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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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March
2008
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WELCOME
OUR VISION:
"To
Reflect Christ through Serving Others"
A WORD FROM OUR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
When we're children we
look forward to
birthdays. We get almost giddy with excitement.
When we approach our
birthdays as adults our excitement often turns into
anxiety and dread, especially when it's the "Big 5-0!"
Anniversaries however are
another story. We look
forward to reaching those significant marks.
As we approach the "Big
5-0" for Redwood Glen in
just over 3 months I find myself much more like a child with lots of
excitement
and wonder.
I hope many of you have
been
pondering what Redwood Glen has meant to you over the years.
For some it's been a few
years, for others
your history with the camp goes back to the very beginning.
Regardless of the number
of years, many of you
have stories of special and meaningful times with Jesus here
at camp.
In the gospel of Matthew
Jesus teaches us "unless you change and become like little
children; you will never
enter the kingdom of heaven." (18:3)
My understanding of this
verse is that God wants us to embrace life and God
with the humbleness and innocence of a little child.
I see countless children
every summer coming
to camp with that special innocence and wonder of God.
They "see Jesus" in so
many different
things, in people, nature, Bible stories, conversations, and so much
more.
We have more than 400
children and youth already
registered for camp for our special 50th anniversary camp fee of only
$50.
Our goal is to fill every
spot and have over
500 campers during our 50th anniversary celebration summer.
Next month we'll announce
many of the details
for our 50th Open Houses coming up on June 28 and July 12. Stay
tuned for more info.
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 10-15,
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
WELCOME
to the monthly
on-line newsletter of Redwood Glen, your local Bay Area Christian Camp
and Conference
Center.
With the days growing longer, the sun shining warmer and the sounds of
new life filling the forest, spring has come to Redwood Glen.
Summer is just around the corner and with anniversary celebrations planned for
June 28th
and July 12th, there is much
to do to get ready! Registration for camps are in full
swing. Stories and photos for our anniversary displays are being
gathered. Buildings and grounds are being prepared for our May
31st work day.
Redwood Glen is what it is today because of our partnership with local
churches and people like you! We hope that you will make plans to
be part of our celebration through your attendance, your service, and
your special gifts.
If you would like to help us prepare for this summer of celebration,
email us at news@redwoodglen.com. As we look back
on all that God has done over the last 50 years, we are filled with
praise. As we anticipate all that God will do in the next 50, we
hope to share it with the faithful support and prayers of people like
you!
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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Remembering
50 years of ministry: UP ON THE ROOF
It may be hard to fathom
today, but imagine if you will, the main camp of Redwood Glen looking
like
Indian Point --a forest of redwoods, tan oaks, douglas firs, low brush,
up and down the hills, as far as
the eye can see. No pavement, no pool, no dining
hall, no Conference Center, no parking lot, no
trails, no cabins.
 When the San
Francisco Bay Cities
Baptist Union purchased the Loma Mar property 50 years ago, the
original 150
acres was nothing more than a wooded area, and a vision of
possibilities in
the mind's eye of Rev. J. Bryant
Wright, Director of Christian Education and
Camping for the Union, and his Camp Committee, comprised of
young area pastors.
In 1958, the only buildings on
the land, scattered along an unpaved narrow road, were an old run-down
farm house
(now Shepherd Lodge), a summer-use cabin (now the Staff House), and the
home to
the Heimann Family (now Heimann House, home for Redwood Glen staff).
Designing a campsite may seem
like a monumental task, but Bryant, working with San Francisco
architect, Wayne Osaki, and
the
National American Baptist Director of Camping, Rodney Britten, developed a
comprehensive
master plan. According to Bryant, the
team spent three days walking the area, and were in complete agreement
about
the placement of a dining hall, a pool, cabins and unit lodges in an
envisioned conference area, as well as tent villages in the planned
primitive camping area.
American Baptist churches around the Bay Area were asked to do their
part to make the dream a
reality. Churches gave money as well as
time and labor through Saturday workdays. Bryant
remembers working alongside many
committed volunteers, while his wife, Jane prepared
lunch for the hungry crews.
 While the
farm house was being
remodeled in 1959, platform tents were also being erected for the first
summer
camps, which would be held on the property that summer. By
1961, the summer-use cabin had been
remodeled as a dining hall which would feed 65, and construction of the
first
cabin was underway through funds given by Brookside Baptist Church of Oakland.
According
to a report in the Baptist
Advance, the monthly publication for American Baptist in
northern
California, "hundreds of dollars in construction costs were saved"
through the
dedicated efforts of 15 area churches, including First Baptist Redwood
City, First
Baptist San Francisco, and First
Baptist Linda Mar (whose work crew
is pictured above on the steps of the new
cabin). By Christmas of 1961, Brookside
cabin was completed.
Rev. James
Baldwin, who was
pastor of Brookside Baptist at that time, was also a
member of the Redwood Glen camp committee. His
leadership and vision inspired not
only the congregation to step up to the
challenge to be the first church to underwrite a cabin, but his example
motivated his peers as well. When
additional funds were needed for the swimming pool in 1962, Jim was the
first
to make a personal pledge of $100, which led others on the camp
committee to
also step up to the challenge.
 For nearly
30 years, until
Brookside Baptist completed its ministry in the 1990s, members of the
church
would continue Rev. Baldwin's commitment to Redwood Glen, volunteering
time to
improve the cabin that bore their name. Ray Miller (pictured left with his wife Romona) served as pastor at
Brookside Baptist during the
late 1970's, and would regularly bring members of the church to Redwood
Glen for weekend work projects. These crews included members of
the Balderas family, including a young Danny
Balderas.
Danny (pictured
below at Middler Camp in 1977) grew
up at Brookside Baptist, and has fond
memories of the church family, as well as Redwood Glen. He
attended summer camp while growing
up, and would later participate in work days with the church as a young
adult.
 Though
baptized as a kid,
Danny fell away from the church in his youth. At
the
age of 25, he returned to Christ, returned to Brookside, and soon
after, returned to Redwood Glen for a Brookside
church work day, to paint Brookside cabin. In spite
a fear of heights, Danny was asked, and he agreed, to paint the roof.
Though initially afraid, "God showed me a lot up
there," Danny recalls. He remembers
climbing to the top peak of the cabin, and really feeling God's
presence and
peace for the first time in his life. Confronting his
fears, he asked himself, "What
am I to be scared of? Nothing. My
God loves me!"
Today, Danny continues to share God's love with youth
at First Baptist Church Alameda, and as the director of Redwood Glen's
Junior High Camp. He considers it
a privilege
to offer the freedom that Christ alone can bring to the many
young people who come to camp but face daily struggles and temptations
at home. Danny knows the fears and joys for he has
experienced
them himself -- first as a child, but then as an adult, at Brookside
cabin up on the roof.
EDITOR'S
NOTE:
Like Danny, many
who receive this
e-newsletter have memories of life-changing moments at Redwood Glen.
To celebrate our 50th anniversary,
we are collecting pictures and
testimonies which tell the real story
of Redwood Glen. For each picture and
story we receive, we will create a display which will be featured at
our Open
Houses this summer, June 28 and July 12. Click here to see a sample
featuring a 1971 memory
from Jill Altman. Send your jpg picture and brief
testimony to news@redwoodglen.com by May
31st to be featured in our anniversary display.
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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
February question:
What was the first cabin built at Redwood
Glen? To what is it dedicated?
The answer: BROOKSIDE CABIN,
dedicated to BROOKSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH. Though the church disbanded in
the 1990's, the congregation was the first to step up to the challenge
of the capital campaign in the late 1950's to raise money to build
cabins at the new Redwood
Glen Baptist Camp. (See article above.) Brookside Cabin was
completed in 1961. Last year, Brookside received a new paint job,
and a back porch which was built by members of Redwood Glen's
maintenance crew. Brookside was also the first cabin online at www.redwoodglen.com to
feature a 3-D model of its interior. Click here to check it out.
Congratulations
to this month's trivia question winners:
- Linda
Enos of San Carlos First Baptist Church
- Debbie
Huckaby, daughter of Ray and Romona Miller and former director
of Children's Music And Drama Camp (CMAD), who now resides in Colorado.
Our March
question:
During the
1980's, what were the "Boosters"?
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: Brandon Benziger
Summer will be a busy time for Brandon Benziger, Redwood Glen's new
Summer Camp Program Director. But before that adventure begins,
Brandon faces a busy spring with finals at Fresno Pacific University,
graduation with a degree in Biblical Studies, a three week tour of
Israel, two days off before 5 camps over 4 weeks, with 2 Open Houses
and 50th anniversary celebrations.
Then he can catch his breath.
With some camps already filled,
and record attendance expected this summer with $50 registration, it
will be crazy. It's a good thing that Brandon is no
stranger to busy Redwood Glen summers. Though he was the
Discovery Camp speaker in 2007, in 2006, he
not also served as the main speaker, but also served as a cabin
counselor, which he admits was more than a bit hectic.
When it comes to this summer, Brandon confesses, "I'm not completely
certain about what I'm getting myself into, but I'm looking forward to
serving Redwood Glen with all that I have, especially since the camp
has served me faithfully since I was a wee little kid."
Born in Modesto and raised in Waterford, Brandon has been attending
summer camp at Redwood Glen since childhood. He has fond memories
of Children's Music And Drama Camp (CMAD) and Discovery Camp, but also
remembers "our small church camping at Shepherd Lodge."
The "small church," which is now not so small, is Waterford Community
Baptist Church where he grew up and still attends when home from
college. Though raised in a Christian family "essentially from
day 1," Brandon recognizes the value that Christan camping away from
family provides for young people.
"Redwood Glen has provided me with opportunities to integrate fun, camp
life, and community with Christian faith. I have been challenged
in the ways I apply spirituality to life," he said.
Though he has no definite plans after serving this summer, he hopes to
continue his love for learning in grad school, eventually teaching
Bible and theology. With reading and writing as new favorite
hobbies, he admits that he loves to read "scholarly books concerning
theology and biblical studies."
Don't get the impression, however, that Brandon is a total
bookworm! "I absolutely enjoy learning," he proclaims but also,
"playing guitar and basketball. I have always been very musical,
athletic, and academic. I enjoy school and digging deeper into my
faith."
Encouraging children and youth to grow in their faith is Brandon's hope
for this summer, a major reason parents should send their kids to
camp. And on top of that, they will "have a blast," Brandon adds,
"a chance for fun that comes perhaps once a year."
And at $50 for a week, it's an opportunity that comes may be once every
50 years! If you've not registered your child for a week of
Redwood Glen camping at our special jubillee rate, click here or log in at www.redwoodglen.com.
If you have questions about our summer programs, email Brandon at program@redwoodglen.com.
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
ANNUAL CAMP WORK DAY -- Saturday, May 31, 2008
Youth groups, fellowship groups,
churches, and individuals of all shapes and sizes are invited to Work
Day at Redwood Glen as we officially prepare the grounds and facilities
for a summer of celebration. Groups have the option of spending
Friday night at camp, or joining us for the day. A great opportunity for a
service project or training for a summer mission.
Email us for more information or
to let us know of your interest.
2008 SUMMER CAMPS -- "Rockin' on the
Rock" - Check our website for more information.
Though Youth Music And Drama camp is
full, and Junior Adventure and Junior High Camps are nearly full,
space is still available at Chilren's Music And Drama Camp and
Discovery Camp. Don't wait! Spaces are filling up!
Register online for the 50th anniversary price of $50. Click here for dates and
information Click here to register on-line
OPEN HOUSE and 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS -- Saturday,
June 28th & July 12th
PASTORS SABBATH weeks -- June 15-20 and June 29-July 3,
2008
A time of rest and vacation for
pastors and their families. A limited number of rooms are
still available in our Siden Conference Center for $50 per room for the
entire week.
Email
us to make your reservation. |
| 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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