Campaign surpasses goal for Canyon cabins

By Holly McCray Donations have exceeded the goal to fund two new cabins at Canyon Camp. The additional money is significant; it gives officials hope that the buildings can be ready when summer’s youth camps open. Supporters across the state truly embraced a $175,000 matching-grant challenge, with a firm deadline of Dec. 31, made by Paul Milburn of Shawnee. Cash and pledges swelled to $216,476...

Campaign surpasses goal for Canyon cabins

By Holly McCray Donations have exceeded the goal to fund two new cabins at Canyon Camp. The additional money is significant; it gives officials hope that the buildings can be ready when summer's youth camps open. Supporters across the state truly embraced a $175,000 matching-grant challenge, with a firm deadline of Dec. 31, made by Paul Milburn of Shawnee. Cash and pledges swelled to $216,476 as...

Camps goal: $175,000 Deadline: Dec. 31

Camps leaders account for $150,000 in donations, thus far, as they count down to the final day of a campaign to build two new cabins at Canyon. "We appreciate all who have stepped up to get us this far," said Camps Director Randy McGuire. "We can’t stop now." Money gifts have ranged from $25 to $10,000-plus, sent by donors in the Panhandle, southwestern Oklahoma, and the state’s capital, among...

Fund grows for Canyon cabins

Summer campers cool off in the pool. Proposed floor plan for a cabin at Canyon By Holly McCray ...

Josh Pulver named new manager at Camp Egan

As a youth, Josh Pulver often stayed at Camp Egan, especially during the week of Tulsa District Camp in summertime. Now he is making his home there. On April 4, Pulver began his new job as Camp Egan’s manager; Dave Perrin is retiring. Pulver relishes being outdoors and spent lots of time in his formative years at all three Oklahoma Conference camp facilities. The manager’s post feels "like something God was...

Oklahoman contributing on national UM camping level

Two directors represent all camping ministries in the denomination’s South Central Jurisdiction. One of them is Andre Stravlo of Edmond, Camps’ administrative assistant for the Oklahoma Conference. Earlier this year she was elected to the four-year post, which also means service on an even wider scope. She becomes a member of the Board of Directors for the National UM Camp and Retreat Committee. More than 200 UM...

Building for life at camp

Ed Lusk, center, prepares to paint McSpadden Cabin's large meeting room at Camp Egan. Left, from top: tear-out is a first step...

Summer camps see record attendance

A game surges across the grass at Canyon Camp during JEM (Junior-high Effectiveness Ministry) camp. ‘People are looking at ways to improve the spiritual life of their children’ ...

Camps prepare to welcome summer guests

Staff and volunteers are prepping the three Conference camps for a shortened summer youth camping season. June and July will teem with events for young people, due to changes in public schools’ scheduling. Camps Director Randy McGuire noted that winter weather closures forced some education officials to extend the school year deep into May, and the 2010-11 year starts early in August for some schools. The camps are...

Dean supports Confirmation Retreats for younger disciples

For a second year, hundreds of youngsters attended Confirmation retreats in February and early March at the three United Methodist camps. By Scott Rodgers What an incredible way to spend a Friday and Saturday! That is how I would describe the Confirmation Camp at Camp Egan. This event brought together fifth- through seventh-graders from three districts—Muskogee, Tulsa, and McAlester—for a tour through the Christian faith. ...

Living the Plan - Ministry from one generation to another

Miller family lights way into Canyon From the Oklahoma Conference Strategic Plan: Matthew 25:14-30 tells the parable of the talents. This parable indicates that God expects a fruitful response to the gifts of God’s kingdom. How do you help people relate to God? As a Christian and United Methodist, how do you relate...

Nurture in nature a summary of summer's camps

Rooms to grow   This month, the doors of the new Holliman Lodge swung open to receive...

Cool camps for summer:

Single Parent's Family Gathering Churches are encouraged to support single-parent families in their midst by providing scholarships for them to attend a new, specialized camp in Oklahoma. On July 31-Aug. 2, Single Parent’s Family Gathering will be held at Camp Egan, in eastern Oklahoma. Deans are Andre Stravlo of Oklahoma City and Angela Campbell of...

Summer camping season approaches

Booklet provides details Learn more online at www.okumcministries.org/camps. The newest Summer Camp Book has been sent out to churches from the Conference Camp & Retreat Ministries Office. May 3 is Camps Sunday...

Contact March 20, 2009

Campus ministry opens its doors A new building was consecrated on Feb. 28 for the Wesley Foundation at Langston University. Director Cecelia Brooks, right, speaks from the baptistry in the sanctuary, and below, Bishop Robert Hayes consecrates the Ruth Calloway-Cotton Alumni Room. The United Methodist campus ministry operated for years without a formal facility, and the director’s home served as the meeting place. ...

Background checks ensure safety at camps, other events

Protecting children, youths, and adults through screening event volunteers is a way Conference leaders seek to "do no harm," following Wesley’s rules for holy living. These security measures are part of the Safe Sanctuaries program in Oklahoma Conference. Now is the time for all prospective and returning camp volunteers, and others who serve in ministries with children and youths, to submit or re-submit application forms...

Youths build spiritual path for Camps' future

3 specialty camps are new n A weekend getaway for single-parent families. July 31-Aug. 2 - Camp Egan n A week for young adults, especially those who aren’t attending college. July 20-24 - Cross Point n...

The shape of things to come

Holliman Lodge gains structure as construction advances at Camp Egan in mid-January. The work is part of a master plan to enhance United Methodist camping ministries at all three campsites in the state, and the lodge is expected to be complete by Fall 2009. It is being funded by major gifts to the $4 million Camps capital campaign. Donations of any amount are welcome as the campaign moves into the "Ray of Light" phase. A special designation...

Campers break ground for Holliman Lodge

Jean and Joe Holliman view Camp Egan from the upper porch of the dining hall. Photo by Diana Northcut               Campers from Boston Avenue UMC surround, from left, Mouzon Biggs Jr., Joe and Jean Holliman. Photo by Diana Northcutt         ...

Sign up online for summer camps

Four members of Mountain View-First UMC helped make repairs after flooding at Canyon Camp in 2007. Shown at left are volunteers Neal Smith, Birdie Hoffman, and Joe Hancock, with Camps employee Joe Taylor. Volunteer Ron King took the photo. The men replaced shingles on a cabin roof.      Now you can register online for summer camp! Registration for children and youth via the Internet is new this year for Oklahoma Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries. Look online for the...