Issue

One

Camp is Turning 50!!!

TRAIL The Trail Colocation

in this issue >>>

current topics >>>

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.

Share your comments, ideas or

photos by email at:

campwiregrass2006@gmail.com

Subject Line: NEWSLETTER

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