June 21-26, 2009

Keeping cool is the theme for this week! Campers and staff have been keeping cool by using the pool, taking boat rides, chilling out in the shade, running through the sprinklers. We have also ebeen utilizing the air conditioned buildings such as the Program Center and Thompson Hall for activities such as recreation, canteen, the game room and bingo.

This week we welcomed five new campers and ninety eight returning campers. At least two of this week campers, Joan and Sue have been coming to camp since the 1960's, this is when they met and have been friend ever since! Now that is impressive!

This week we have day trips going to a St Cloud River Bats game, Dairy Queen, Movies at Monticello (they have a wonderful theater) and everyone's favorite; bowling. Day Trip Leader, Jenn Cook, who reigns from the southern state of Louisiana is getting to know her way around the St. Cloud and Twins Cities area pretty well.

Charlotte Henning will be the Program Manager at Camp New Hope this summer, so she and the Village Leader Mickey Fisher along with three other staff will be heading up to CNH this week to check it out and plan for the July 12th starting date.

We have twelve staff going through orientation starting today. They took a tour of camp this morning and this afternoon they are learning important lessons about Friendship Ventures policy. The new counsilers will continuously be learning about the people we serve, and how we serve them. After this summer, staff and volunteers will be able to add teaching, lesson development, problem solving, leadership skills, behavior management, team player and more to their resumes. Our new group includes the sister of a past volunteer, Sara M. and two friends of current staff members. We encourage friends and family of staff, volunteers and campers, to participate with the camp by volunteering, becoming an employee or coming to camp activities; such as the Camp Friendship Talent Show.

It is great to know that by telling our Camp Friendship memories with enthuses and love, we can share what a great experience participants, staff and volunteers have with Friendship Ventures. Camp Friendship is a special place for thousands of people; we are happy to provide participants, staff and volunteers the opportiunity to make memories of their own.