Pictured: We were sad to see the mature tree in the middle of the girls’ cabin area lose its needles last summer. Given the proximity of facilities, a lift was rented to cut and lower it to the ground safely.

October Quilting Retreats

What better way to spend a month than quilting? Rocky Mountain’s own staff quilter, Mary Yoder, shared the following: “October was filled with quilt retreats and I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. The camaraderie of fellow quilters, the creativity, the stories, all bring us together in a special way. With the smaller groups, I have a chance to try new and fun recipes as well.”

Other quotes from quilters from all the retreats included:

“Thank you for providing the opportunity for respite in a stressful time.”

“I always feel welcome here.”

“Thank you for making us feel like family.”

In response to current coronavirus guidelines, retreats were limited to 18 participants spread out over both dining halls. As a result, a third Unfinished Objects Quilt Retreat was added this year to make space for registered participants.

 

QUILTING RETREAT SLIDESHOW: Please scroll through images below for some snapshots from the October quilt retreats here at RMMC.

camping ministry and coronavirus impacts

The phrase “Are we there yet?” is typically associated with a family vacation road trip. I must confess, I’ve applied the same phrase to wondering when the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will be behind us.

Since last March, Rocky Mountain has experienced an abundance of challenges and blessings. Challenges included the cancellations of larger summer guest groups (i.e. family reunions, weddings, etc.), spring adult retreats and, most significantly, our summer resident and wilderness youth camp programs. Goodness!

For blessings, we welcomed individual families and groups to fill available dates in the ridge cabins over the summer months along with the ongoing financial support of Mountain States Mennonite Conference and church congregations here in Colorado and beyond.

As for programs, we responded to the coronavirus guidelines and adapted to offer mini versions of Family Camp I & II (“Camps for Families I & II”) with appropriate distancing and less than 30 participants. Smaller numbers for our quilting retreat programs (along with adding an additional retreat) made it possible to offer those programs this fall. Please stay tuned to see what the future holds for our camp programs responding to the realities of the days, weeks, and months ahead.

The blessing through financial support of the “Paying the Legacy Forward Campaign” begun July 1st can’t be understated. The campaign goal is to raise $180,000 ($15,000/month for 12 months) to sustain the Rocky Mountain ministry through this coronavirus “storm” and be ready for the 2021 summer camping season. As of the end of October, camp had already received $74,000. Your generosity put us a month ahead of schedule.

THANKS to everyone for the support received thus far, and future support that will allow us to reach our campaign goal.

 

 

 

Pictured: Food service modifications include campers and guests spacing themselves while viewing food on one side of the buffet table with staff and volunteers serving food on the other side, avoiding utensils being shared.

Please join us for our “Paying the Legacy Forward” campaign to help Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp weather this coronavirus storm.

Pictured: The first round of volunteers felled a large tree along the nature trail across Four Mile Creek from the campground.

Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) tackles challenging trees

With the help of MDS volunteers, RMMC staff, and an 85’ lift, a total of 15 large trees were removed. These trees had died as a result of the Spruce Beetle infestation or posed risks to camp facilities. Trees close to facilities and ranging from 95 to 105 feet tall made it challenging for them to be felled from the ground. The lift allowed for cutting smaller, manageable lengths that could be safely dropped or lowered to the ground without damage to facilities or surrounding trees.

Although the rental of a lift is an expensive undertaking ($3,000 for the week including delivery), hiring out the job for the same work accomplished was quoted at $1,200 to $1,500 per tree. These are big trees. While cutting down a big tree is a significant job, other big jobs include:

  • cutting off branches, gathering them, and processing them through the chipper
  • cutting, removing, and loading the logs for sale to the local lumber mill
  • cutting up smaller chunks for firewood and the log splitter

The week of October 5-10, Paul Unruh (Newton, KS), Marc Yoder (Cotopaxi, CO) and Ray Beggs (Colorado Springs, CO) represented MDS leadership. MDS volunteers Dave Miller (Greeley, CO), Dave Miller (Wichita, KS), Moses Troyer (Cotopaxi, CO) Matt Zimbelmen (Colorado Springs, CO), Ken & Matthew McDowell (Colorado Springs, CO) responded to join in the effort. Tom Unruh & Paul Unruh directed the tree felling, while Corbin Graber served as lift operator. Weather conditions for the week were ideal with pleasant temperatures (60’s), gentle breezes, and beautiful fall colors. We were also grateful for the safety of people and property that was experienced throughout the week.

The time working in our forest was bittersweet in that we said goodbye to some old “friends” of the camp. While they needed to come down, these mature trees were certainly the grandfathers and grandmothers of our forest here at Rocky Mountain and a reminder of the life cycle as part of God’s marvelous creation in this special place.

For additional information, please view the article At Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, MDS volunteers are saving the forest—one tree at a time put together by Susan Kim. For additional images and videos, please visit the following link: 2020-10 MDS tree mitigation week

Pictured: Paul Unruh & Ray Beggs chip up a load of slash.

Pictured: Despite the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, camp is committed to caring for facilities and making helpful improvements. Here, the retaining wall below Pleiades was extended for a more gradual slope, along with storm drainage improvements. Adding path lighting as well, the work is intended to benefit pedestrians and vehicles that utilize this important corridor to and from the camp accommodations above.

who’s been helping

Thank you to all of our volunteers this month:

  • Ray Beggs
  • Ruth Lehman Wiens
  • Matt Lehman Wiens
  • Dave Miller (CO)
  • Dave Miller (KS)
  • Ken McDowell
  • Matthew McDowell
  • Moses Troyer
  • Anna Unruh
  • Paul Unruh
  • Marc Yoder
  • Matt Zimbelman

Come volunteer

RMMC relies on the help of volunteers to keep the ministry going. Your help with any camp tasks is greatly appreciated! If you have interest in volunteering, call (719-687-9506) or email ([email protected]) RMMC.

    • Long-term volunteer: help in Food Service, Maintenance, and Housekeeping. Service term can be for up to a year if so desired.

you’ve been spotted

We spotted Anna Unruh, (Lakewood, CO) volunteering here in the camp kitchen joining our SOOP volunteers, Matt & Ruth Lehman Wiens, in preparing brunch for Quilters Retreat. In yet another “friends meeting friends” while here at Rocky Mountain, Anna and Ruth were classmates growing up back in the day in Newton, KS.

Share your “spotted” photo with an RMMC-labeled item (i.e. clothing, water bottle, etc.) from camp or anywhere in the world and email it to [email protected].

Mark your calendars

Make A reservation

Please visit our MAKE A RESERVATION page which lists the dates of available nights for ridge cabin accommodations. Please call to verify availability.

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