Posted Sign Day

Hey! One of our favorite days of the fall is "Posted Sign Day". Because we have such an extensive property, and lots of deer, this is a time of year where trespassing is very popular. Since having strangers on property could be a danger to local residents, guests, and employees (not to mention being detrimental to our deer population), we spend a day or two each fall posting signs warning others that they are entering private property and to turn around now. Now, I know it seems like a day of hiking around in the muggy wetness and ripping down old signs while posting new ones would get old, but it is the best. We got to meet some of our neighbors, become more familiar with our property lines, enjoy the beautiful fall colors, see birds all over, and pick delicious wild grapes! It was a great morning for us...not only did we get to enjoy God's creation, but we got to protect our property at the same time.
If you're driving down 711 and you see some shiny new Posted signs, you'll know who put them there! :)

Promotions

As soon as summer camp is over, we start getting ready for next summer. We make a plan of churches, homes and schools that we will visit to talk about camp. Many times, we will go to a church, speak during the worship service, visit Sunday Schools, and host an information table during coffee hour. At a home, we will meet with a family and their friends, share a meal or snack, and tell everyone a little bit about camp. At schools, we have a table and some fun gadgets and videos to watch so students can check out the camp. All of these visits are ways to attract more people to Ligonier Camp.
But most of them don't work as well as another way. YOU. You are the best way to get new campers to try Ligonier Camp. Parents, you can tell your friends about your child's experience, and campers, you can invite your friends! Most of our campers (and staff) come because Ligonier Camp has been recommended by a pal.
Want us to come visit your church or home? Want to invite your friends, but aren't sure how? Leave a comment, email the camp at summercamp@ligoniercamp.org, or call the camp at 724-238-6428.
Thanks for all you do to tell others about your experiences at Ligonier Camp and Conference Center!!

The "Off-season"

Ever wondered what goes on at camp after summer camp is over? After all the cubbies in the KYBO are cleaned out and the cabins are swept and the last dodgeball has been thrown? There are a lot of things that happen, actually. Much of the time is spent getting buildings and grounds ready for winter so that they stay in great shape for the next summer. Some building are used year-round for retreats - the girls kybo becomes one side girls, one side boys, the HPC becomes a bunkhouse, the infirmary becomes a house with bunkbeds, a kitchen, and a living room, and the Coleman Cottage is dressed up and ready for visitors.
Also, the fun adventure activities campers do in the summer continue to happen year-round. In the fall, groups of kids and adults will come to do initiatives, caving, climbing, high ropes, low ropes, zipline, and even the Vomit Comet! When it gets chilly out, we layer our clothes and put out some burn barrels so people can warm their hands. It's so fun to see everyone from a seventh-grade class to a group of lawyers try the pamper jump!
While it's never the same without campers around, camp is still a fun place to be. Plus, if campers were here ALL the time, what would any of us have to look forward to? See you for Winterpalooza in December, campers! Registrations will be ready soon.

It's that time of year!

Howdy, fellow Ligonier Camp friends! We're getting to the time of year where the Laurel Highlands are absolutely beautiful. It's just the best place to be, and we're all thankful for the chance to work at such a wonderful piece of God's creation. I just wanted to let you all know about some pretty great things that happen up in this area in the fall:

First things first, there are tons of farmer's markets in this area, with local farmers and vendors supplying everything from fresh tomatoes, pumpkins, apples, and flowers to homemade crafts, foliage arrangements, pies, jams, jellies, and more. And since next week is "Buy Local PA" week, it's a great time to get out and try some local fare. The weekly Ligonier Country Market is Saturday morning from 8 am until noon.

There are two weekends left for the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival held in West Newton, just under an hour from Ligonier Camp. The Renaissance festival is a great chance to experience the culture of the Renaissance while trying everything from turkey legs to jousting!

Many local towns and farms celebrate fall festivals, including folk music, Victorian home tours, ethnic celebrations, fall foliage drives, apple-picking, food vendors, arts and crafts, parades and more! Some locations include: Scottsdale, PA; Smicksburg, PA; Mount Pleasant, PA; Ebensburg, PA; Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA; Faranda Farm in Hollsopple, PA; Springs, PA; and Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Seven Springs, PA.

Finally (and my personal favorite), Ligonier Fort Days take place the weekend of October 10-12. This celebration takes the town of Ligonier from a population of 1611 (per a July 2007 survey) to over 100,000 people for the weekend. The festival includes a Friday kick-off at noon in the heart of town, with food vendors and craft vendors aplenty (just a tip: Ligonier locals get great deals in downtown shops on Thursday, October 9). The festival offers tours of Fort Ligonier, reenactments, a Saturday parade, and cuisine from buffalo burgers to halushki to funnel cakes supreme. You can't miss it!

If you've ever though about bringing a group of friends or family to enjoy the Laurel Highlands, make sure to give the camp a call! We have housing for all kinds of groups, and would love to accomodate your time enjoying all the Highlands have to offer. Feel free to call and request a tour, if your child is considering a week or two at summer camp in 2009.

Construction update

Hey, everyone! I hope you're all as excited as we are about the construction. It's getting noisier out there every day, which is a great sign! Today, we have a lot of large equipment here that's been leveling the ground and doing...other things. (This is Leeanne typing today, and I just don't know a lot about construction, but the place looks great!).
Here are some photos of today. I took some of them up toward the chapel of the pines, some toward the rec deck, one toward the pavilion, and one in the direction of the dining hall.

Isn't it amazing to see this place changing? I remember being a camper when they built the climbing tower - we had to watch it be "halfway" done for a summer, and then it was such a big deal to have a tower! I remember the rec deck being done and having Bible Studies there and "girl talk" during Action Options. This new dining hall is an amazing thing! I am so ready to see kids sitting around the tables, watching run-on skits where everyone can see them (not like now, when Unit 1 girls can't see! sorry ladies), eating delicious food, and making it easier on our kitchen staff & CITs to prepare and clean up our meals by having a brand new kitchen.

So what are you excited about with the new dining hall? Leave a comment!
(Note: all comments are moderated, so it will take a little bit for them to show up - safety first!)









Will you guys be in prayer for us for a few things?:

• That the weather will cooperate with this project so it can be done on time
• That we would continue moving toward our 5.5 million dollar goal for the campaign
• That we would be constantly remembering that God is in control
• That we are able to work efficiently and cheerfully despite noisy distractions
• And finally, praise God for the blessings at this time at Ligonier Camp.

Thanks, everyone! Have a wonderful day.

Golf Outing 2008

We're getting ready for our annual golf outing coming up October 6, 2008 at Ligonier Country Club. This outing is a great fundraiser for the camp, and a great chance to spend the day in the beautiful Laurel Highlands as the leaves are changing. Enjoy scramble format golf, lunch, dinner, homemade sticky buns, and great gifts and prizes. Most importantly, you help to support the ministry of Ligonier Camp and Conference Center.

Interested? You can sign up to play, to sponsor a foursome, a tee, or a green, or even be a prize sponsor. Call the camp at 724-238-6428 with any questions.

A Wonderful Groundbreaking

Great news, everyone. Our groundbreaking was great!

For those of you who haven't heard, we actually broke ground at the end of August on our brand new dining hall. I've included some photos of the process of the groundbreaking. Our favorite part, to date, has been watching the contractors extract an enormous tree trunk and roots and pull out the stairs behind the lodge. They poured concrete footers yesterday, so we're well on our way to having a new dining hall for summer camp 2009.

As for the official groundbreaking ceremony, nearly 110 former campers, board members, staff, and long-time friends of the camp were in attendance for the Saturday activities. A program was led by Dr. Joseph Lenkey and included comments by LCCC Executive Director Patrick Myers, past camper Meghan Adams, Board President Michael Pettit, Honorary Chair Doug Dunderdale, and many others. A rainy day offerred all the opportunity to view the turning of the sod by LCCC's executive team, design team, and staff, from under a sea of umbrellas. Appropriately, the events were followed by one final meal in the Summer Dining Hall, soon to be known as the Alumni Program Center.

What a celebration to thank God for his blessings in this capital campaign. We're at 3.65 million dollars on our way to 5.5 million, and every step of the way God has blessed this process. Thank you for your prayers and support of Ligonier Camp throughout the years.

If you have questions or would like to support the campaign, you can contact the camp at 724-238-6428.

Our design team

LCCC year-round staff

The beloved Sarah and Pappy

2008 Summer Staff visitors