Report of the Amnicon Foundation

by Deborah Bauknight, President

 

The recent staff commissioning at the camp introduced a great group of guides for the summer; about half are back from last summer.  One staff member this year is from a neighboring farm.   There is considerable enthusiasm for a successful 2009 season and there is passion around Amnicon’s focus of providing wilderness trips and spiritual experiences.  We look forward to impacting many young lives over the course of this summer.  

 

Two work weekends held in May resulted in the accomplishment of much needed repairs and preparation for summer camp trips—including gardening, preparing canoes and paddles, packing non-perishable food for upcoming trips, general cleaning, organizing and cleaning out storage sheds, spreading more gravel on the trails, and preparing staff quarters.  As always we had a lot of fun while we worked and most of the time the weather cooperated although it was chilly.  In addition, work is almost finished on the Adizokan Village, a new large group family camping experience set to open later this summer.  On the edge of Lake Superior at the bend in the Lake Trail are going to be 5 large wall tents for families each with their own compostable outhouse, a camp fire ring built by Alec Nichol for his Eagle Scout project, a program area, and covered dining area for the group.  There will be trundle beds in the wall tents and they will accommodate a family of 6.  Programming for the group will be provided by Amnicon staff and utilitze the summer theme for youth but geared for intergenerational groups from the very young on up. 

 

A congregational retreat was held this past winter, providing fun for every Central member participating.  Special activities included building a snow hut for shelter, as well as arts and crafts and spiritual renewal.  The Confirmation group has a summer trip scheduled and so do the Senior High Youth for a different summer trip.

 

I continue in my role as president and work with members of the Foundation Board to oversee the work of the camp and provide governance.  We welcomed new board members and committee members but are always looking for more participation.  Our annual meeting went very well as did both of our annual fundraiser Packs and Paddles.  We had one up in the Duluth area as well as in the Twin Cities.  We tried a different format this year and had tastings of chocolate from around the world and cheese and wines to accompany them.  We have updated our website and now have an online giving program – check it out!  We look forward to a very exciting year and continued partnership!


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