6 Sustainable Summer Camp By Ashley Graham-Wilcox, marketing coordinator for Camp Stevens


ample opportunity to deepen and strenghten Christian values in a fun-loving, supportive community. On-site summer camp options at Camp Stevens include:


Adventure Sessions: In a traditional six-day session, campers age 8-15 have incredible opportunities for exploration and self- discovery. Swim, learn archery, cook over a campfire, sleep under the stars, climb the climbing wall, take hikes, explore the organic garden, accomplish group challenges, and much, much more.


Young Adventurers Family Weekend: A three-day session, this is a unique opportunity for younger campers (ages 6-10) to experience all the joy of a summer camp experience with the added comfort of family nearby.


Sustainable Construction at its Finest: The new Lax-Sadler Lodge at Camp Stevens, our diocesan camp in Julian that has just completed a major reconstruction project using the latest in sustainable, low-impact design. Come, see for yourself in Julian!


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n September 2010, Camp Stevens opened the new Lax-Sadler Lodge, one more step on the road to recovery from the


2007 fire that destroyed 70 acres of land and 12 buildings on the Julian property. Camp Stevens now has as many beds available to retreat center groups as it did pre-fire. Lax- Sadler, named for the Rev. Jack Lax and the Rev. Canon Boone Sadler, two priests who helped establish the camp in 1952, features six rooms with private bathrooms and showers, a comfortable meeting room with fireplace, piano and kitchenette, and a spacious patio that overlooks some of Camp Stevens’ picturesque forest landscape.


pump, recyclable carpet made from recycled materials, dual-glazed windows, and excellent insulation.


Camp Stevens is committed to environmental sustainability and has taken advantage of this rebuilding opportunity to establish lodges that make as small a footprint as possible on the environment.


Camp Stevens is committed to environmental sustainability and has taken advantage of this rebuilding opportunity to establish lodges that make as small a footprint as possible on the environment. Lax-Sadler’s features include a location to maximize natural sunlight, an 8 kw photovoltaic array, solar water heating, on-demand water heater with circulating


TRINITY Continued from page 4 we have a couple, but we love them too.”


Trinity youths love seeing how different religious practices communicate the faith we all share. They’ve visited Saddleback (mega) Church and the Pasadena Mennonites. Plans for the future include travelling to a charismatic evangelical church, and worshiping at a mosque. They also enjoy learning about and working for social justice and recently, fasted for over 30 hours to learn about world hunger.


Changing the World–One Heirloom at a Time Several years ago, Mother Meg approached


Joe Stanford saying Trinity’s men needed something to do. A powerful ministry was born. The men of the parish, and later the women too, began driving 30 minutes to Fallbrook to learn woodworking in Joe’s shop. On Rogation Sunday, they gave every Trinitarian a beautiful, handmade, 14” hardwood cross. The next year, they gave everyone planter boxes, then birdhouses, and breadboards. Soon, ToyMaster Joe and the ToyMakers began making heirloom quality wooden toys to give needy children in hospitals, schools, and Dorcas House, a foster home in Tijuana. Last year, they made


511 of them, which were blessed on the altar before going out into the world to do the work God has given them to do. This labor of love not only brings great joy to the children who receive these toys, but the friendship and teamwork that is fostered brings Trinitarians together as community, embracing the spectrum of parishioners’ age and talents.


The Holy Spirit is alive and well at Trinity Episcopal Church in Escondido. The Lord is surely present inspiring uniqueness, creativity and love. One parishioner said, “Being here is like celebrating Pentecost all year long.” X


Camp Stevens has also recently made improvements to its dining hall, expanding to accommodate up to 160 guests, improving insulation, replacing the bathrooms with larger, eco-friendly facilities and adding a stone patio with an expansive view of nearby Volcan Mountain. The beautiful new outdoor chapel was designed and built by renowned artist James Hubbell. We encourage you to visit Camp Stevens and see the newest buildings and upgrades to this wonderful diocesan resource.


Like its commitment to environmental sustainability, Camp Stevens’ commitment


to fostering a sense of adventure and self- confidence in children can be seen in each program it offers, from retreat center facilities to residential summer camp and off-site wilderness adventure trips.


From non-competitive games to group team-building challenges, reflection and worship, campers at Camp Stevens have


Dig In! Garden Eco Adventures: This five- day session features hands-on exploration in our organic gardens, orchard and mini-farm, combined with the traditional fun of an Adventure Session, including arts and crafts, archery and swimming.


International Odyssey: This seven-day session for older campers (ages 11-16) offers even more opportunities for adventure within the context of a rich cultural experience, as we’re joined by campers from Rikkyo and St. Hilda Junior High Schools in Japan.


Counselor Training: In this 10-day leadership training session, teens (age 16 and up) interested in becoming summer counselors at Camp Stevens learn group development, human relations, leadership and communication skills in an engaging environment.


You can find out more about summer camp at Camp Stevens by visiting campstevens.org/ summer. Online registration is now open for Summer 2011.


Off-site wilderness adventure trips with Camp Stevens are for youth age 12-18, and include white water rafting, rock climbing and backpacking trips through some of the most beautiful places in California. Find out more and register at campstevens.org/ wilderness.


Camp Stevens also runs backpacking trips for adults and families, including one trip exclusively for women, and a Family Camp at Camp San Joaquin near the beautiful Kings’ Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Find out more at campstevens.org. X


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