709 County Road 62 phone (719) 687-9506
Divide, CO 80814 fax (719) 687-2582
Surprise Septic System Project
SEPTIC SYSTEM OPERATIONAL!
After much digging through pikes peak granite along with many feet of snow, the new septic system for Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp is up and running!
I try to start each day with gratitude for a God who unconditionally loves us, and for the many blessings we enjoy. Won't you join me (for at least a little) in not taking for granted the simple acts of cooking, cleaning, washing hands, taking a shower or using the restroom. All things that require a drain which lead to a septic system!
The volunteer tradition of RMMC continues and is alive and well with 375 hours (a $5,000 + project savings) of time and talents contributed for this project.
While we can celebrate this part of the surprise septic system, the "work" continues as we need your help in covering this significant unexpected expense. With final bills yet to be received, we hope the pace of gifts will avoid the need and additional expense of getting a loan.
Did you miss your opportunity to volunteer for this project? Not to worry! While the system is operational, there will be much work next sping/summer to reclaim the ground that was disturbed. While a good bit of the digging was intentionally done in the road, there are plenty of hillsides that will need topsoil and grass seed.
Whatever you are able to offer in support of this ministry through time, money, or both, may God bless each gift and each giver!
NEW Septic System ready for cooking, cleaning, hand washing, showering, and yes - even using the restroom facilities. Much reclaiming and lanscaping work to be done next spring!
The road to Emmental getting a final grading
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Main Camp septic system (serving the DH/Lodge, Eiger Bathhouse, and laundry facilities) no longer works.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
After careful planning and design, the installation of a new septic system needs to be completed before the cold and snow of winter sets in. Digging began October 1, with the goal of project completion by October 23.
A large boulder buried in the road
sees the light of day near the
Nature Center
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Volunteer Support - Two volunteers (minimum) are needed each day (Mon.-Fri.) to install pipe, shovel dirt, and provide supplies as needed by the large equipment operators.
Financial Support
$10,000 – Capital funds available to begin project
$80,000 – Projected expenses (revised)
$70,000 – Funds needed to complete project
Trench for line above Emmental
Prayer Support – Please pray for willing volunteers and their safety, financial gifts to cover the expenses of the project in a timely manner, and good weather to aid in the timely completion of the project (Camp has already received 10” of snow)!
LEMONS INTO LEMONAIDE?
While this project is unexpected, Rocky Mountain will make the most out of the time and expense it will take to finish the job. A list of "lemonaide" from this challenge include:
- Digging the necessary trenches in the camp road (DH/Lodge to Emmental) will avoid digging the fragile, steep and grassy hillside directly above the DH/Lodge.
- With the road already disturbed, it will be improved by widening, grading, and installing culverts for better water diversion and hopefully less diversion bumps.
- The septic work required for the planned Pleiades renovation as part of the VISION 2012 Campagin will already be completed.
- With a new septic system, future facility decisions (for new or renovated facilities) can include the possibility of toilets, sinks, and showers in individual buildings should the camp move from using area bathhouses.
THANKS TO THESE VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR HELP!
Tuesday, Oct. 6 Wednesday, Oct. 7
Ardell Swartzendruber Frank Gaeddert
Vern Stoltzfus Ron Weaver
Thursday, Oct. 8 Monday, Oct. 12
Doug Reed Claire Brenneman
Arliss Swartzendruber Leon Graber
Jerry Donaldson Leon Stutzman
Tuesday, Oct. 13 Wednesday, Oct. 14
Lyonell Unruh Frank Gaeddert
Ron Weaver
Thursday, Oct. 15 Friday, Oct. 16
Ardell Swartzendruber Doug Reed
Randy Friesen
Monday, Oct. 19 Tuesday, Oct. 20
Vern Stoltzfus Leon Stutzman
Lonnie Gardner Frank Gaeddert
Friday, Oct. 23 Saturday, Oct. 24
Ardell Swartzendruber Dave Miller, Jeff & Jean Spicher
Dennis LeFevre Ardell Swartzendruber
Jeff Spicher Bryan & Jodi Miller, Dennis LeFevre
Monday, Oct. 26 Tuesday, Oct. 27
Ardell Swartzendurber Jeff Kauffman
Mark Bechler Russ Gregory
Jim Hathaway Ardell Swartzendruber
Monday, Nov. 2 Tuesday, Nov. 3
Ardell Swartzendruber Leon Stutzman
Arlin Hershberger Leon Graber
Wednesday, Nov. 4 Thursday, Nov. 5
Karl Yoder Karl Yoder
Ardell Swartzendruber
Howard Schmidt
Friday, Nov. 7 Tuesday, Nov. 10
George Brenneman Jim Hathaway
**WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - Septic System Operational!**
Additional Septic System Information
What an amazing summer camping season! With the great experiences (and abundance) of campers, guests and volunteers (all young and old) this summer, it is clear that the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp ministry is alive and well. God is present in our fellowship, worship, activities and the nature that surrounds us.
The abundance of campers, guests and volunteers however, has taken its toll on the main camp septic system. At the end of the summer camping season, the leach field down on the ball field (built in 1985) was no longer able to keep up with the demands from meals in the DH/Lodge and usage of the newly renovated Eiger bathhouse.
A new septic system is being built before the cold and snow of winter sets in. With careful consideration and planning, the project began September 30 and is scheduled to be completed by the middle to end of October.
Unlike most camp projects where we save ½ the cost of the project utilizing volunteer labor, this project will largely need to be paid for. Expenses include supplies (tanks, pipe line, pump, etc.) and the machinery to do the digging (excavator, dozer, etc.). While some money can be saved with volunteers assisting (shovel work, etc.), the final cost estimate has risen to a significant $80,000
Capital funds DID NOT include this unexpected project so your support is welcome and needed at this critical time! We say thanks to those of you who have generously given of your time, resources and prayer support. Please continue to do so. To those who haven’t, please consider offering your time, sending in financial gifts or praying that we are able to complete this project.
In the spirit of turning “lemons” into “lemonaide” the camp board has chosen to dig the pipes of the new septic system up the road which will avoid impacting the fragile hillside. When replacing the road to the ridge cabins, it will be improved. The project includes culverts which will help manage water from rains and hopefully avoid the need for diversion bumps that are a challenge to cars and mini-vans.
Together, I trust we will successfully overcome this challenge (as has been done in the past so many times) and enable this ministry to be a place of retreat for many years to come.
Rings set in place for leach field Leveling and laying pipe to leach field
Digging the trench from the leach field down to main camp
Volunteers Frank Gaeddert & Ron Weaver
keeping one step ahead of the excavator
Trench work continues between Emmental and the Directors Residence
Digging the line and installing the pipe in the road between the
Directors Residence and the Shop
Effluent lines getting closer (past the Nature Center) to the tank
locations lining them to the leach fields above
Digging, placing, and burying new septic tanks below DH / Lodge
View of path up to the "Girls" side of camp (Heidi, Jungfrau, Chickadee, Chiming Bell, Edelweiss, etc.) before and during the process of adding a new septic line. The new septic system will now accommodate future bathroom facilities in existing or new buildings that replace old ones. That said, don't say good-bye to the newly renovated Eiger Bathhouse just yet. One part of making "lemonaide" out the the need to replace the spetic system "lemon."
