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Redwood
Glen Newsletters
Go back to archives here.
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The
latest news and events at Redwood Glen
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January
2008
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WELCOME
OUR VISION:
"To
Reflect Christ through Serving Others"
A WORD FROM OUR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Smith Hall. Shepherd
Lodge, Brookside
Cabin, Hodge House. What's in these names?
For many of us our name is
our identity. It can give clues to our heritage, a
family
line, and sometimes can bring a bit of notoriety, or say that we're
famous!
In this issue we're
featuring information about
Dr. Earle Smith for whom Smith Dining Hall is named. As
you read the article you will begin to
understand the legacy he left behind for local area churches and for
Redwood Glen.
As I talk with people
about Redwood Glen's 50th
anniversary this summer, I hear story after story about people - both
men and women, young and old, who have
given themselves, their time and their resources to make our camp what
it is
today and for the next 50 years. What a
legacy!
Recently I've been
rethinking my legacy, moving
from "success" to "significance." God
has been saying to me in many ways that my purpose as Executive
Director is to
be a person of significance and not a successful person. This
means that my focus is leading this
ministry to be a significant part of the lives of the many adults,
youth, and
children who will come to Redwood Glen this summer, and next summer,
and the next. My ministry today is for the next
generations of campers who will
come.
Our focus must be on the
vision God is giving us
for the future of Redwood Glen. I ask you to consider creating your own
legacy at Redwood Glen.
Please feel free
to contact me. I would love to explore with you how you could
partner with us to
provide a significant experience for many Bay Area children, youth, and
adults
for years to come.
Jay E.
Nordgaard,
Executive
Director
(650)
879-0320 Ext. 12
exec@redwoodglen.com
Looking for a week at camp this
summer?
WE
HAVE OPENINGS
The camping needs of groups shift and change. We still have dates
available:
August 17-22
and August 24-27
If your church or youth organization is interested in any of the
above dates, email us at info@redwoodglen.com
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Hello Friend of Redwood Glen
HAPPY NEW YEAR and WELCOME
to the monthly
on-line newsletter of Redwood Glen, your local Bay Area Christian Camp
and Conference
Center.
2008 is an exciting year for Redwood Glen as we celebrate 50 years of
ministry. While our official celebrations will be held this
summer, through this year we will be highlighting significant
milestones and key people who helped make the dream of Redwood Glen a
reality.
If you would like to assist in the planning of our jubilee celebrations
this summer or if you have pictures or a story to share about
your Redwood Glen experience, email us at news@redwoodglen.com.
We look forward to an exciting year as we remember with thanksgiving
all that God has done!
If
you would like to
subscribe and receive this monthly newsletter via email, please
register your
address via the link on our homepage (www.redwoodglen.com).
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In the beginning...
1957 was a
challenging year for the Camp Committee. With
tremendous growth in the churches of the American Baptist Union of the
San Francisco Bay Cities after the war, the summer camping programs
were busting at the seams, and the 4 weeks of rented facilities at Camp
Loma Mar (the Oakland Y camp) were inadequate. The Union needed
its own camp and the Camp Committee dared to dream a dream.
Rev. J. Bryant
Wright, then Director of Christian Ed and Camping for the Union,
now retired, remembers sitting at Camp Loma Mar with members of the
Camp Committee, looking across Pescadero Creek at the land which would
become Redwood Glen, and wondering "what if?"
Working with Bryant, Rev. Gene Turtle
and Rev. Jerald Traeger of the
Camp Committee spent untold hours during the summer and fall of 1957
searching out suitable real estate for a campsite in the Sierras, Marin
County, and San Mateo County.
 In the meantime,
Dr. W. Earle
Smith, Executive Secretary of the Bay Cities Union, began
conversations with Camp Loma Mar to build a lodge on the property to
accommodate the anticipated growth of American Baptist camping. A
tentative agreement was drafted in November 1957, but was left unsigned
as 125 acres in Loma Mar became available.
In a letter, Dr. Smith describes what happened. "This site came
to the
surface very suddenly and our committee and all concerned gave very
intensive consideration to it, and was forced to act rather hurriedly,
but it must be said, that the action was unanimous and it seemed to be
thoroughly satisfactory that this site had all the qualifications we're
looking for."
In January 1958 the dream of a camp for children, youth, and churches
of the San Francisco Bay Cities was becoming a reality as the Board of
Directors of the Baptist Union voted and approved the purchase of the
property for "$37,500 or less."
From 1958 to his retirement in 1962, Dr. Smith served as a prime
spokesperson for the camp with churches and committeess to fundraise
and develop the property and infrastructure needed to build "a campsite
second to none", as he wrote in the first capital campaign brochure.
As Dr. Smith challenged churches and inviduals to do their part "in
developing this beautiful new site as a vital part of its local church
activity," he led by example and did what he could do. According
to early camp records, as the capital funds drive began in 1959, Dr.
Smith loaned the Union $10,000 to cover the initial costs of
construction, estimated to be $119,200 by architect Wayne Osaki.
During his 34 years of leadership as Executive Secretary of the
American Baptist Union of the San Francisco Bay Cities, Dr. Smith was
instrumental in establishing 35 new churches, founding Redwood Glen
Baptist Camp, and mobilizing the churches to raise in 1961 alone
$1,105,000 for the ongoing ministry of the Union.
 In a tribute to
Dr. Smith, Dr. Sanford Fleming wrote, "One of the impressive things
about these years is the fact that Dr. Smith has been able to enlist
the loyal and devoted service of a host of Baptist pastors and laymen
in the larger areas of Kingdom service."
While often remembered as a firm leader with focused intentionality,
humorous stories are told of how Dr. Smith would eat anything he wanted
when
visiting with colleagues because his wife at home was very strict with
his diet. He enjoyed eating, so it was fitting that in 1970, the
dining hall at Redwood Glen was officialy dedicated in honor of Dr. W.
Earle Smith, Executive Secretary, American Baptist Union of the San
Francisco Bay Cities, 1928-1962.
 Today in Smith
Dining Hall, guests are able to help themselves to delicious meals,
served in an "all you can enjoy" buffet line, with dessert.
Next time you are waiting in line for a meal at Redwood Glen in Smith
Dining Hall, imagine Dr. Earle Smith standing next to you, encouraging
you to indulge. After all, you're not at home, you're at
camp. Bon apetit!
EDITOR'S NOTE:
If you have more information about Earle Smith and how to contact his
family, please email us at news@redwoodglen.com.
Contact us also if you have stories or information about the early days
of the camp, we would love to talk to you.
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 50th
ANNIVERSARY -
TRIVIA QUESTION
As we celebrate 50 years of ministry at Redwood Glen this year through
2008, we have created a monthly trivia contest to test your knowledge
of the camp's history. Answer correctly and you could win a
Redwood Glen 50th anniversary momento.
Our
December question:
For whom is Smith Dining Hall named?
The answer: DR. W. EARLE SMITH.
(See
the article above.) Originally from Missouri, Dr. Smith served churches in Ohio, and in
Southern California before becoming Executive Secretary for the
American Baptist Union of the San Francisco Bay Cities in 1928, and
then retiring in 1962. The San Francisco Bay Cities Union would
become one of the American Baptist entities, which in 1965 formed the
American Baptist Churches of Northern California, which would become
American Baptist Churches of the West in 1970, and is today known as
Growing Healthy Churches. Dr. Smith is thus a predecessor of Dr.
Paul Borden, who serves as the current Executive Minister.
Thanks
for the various guesses, but congratulations again to Ray Miller, former Redwood
Glen Camp Manager, who was the only one
to answer correctly this month.
Our January
question:
Which came
first, Smith Dining Hall or the swimming pool?
Send guesses to news@redwoodglen.com.
The correct answer and winner will be featured in next month's
e-newsletter.
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STAFF
SPOTLIGHT: "Lolo"
 Meet
the latest staff addition at Redwood Glen = an electric golf cart which
has been nicknamed "Lolo" until
a permanent name is selected.
While technically not a staff "person," Lola joins our
other golf carts, Bill,
John,
and Gordy, which are important
members of the staff family at camp.
According to Executive Director, Jay Nordgaard, "There are only a few
hours each day when these carts are not providing transportation of
staff and supplies around our 165 acres of property."
A specialty electric flatbed Yamaha cart, "Lolo" was purchased for our
Food Service Department to assist in transportaing food and supplies
between the two kitchens and the BBQ areas. Unlike our other
carts, "Lolo" provides needed cargo area, ease of use, and a quiet ride
which will not disturb guests when kitchen crew members like Christina Donnelly and Maria Guzman (pictured above with "Lolo") begin
their day at 6:00 am.
Though our new cart is already hard at work, she (he, it - you can help decide) is
waiting for a donor to underwrite the costs. Our other carts,
John and Bill were given in memory of the fathers of one couple.
Gordy was given in memory of one donor's late husband. To help
identify the carts, their names are displayed in front in a prominent
and appropriate way. Our new cart is looking for its new
name. Can you help?
If you, your church, or group are
interested in honoring someone, consider leaving a legacy by giving a
gift that helps make Redwood Glen a special place for all -- campers,
guests, and staff.
For more information, contact Executive Director Jay Nordgaard at (650)
879-0320 ext 12 or via email at exec@redwoodglen.com.
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
ABI NATIONAL CONFERENCE -- Monday to Friday, January 14-18,
2008
Redwood Glen is the host site for the
2008 gathering of the American Baptist Institute of Camp and Conference
Ministries. Join other camping professionals for a week of
top-notch training, encouragement, and accountability.
For more information: Click here for a downloadable
brochure / Click here to register on-line.
PASTORS CONFERENCE -- Monday to Wednesday, February 25-27,
2008
Make plans now to attend our second
annual Pastors Conference as we consider our EQ (emotional
intelligence) as leaders. Church staff teams are encouraged to
come and learn together. Big discounts are available if you
register this fall.
Click here for a downloadable
brochure.
2008 SUMMER CAMPS -- Check our website for dates and more
information.
NOTE: Online registration for returning campers begins
this Friday and opens to the public FEBRUARY 1ST.
OPEN HOUSE and 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS -- Saturday,
June 28th & July 12th
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| For more information about our events
or facilities, email us at info@redwoodglen.com |
Redwood
Glen REFLECTIONS
This
monthly e-newsletter is being developed as a communication tool for the
supporters, friends, and guests of Redwood
Glen in Loma Mar, CA. We welcome your comments and suggestions. To ensure that you continue to receive our
e-newsletter, add info@redwoodglen.com
to your address book today. Redwood
Glen is located in the scenic coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains,
between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.
We are conveniently located one hour from both San Francisco and San Jose
airports.
For more
information, www.redwoodglen.com.
 
Redwood
Glen, a Bay Area Christian Camp and Conference Center,
is an
accedited member of the American
Camp Association
and a member of the Christian Camp and Conference Association.
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If you have
a Redwood Glen story or an idea for this email newsletter, contact...
Larry
Jay
(650) 879-0320 Ext. 11
news@redwoodglen.com
If you would
like to
subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, please register your email via
the link
on our homepage (www.redwoodglen.com).
THANK YOU! (Our e-newsletter is supported by Constant
Contact.) |
Redwood Glen | 100 Wright Dr. | Loma Mar | CA | 94021 |
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