King’s Academy from Jonesboro, Indiana sent 37 High School students and adults to camp last week.  “Servant Safari” is their annual volunteer service program.  Head Master Tony Miner contacted Camp and asked if they could come and serve Camp T for the week.    They arrived Monday morning and departed after lunch on Friday.

Most of the crew standing on one of their many piles of pulled Garlic Mustard.

They completed many projects including pulling 4 dump truck loads of Garlic Mustard.

The last of 4 dump truck loads.

You can see the drastic difference as they attacked the wall of Garlic Mustard

John, proving that he isn't too young to cut the Mustard!

The Garlic Mustard has become a major threat to camp’s wildflowers and other native plants.  They built a 100ft section of board walk down on the wet section of the Ghost Creek Trail.

Board Walk on the Ghost Creek trail. Yes, they carried all that lumber down.

They also framed in several low ropes elements and filled them with pea gravel.

The Mohawk Walk low ropes element getting a make-over.

Part of the group spent time assisting the office staff with preparing approximately 4000 confirmation packets.  The “Servant Safari” crew conquered many very helpful projects for camp.  As a full time Camp T staff member, I found it unique in that we usually serve those that come to camp and the King’s Academy students came to serve us.

A big “Thanks!” to King’s Academy for being a great witness and blessing to Camp Tecumseh.

Summer Camp is only 59 days away and the excitement is growing. 

What part of the poem makes you want to get back to Camp the most?

“i wanna go back.
to where there’s no flies on us, but we still fly.
to where there’s no air conditioning, but fans instead.
to where the devil don’t want no finger snappin, but i snap em anyway.
to where you get applauded for failure.
to where your hair gets thrown up.
to where your sweaty and you dont care.
to where being covered in mud is never frowned upon.
to where there are no phones, instead you bake a cake.
to where there are no malls, instead you buy day old donuts for $1.99.
to where Purple is God’s least favorite color.
to where there is no fast food, only dinner like hobos.
to where everyone is their own eagle, and no one is turkeyerized.
to where you don’t gossip about stuff, you just throw it out the window.
to where you can sing songs in the name of Jesus and feel his overwhelming presence upon you.
to where life long friendships are made.
to where you shake hands with someone like a salmon.
to where the stars shine bright, where the leaves are green, and where i am third.
tecumseh.” 

By Kerri Carlquist

Don't you "Turkeyerize" me!

Several of the Outdoor Education staff came across this robin’s nest.  They were able to sneak a photo while the mother was off shopping at “Worm-Mart”.  There is a plethora of information on the internet pertaining to robins, robin eggs, nest, and fun facts.  Did you know that robins typically lay an egg each day and usually stop at four?  Since its a four day process, they allow the first couple to stay cool at first to slow down their development to cause them to hatch closer together.

Which three states claim the robin as their state bird?  Get eggcited!

Do any of you remember the “Giant Stump”?

Giant Stump

The stump was strategically located so that you would encounter it on your way to the Suspension Bridge.  The idea was to have it about the size of the largest tree in Indiana (American Sycamore) which was  approximately 12ft in diameter.  We couldn’t make the entire tree so we settled on a stump.

Giant Stump

An entire cabin group could fit inside it at one time.  It worked out well until that area was needed for the construction of the new Lake Village.

Partner’s Service Day April 21st

Come join us April 21st as we gather to help make improvements around camp.  It’s a great way to model volunteering with your family and an opportunity to introduce your friends to camp.  Come for the day or for as much as your schedule will allow.

Lunch Break

We meet at 9am in the Lake Village parking where we learn about the different projects and then divide and conquer.  Lunch is served picnic style off the grill around noon and then we re-group and complete the unfinished projects.

Wood Splitting Crew

Please send Vince an email vincep@camptecumseh.org and let him know how many people your are bringing.  We look forward to seeing you!