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Mark Boyd reports on summer camp season

Mark Boyd, managing director at Pilgrim Firs, recently recounted the events of the summer.

Pilgrim Firs hosted community Pride picnic at garden and welcomed two churches for weekend retreat and communion.      Photos courtesy of Pilgrim Firs

“We started out our summer with the annual Kitsap Pride Picnic at Pilgrim Firs June 9. This picnic is open to everyone in the community and is hosted by Pilgrim Firs and Kitsap Pride. With the Pride Garden in full bloom folks were treated to a relaxing day in the fields, trails and garden,” he said. “Then we top it off with BBQ lunch at no cost.”

The money to support this gift comes from a fund provided by Ron Johnson and Bob Roblee, two longtime friends of Pilgrim Firs. Before Ron passed, they decided to leave a couple of gifts for the local community. One was a new aid vehicle to South Kitsap Fire and Rescue. The other gift was the funds to install, maintain and support the Pride Garden.

The ongoing support and monies help to fund events like the Pride Picnic and other camps and events for the pride community.

“This year about 120 folks came out and enjoyed a wonderful sunny day at Pilgrim Firs,” said Mark. “We are currently in conversation with Kitsap Pride regarding hosting a Pride Prom.”

In June, Pilgrim Firs brought in its summer staff to begin their seven-day-a-week schedule. In addition to the year-round staff of five, they added seven seasonal staff. After orientation, they jumped right in.

While Pilgrim Firs prepped for two youth camps, Kid’s and You & Me, neither came about.

“It is clear we need to spend more time communicating and promoting our summer camps in our local churches,” said Mark. “So, our Outdoor Ministry folks and I will come to your church. We love to talk about your camps and share stories and invitations.”

The Seattle Taiwanese UCC church and their youth returned to camp this year.

“They filled the camp with laughter and delight,” said Mark.

At the end of June, Sam’s Camp came. Sam’s Camp is a group of folks honoring Sam Martinez, a former camper. The family and friends come out every year and dedicate a weekend working and remembering Sam.

This year in addition to many projects, they built a lawn swing that is now installed in the Serenity Garden by the labyrinth and memorial trees. 

July brought 120 Stone Sculptors as the Northwest Stone Sculptors returned for their annual symposium at Pilgrim Firs. At the end of their week, there was a community wide event that displayed the handiwork from artisans from around the world and a community picnic.

In late July, Pilgrim Firs hosted a dedication for South Kitsap Fire and Rescue. Gifts of Ron and Bob funded a new state-of-the-art 4x4 aid vehicle. This was their way of saying “Thank You” to the first responders who assisted Ron and Bob in Ron’s declining health.

More than 50 folks from the community came to the dedication, including members of the PNCUCC Board of Directors and South Kitsap Fire Commissioners. Bob thanked everyone, including Chief Fawcett (SKFR) and Mark from Pilgrim Firs. The local press came, and everyone enjoyed a regional salmon lunch.

Because of these community connections, Pilgrim Firs also hosted a training for volunteer firefighters and a local guide dog training.

The rest of the summer was filled with music as Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Summer Acoustic Music and American Banjo Camp came to play and learn.

“What a delight to be able to host hundreds of musicians daily and enjoy the music drifting throughout,” Mark commented.

The United Churches of Olympia and St Paul’s UCC closed the summer coming together to share a retreat with common time and time “for their own identities to shine through,” he said. “What a great way to close out the summer.”

During Labor Day Weekend, Pilgrim Firs opened the site for its hard-working staff and their families to come and relax.

“They did and it was good,” said Mark.

For information, visit pilgrim-firs.org.

 

 

 

 

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