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Redwood
Glen Newsletters
Go back to our archives here.
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The
latest news and events at Redwood Glen
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September
2008
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WELCOME
OUR MISSION:
"To
Reflect Christ through Serving Others"
A WORD FROM OUR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
From
time to time God
blesses my life with someone who is unique,
special, and impacts me like few others do. Over the past 10
summers, David
Sato was that type of person.
When
I came to Redwood Glen in January of 1999, I
became acquainted
with our summer camps, and specifically, with Junior Adventure Camp at
Indian
Point. In conversations, the name, David Sato, kept coming up as
one who created
a Christian camp experience through small groups, which was designed to
bring
campers closer to God through creation.
For
the past 40 years, David has been a vital part of our Adventure Camp
program, shaping it into what it is today, and making the initial
vision of LeRoy
Willard a reality for hundreds of campers.
In
early August,
just a few days after his 70th birthday, David passed away. At
his memorial service, the impact he made
on the lives of his students and summer campers was evident.
At
Redwood Glen, David
was the primary force behind the construction
of Sanctuary at Indian Point. This beautiful chapel area,
surrounded by
tall redwood trees, has been a place for individuals and groups to sit
and
meditate, to hear the gospel shared, and to encounter God's still,
quiet
voice.
One
of our current post cards has a picture of "The Shepherd,"
which is a burned redwood tree at Sanctuary that looks like a shepherd
with a
staff.
David Sato has left a rich legacy of love of God and love of
nature that will
extend to generations at Redwood Glen.
The
last time I talked with David
was at our 50th Anniversary Celebration at Redwood Glen in late
June. David and his wife, Bonnie,
were here for our special 50th Celebrations. At that dinner I
shared the new 10-year vision of the
Redwood Glen Board -- "No Child Left
Inside."
You
see articles
everywhere that describe how so many
children and youth spend so little time outside anymore. We see
God's
vision for Redwood Glen as offering outdoor opportunities for children,
youth,
and adults to encounter creation and Creator in this unique setting in
the Santa Cruz Mountains. The board is also
hearing God say we need to focus on low-income children so that ALL
children,
regardless of their family's income, can have a life-changing
experience at
summer camp at Redwood Glen.
So far God has blessed us with a
little over $80,000
towards our $99,000 goal, which provided full scholarships for all 500+
campers
who attended at only $50 each this summer. Over 50 campers
attended
Adventure Camp this year, including David's grandson, Masashi, which is
David's
middle name.
I am thankful for those who have been faithful and generous
in giving towards our camp scholarship fund, and I trust that we will
reach our
goal through God's movement in the hearts of people like you.
I miss David's
smile and friendly greeting, but his
legacy of outdoor Christian camping will live on with me and so many
others.
What's your legacy?
I'd love to talk with
you about how you can be a part of our Legacy Circle named in honor of Dr.
Charles Shepherd.
You can be part of providing an outdoor Christian
camping experience for generations through an estate gift. Make
the decision right now to leave a legacy that is God-honoring and
life-changing
for countless children, youth and adults. Let's talk.
Jay
E. Nordgaard,
Executive
Director
(650)
879-0320 Ext. 12
exec@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
.
Last month, we reported the passing of David Sato, long time friend of
Redwood Glen and visionary leader of Indian Point. In this
edition of our e-newsletter, we share a brief history of Junior
Adventure Camp and Indian Point. Both were passions in David's
heart as he instilled a deeper appreciation of God's world in campers
and guests of Redwood Glen for nearly 40 years. We also introduce
you this month to the staff of San Joaquin Outdoor Education (SJOE) as
they begin a new school year on site with us, and like David, introduce
kids to the natural beauty of creation here among the redwoods.
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: BLAZING
TRAILS
 When Fred and Louise Vandermeer came to
Redwood Glen to serve as summer camp managers in 1963, Steve, their eldest son, was in high
school. There were few pre-existing trails into the north
section of the property of the camp. This
undeveloped land called
"Indian Point" was
a dense
rugged redwood forest --
the perfect terrain for an adventurous adolescent to enjoy and
explore.
"I roamed all over the hills during the summer," recalls
Steve.
Indian Point and Hoffman Creek became the playground for Steve and his
siblings, Susie and Cy. As routes were
established, trails were formed, and today, those trails continue
to lead campers and adventurous guests to the Regier Chapel in the
Woods along Hoffman Creek and to Pescadero Creek, the northern border
of Redwood Glen property.
 While
Steve (left) helped scout
many of the trails at Redwood Glen, summer staff along with grounds
keeper, Frank Smith (center), and Fred (right) assisted in establishing
them during the late 1960's. They developed the chapel trail, and
constructed the original Chapel in the Woods. They also built the
hogans for the first Junior Camps at Indian Point in 1968.
The initial vision for Junior Camps at Indian Point came from Rev. LeRoy Willard, Director of
Camping for the American Baptist Churches of Northern California, who
succeeded Rev. J. Bryant Wright
in 1965. In contrast to large conference-style camps (speaker to
audience with lecture seating), LeRoy's camping philosophy was grounded
in small community groups with interactive hands-on learning.
In 1968 LeRoy launched his new vision, but he wished to expand it.
Thus for the summer of 1969, he asked a young Sacramento teacher, who
had been serving at American Baptist summer camps at Camp Chinquapin, if
he would be interested in experimenting with something "new and
exciting" at Redwood Glen. This adventurous visionary saw the
potential and said, "Yes." His name: David Sato.
 The
plan for 1969 was to expand Junior Camp at Indian Point from 20 campers
to 40
with eight
sites for six
weeks of outdoor
living.
Groups would
consist of five campers
in 5th
and 6th grade, along
with two counselors. They would create a small community which
would cook, sleep, live, learn, and have fun together 24/7. A boy's
tent and a girl's tent would join together for various activities to
create a family group. With
only four hogans built and new staff that would need to be recruited
and trained, doubling
what LeRoy had started in 1968 would be a big task to pull off, but
David was up to the challenge. (A
picture of an original 1960s hogan is pictured above.)
The
counselors arrived at camp three weeks before the start of the six week
adventure. Though new platform tents were to be built to
accompany the hogans, "first we needed to put in toilets," recalls
David's wife, Bonnie, who was
an Indian Point counselor in 1969. Along with outhouses and
platform tents, the counselors also built the original "chuck boxes" to
store gear and food at each site. They also assisted David in
creating a library in a grove of trees, a terrarium, a craft center,
and even raccoon cages! "We caught three the first year," David
proudly shared in an interview conducted with him earlier this year.
"My
intent was to train them," David said. "And he did," Bonnie
interjected, "in a crash course!" In three weeks, David trained
the counselors in everything they needed to know. This included
camp living skills like fire building, cooking, and cleaning, nature
crafts and knot tying, but also Bible study and nature skills,
including plant identification.
"A major thing when I led the camp," David said, "was ecology, respect
for the forest. They became good naturalists." A foundation
of the outdoor ethic David instilled in his young staff was the value
we call today, "leave no trace." Groups were
to establish a "Home in the Woods," which needed to be cleared when the
week was over to look as if no one had been there.
Along with the counselors, David also recruited and trained a TR
(Theologian in Residence), a local pastor who served as a biblical
teacher and resource person for the camp. The TR would walk with
the group as they journeyed during the day and would spontaneously use
the natural environment as a parable for a spiritual lesson. One
of the first TRs to work with David was former Redwood Glen camp
manager, Rev. Ray Miller.
In 1969, David embraced
LeRoy WIllard's vision
and for nearly 40 years built upon it, developing his own plans for
Indian Point and for Junior
Camp (which would eventually be called Junior Adventure Camp).
This vision has shaped and inspired generations of campers and
counselors. Though David would be in and out of on-site Junior
Camp involvement after 1969, leaders like Mary Twito Chin, Norm Lawson, Jim Davis, Katie Choy-Wong, and Carolyn Neitzke continued to build
on LeRoy's and David's vision of drawing young people to deeper faith
in the Creator through creation.
With his health declining in the 1990's and Junior Adventure Camp in
capable hands, David sensed the urgency to follow-through on other
plans which would see his full vision for Indian Point realized.
In particular, construction of Sanctuary began in earnest. (See story below in our trivia section.)
Trails were also marked with hand made signs. As diabetes
began to ravage his eyes and his body requiring his right leg to be
amputated below the knee, one aspect of his vision never materialized
-- the Indian Point nature center and trail.
 Though
going blind, the
visionary could
still see the
potential of Indian Point as a place of learning and contemplation in
the beauty of God's world. During
his last
trip to Indian Point, just 6 weeks before his passing in August, David
passionately pointed out and described in great detail the envisioned
nature trail, which would begin with an outdoor nature center at the
burned "chimney tree" on "A" trail and lead to Pescadero
Creek. Numbered signs along the path with a printed booklet
would offer insights into the natural environment and provide thoughts
for reflection. The nature center would be an outdoor teaching
area with log stumps in a small circle. In the hollow inside of
an old growth stump, resources to better understand and appreciate all
that God has made would be available.
A tinge of disappointment colored his words as he reflected on what he
could see, but knew could not make happen. Nearly 70 years old,
his desire to see people enjoy the beauty of creation and to worship
the Creator still burned strong. With David's passing last month,
the task of building the Indian Point dream and blazing new trails now
fall on a new generation. In 1969, David saw LeRoy's vision and
ran with it. In 2008, David has passed on the vision to us.
LeRoy and David are both gone, but the passion burns on. Will you help Redwood Glen run with
it?
If you are interested in pursuing David's dream for Indian Point,
please contact us.
This is one way we can honor the memory of a special man and his life
long commitment to nature and to Redwood Glen. Memorial
gifts in celebration of David's life and ministry can also be sent to
the camp.
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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
August question:
What is the primary focal point at
Sanctuary, the outdoor chapel at Indian Point? And as a bonus question: When did David first discover it?
 The answer: THE SHEPHERD
Sanctuary is located just off of the "A" Trail in Indian Point.
It is a 15 minute casual walk down hill from the main part of
camp. David discovered the Shepherd in 1969 while training counselors for
Junior Camp at Indian Point. He took a shortcut, sat down for a
break, looked up, and saw the figure of a shepherd in the outline of a
burned redwood tree. Unfortunately, people did not take advantage
of that detour off the trail, and for over 30 years, people passed the
Shepherd by without a notice. As David realized his health was
deteriorating in the 1990's, he began to work on creating Sanctuary
with the Shepherd as its focal point. He cleared the area, moved
benches, and created better access. A paraphrase of Psalm 23
inspired by Indian Point was also written. (Click here for a copy.) "Kids need a place to gather for
worship," he said. Today, Sanctuary is a place of worship, not
just for kids, but for all who seek refuge and find comfort in the Lord
who is our Shepherd.
Unfortunately, we have no winner
for this month's trivia question.
Our September
question:
What is the Charles R. Shepherd Legacy
Circle? And why is it dedicated to Charles
R. Shepherd?
Hint: Check our November 2007 Redwood Glen
Newsletter in the archives on our website.
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: San Joaquin Outdoor Education Staff
Since 1993, Redwood Glen has
served the children of San Joaquin County as one of the county's
outdoor education sites. (Camp Jones Gulch, the SF YMCA camp,
down the road in Loma Mar, is the other site.) During the school
year, a team of naturalists works hard to create a meaningful and
enjoyable environmental education experience, using an
"interdisciplinary, multi-sensory, direct, discovery-oriented approach"
to teach their students to live in companionship with nature, other
children , and adults. As the naturalists settle in for the
school year with their first group of kids this week, we'd like to
briefly introduce each of them to you.
San Joaquin
County Outdoor Education staff: Michael Wood, Brandon Clark, Jared Baker, Allison Hughes, Sarah Winer, Molly Sease, Leah Ricci, and SJOE principal, Gregory Bahr
"This area is
incredibly diverse in terms of habitat. We've got the coast,
redwoods, chapporal, and low desert all within 10 miles. It's the
best teaching tool a naturalist could hope for. It's very
powerful for kids to see them all."
Michael
Wood (Nature name: Cirrus)
from upstate New York.
BA English & Music, State University of New York, Geneseo (2006)
"I
enjoy teaching and want to purse it as a career so this was a good step
and I have heard great things about the Pescadero Valley naturalist
community."
Brandon
Clark (Nature name: Mud)
from Flagstaff, AZ.
BS Environmental Science, Northern Arizona University (2008)
"Redwood
Glen is a great place to live and work! Beautiful setting, lots
of room to play."
Jared
Baker (Nature name: Rio)
from Los Gatos.
BS Anthropology, Environmental Science, Forestry, UC Berkeley
(2006)
"SJOE is my
chance to break into the environmental/outdoor education field.
I'm excited to learn all I can this year!"
Allison
Hughes (Nature name: Sorrel)
from Monterey/Salinas.
BS Human Development & Education, UC Davis (2006)
"I appreciate the 'home' feeling I get when I see the sign and familiar
faces; the serenity of Deer Meadow, the creek, the positive community,
and the amount of people trying to do good and bring peace."
Sarah
Winer (Nature name: Dragonfly)
from Portland, ME and Canton, CT.
BA Spanish, Minor in Environmental Science, Drew University (2006)
"I
have always been passionate about working with children and in the
outdoors. When I heard of SJOE, I knew it'd be a perfect fit."
Molly
Sease (Nature name: Cynus)
from Montpelier, VT.
BS Anthropology, Conneticut College (2008)
"This is such a beautiful area! And
I love working with of all
the staff here and the kids from San Joaquin County. What I
appreciate about Redwood Glen is the sense of community - everyone
looks out for each other!"
Leah
Ricci (Nature name: Hedgehog)
from Mendon, NY ("though California is starting to feel more like
home.")
BS Anthopology and Environmental Studies, Bowdoin College (2007)
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SPREAD
THE WORD:
Tell a friend
and save $250
If you've
recently enjoyed an event at Redwood Glen, your group could save $250
on your next event by simply telling a friend or a colleague, who then
reserves and books a first time event with us. Not only do you
save, but the first time group also will receive $250 off their
event. It's a win-win for everyone! For more details, email us.
Help us spread the word!
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DOES YOUR CHURCH HAVE "IT"?
 A book review by Rev.
Joan Friesen, Metamorphosis Director
SAVE THE DATES: February 16-18, 2009
(Monday
to Wednesday) for our
annual
PASTORS
CONFERENCE.
 Through
Metamorphosis, Redwood Glen provides learning and renewal experiences
for pastors, associate staff, and church leaders seeking to enrich
their lives and ministries.
The 2009 Pastor's Sabbath dates are June 14-19. Email us for
more information or to make a reservation. Can't wait until the
summer? Contact us about a personal retreat.
For more information on the ministry of
Metamorphosis, check out our website.
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Redwood
Glen REFLECTIONS
This
monthly e-newsletter is 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. 14
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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