For many children across Prince Edward Island, Camp Abegweit is the
only contact they will have with the church.
During the year, many children will resist or simply choose not to go
to church. But come the summer, children eagerly look forward to going
to Camp Abby.
At Camp Abby, children experience God’s presence as they hear God’s
voice speaking in the wind and waves that beat on the shores of the
Northumberland Straight at Augustine Cove. At Camp Abby children
experience the glory and wonder of God’s creation: in the rising and
setting Sun; in moon and the stars that grace the Camp.
In small cabin groups, children develop skills in communal living. They
learn to work together creatively as a team. They learn to manage and
resolve the conflict, to solve problems, to communicate their feeling.
And in so doing they build confidence and self esteem. At Camp Abby
they come to know Jesus Christ and become part of the Body of Christ.
As a result of the skills developed at Camp Abby many go on to become
Camp Counselors and leaders in the community and the church.
Camp Abby established in 1946 needs to be redevelopment. The Camp needs
a new lodge for a dining room, kitchen, meeting space and staff
quarters. The Camp also needs new or renovated hall for
rainy day activities, for arts and crafts, and for indoor games.
Cabins need to be upgraded and relocated. The property needs to be
developed so that the Camp can make better use of its surrounding for
outdoor sports and environmental educational activities.
Camp Abby also wants to become a three season camping centre for
children, youth and adult activities.
In order to accomplish these things, a Capital Campaign has been
established to raise a minimum of $100,000.00. As of January
9/07 $552,956.00 has been pledged to the Camp.
You are invited to participate in the redevelopment of the Camp. But
most of all you are invited to make a difference in the life of a young
child by making a contribution to the Capital Campaign or by making a
pledge to the Capital Campaign.
Pledge cards are available through the church office. All gifts of more
than $10.00, if placed in an envelope with your address, will receive a
tax receipt.
The Rev. Nancy Wilson, of King’s United Pastoral charge writes:
It was the summer that my dad was unemployed. I was 7 years
old. Our minister, Rev. Dorsch, was the director of Golden Lake
United Church Camp just outside of Pembroke, Ontario. In lieu of
the registration fee, Rev. Dorsch arranged for my mom to be a
“Children’s Worker” at the camp, enabling my whole family to go to
family camp for a week. That week was my introduction to the ministry
of camping – a ministry that I have valued throughout my life.
Now, an ordained minister myself, I look back on my various camping
experiences and I see the seeds of faith that were sown in the dining
hall, during worship and Christian education activities, and even on
the basketball court. I remember the people – people like Brian
and Steve who taught me how to pray; people like Don who let me sit on
the piano bench as he made the stories of Jesus come to life through
music; people like the caretaker Merv, who taught me to respect all of
God’s creation. Totally oblivious to it at that time, I now see
camping ministry as an important part in the planting and nurturing of
God’s call on my life. Whether it be to ordained ministry or to
another profession or vocation, camp is a place that provides an
environment for children and adults alike to explore who we are as
God’s people (individually and collectively). Through planned
activities like singing, worship and Christian education, campers learn
how “to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil and to
live with respect in creation.” Through informal and free time
community is constantly nurtured and strong relationships are formed.
As a volunteer chaplain at Camp Abby this past summer, two of my
nephews were able to join me at the camp. Although we were there
just for one overnight, my seven year old nephew was sad to leave,
because he had enjoyed playing basketball, joining in the games, going
to vespers, and making new friends. It was amazing to me to see
how the love of camping continues into the next generation of our
family. And to think my introduction to camping came about
because someone was willing to offer financial support to a family who
was in need. May other children be so blessed!
Please support the Camp Abby by making a contribution and pledge to
the Capital Campaign –Our children, Our Challenge.
Minute for Camp Abby #
3
Camp Abeqweit gets ready for a face lift!
Since its beginning in 1946, Camp Abeqweit has provided a great summer
experience to close to 30,000 campers from across PEI. However the Camp
like many baby boomers is in need of a face lift.
The existing lodge is very tired from years of activity. Plans are
underway to replace the lodge and upgrade the property so that today’s
young people and those well into the future will have the opportunity
to enjoy the glory of God’s creator at Camp Abby.
A capital campaign, “Our Children, Our Challenge”, began in 2006 with
the goal of raising one million dollars for this renewal project. To
date over half of this amount has been received. The goal is to have
the campaign completed by May 1st of this year.
In the late spring of 2007, a sod turning will be held and construction
of the new lodge to begin at the end of the 2007 camping season.
The new lodge will be heated enabling Camp Abby to expand its programs
for at least three seasons. One of the future goals of the Board of
Directors is to provide camping opportunities for families and seniors
in the shoulder season so as to better serve the church and community
on Prince Edward Island.
Camp Abby holds eight camps each summer for children five to teens. In
each camp, children are given the opportunity to participate in a
Christian Development program which makes us of sports, outdoor
activities, arts and crafts, campfires, and vespers services as a means
of communicating the Christian faith
Camp Abby is accredited by the United Church of Canada and by the
Camping Association of Nova Scotia. A well trained staff of young
people is employed each summer to provide campers with a great camping
experience and memories to last a life time.
You are asked to help give Camp Abby a face lift by making a
contribution to the Capital Campaign through your local church. Or by
making a pledge to the Campaign. Pledge cars are available through the
church office.