East Tennessee Episcopalian: Grace Point Camp News

On May 17, according to the Crossroads newsletter of Resurrection, Loudon, church members are going to Grace Point for a “day of fun, adventure and good eats” at the “natural wonderland of the diocese.” Parishioners plan to explore the well-marked walking trails, view the osprey nests and lakeshore from a pontoon boat, paddle canoes around the cove, admire the blooming wildflowers and any herons, eagles or turkeys onsite, tour the Retreat House and the tree house dormitories and “rock and vegetate” on the Commons Building’s expansive screened porch.

Food will be plentiful at the family-oriented event: “smoked big Texas chicken wings” by smokin’ chef David Twiggs will be supplemented by parishioner-provided finger foods, salads, veggies, bread and dessert.

The church has negotiated free use of the camp on their picnic day by putting in some labor in late April and early May. Parishioner Cal Van Koughnett is coordinating several projects, including:

Trail clearing – checking the Grace Point walking trails and using chain saws to remove limbs and brush.
Installing trail benches – four benches of treated lumber were to be built and “planted” along the trails, repeating a design used successfully on Resurrection’s church grounds.
Transporting a donation – parishioners Ginny and Wayne Tolbert donated a pool table, which was to be ensconced on the upper floor of the Commons Building.
Art Barn cleanup – Parishioner Katie Twiggs, this year’s summer camp art director, was enlisting help and donations from her parish to “spruce up” the summer camps’ creative center.

Resurrection, Loudon: 865-986-2390.

THE WISH LIST

$24 would restock paper products used in the Commons, Retreat House and tree house dormitories
$71 would help to purchase needed kitchen utensils and supplies
$105 would help to maintain the grounds, purchase landscape materials and buy fuel for equipment
$277 would help to replace or repair broken, bent or busted furnishings
$350 would send a young person to camp for an entire session
$411 would help establish new program areas (archery) at camp
$759 would buy a canoe or kayak
$1000+ would help purchase an all-terrain vehicle for maintenance of buildings and grounds and in the event of an emergency

Thank you for thinking of Grace Point! Please contact Christopher Turner at 865-376-0589 for more info.

On Point ...

With the recent release of the latest Dr. Seuss movie, “Horton Hears a Who,” I am reminded of how the poet laureate of young people spoke to me. Memories take me back to Hazel Hedge, where I grew up in Montgomery, Ala., and a Christmas stocking full of vividly colorful, new-smelling, hardback books. I couldn’t read them as I was only five (nor could I name every president in order or speak French), but the pictures and the voices of my mother or father reading aloud to me brought the books to life. My favorite: “If I Ran the Circus.”

Yes, it is one of the doctor’s more obscure works, but I liked it. The ringmaster, the animals, the high wire acts all set my imagination to ‘on.’ I could certainly see myself in top hat and tails shouting directions and commentary through a megaphone to a cast of interesting personalities and those that chose to spend time with them. And on special occasions I would even become part of the show. ... Can you see where I am going with this?

Little did I know then that I would grow up to become somewhat of a ringmaster myself (and I am not referring to my time working with the Alabama Senate). You see, camp is, too, somewhat of a circus. We have tents, characters (see: staff), wild animals to be tamed (see: campers) and shows. Organization is important. All must be fed (see: clown, or is that Frank?), entertained (see: band leader, or is that Mike?) and well maintained (see: queen of the high wire, or is that Kim?).

Mine, I guess, may be the simplest of jobs. All I do is point people’s attention towards the right person or place. You won’t see me sticking my head in the lion’s mouth (or for that matter in Frank’s kitchen). No whip or chair are needed, but I do occasionally wear a top hat and tails. My goal is consistent: to always leave them wanting more.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages … the circus will soon be coming to town!

Summer and camp both will be here before you know it. Watch for the train of mini-vans headed for Grace Point. Like the Asheville Tourists baseball club, summer camp, you see, is the ‘greatest show on dirt.’

Christopher Turner is the executive director of Grace Point, the Diocese of East Tennessee’s camp and retreat center. Call him at 865-376-0589 or 865-803-8921 (cell), or send an e-mail message to gracepoint@etdiocese.net.

Grace Point offers summer camp sessions throughout June and July. Each session is one week, except for 5a and 5b, which are shorter sessions for very young campers with a parent. Rates, applications, scholarship and other essential camp info are posted to the web at gracepointcamp.org.

Camp Fees: The fee for camps 1-4 is $325 per camper before May 1. After May 1, the fee is $350. The fee for each participant in Camp 5 is $90 before May 1, $95 after May 1.

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:

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.

To make your reservation or to arrange arrival and departure times for your visit, please contact Christopher Turner, Grace Point executive director, at 865.376.0589 or 865.803.8921 (cell), or gracepoint@etdiocese.net .

A $100 deposit is required within 10 business days of making a reservation. The balance is due in full upon departure from Grace Point.

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).