A big thanks to all those that gave of their time, tools, and energy to serve at the Oct. 17th Partner’s Service Day. It was great getting to meet new people as well as reunite with old friends. Several different families drove from two hours away to lend a helping hand. Hats off to those mothers and fathers that demonstrated the act of serving others.

The two projects for the day consisted of building another Ga Ga pit at Lake Village and clearing the hillside/view of the Tippecanoe River from the side deck of the River Lodge.

The Ga Ga pit crew members were amazing. Joel headed up the project and had many of the boards pre-cut and ready to go. They first had to construct the base/floor and then build up the tongue and groove side boards. Literally thousands of children will play in this additional Ga Ga pit. They did a very nice job!

The clearing crew was fantastic.  They spent the morning on the hillside cutting down small trees and brush. They cut everything by hand and worked hard to cut the felled trees up into smaller pieces.  The Tippecanoe River is beautiful and the product of their efforts to clear the view will be enjoyed by all that venture to the River Village side deck. 

Partner’s Service Days are always a good time of fellowship, meeting new people, working together, and serving.  Camp typically has a Partner’s Service Day every spring and fall.  We would love to have you come join us in the spring.  It is a great way to introduce your friends and other family members to Camp.

Thanks again for all of those that participated.  See you next spring!

Vince “Varmit” Pattengale

We just celebrated the 9th year of Camp Tecumseh Grand Camp!  Grand Camp is a time for Grandparents and their grandchildren to have a time away from it all and spend the most wonderful and memorable weekend together. Those who have been coming for years count the days when they can return to be reunited with others that have been a part of this fabulous weekend. At arrival on Friday night the children climb out of their cars and race to check-in at the trading post. Like a family reunion, they all wait for the others to arrive and are excited to see one another again. Greetings of big smiles and hugs are excitedly exchanged knowing that it is going to be a great weekend together. When was the last time your grandchildren walked in the dark with flashlights or slept in the upper spot of a bunk bed? The simplicity of these experiences makes lifetime memories and great pictures to show the parents what they missed!

Early morning when the hopper bell rings the children run to the lodge to take part in setting the table as they anticipate what fun the day will bring. After breakfast, off to the program areas they go. Trying to decide what to do first. It is amazing to watch youngsters of all ages enjoy this time together. The older ones helping the littler ones, it is a joy to all the grandparents to see them out in the wide open field running, laughing, wrestling, walking hand in hand, some even being lifted up on other’s shoulders. What a beautiful sight to see!

No cell phones, no electronic games, just fresh crisp air, green grass, trees that are turning to a beautiful hue of color, and the sun shining upon faces young and older. What a glorious weekend! Lots of pictures being taken and memories being made!

Camp program areas ranging from weaving friendship bracelets, trying their marksmanship at the ranges, to paddling on the lake or riding a horse through the pine forest. At the Creative Arts Center campers loved making tie-dyed T-shirts and photo frames. Admission could be charged to sit in the “Grandstands” for the Saturday night campfire with hilarious songs and skits as camp staff members led the eager youngsters. Making smore’s ended a fun-filled day. A gloriously exhausting and exhilarating weekend at Grand Camp is followed naturally by the anticipation of returning next year. Grands always leave eager to come back for more fun together. Plans were already being made that everyone would be here again next year.

For more information about Grand Camp, call Camp Tecumseh YMCA at 765-564-2898 or email info@camptecumseh.org.

The October Edition of the Tales is here!  Watch for it in your mailbox
or download it in PDF format right now!

We are gearing up for another Partner’s Service Day on October 17, 2009.  For those that have helped before, you already know that it is a great opportunity to meet new people, re-unite with friends, model volunteering to your family, and reconnect with Camp in a very helpful way.

Thanks to a generous contribution, one of our goals is to build another “Ga Ga Pit” for Lake Village.  Many of the boards will be pre-cut for this project but it will take most of the day for a crew to screw it all together.  You are more than welcome to bring your own heavy duty cordless drill.

Another goal is to clear much of the growth that prevents us from seeing the beautiful Tippecanoe River from both the River Lodge deck and the Chapel.  Camp will provide many of the tools but you are more than welcome to bring your own long handle pruning loppers and small hand saws.  Please don’t bring chainsaws.

Other projects will be considered as we determine the number of volunteers planning to participate and their areas of expertise.

The day begins at 9:00 am in the Lake Village parking lot and usually ends around 3:00 pm.  We take a break at noon for grilled hamburgers and brats.  We would love to have you join us even if it is only for part of the day.

Please email Vince at vincep@camptecumseh.org to let us know you’ll be coming and how many folks are attending.  If you have any questions feel to write as well.  We ask that anyone under 18 years old be accompanied by a responsible adult.