We started reshingling the GBH the third weekend in September this year. We had planned to do the roof during 4 Service Weekends, but we had so many experienced roofers that we ended up doing the back half of the roof and the roof over the porch. Also, there was very little rotten wood that needed to be replaced, and there was only 1 layer of old shingles to remove, so that also speeded the process. Walter, Matthew, Flip, Lyt, Ellis, Amber, Coleman, Riley, Charlie, and I removed the old shingles and roofing felt on Thursday so we could determine the extent of the rotten wood that needed to be replaced. It rained during the weekend, only lightly, but we can still say that we have never roofed any building at Camp without rain. We should have no problem finishing the GBH roof in May of 2011.
We spread 2 dump truck loads of top soil on the playfield. Every spring since the playfield was reworked, the grass is lush and green. Then, 400 kids run around on it for a Camp season, and it’s back to gravel in the fall. Charlie is hoping that a little soil worked down into the gravel will help the grass get a foot-hold. I hope so, too.
We installed 3 ceiling fans up in the trusses of the Lab. This was an especially hot summer, and it is hoped that ceiling fans will help in the future. We will install 6 ceiling fans up in the trusses of each bunkhouse in the spring. We are also installing ridge vents on the roofs as we reshingle each building. This should help to remove the heated air.
We replaced the old wooden step just outside the Kitchen door with a new concrete step. We hauled loads of brush and cleaned up a mess that was produced by the power company. We also worked on the road to Buttermilk Spring where the power company cut big ruts in the road getting their big truck through the stream. We replaced some shutter hinges, smeared more sheetrock mud in the Staffhouse, got some stuff done on the Nature Camp history project, replaced a wooden railing post at the bottom of the LS front steps, and generally got Camp ready for the winter.
The food was fantastic as usual. Nell was in charge and had lots of help from Katie, Amy, Art, Cathy, Ginna, and Kim. The pizzas and pear tarts with phyllo dough were especially wonderful, as were the 4 pounds of shitake mushrooms that Ellis provided for the weekend. We played music in the LS on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Of the 71 folks who attended, 13 had never been to a previous Service Weekend and 14 folks were on Staff this past summer. We have now had 337 folks who have attended at least one Service Weekend.
Thanks to Adam, Amber, Amelia, Amy, Amy, Annie, Art, Benjamin, Berangér, Bernadette, Beth, Braxton, Cathy, Cecily, Chris, Christopher, Coleman, Dave, Doug, Dylan, Ed, Ellis, Eric, Flip, Ginger, Ginna, Gus, Jack, Jack, Jason, Jenny, Joanne, Joe, Joey, Kat, Katie, Kim, Larry, Laura, Laurel, Liam, Louise, Lyt, Mack, Maggie, Maggie, Matthew, Mike, Mike, Mitch, Molly, Nell, Oliver, Paul, Peggy, Peter, Powell, Riley, Robert, Rosie, Shirley, Stephen, Steve, Theta, Tim, Tony, Ventry, Walter, Zac, and especially Charlie. I had a blast.
Amy K Gonzales has invited you to look at her photos from this past weekend. They are wonderful photos and she has spent a lot of time learning and recording the names of folks in the photos. Amy has the photos posted at the following website:
http://share.shutterfly.com/
Please share any other digital photos you may have taken with me, AmyKG, or Michaux the Webmaster at https://www.naturecampfoundation.org/.
Jim Brooks
NCF Service Committee Chair