As can be seen from the photos, the winter and spring of 2006 was a very busy time at the camp. Thanks to the hard work of many, many folks, we mananged to get Epworth looking and working better than it had in over 20 years. With a new roof, new bathrooms, new windows and a brand new kitchen, Epworth was camp central, and a hive of activity throughout the summer months.
But that's not all, Epworth is now the host to small retreat groups starting in April 2007 through to the beginnning of summer camp in mid June and then again in mid August through late October. With those chilly evenings, there is nothing better than sitting in front of the roaring fireplace at Epworth Center. Please look out for details or contact the office if you or your church are interested in more information on availability for Spring Retreats starting in April 2007!
We are going to be very busy in early 2007, continuing to work on improving the facilities which includes demolishing and completely rebuilding one of the two Epworth washhouses. (Washhouse 2 is scheduled for a makeover in the fall 2007/spring 2008) So remember to keep checking back to the website for updates and pictures.
I want to help, how do i go about it?
We have had an overwhelming response from folks asking how they can help - here's how...
Just place a call: 973.383.5978 or an e-mail (info@aldersgatenj.com) and give us your name and number, if you have a particular skill or are just a handy person in general, you're availability, and we will add you to our volunteer pool. This will give us an opportunity to match your skills with a specific task, as the timeline for certain projects approaches.
An example of some of the projects are as follows:
Painting - interior and exterior
clearing brush and trees
removing leaves/brush from around the dining room
building woodsheds for the program shelters
building new fire rings at new campsites
We highly value all of the work our volunteers do here at Aldersgate - not just the large jobs, but the small and mundane ones too!
We will be updating the site when projects are completed and adding photos to show how the improvements are coming along.
Keeping Aldersgate looking this great is a huge task and we wouldn't be able to accomplish it without you - so please call - we need your help!!!
Don't forget to mark your calandars for 2007 Spring Work Day, Saturday April 14, (accomodation available if you want to come up the night before), and Open House Day May 6. Remember to check back frequently for more info!
Removing the old shower stalls
Cutting firewood for the summer
Removing trees from around the dining room
Clearing trees
Counselor Dan clearing leaves
Dan and Rich clearing the area behind dining room
gutting of boys bathroom
Fishing Around Director Coach vs. the Tractor
Trinity Hackettstown UMM - repairing the roof over the kitchen and bathrooms
Trinity - roof repairs - no more leaks!
Road repairs
Landscaping
Delivering stone
Road repairs and better drainage
Prepping bathrooms for new plumbing
plumbing for new showers
kitchen remodeling
...and painting
more cleaning...
cleaning...
One side finished
Putting in the new windows
Taking out the old windows
The Whitehouse UMC - thank you all so much!
Habitat for Humanity installing new partitions
All new toilets and plumbing
starting to look like a real bathroom again
New showers being installed
Rich, Jeff, and Dec moving ovens to new kitchen
Tammy rising to new heights
Mishel smoothing off a few rough edges
Relocating equipment from Wesley to Epworth
Girl's bathroom almost finished
Folks from 1st UMC Montclair relocating a fire ring
Even Dale can see her reflection in the clean windows
