Copyright © 2007 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

'Senior High Sabbath'
encourages youth to relax

SUMMER CAMPS 2008! Grace Point offers summer camp sessions throughout June and July. Each session is one week, except for sessions 5a and 5b, which are shorter sessions for very young campers with a parent. Camp 1: June 6 - 12 Rising 10th Grade through Rising College Freshmen Camp 2: June 15 - 21 Rising 8th- and 9th-graders Camp 3: June 24 - 30 Rising 6th- and 7th-graders Camp 4: July 3 - 9 Rising 4th- and 5th-graders Camp 5a: July 11 - 13, 5b: 15 - 17 (pick one) Rising 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-graders, with a parent CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND! To support a camper through the diocesan scholarship fund, make your check payable to Diocese of East Tennessee with the notation, “Grace Point camp scholarship fund,” and send it to: Mary Berl Grace Point Scholarship Fund Diocese of East Tennessee 814 Episcopal School Way Knoxville TN 37932 — Thank you!!

On Point ...

By Christopher Turner, executive director

About fifteen years ago Robert Fulghum, a Unitarian minister from Washington, wrote a book titled, “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”

I remember well standing in the field at morning assembly at Camp Kanuga as Mike Norman, then camp director, read from the book as a part of his morning devotional. The book lists many life lessons learned at an early age and how these lessons may affect the rest of your life. My personal favorite: “Flush.”

Having mulled over Mr. Fulghum’s hypothesis, I now put forth my own supposition: “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned at Camp.” (Of course, what else would a camp director say?)

Based on my own experiences over more than 20 years at camp – and begging the indulgence of the published author and Unitarian man of God – I now present my own list:

· Never stand up in a canoe.

· Be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there.

· Do what you are supposed to do when you are supposed to do it.

· Announcements make your day a little bit brighter, a little bit better.

· Always have peanut butter and jelly available in the dining hall. Ketchup does not make a good sandwich.

· The nurse is always right (or at least provides a good “bad cop”).

· On a campout, even sardines taste good.

· Know where the clotheslines are before you run through camp at night (usually after having “raided” another cabin).

· Band-Aids are magic.

· Counselors are cool. Directors are not.

· Leave the light on in the cabin’s bathroom at night. Don’t question it. Just do it.

I am sure there are many more, but for now give these happy little axioms a try. Maybe I’ll have an additional few later.

Until then … Grace and peace to us all.

Christopher Turner may be reached at 865-376-0589 or 865-803-8921 (cell), or by sending an e-mail to gracepoint@etdiocese.net.

Camp and Retreat Center availability

Did you know anyone may reserve facilities for their use at Grace Point, the camp and retreat center of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee?

In addition to events such as vestry and youth group retreats, Grace Point has hosted study and hobby groups, family weekends and day meetings.

Grace Point overlooks Watts Bar Lake near Kingston, Tenn. Nearly 270 acres of woods, hills, fields and two miles of shoreline offer plenty of space for activities including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, picnicking, games, sports, reflection, meditation and worship.

Rates are as follows:

• Diocesan/parish groups, day rate: $50 minimum for 10 or fewer guests; $5 for each additional guest. Overnight: $22.50 per person, per night, with a minimum fee of $180 per group. Full payment is due upon departure.
• Non-diocesan/private groups, day rate: $50 minimum for five or fewer guests; $10 for each additional guest. Overnight: $30 per person, per night, with a minimum fee of $240 per group. Full payment is due upon departure.
• Rate for diocesan youth events/parish youth groups in the diocese, overnight: $12.50 per person per night. Full payment is due upon departure.

A $50 deposit is required within 10 business days of making a reservation.

To make your reservation, contact Christopher Turner, executive director of Grace Point, at gracepoint@etdiocese.net, 865.376.0589 (camp) or 865.803.8921 (cell).

Grace Point pages on the Web include more facilities information and photos at gracepointcamp.org.
Directions to Grace Point