Improving Dwight Across the Board

The Ping Pong Shelter's roof is DONE! It looks great and we owe a lot of thanks to all those who worked on the roof getting it ready for the summer! That is not the only thing that looks great at Dwight, the Guest Lodge renovation, if you haven't seen photos, is moving right along. Two rooms are done (and look fantastic), with the third room being completed this weekend, and we still have one room available for a individual or group to donate, design, and work on the room to complete the Guest Lodge redesign. The roof is also getting a bit of work done this May, and once we do some more minor cosmetic things in the screened-in porch area, the guest lodge is going to be a whole new way to stay at Dwight Mission. This is just our first phase in getting our current lodging up-to-date, if you or your church are interested in helping donate time, money, or materials to working on the dorms or Walkingstick, please let us know. We are excited about improving our site to be more comfortable for youth and adults alike. As part of our improvements, we have a new front gate! This will help with security of all of our campers and guests, and it looks good, too!

Camp is filling fast, and this summer is going to be even better than before. We are working hard to provide better opportunities for everyday learning, will have even more crazy fun games, and are being more intentionally focused on our scripture based themes each day. Starting next week we will have information on the scriptures and themes campers will be discussing each day so parents will be able to continue conversations started at camp in the home. If you haven't registered yet, there are still spots available, but who knows how long that will last. Register online today at www.dwightmission.org.

And this just in, a once long-time fixture at Dwight is making a triumphant return after being gone for over a decade. Do you know what/who it is? Stay tuned, more clues to follow.

Have a marvelous weekend, and enjoy this beautiful GREEN Spring God has given!

Elizabeth Sharp

The roof on the Ping Pong Shelter is almost done! Due to severe weather, the Rock Hope Prairie Work group from Wisconsin was able to get all of the trusses up, but to their dismay, not able to get the metal up to complete it. Our maintenance guys have been working between the rain to get it finished, and it looks great so far. We will post once it is completed.

First Presbyterian Ponca City has done an amazing job in helping to renovate two rooms in the guest lodge. Ever since window units were installed in each of the four rooms, we have been working to make this lodging option a better one for our families and guests who stay here so that adults may feel more comfortable in this more rustic facility. After putting together a great design plan, several members of the church came out to get things started with painting, varnishing, cleaning, electrical work, and more, they are ready to finish up the work during Spring Break. Once the rooms are complete, we will post pictures with all of the terrific details (including framed pictures from Dwight Mission School.) If you or your church is interested in helping renovate the remaining rooms, please let us know.

Camp registrations are pouring in, especially those for family camp. This is a great camp for families of all ages to come together and retreat at Dwight Mission over the Memorial Day weekend. Family camp tends to fill fast, so if you are interested, get your registrations in today. Registrations on other camps are also starting to fill. If you register before March 15, you will receive a $25 discount at the register for all youth camps. Brochures have been mailed out, so look for them in your mailbox and church today!

Dwight is Warming Up

The snow has melted (for now) and things are heating up here at Dwight Mission. Registrations are coming in, summer staff are being hired, and guest groups are coming out to help get camp ready for summer. During December, our ping pong shelter's roof was torn apart by some tremendous wind. Jerry and the guys have worked on getting the entire roof down in order for a group from Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church in Janesville, WI to see about putting a new roof up. This group is also doing other work projects around site, and we are very grateful to have them. If you have a group from your church or another organization that is looking for a mission project close to home, please remember us, as we are in the process of a plan to renovate the lodging facilities we have on site. Part of this plan has already started with First Presbyterian in Ponca City helping with two rooms in the Guest Lodge. We have one more room that is available for renovating, please contact our office for more information.

Dwight Mission is also looking for stories from those who Dwight has had a impact on their lives. We are looking for short stories that detail how Dwight Mission played an important role in your life. These stories will be featured on our website, facebook, newsletters, and other media in allowing others to see how Dwight Mission has played a significant role for so many lives, and how we continue to do so today. If you have a story you would like to submit, please email it to elizabeth@dwightmission.org along with your name and address.

Enjoy the weather as we are starting to warm up and begin to once again hear birds singing and see flowers blooming, Spring will be here before we know it.

Elizabeth Sharp

News from Dwight Mission

Dwight Mission is gearing up for Summer Camp 2011! Registration opens January 1st, and if you register by march 15, you get the early bird discount of $25. For more information about camps available, check out our website, www.dwightmission.org. Check back here frequently for information on camp, and for our new parent resource to the camp curriculum.

Dwight Mission just recently held it's first annual Old Fashioned Christmas, and it was a big success! Thank you to all of our volunteers who came out to help decorate cookies, serve soup, read stories, play a part in our living nativity, and more! We also want to thank all of the individuals and churches who donated Christmas items and lights - it made our Christmas a feast for the eyes. For more pictures of the lights at Dwight (and to see the people tree wrapped in lights) go to the Dwight Mission Camp and Conference Page on Facebook.

We hope everyone has a blessed and happy New Year!

Thooper Thursday

(Sock Hop from last night)

As the week comes to a close the campers have become fully comfortable with their new Night Owl schedule. We started the morning off a bit different than usual, though. Vespers, which is normally at night, was moved to the morning. Now, some may be wondering "Hey, what is vespers?!" Vespers is just a fancy term for 'night worship.' :)

Along with the games that were played today, which were "Mission Impossible" (Don't worry, it IS possible) and "Glow Worm," the campers were taught a story about Jesus healing a crippled woman on the Sabbath. The scripture from today was Luke 13: 10-17.

During the week the campers were able to take part in workshops which are just a time during the day that campers get to pick what they wanted to do from a list. Today, the workshops were Drama Games, Raptor, and Soccer. The kids enjoyed getting sweaty and then ate a scrumptious snack.

(Soccer Workshop)

(Raptor Workshop)

Tonight we are in for a special treat! A meteor shower is headed over us so we are about to go lay out on some parachutes, listen to music, and watch the show!

Watch Out, it's Wednesday!!

Today was a beautiful day filled with sunshine and laughter! The campers enjoyed lots of time in the water, good thing too because this week has been filled with an abundance of heat and sunshine! No need to worry though, we made sure all of the campers had adequate hydration.

I'm sure the campers were ready to enjoy a filling meal after their adventures today which included: canoes, the labyrinth, arts & crafts, and the challenge course. Before lunch, the campers were asked to find their best Hawaiian attire to dress up for our Luau lunch theme!

Tonight we have the ever-popular Sock Hop. The campers will get to experience a dance in a Christian environment, enjoy cold beverages, and dance their 'socks' off!

Today's biblical theme is 'Jesus Loves.' Remember to extend your heart to people in need! Also, remember to subscribe to the blog and check for new photos!

Terrific Tuesday!

Tuesday, the second full day of camp, was filled with all the usual activities: bible studies, games, and a long standing camp tradition, pool olympics! The kiddos are finally getting into the groove of 'Night Owl Camp,' which is quite different for the staff members I must say! Tonight, at 10:30PM!, we are playing a brand new camp game called Hawaiian Glow Flipper, where the campers must find a plethora of colored glow-sticks in their family groups. We can't wait to see how it goes!! Be sure and ask your camper what they thought about the new camp game!!

Today, a special camp called Summer Serve, was put to the test at the Challenge Course! They were able to finish three activities during their time at the course. This picture is of an element called the "Dangling Duo," or "Jacob's Ladder." The goal is to, with a partner, climb all the way up to the apex of the element.

Be sure and subscribe to this blog on the right side of this screen and look for more photos and blog posts coming soon!