May 2021 Newsletter

May 1, 2021 | 2021, Newsletters

PICTURED: Old Baldy and Sentinal welcomed a late April storm.

summer camp season returns

The other day, I was reflecting on the past 13 months and the journey (thus far) the Rocky Mountain ministry has experienced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Canceling summer youth camps last year was excruciating, especially having everyone and everything in place. Everything except COVID-19. While I won’t begin to compare our journey to the experience of the Israelites spending 40 years in the desert or even the experience of Noah and all spending 40 days and 40 nights on the ark, I am greatly inspired by the faithfulness demonstrated by those believers in times of difficulty and unimaginable unknowns.

Despite all the time that has passed since these amazing Bible stories, camp has experienced the same faithfulness of God’s people (i.e. donors, campers, guests, volunteers, board and staff), though this coronavirus challenge. Because of this faithfulness and improving circumstances (i.e. easing of restrictions, availability of vaccine, tests, etc), camp is anticipating offering summer youth camps again. And Lord willing, we will be able to enjoy a mountain top experience at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp this summer.

For additional details related to our youth camp programs, please visit our “Coronavirus” page on our website and see the youth camp space availability below under “Mark Your Calendar”. 

 

PICTURED: Youth campers and staff celebrate the ascent of Raspberry Mountain. 

‘Sew’ fun to have folks here for quilting retreat again

The weather was good, the food was great, and women were glad to get together again and share their love of sewing. There was much chatter and laughter as the 20 participants renewed friendships and made new friends. Ideas were shared, and spiritual input was given. It was a weekend of spiritual, emotional and physical renewal.

PICTURED: Participants gathered just long enough for a group photo.

mennonite disaster service returns for camp safety

On May 23-29, 2021, Mennonite Disaster Service and Rocky Mountain continue their critical partnership in the work to remove beetle infested Engelmann Spruce trees from camp. Roughly ten volunteers are needed each day to accomplish and support the effort. Dead trees in and around camp facilities and hiking trails are the first priority for the safety of people and facilities. Beyond that, trees are cut and removed to avoid the spread of the beetles to surrounding trees and help slow down their spread. Please know that foodservice volunteers are just as welcomed as those helping in the forest. Please visit the camps volunteer page  and select “Signup for Maintenance” or “Signup for Foodservice“ for 1 or 2 days or the whole week.

For additional information, please contact Paul Unruh ([email protected], 316-772-6308) or Marc Yoder ([email protected], 719-942-3276). Hope to have you join us!

PICTURED: Teams of father-son (Ken & Matthew McDowell) and Grandpa-grandson (Merv Birky & Seth Stutzman) combinations worked together to put up pheromone packets to minimize the number of trees killed from Spruce Beetle infestation. Another “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” kind of work! Please click on image for additional photo.

Paying The Legacy Forward Campaign Fulfilled!

YOU DID IT! Donors have reached and exceeded our ambitious goal of raising $180,000 two months early. To directly respond to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic last summer which cancelled our summer youth camp programs and numerous guest groups including wedding, the “Paying The Legacy Forward” campaign was created. Camp estimated that it would take $30,000 each month ($15,000 from reserves, and $15,000 from donor support) to sustain and care for camp operations (i.e. staff, programs, guest groups, facilities, etc.) from July 1st 2020 through June 30, 2021. Despite the abundance of uncertainty of the future, the desire was to ensure that camp would be able to offer a 2021 summer camp season!

THANK YOU!

 

With the success of the “Paying the Legacy Forward” campaign, please consider your support of the camp scholarship fund or the VISION 2030 Capital Campaign.

DONATE

the beauty of God’s creation

PICTURED: Don’t forget to take the time to notice and appreciate the big and little things the Creator has offered us all here at Rocky Mountain. The Candytuft flower is one of the little things that signify the arrival of spring in the mountains. Amazing how something so small and delicate can blossom out of decomposing granite on the side of the road up to Emmental. When was the last time a dime actually looked big?

Who’s been helping

Thank you to all of our volunteers this month:

  • Liam Allison
  • Sharon Bell
  • Merv Birky
  • Vicki Farmwald
  • Ron Goerzen
  • Cindy Headings
  • Anne Lamman
  • John Lamman
  • Ron Levan
  • Tony Levan
  • Lisa Mayen
  • Ken McDowell
  • Matthew McDowell
  • Les Miller
  • Levi Stutzman
  • Seth Stutzman
  • Ron Weaver
  • Rodger Weaver
  • Jill White

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 volunteers: help in Food Service, Maintenance, and Housekeeping. Service term can be for up to a year if so desired.
Volunteer Signup

what you said

“Always a beautiful location for a retreat. Rooms and kitchen in Chalet Emmental were clean. The heat worked well. Roads are smooth and passable”

-Emmental church retreat group

“Thank you so much for giving us a place to heal and grow”

-Spring Mennonite Quilter’s Retreat participant

you’ve been spotted

We spotted our pheromone packet stapling volunteers wrapping up the day around “Lefty” (see license plate in window and on bumper), the camp’s mini 4×4 min-truck. In total, 14 volunteers came to help represent that “many hands make light work.”

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].

PICTURED: Left to right: Les Miller, Ron Goerzen, Matthew McDowell, Seth Stutzman, Merv Birky, Jill White, Tom Unruh, Liam Allison, Levi Stutzman

Did you know?

Speaking of “Lefty” above, did you know that all camp vehicles have a name far more personalized than how your mechanic or DMV might think of them? It’s both fun and functional. The wilderness camp suburbans are named “Wallace” (from its Wallace Chevrolet dealer origination) and “Pearl” or “Black Pearl” which is inspired by the given Chevy color name.

Asking anyone to go to the white truck at camp is tricky as there are 4 of them. So the two white snowplow trucks are “Snow White” (color inspired having arrived first) & “Prince Charming” (story inspired having arrived second). The two white trucks with toppers are warmly referred to as “Larry Sr.” (long bed) & “Larry Jr.” (short bed) whose names come from their “Lariat” package and year. The green Ford Explorer utility vehicle is the “Green Streak”. If you want to know more about who inspired the “Streak” part of the name, please feel free to give Leon Stutzman a call or email!

Mark your calendars

Note: “waitlisting” or “spaces left” as of 05/01/2021

register for camp

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.
Reservation inquiry form

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For updates to your newsletter subscription (i.e additions of family or friends, change of address, etc.), please contact camp by:

PHONE

(719) 687-9506

EMAIL

[email protected]