April 4, 2024 - Volume 24.3
Path Toward a Flood-free Future*
SNACK SHACK
- Price Tag to Relocate: $50K
- Donated thus far: $5K
The Snack Shack is 1 of 3 buildings prioritized to move out of the floodplain. Our memories surrounding the Snack Shack are warm, but the contents in the Snack Shack are costly. We can ill-afford to leave the Snack Snack in its present location. The contents are cooking equipment, freezer, refrigerator, an HVAC unit, and soft serve ice cream machine, and those are expensive items to replace when it floods.
At Family Camp this year we celebrate our 50th year of summer camps, and we aim to receive $50K. These funds allow us to retrofit the "Redbud Activity Room" to the new home of the Snack Shack. And we'll get a sign to match!
DINING HALL
God has blessed CGC with:
- $1.5 Million in cash toward the new Dining Hall!
- a $500K loan at 4% interest
- $33,003 in TBAM donations (about $2K each month)
As a result of the 2019 and 2021 floods, the cost to repair, replace, and renovate the existing Dining Hall has exceeded $700K .
New Dining Hall
- The current budget for the new dining hall is $2M.
- This is a 2-level, 24,000 sq.ft. building, complete with commercial elevator.
- The lower level is a new kitchen and dining room seating of 564 seats. That's an increase of over 200 seats when comparing the Fire Marshal's rating for capacity; also space for the Gift Shop and restrooms
- The upper level includes:
- Additional lodging capacity for 84
- 1,000 sq. ft. meeting space
- Storage for tables, chairs, housekeeping and maintenance supplies
- Additional rest rooms
Best Way to Help With Dining Hall?
Become a member of the Ten Bucks a Month Club (TBAM). TBAM is the plan for servicing any debt incurred in the construction of the dining hall.
OFFICES
* Let's revisit the term "Flood-free Future." Of course moving our buildings out of the floodplain doesn't mean we won't have floods. We will. What is meant is that we will be free from the extensive repair costs due to flash flooding. Each flood has cost about $400K on average to make usable. So you can see how these two events on their own are responsible for the tough financial atmosphere. Think about how things would be had we been able to spend those funds to perform maintenance, make improvements, and invest in further campus beautification.
Construction Update
- Springfield (Redbud) - Painting is completed. Vanities and granite are in place. Flooring is down. The deck and roof are more than 60% complete.
- Maplewood - The sign is on the building! Electrical is complete. Doors are being hung today. Deep clean is scheduled for Saturday, April 6.
- Dining Hall - Architectural drawings were APPROVED by the state Fire Marshal! We are finalizing contractor bids. We are then ready to break ground.
- Youth Chapel - The goal is to have things ready for District Assembly on April 25.
for Prayer and Reflection
- This edition of BULLET POINTS highlights the huge expense to move our buildings up from the floodplain. Contrast that cost to the expenses each time it floods. Over time, we are all pitching in to make CGC better for the future. Please pray for our Camp Board and other leaders that we can stretch our resources to accomplish everything that's on the agenda.
- Continue to pray for all camp staff. We are blessed with a loyal team.
- We've mentioned our need for a new golf cart since the inception of the Prayer Newsletter Pastor Bob sends out each month. The need is still great. We don't need a new one. We just need one that's in good repair.
- Pray for the future leaders God will raise up to give direction to CGC.
- 2024 Project – Get the Snack Shack Out of the Floodplain – We have our plans ready to remodel the lower level of Springfield Cabin (formerly Redbud) then relocate the Snack Shack from its current location in the floodplain. The need is $50K to rework the South end of Springfield to accommodate the Snack Shack. Included in the relocation project will be the construction of a covered pavilion in the front yard of the new Snack Shack. This will serve to maintain great seating for conversation and connection when the Snack Shack is open for business. (The nurse’s lodge and infirmary will continue to reside in Springfield in its current location.)
- CGC's Chaplain, Rev. Bob McKenzie, had back surgery the last week of February, and the surgery was not successful. He has more tests to come, and we all know this cycle can be wearying.
- Also pray for healing for Chaplain Bob's wife Barbara. She has had multiple failed surgery on her left shoulder rendering it very little motion and strength. Barbara has now been told she is going to need the same surgery on her other shoulder due to an infection in the joint. It will require full shoulder replacement.
- Continue to pray for an Assistant for Rusty Hertzler, our Chef – We are looking for the right person to come alongside Rusty to carry the weight of managing an entire meal by themselves. This is a part-time job most of the year with higher demand during the summer months. Rusty said, “I am looking for ministry-minded hands.”
- When we think about the future of CGC, TBAM (Ten Bucks a Month Club) is an important piece of our strategy to pay for the new Dining Hall. We highlight TBAM on Facebook and Bullet Points Newsletter, so I pray that God enables the right people at the right time to become a monthly donor through TBAM. As the name says, we are looking for many people who will give $10 each month. Click here to join.
PRAYER changes what we SEE...
and what we SEEK.
Each month CGC Chaplain Bob McKenzie shares a prayer letter.
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