The Kiln Has Arrived

Liz Henderson--Program Team Assistant

Friday marked an exciting day at HoneyRock: our new kiln arrived at HoneyRock!  This is part of a dream being realized.  This week there are 5 students enrolled in Wood Kiln Building/Firing taught by Dr.
David Hooker of the Art Department.  It is great to have him here and to have the opportunity to learn from his expertise.  We are thrilled be offering ceramics as an activity area this year!  Heather Nelson, a current art major at Wheaton, is part of Activity Staff and will be the ceramics instructor this summer.  Heather has worked closely with Dr. Hooker on campus for the past two years.

We will keep you posted on the ceramics studio and entire kiln process as the class progresses this week.

Scott Eppler helped deliver the kiln to its new home outside the ceramics studio.

Heather Nelson (Ceramics Instructor) and Brayden Cutchie are excited about the arrival of the kiln!

 

We are waiting to put all the parts and pieces together this week.

Adventure on the High Seas

Sarah Gallagher--Receptionist

My eyes were glued to my computer clock.  Twenty minutes...ten minutes...six...three...two...go time.  I grabbed my bag and dashed out the door to get ready for the long awaited Ministry Support kayaking trip. 

Five boats, ten sack lunches, and ten Nalgenes later, we were securing our life jackets for the last time.  After experimenting with the self-timer on Pete's camera, we loaded up in the sea kayaks (two to a boat) and drifted out of the lagoon and into Long Lake.

No force could counter our ambition.  The sun was shining, the water was calm, and an occasional breeze kept us cool.  We were powerhouses on the water--rowing at the speed of light.  Going, going, gone.  Out of sight. 

Well, maybe it didn't exactly happen that way.  Sure, the sun was shining and we looked great--five yellowish boats cruising on the open lake--but soon after our departure, we realized that our arms were going to be our worst enemies for the next couple of hours. 

"Hey Steph, how are you paddling so quickly without getting tired?"  I asked.

"You know when your muscles start telling you they are hurting?  You don't listen to them," she said.

Despite our minimal discomfort, the fulfillment of making such a long, adventurous trip was enough to keep our spirits high.  That and the promise of a Bidonkadonk.  Our ultimate destination was Lick-A-Dee Splitz, the beloved ice cream shop in Three Lakes, and our plan was to eat a Bidonkadonk--their signature sundae consisting of 12 scoops of ice cream and four toppings.               

About a third of the way through our journey, we stopped for lunch.  Refueled, we continued kayaking down Long Lake, into Planting Ground Lake, through a channel and into Townline Lake.  We took occasional water breaks (really we just wanted to give our arms a break, but since being hydrated is an important part of any outdoor excursion, "water break" quickly became code for being exhausted), and continued on towards town.

Suddenly, we saw land.  We knew we needed to portage our kayaks over a small dry area so we didn't damage the kayaks, but as we approached the land, we realized that it was going to be a bit more than just a few feet.

Let me pause to mention that sea kayaks are very heavy.  Even with two people, it is quite a challenge to transport them for a long period of time.

When we stepped out of the kayaks, we saw a road that seemed to just keep going.  What we did not see was water.  Our eyes grew wide and our minds mistrusted the strength of our arms.  We discovered that by grouping in fours and taking the boats one at a time, we could more quickly carry them 100 yards to the next lake.  While the guys shouldered a kayak, we put four girls on two other kayaks and carried them down the road.  I'm sure we were an amusing sight, but we were not that amused at the time.

Then, from the edge of Maple Lake we could see the other side.  Lick-a-Dee Splitz was so close!  Two and a half hours after our departure time, we arrived on the shore of Three Lakes.  We chose our flavors carefully and ordered two Bidonkadonks (that's 24 scoops of ice cream!) and the ten of us eagerly shoveled the wonderful concoctions into our mouths.

Apparently some of our crew was expecting to be greeted by a HoneyRock vehicle with a trailer to speed us back to camp.  That fantasy was soon shattered.  We had a good laugh about it, then we put our game faces on and walked back to the kayaks.

At this point, I kinda wished I could pull a Peter and walk, no, sprint across the water and back to camp.  We breezed across Maple Lake in no time, dreading the portage experience.  Again, we had four to a kayak, this time shouldering the yellow beasts and laughing along the way. 

About two hours later, we were back at camp, hardly containing our excitement to be on dry land.  They didn't name it Long Lake for nothing.  It was quite a haul coming back.  We cleaned our floating vessels as a team and wandered into Chrouser together to share our last meal for the day.

In case there is any doubt that the staff at HoneyRock know how to have a good time, I leave you with these pictures, so you can see for yourselves.

Uber-pumped before we ship out!

Bri and Sarah kayaking away

Becki and Pete's kayak with the gang in front...but wait- where's kayak #5?

see the end of the road? yeah, we didn't either. this is where we portaged.

yes, that was a huge spoonful of ice cream. did it taste good? indeed it did. (this is me)

Three Lakes Junior High Fun Day

Elizabeth Baltus - Registration Coordinator

One of the special things we get to do as an organization is partner with the local school and community.  In the past few years we have seen God open up doors for us to become more invested in the lives of local students.  Each fall the 5th graders come out to HoneyRock for a day of team building, in the spring we host a family fun night at the Elementary School for students and their families, and for the past three summers we have had about 50 local kids participate in one of our summer camper programs. 

It is a joy and privilege for us to serve the local area in these ways.  Today, we have 60 junior highers from Three Lakes at camp for their 4th Quarter Incentive Trip.  The students are participating in a variety of activities including archery, kayaking, swimming, biking, canoeing, climbing and the pamper pole.  Students signed up for 4 activities to participate in today.  We are so excited to have them here and our staff are having a great time working with them.  We are looking forward to the many Three Lakes students who will be coming here for camp this summer!

The Salad Bar

Liz Henderson--Program Team Assistant

This summer we are excited to introduce a new addition to our kitchen and dining hall: a salad bar!  A very generous donor gave a special gift to HoneyRock to enable us to purchase a salad bar this year.  Dell has worked hard throughout the year to research the best type of salad bar to meet our needs.

It has been an incredible blessing to have so many fresh fruits and vegetables available at every lunch and dinner.  Dell and his team have done a great job of keeping it stocked and using it creatively.  There is a section in the salad bar to hold fresh fruit and there is a place to plug it in to keep soup and other food items warm.

The salad bar is already a huge hit with our staff and students, and we are confident it will continue to be a hit for all our campers throughout the summer!

What a team!

John Vandervelde - Program Director

I love working with the people I work with. I feel like every day I learn something through serving with such great people.  HoneyRock has a great team--what a blessing!

Today Elizabeth Baltus (Registration Coordinator) shared at our all-staff devotional time. There were about 150 people there.  Elizabeth did such an amazing job sharing about "putting first things first."  Not only did her words encourage me but just the fact that she led devotions and spoke to such a big group with confidence and grace inspired me.  She's way more than just a Registration Coordinator, she has a big heart for youth ministry. 

After listening to Elizabeth this morning, all day I've been moved to reflect on the people I serve with.  In case you don't know who they are let me introduce the full-time staff of HoneyRock to you:

Bill Long (Construction Manager) is a continual example to me of someone who works hard, goes above and beyond the call of duty, and never complains.  Bill works so hard on difficult jobs and does it to God's Glory. 

Scott Eppler (Program Maintenance and Grounds Manager) brings a spirit of fun and enthusiasm to every task.  He embodies and lives out the phrase "work is the best kind of fun." 

Don Kerns (Site and Facilities Manager) inspires me to connect all I do to relationships and people.  Everyone knows Don and Don knows everyone because he cares about people.  His work with people grows them and challenges them, because he cares so deeply for people. 

Al Scales (Site & Facilities Team) has a drive to be a "life-long learner" which reminds me to never be complacent and to keep seeking to learn more. 

Becky Webber (Ranch Coordinator) may be tiny but she's a big leader and an incredible motivator.  She not only keeps the barn and herd in tip-top shape, but she also leads her wrangler team very well. 

Dan Elsen's (Residential Program Manager) passion for God's word and his deep meaningful faith inspires me to rest in Christ and never stop looking for opportunities to serve him with my whole life. 

Craig Miller's (Advance Camp Manager) passion for excellence and drive to serve people really well moves me to be the best I can be. 

Liz Henderson's (Program Team Assistant) loyalty to me, the team here, and the mission of HoneyRock is incredible.  Liz is there serving in the roles that don't always get all the praise and attention.  She serves because she loves God and want to make a difference in people's lives. 

Rick Masters (Adventure Ministry Program Manager) wakes up early every day to spend time with God.  He takes his faith so seriously that it draws me to be more faithful.  His heart's desire to have the Gospel, the Good News, the Truth be center to his whole life and all his work is courageous.  Rick also makes me laugh, like the other day when he came to the office "dressed up" wearing a collared shirt, only to find out that he put the shirt on inside out and had worn it most of the day that way (see picture below). 

Ann Swindell (Wheaton Office Manager) is way more than the person who makes the Wheaton Office work, she loves students, reaches out to them and cares for them.  Every time I'm on campus and in the office, Ann is meeting with students, praying with them, and mentoring them.

Pete Sailhamer's (Business Manager) ability to manage so many different things with excellence is amazing.  Even more amazing is that Pete consistently focuses on challenging and growing people in everything they do.  His team of people isn't just doing housekeeping, running the Beehive, setting up sound equipment, and managing finances--they are serving the King. 

Becki Henderson (Receptionist) may be our receptionist but she is also one of the best Bible teachers we have on staff.  I'm consistently challenged by the things she says and what she teaches but also by her deep knowledge of God's word and the relevant way she teaches it. 

Dell Ledbetter (Food Service Manager) is an incredible coach.  He works with a very diverse group in a challenging situation and does it with grace and a heart of service that motivates me to be less selfish and more giving. 

Duane Welsh and Robyn McMurry (Cooks) see their role not only to just cook amazing food but to care, mentor and disciple people in our community.  They regularly have young people over to their homes to care for them and build into their lives. 

Rob Ribbe (Director) comes back to camp tomorrow morning after being gone for most of the year on sabbatical.  Rob's trust in me and encouragement over this past year has been amazing.  Rob's passion for families and youth to know God and follow him with their whole lives inspires us all. 

So there you have it.  What a great team! 

Today at HoneyRock

John Vandervelde - Program Director   

People often ask me during this time of year, "So what's going on at HoneyRock these days? Are you guys like really busy?  Are the counselors there now?  What are they doing?"  On a day like today I usually need a good 15 minutes to explain just the basics of what's happening here.

Yes!  We are busy these days.  The full summer team is here and we are running courses, training staff, mowing lawns, cooking meals, learning camp skills, writing Bible studies, and preparing for an incredible summer.  We are working hard to give campers and families a wondering experience this summer.

Today we have close to 200 people working, learning, and serving here.  It's a busy day and the camp is full of life, energy, and excitement.  It is life-giving to be at HoneyRock today! 

Pray for us, there is a lot to do and a lot to learn before our first campers arrive on June 14.