Summer is in the Air

Greetings Cedarbrook Nation,

As I sit here in our living room tonight I have realized that Summer is fast approaching. The weather is...well...it's stopped snowing at least. I'm told it will be warmer later on this week so maybe then the weather will show signs of summer approaching. However, around camp despite the chilly temperatures there are signs that summer is just around the corner. Last week Paul put up the ropes and stakes around the parking lot, the snow has melted on the hill, and the ice has finally gone out on the lake.

Today Linea and Noah started their softball and baseball practices. Just another sign that summer is on it's way. While I was at Noah's practice with Jared and Becky at Linea's accross town at another field I had a little scare with Jared. I was picking out Noah's uniform and turned around and Jared was gone. He was no where to be found. I searched high and low for him and enlisted the help of the other parents around me. It was the longest 10 minutes of my life. He had wandered into the school building looking for Becky. I definately aged 10 years tonight.

I would like to bring some sad news and ask for your prayers. Alton Bay Christian Conference Center in Alton Bay, New Hampshire had a fire yesterday that destroyed 45 buildings. One firefighter was hurt and hospitalized. So please join me in praying for the staff at Alton Bay and the firefighter as the next several days and weeks unfold for them.

We had a suprise visit today from Kent (last summer's waterfront director). She was meeting some friends who also used to work at camp in the kitchen some years ago. I can't quite remember their bird names but they are now missionaries in Rwanda. It was nice catching up with Kent and hearing about how busy she's been as she wraps up her 3rd year of nursing school. We are sad that Kent won't be able to work at camp all summer this year. She has an opportunity to do an internship at a hospital that she is very excited about.

Lastly registrations are coming in and staffing is shaping up nicely for this summer. We are excited to be launching our 64th year of ministry yet our first year known as New England Camp Cedarbrook. God has gone ahead of us and is paving a path for the staff and girls that will come to camp this summer. We pray that we would not be a roadblock for that path.

Well I'm quite tired, off to bed.

Good night and God bless!

Rob and Becky
(Keelah and Tai)

Conferences, Conferences, Conferences!!!

Greetings Cedarbrook Nation,

It's still a little wierd calling you all Cedarbrook Nation, but I'm starting to get used to it. I've had to post a little sign on my computer screen so that I answer the phone correctly.

Well, we are both at the Christian Camping and Conference Association (CCCA) regional conference for New England and New York at Camp Brookwoods in New Hampshire. We are meeting with other Christian camps discussing what's going on in the camping world and it's relevance to Christian Camping, we are fellowshiping with friends, and praying for this summer. Last week we were both at the American Camping Association New England Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire. There we talked alot about the ACA standards and had many discussions about the current economy and it's effect on Camping. We got lots of ideas to bring back to camp. We also spent lots of time purchasing all the great new Cedarbrook items that we will sell in the Tuck Shop this year.

All in all we realized this week that it's APRIL...that means the Camp is coming at us like an oncoming train. We are so excited about this summer and all that God is going to do at New England Camp Cedarbrook. But, yet we are a little overwhelmed with all the preparations that are going into it.

The great news is that many of you have begun sending in your registrations for camp!!! We are encouraged by the direction that registration is going. Encouraged but cautious! There are still many of you out there that haven't sent in your registrations yet! We understand the economy is taking it's hit on everyone this year. We have been working hard at trying to raise money for scholarships to camp. If you are struggling this year and aren't sure you can swing the camp fee but your daughter still want's to come to camp, we want her to come. So, fill out the campership request form and send it in and we will see what we can do to help.

If you are out there and have some extra funds and feel God leading you to give we would encourage you to contribute to the Campership Fund. We need your help to make this summer possible for the girls that want to come to camp.

Don't forget about work weekend. We are doing a servfest along with our Spring work weekend, and asking folks that come to work weekend to get friends and family so sponsor them for the number of hours they will work. If you are planning to attend work weekend make sure to send your rsvp to Rob at rob@cedarbrookne.org . If you would like to participate in the servfest, please email Rob and he will send you the form.

Mother/Daughter registrations are on the website for our two mother/daughter retreats at the end of May and beginning of June. There still a few spots left for each retreat. Get your registration forms in before it's too late.

Well, that's all for now, the snow is starting to clear at camp and we are starting to hear birds singing. The lake ice has disappeard and the signs that summer is approaching are in the air! Thank you all for your ongoing support and prayers for this important ministry.

Sincerely,
Becky and Rob Riley
Keelah and Tai