Posted on: November 10th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
As part of our 50th anniversary capital campaign, we are revitalizing the initiatives area (Family Camp area for old timers!) by adding 6 new team building elements. We have also opened up the circle area around the timber-frame shelter to create open space for co-operative games and other fun activities. The elements are being built into trees and telephone poles – check out the pictures of the installers transporting the poles from the camp office to initiatives (it took half a day to get them back there).
Posted on: November 10th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
The windows are in, the siding is on and the drywall is up and has a few coats of mud. The addition looks great! Still aiming for a mid December occupancy date.
Posted on: October 12th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
It has been a wonderful year of celebrating Silver Lake’s first 50 years but we also took time to dream about the future.
Having three celebrations, all very different, all at different times of the year, made it possible for many more “Friends of Silver Lake” to attend at least one of them.
The 50th Silver Lake SMORG attracted many people from the Niagara region who just had to re-live once more this great fundraiser, which has built so many cabins at camp.
Rockway Mennonite School was large enough to accommodate a big crowd not only there to reminisce but to hear about plans to rebuild the dining hall and add a washhouse/infirmary building. The fire, which sounded like such a disaster in February, started to sound like an opportunity to make major improvements.
But the best place to celebrate camp is at camp. Dedicating the new dining hall on Labour Day weekend brought everything full circle and envisioned the future, confident that Silver Lake will continue to be a blessing and an inspiration for many a future camper.
Thank you to the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee. Thank you to the Board that saw this as an important event in the life of Silver Lake. Thank you to staff who gladly accepted this extra workload on top of running camp. Thank you to all the “Friends” who attended and continue to hold Silver Lake in their hearts.
Posted on: October 6th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
Thanks to John Dyck and his keen helpers, the electrical is just about complete! Here are a few photos and the electrical work and the new roof and shingles.
Posted on: September 29th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
The rooms are partitioned, the roof is just about ready for shingles and the contractor says we are on schedule! Here are some pictures from this week.
Posted on: September 22nd, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
Things are really moving along well. The basement floor is now poured and they have completed framing the outside walls and are now working on the inside walls. Roof trusses come Monday so the roof will go on next week and John Dyck (our Ace electrician) is driving up to re connect the electrical – thanks John!
Posted on: September 16th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
The foundation is now poured and framing begins next week! Lots of excited projects going on this fall so be sure to mark October 28, 29 & 30 into your calendars for Fall Work Weekend.
Posted on: August 20th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
This past Thursday during Camp 5 our program team put an unbelievable amount of energy into coordinating a one-take video involving every camper and staff member lip-syncing and dancing to Twist and Shout by The Beatles. Sound crazy? It was! If you’re new to the lip-dub phenomenon it’s something that has recently gained youtube popularity, particularly in the university community, with each school making their own video in a constant effort to involve the most people and bring together the most creative ideas all in one long shot. After seeing how much fun it could be we just had to make a go of it ourselves. We shot four tries, chose the best take and sent it out into the world. Hope you enjoy!
Posted on: July 10th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
It’s been on the capital planning list for a long time. Finally, thanks to the generosity and talent from within our constituency, we have new washstands! Check them out!!
Posted on: February 9th, 2011 by Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
In May of 1968, fire destroyed the original Silver Lake dininghall and this past Monday (February 7), 47 years later, a fire has caused significant damage to the same building.
At this point it looks like the cause of the fire was related to the embers from the large stone fireplace. Essentially, the embers found their way under the dining hall, aided by blustering winds, and smouldered underneath the floor. As you can see from the attached photos there is extensive damage to the dininghall – the most obviously is the floor which was removed to allow firefighters access. We have met on-site with various professionals and at this point we know the dininghall will require new insulation, new doors, some new windows, new drywall, new flooring and perhaps a new ceiling. Of greater concern is the condition of structural beams and posts under the floor, and we will soon meet with a structural engineer to assess that damage.
The neighbouring vestibule and kitchen has significant smoke damage but the restoration team is confident that a thorough cleaning and new paint should remedy any problems.
Thankfully, we have adequate insurance which will hopefully cover the majority of the replacement costs. This also presents an opportunity to improve the current facility (insulation with higher R value etc).
From a timing perspective, we are fortunate. We should have enough time to restore the dining hall prior to summer. We do rely on off-season rentals (church groups, schools, businesses and families) to provide much needed revenue throughout the year, however we also have business interruption insurance.
As you have read above, we have much to be grateful for and there is more;
Nobody was injured
The damage was contained to one building – the fire inspector was amazed that it didn’t spread
We have an incredibly supportive community of campers, parents, volunteers and churches
We give thanks to God for these blessings.
Updated: May 5, 2011
After numerous consulations, with supporters and with various professionals, the restoration and enhancement project is well underway.
Over the past 3 months, we have been continually amazed by the unsolicited response, in prayer, helping hands and financial contributions from individuals and churches alike – THANK YOU. During our disurnment and consultation process, we had representation and input from across Ontario including Leamington, Niagara, Toronto, KW and surrounding area and we have overwhelming support for this project. After these consultations and meetings with our insurance company it was decided that the dining hall, vestibule and kitchen will receive extensive restoration work and various enhancements including energy efficiency upgrades with new windows, insulation and heating system. The total costs associated with the dining hall restoration and enhancement project is currently estimated at $700,000 (approximately $600,000 will be covered through insurance). We are working hard to ensure we have a functioning (not complete, but functioning) dining hall for July 1st. An addition to the back of the dining hall is planned for the fall which will see washrooms, volunteer and retreat space added under one roof. Though this fire does present some very real challenges, there are an equal number of opportunities before us and we prayer that as an organization we have the wisdom to allow the spirit to guide us as we move forward. Photos showing the construction will be added weekly to the album below – be sure to check back regularly!
Let’s not forget that 2011 is a year of celebration for Silver Lake. This fire is one of many challenges faced over the past 50 years and like many of the other challenges, it will make a great campfire story for years to come!
