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Summer Quotables |
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"Thank you. [My son] had so much fun at Outdoor Kid Camp!! You guys are awesome!"
"[My son] has been raving about the phenomenal counselors, about the other boys, and all the fun they had together. He had such a great time up there. In the past he has had such a difficult time connecting with others-- we really appreciate the opportunity that Camp Mikell has given him. Blessings to you!"
"I asked [my daughter] which was better-- Intermediate or Performing Arts Camp-- and she immediately said 'don't ask me that because there's no way to choose; they're both awesome!' I didn't think anything could top her experience last year, but apparently it just gets better." |
| Mikell Golf Tournament |
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| Mikell's Fourth Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser is coming up on August 4, and golfer and sponsor spaces are still available! The tournament, to be held at the Providence Club in Monroe, will benefit Mikell's Pool Fund. "Because Mikell has no parishioners to give their financial support, the annual golf tournament is vital to reducing our pool debt," says Mikell Executive Director Rev. Ken Struble.
The state-of-the-art new pool, built in 2002, uses a computer-monitored sanitation system to maintain safe pH levels, rather than less effective and harsher chemicals such as chlorine. Additionally, it complies with the stringent standards of the American Camp Association, of which Mikell is an accredited member.
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| Mikell Receives Grants |
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Mikell recently received a slew of grants for various projects. Tremendous thanks go to the organizations listed below for their support of Mikell's ministry!
- The Episcopal Charities Foundation of the Diocese of Atlanta awarded Mikell $3,000 to aid the Mikell/Emmaus Project, an award-winning joint venture between Mikell C&CC and Emmaus House of Atlanta.
- The Wal-Mart Foundation presented Mikell with $1,000 for 2007 summer camp scholarships for youth from Stephens County.
- The North Georgia Community Foundation of Gainesville awarded Mikell $2,850 to replace one dormitory's hot water heaters, furnaces and lights, and add fans to the building.
- All Saints' Episcopal Church Christian Social Ministries granted Mikell $2,000 toward the Scholarship Fund.
- Although Mikell did not receive funding from the United Thank Offering, we were selected by the Diocese of Atlanta as one of only two diocesan grant requests that were sent on to UTO's national office for consideration.
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Our Wish List
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* New Tractor (L4400 Kubota)
* Copy Paper
* Rechargeable AAA Batteries and Chargers
* Sharpies
* New Roof for the Chapel
* Adopt a Room/Cabin (mattresses, comforters, furniture, and mattress covers: contact Gary Bennett, Mikell Superintendent of Facilities, at 706.886.7515 for specifics)
*Drill press
*Scroll saw
*Shovels, rakes, steel rakes, hammers, saws, tape measurers, etc.
*New computer
*Heavy-duty tandem equipment trailer
We at Mikell greatly appreciate any contribution to help continue our ministry, which really is your ministry too. |
Did You Know...?
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The Camp Effect n. Lasting sense of well-being and accomplishment that children (and adults) feel after participating in camp!
Read about this and more at the American Camp Association website, www.acacamps.org, or visit their website dedicated to parents of campers: www.campparents.org. Mikell has been an accredited member of ACA since 1999 and regularly submits to a rigorous review process (over 300 standards) of its operation, ranging from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. | |
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Dear Mikell Friend ,
Welcome to the summer edition of Mikell Matters, Mikell's newsletter! We hope you find it informative and interesting. Please let us know what you think!
If you have friends, family or acquaintances who might like to keep up with Mikell news, please forward this newsletter along to them.
All the Mikell best,
The Mikell staff |
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Guest Camp Registration Underway |
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Guest Camp, to be held August 31-September 1, is filling up quickly! To date, there are only eight Retreat Village rooms not yet reserved, and a limited number of cottages are still open. Dormitory space is still available.
Why come to Guest Camp? It's Camp Mikell's weekend for all ages, held annually over Labor Day weekend. This is a time for individuals and families alike to gather in the beauty of the north Georgia mountains for a relaxed weekend of activities, quiet time, fellowship and the famous Camp Mikell food! Highlights of the weekend include a lively auction to benefit Mikell's ministry. This event is unique each year as the items are requested from the campers themselves.
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| Summer Camp Registration at Record High |
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Mikell Summer Camp is at a record high with a current registration of 808 campers! This number exceeds 2006 registration by 137 children and surpasses Executive Director Ken Struble's goal for 2007 of having 100 more campers than last year. "Although our goal uses a number as its guideline, our real hope is to reach out to that many more young people through the rich experiences of summer camp," adds Assistant to the Director Kat Ballard.
Share the Mikell Magic, our new referral incentive program, is part of the reason for this success. When a current camper recruits a new camper, both receive $25 off their registration fees. To date, 80 campers have taken part in the program (this figure does not reflect the number of families who have declined payment for their recruitment efforts). Many thanks go to the campers and families who are furthering Mikell's ministry by sharing the amazing camp experience with someone else. |
| Kids4Peace Visits Mikell |
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For their fifth year, the Kids4Peace summer program recently joined Mikell's Junior Camp. The group comprises a dozen 11-year-old children from Jerusalem -- four Jewish, four Muslim and four Christian -- and their leaders, along with 12 children and leaders from the Diocese of Atlanta. The goal is to explore what they have in common rather than in conflict.
"K4P is an educational program, not a political one," said Henry Carse, Director of Kids4Peace. "We are giving children whose families are committed to peace a chance to get together. The program focuses on our need to learn about each others' traditions and way of life as Jews, Christians and Muslims [and] how to use these differences as a bridge to live together." The program is a joint venture between Jerusalem's St. George's College, the Diocese of Atlanta, and Mikell Camp and Conference Center.
The Kids4Peace offered Abraham's Tent, an original mixture of traditions and skits from the three religions, to Junior Campers and Georgia K4P parents, on the last night of camp. |
Coming soon to Mikell
and Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center
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Coming Soon to Mikell:
Work Camp July 28-August 2
Athens Academy July 28-29
Calvary Chapel July 30-August 2
Mikell Golf Tournament August 4
(in Monroe)
Emmaus House August 5-9
Kennesaw State University August 10-12
First Presbyterian Teachers August 10-12
Grace Episcopal Church Youth August 17-19
St. Matthias Pool Party August 19
Covenant Presbyterian Church August 24-26
Guest Camp August 31-September 3
Raburn/Pickens Wedding September 7-9
Diocesan Clergy Retreat September 10-12
Northlands Church September 14-16
Crossroads Presbyterian Church September 14-16
Athens Academy September 17-20
St. Bartholomew's Parish Retreat September 21-23
DYC Staff Training September 22-23
Holy Trinity Parish September 28-30
St. Matthias Parish Service Group September 30
Coming Soon to Blue Ridge:
St. Paul's Episcopal Church August 10-12
Blue Ridge fall staff arrives August 26
Fair Street Elementary School September 13-14
Westminster School September 17-21
Austin Elementary School September 26-28
Oxford College September 28-30
Spaces are available for groups and private retreats! Come relax and get away from the busy-ness of life, or bring your next meeting, reunion, or retreat to Mikell. Contact Amanda Segers at 706.886.7515 or mikell@alltel.net for more information. |
| Mature Pines are Harvested |
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The Mikell Board of Governors voted unanimously to harvest the mature pine trees that border the dirt road that transects Mikell. The carefully-considered decision was informed by the Georgia Forestry Commission and based on conscientious stewardship practices as well as Mikell's ministry statement, said Rev. Ken Struble, Executive Director of Mikell.
The recent falling of multiple mature white pines dangerously near the Bishop Child Retreat Village (during which no guests or buildings were harmed), along with the threat of pine bark beetles (aggravated by drought conditions) influenced the Board's decision.
"By deciding to cut just the mature pines, we are ensuring that we are helping to protect our structures and guests at Mikell. This harvesting, in turn, will allow the hardwoods in the area to grow more quickly and will enable them to be healthier. Future generations will enjoy healthy hardwood stands where we are presently cutting the mature pines," added Rev. Struble. The money received from this tree harvest will be used in much needed areas for capital repairs/purchases for Mikell. |
Meet a Mikeller
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This section is dedicated to introducing you to the Mikell staff "family", so that you're more familiar with us before you even set foot on the Mikell campus!
This month, meet Melanie Struble, Mikell Summer Camp Registrar! She is one of the key people in helping you register your child for summer camp.
What do you do at Mikell?
I am responsible for all of our Summer Camp registrations. Some examples of what I do are: assist people with the online registration system, work with agencies from all over Georgia who send children here with scholarships, and collect and organize all of the necessary forms.
How long have you worked at Mikell?
I've been working in the office as the Summer Camp Registrar for 1½ years.
What are some things that you love about Mikell?
The thing that I love most about working at Mikell is the feeling of "teamwork". Whether you work in the office, housekeeping, summer staff, Blue Ridge, or kitchen, everyone pitches in to make Camp Mikell special.
How do you see the Mikell of the future?
When I think about the Mikell of the future, I think about how the buildings may change, and the people may come and go, but to me Camp Mikell is like looking through a Kaleidoscope, and the Magic never goes away.
What would you like Mikell supporters to know about you?
I've been married to Ken Struble for 17 ½ years, and we met at Camp Mikell in 1982. We have 3 children, Allie, Kara, and Jacob. I am a registered Nurse, and I work at Stephens County Hospital one day a week on the surgical floor. I have been the Camp Nurse for several sessions here at Camp Mikell this summer.
Is there anything you'd like to tell Mikell guests and supporters? Camp Mikell has a wonderful sense of community, and sharing the Mikell Magic with friends and family will continue to strengthen our place in the diocese. |
| Diocese Features Mikell |
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The Diocese of Atlanta is currently featuring Mikell on their home page! To view the article, click on the Diocese of Atlanta website. Many thanks go to Nan Ross, diocesan Director of Communications, for shedding light on Mikell. | |
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