, Confirmation, teambuilding, family camp, and much more. It’s a cool way to learn about some of the cool, funny, or meaningful lessons and impressions people have taken from camp. With that said, here are a couple of notable quotables from our most recent retreat.

From St. Bernadette (a school in Milwaukee) 7th graders, here for a leadership retreat:

What did you learn about yourself and being part of a group through your experiences?

That I have leaderistic skills.

What was your impression of the Camp Gray staff?

They were awesome. They acted just like us but more mature.

Til next time!

Greetings from Camp Gray!
 

This is ChrisTopher “Tuna” Aderhold coming to you LIVE from the sandy hills of Camp Gray.  This fall our year round staff and volunteer team will be updating our blog weekly to keep our Camp Gray family in the loop on the happenings around here.  In addition to that, it’ll give us each a chance to share with y’all things that are pertinent to our own lives.  It should be exciting, fun and adventurous, and I’m confident that this weekly blog will make you laugh, smile, and sometimes even jump for joy. 

The fall is a busy and fun time around Camp, but before I get to that, I’ll fill you on all the greatness that was Camp Gray Summer Camp 2008.  With over 1,300 campers, we were filled to the brim every single week, which thankfully leaves our staff with little to no boring moments.  There were countless fish caught, hundreds of delicious hobo dinners eaten, and many dramatic capture the flag games played. 

Campers, we’re honored that you wanted to spend a week (or two) with us, and we’re already counting down the days until we see you again next summer. 

Sadly, summer has to come to an end and kids have to go back to school.  This means things slow down for a couple weeks here, but since the start of September, we’ve been crazy busy again with all the great retreats our Volunteer Retreat Team does during the school year.  In fact, they are out right now leading an 8^th grade class in a Leadership Retreat.    

Moving on…

It’s no secret to those that know me that I love sports.  With the coming of fall, means the return of football, which means the return of my admittedly biased optimism of the ability and predicted success of my favorite teams.  I have a friend named Adam that is currently in the Peace Corps down in Panama.  When he first went down there, I would send him a weekly report on all the good sports stuff he was missing out on.  I called it the “The Aderhold Sports Report”.

Since this is my chance to talk about whatever I want, I will take this opportunity to triumphantly return this award winning publication.  So without further adieu, I’m excited to bring you The Inaugural Camp Gray Blog - Aderhold Sports Report for the week of September 7! 

Camp Gray Blog - Aderhold Sports Report
September 7
 

How about them Packers?  With somebody other than Brett Favre starting at quarterback for the first time since 1967, many wondered how new QB Aaron Rogers would handle the reigns. Making things even more difficult was the fact that his first start was against arguably their biggest rival, the Minnesota Vikings.  However, Rogers was efficient and consistent, and I was left feeling impressed and optimistic about the Packers chances this fall. 

Truth be told though, I am feeling most optimistic about the Dallas Cowboys, who effortlessly throttled the Browns.  The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, led by Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning also impressed me with their pounding of that team from our nation’s capitol.

Bold Predictions for this season:

The Dallas Cowboys will win the Super Bowl.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys football team will win the Big XII Championship

Orange Power will win the Camp Gray Fantasy Football League

That’s all for now!  Thanks for reading! 

Tune in next week for another blog entry by Amy!