Guilford Church Youth Spruce Up Summer Camp
You might expect to find teenagers at a weekend camp sleepover – but not to clean the place up!
About a dozen youth from Guilford Community Church spent the weekend at The Green Mountain Camp for Girls in West Dummerston, from May 1-3 while preparing the facility for its Open House later this month.
The group took on seasonal camp cleanup activities such as raking leaves, sweeping cabins, and replacing mattresses to get ready for summer campers. In addition, the youth sanded and painted the dining hall floor, painted the ceiling of the kitchen, and painted the floor of the director's cabin.
Tom Green, Terry Sylvester and Brian Remer supervised the weekend, with parents Elly Majonen, Bill Finnerty, Arthur Pettee, David Potter, Cheri Ann Brodhurst, Peggy Johnson, Christie Baskett, Carol Bailey, and Nanci Leitch helping out with meals, activities or work projects.
Fran Lynggaard Hansen, director of the camp, was impressed with the work ethic of the young people. “In twenty years of hosting volunteers, I've never seen a group accomplish so much at one time. These kids are great!” said Lynggaard Hansen.
This group of young people did come with experience. Many of them were part of a team the church sent on a service trip to St. Croix, a U.S. Virgin Island earlier this year. Since then, they have found other opportunities to work, play, and socialize together.
“It's weird. At home I'd be doing the same chores and hating it. But here, with these people, it's different.” said Rebecca Potter, a GCC Youth Group member.
Even with all the work projects, the group found plenty of time to kick back and have fun. A campfire with singing and s'mores, cooperative games, spontaneous field games, and a dip in the spring run-off of the West River balanced the cleaning and painting.
“I really feel good about what we did,” said Peter Green, “You can tell they really appreciate it!”
The GCC Youth Group is open to new members and includes youth from throughout Windham County. The average age of the membership is 14, with several older and younger teens participating. Once-a-month weekend get-togethers are tentatively planned for May and June with the next trip being a canoe/camping overnight July 25-26 in central Vermont. For more information or to sign up for an activity contact Nanci Leitch evenings at (802) 257-7247 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
by Nanci Leitch
