Issue
One
Camp is Turning 50!!!
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in this issue >>>
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Welcome to the First Edition of Our Newsletter
A milestone Worth Celebrating
Turning 50 Years Old
Welcome to the Trail
Approaching Storm
After Michael
Camp in the Fall
Time for a Make-Over
On the CAMP TRAIL will be a quarterly
newsletter all about Camp Wiregrass. We will
be highlighting activities, sharing stories and
giving information on upcoming events at
camp. We hope you will enjoy it!
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It was May 5, 1969, when Wiregrass Christian Youth Camp, Inc. was formed for the purpose
of creating a Christian summer camp in Southeast Alabama. On May 28th, the purchase of
the property was finalized, and Camp Wiregrass was born.
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The month of May was only the beginning for
this labor of love. However, many months of
hard work lay ahead. The property had been
neglected for quite some time and fire had
torched some areas. Thankfully,
manual labor would not derail
camp forefathers from their plan
and purpose. Because of their
efforts, the very first camp session
opened in the summer of 1970
with 70 campers and 32 staff
members ready for the experience.
The first campers slept in tents,
because there were no cabins.
There was no kitchen, either, so
meals were brought to camp; but
none of that mattered, because
“…the people had a mind to
work” (Neh 4:6). AND, young
people came! God blessed that
first voyage and has rewarded
their efforts many times over.
Before the second summer season
came, cabins were constructed, a
chapel with first through twelfth
grade campers There were no
camper cabins; only tents and no
kitchen. Meals were brought in to
feed campers and staff members.
Since the first camp session, Camp Wiregrass
has grown and become THE summer
destination for many children, teenagers and
adults who love the experience. In fact, as of
2018 our camp has hosted 32,688 campers
and has been blessed with 12,878 voluntary
staff members. The Bible Rosette, camp’s
highest honor, has been awarded to 29,686
campers and there have been 990 baptisms.
chapel was added and camp had a fully
functioning kitchen. Through the years, more
property and program enhancements have
been made but the goals and mission remain
the same. May 4th will be a day of celebrating
the first 50 years of the mission and its legacy.
Stay tuned for more details on the celebration
and plan to be part of this special day. It is
going to be a day like none other.
A place where
young people can
come to know God
as Creator,
Father and
Friend….
A Quarterly Glance of Happenings at Camp Wiregrass
Winter 2019
The Mansion Location!
Getting Ready Once it becomes clear that life
and property are about to be
adversely affected by the
weather, thousands of people
go into high gear preparing
for the situation. Such is the
responsibility of Wiregrass
In Hindsight >>>
A Storm’s Rage vs a Community’s Spirit Hurricane Michael was the most severe storm to hit the area since Hurricane Opal in 1995.
With over 500 poles to replace, 35 miles of wire to repair, and over 200 transformers to
restore, WEC estimated their damages to be just under $7 million dollars. The numbers
were daunting, but, as the Bible says “…. for the people had a mind to work.” (Neh 4:6)
“We referred to the nurse hut as the Mansion
at Camp Wiregrass,” remarked Jason Thrash,
VP of Engineering and Operations at WEC.
With a vengeance, Michael
roared toward the Florida
Panhandle. Growing from
a tropical depression on
October 7th to a major
Category 4 hurricane two
days later, Michael kept
advancing toward the open
Mexico Beach and Panama
City, Florida area. Then,
on October 10th, the angry
storm made landfall.
Mr. Thrash reported that 54 men stayed at
camp during the storm and the restoration
period which followed. He noted that crew
members assigned to lodge at the nurse’s hut
really enjoyed their time there and appreciated
the hospitality. Mr. Thrast also expressed the
coop’s appreciation to Camp Wiregrass for
allowing crews to lodge on campus.
“So many churches, businesses, and
organizations were willing to help
with the restoration efforts,” stated
Brad Kimbro, COO at Wiregrass
Electric. Mr. Kimbro added WEC’s
appreciation for the many prayers,
uplifting words and kind deeds their
workers received from those in the
community. He also thanked Camp
Wiregrass for opening its campus
to incoming linemen. Mr. Kimbro
was further pleased to share that
with 45,000 hours worked, WEC
was blessed to have had no safety
issues during the restoration period.
Making Preparations >>>
HURRICANE MICHAEL Swiftly Approaching……..
Electric Cooperative, the supplier of electricity for
Camp Wiregrass. Days before Michael’s arrival,
camp received a call from the coop regarding the
use of camp as lodging and staging for incoming
power crews and equipment during and after the
storm. Details were quickly worked out.
Demanding Schedule Men and equipment began coming into
camp on Tuesday the 9th just ahead of
the storm. Once Michael had made his
entrance and conditions were deemed
safe for linemen, hard hats were in
place and boots were on the ground.
From that day through Friday, October
19th; work days were VERY long;
sometimes beginning with a rising sun
and ending by the light of the moon.
Fall Happenings at Camp Wiregrass
Encounter at Camp Wiregrass November 9th through the 11th were
the dates for the Encounter retreat at
Camp Wiregrass. This retreat was
sponsored by several area Churches
of Christ congregations.
Does camp just fold up after the summer camping season ends?
Not at all, in fact, Camp Wiregrass can get rather busy in the fall.
KIDS FOR CHRIST
Saturday, September 15th was the date of the
second annual KIDS FOR CHRIST event at
Camp Wiregrass. About 147 youngsters came
out to enjoy the activities of the day.
Children from kindergarten thru 5th grade
played games, enjoyed chapel services,
snacks, and were entertained by Mr. Benny.
Families and groups were also welcome to
attend. The Sweet Gum Head Church of
Christ provided a delicious meal for all who
came for the day.
There was a little Fall chill in the air
but it made no difference to about 100
middle and high schoolers who came
to Encounter. There was plenty of
singing, games, food and other fun
activities to enjoy; and a few blankets
too. The speaker was Brendon Chance,
former youth minister at the College
Avenue Church of Christ in Enterprise.
Singing was led by Rick Cochran,
Campus Minister at Troy Christian
Student Center.
IT WAS a bit on the CHILLY SIDE.....
OPEN FOR BUSINESS !!!!!!!!
The application portal for campers and staff HAS JUST
OPENED! If you want to come to Camp Wiregrass this
summer, better be cruising to the website! Applications are
being accepted right now; so claim for your spot. Your
friends will be claiming theirs!
A new edition of our newsletter
will be available on the website
next quarter.
Thanks for reading!
We have had a make-over! Our website has just been totally revamped and, we’ve even included a new mobile version as well. If you haven’t already, please explore our new look.
We think you’ll like the changes!
www.campwiregrass.info
thoughts...Have you seen it yet??? final
Contact us: info@campwiregrass. info