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Families at Camp brings new options for N-Sid-Sen

Families at Camp continued to bring families to stay most weekends in lodges at N-Sid-Sen Camp and Conference Center on Lake Coeur d’Alene up through Thanksgiving.

The Ford cabin and cabins are closed for that, so Spirit Lodge and the guest house near Forester Lodge are the only places being used.

Meanwhile, Mark meanders with a camera along the shore sharing spiritual reflections and insights through his verse. He recently wrote:   This is Life Winter’s setting sun pulls the horizon into place Reaching towards tomorrow it beckons me on Gentle wind brings the lake lapping at my feet Old pilings reveal memories thought gone So I stand and listen to the waves tickling I pause and feel the crispness on my face Distant loons cry out as eagles soar overhead All the living are creating this moving space. I too want to be a part of this movement Welcoming tomorrow out of delight and joy To watch as the sun swaps with the moon Setting aside fear and doubt for trust and love To trust like the wind pulling night’s shade To feel love in the assurance of another day To recognize my place in this moment To be aware of all that is within and without This is life.

Otherwise Mark Boyd, managing director of N-Sid-Sen, and his wife Julie are otherwise on their own there with no staff.

Mark spent time preparing the camp for the winter  He had three trees taken down, but and split for firewood near Forester lodge.

Families at Camp slowed to one to two per weekend with no meals.

He is the only one doing maintenance, but some projects need to be done by groups, Mark said.

“Some property and long term preventative maintenance will not happen,” he added.

There was some electrical and air conditioning work to do in Stillwater.  He is focusing on priorities.

The dock damage in a windstorm will require a work party to help and will need to wait until spring.  The float with the diving board broke from the dock and the gang plank to the dock ripped from the shore.  The dock floated up on the shore.

“The funds we raised in the summer were enough to go through until next season,” Mark said.

“I hope by then the vaccine will make a difference and that we can look to welcoming some groups in the fall,” he said.

Mark is aware that there are still hoops for the vaccine in getting it to people and that some may not take it.

“I’m pleased Kootenai County brought the mask mandate back.” said Mark.

He anticipates that, while camp is available and is beautiful in the winter, Families at Camp will resume in the spring “with tweaks.”

“We are looking at doing work so Syringa can be used.  To do that, it would need a stove and more than a bar sink,” he said.  “With the demand, it make sense in the long  term.

“Families at Camp is a way to bring in some income, but we need to draw more,” he said.

“I hope the virus will be done, so we can re-open by fall. We are talking with our partner groups like the dance camps, but it’s hard to do dance camps different, even limiting numbers. Are there other ways to dance without close contact of square dances?” Mark asked.

“How much hesitation will there be?  Will it be hard for people to go back to do what they normally did?  What part of online will continue?  What will be the combination of online and in person?” Mark continued.  “I don’t think churches will go back to in person only.”

Seeing a sunset spilling into old pilings inspires Mark to pen and post another verse at https://www.facebook.com/groups/4887409558.

For information, call 208-689-3489, email mark@n-sid-sen.org, or visit n-sid-sen.org.

 

Copyright  © December 2020 - PNC-UCC News

 

 

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