CAMP TANNER  2007 Report

It seems hard to believe but the 2007 Camp Tanner camping season has ended. Cheat camping weather, an excellent group of campers and a dedicated staff made this a summer to remember.

The season started on July 8 with the Senior Girls Camp, followed by Junior Girls, Intermediate Girls, coed, Junior and Senior Boy’s Camps.

Program Directors Erin Hughes and Tracey Buchanan from Oxford Centre and Ryan Wycherley from Tillsonburg provided leadership for the camps supported by staff from almost everywhere in Oxford County, one counsellor from Brantford and one lifeguard from London.

As most of you know, Camp Tanner staff acquire nicknames so you may hear campers refer to Toast, Fender , Avalanche, Snuggles, Nibblz or Oscar. They are real people!

A day at camp consists of polar dip, morning exercises, morning watch, cabin clean up, swimming, nature study, Christian Education, sports, crafts, cabin time, special days, interest sessions, evening games, campfire, vespers and lights out.

Did I mention Food? There is food and tots of it and it is lovingly prepared by our great UCW ladies who unselfishly get up extra early and work all day preparing food which is devoured in a very short time. Could that be their reward? Volunteer cooks from Knox United (Embro), Mount Elgin, St. David’s, Chalmers (Kintore), Hebron, Avondale, St. Andrews (Brooksdale), Westminster (Thamesford), Foldens, Hickson, Innerkip, Bright, St. Paul’s (Tillsonburg), Central, Norwich, Trinity (Ingersoll), Curries, Oxford Centre, Oxford Presbyterial, the Kiwanis Club of Tillsonburg and individuals Debbie Roefs, Sharon Rounds, Ilene Chesterman, Dianne Greason and Evelyn Shute were welcomed and appreciated. Kitchen support workers, Gail Daniels and Shelley Buchanan washed dishes, dishes and more dishes not to mention pots and pans.

Our chaplains: Rev. Judy Campbell, Rev. Maurice Francis, Scott McLeod, Pastor Richard Hryniw, Pastor Maggie Plant and Rev. Dr. Eloi Gunn provided Christian education leadership.

The Senior Boys’ camp was also a sports camp. In addition to the regular daily program, there was skills instruction in soccer, basketball and beach volleyball. The boys received instruction from Trevor and Chad Hughes, Rev. Dr. EIio Gunn and Justin Murray, assisted by senior boy’s staff. We even made front page in the Sentinel Review!

Sandra Schurman, nurse and registrar, Lorraine Underwood and Sheila Greason, houseparents, complete the staff Dave Schurman and Bruce McLeod kept the camp looking neat and tidy and did repair jobs regularly.

The Oxford Presbytery Camping Committee expressed appreciation to Their staff on August 18. Following a BBQ including a delicious ice cream cake, Rev. Pine Mitchell spoke to the staff Music was provided by each camp, Ryan Wycherley, Justin Murray, Tracey and Allan Buchanan. Greetings were brought by Maggie Plant from Oxford Presbytery and Jim Griffin on behalf of Faith Formation/Christian Development.

In his closing prayer, Scott McLeod mentioned that camp counsellors touch lives. There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots, the other wings. We hope that this camping season did just that.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in anyway to camp. Our angels who helped set up and take down, we would never have made it without you.