CAMP “I AM” 2021
THEME: The Bread of Life
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds …
(Hebrews 1:1-2)
DATES: (Junior) July 5-9
(Senior) July 12-16
REGISTRATION: begins March 1, 2021
W.W. Mann Center & Camp “I Am” News
Eighteen years! That’s how many summers (2002-19) I have spent time out at the W.W. Mann Center watching lives (those of children and volunteers) change as the Holy Spirit used our efforts through Camp “I Am.” I remember sitting in our original planning meetings at the ORBA office on Northside Drive, praying for God to give us a name for the camp, a name that would inspire and excite people of all ages to get involved and seek a word from the Creator, seek His presence in their lives! After all these years, I’d say the Lord answered that prayer and has changed many lives through the, now, well-known camp!
For the first time since 2001, I did not spend that coveted time looking out over the pond at the cross; visiting the meadow; siting on the swing at the beach praying for workers and campers; traipsing the path between the cafeteria, chapel and cabins; setting up registration, sessions, Bible study, worship and everything else; seeking out Coach or Duane for yet another of so many needs. We (children and workers) missed out on worshipping, studying, playing, laughing, joking and even crying TOGETHER.
Actually, a few of us still gathered during the week that we should have been out at the Mann Center for Camp “I Am” Senior. We met in Bryan County rather than Bulloch, and it was for a different kind of celebration. It was for the celebration of life, one very special, precious life in particular—Mallory Traywick, an irreplaceable member of the Camp “I Am” team whom our Heavenly Father called home to be with Him. We miss her, but will be forever grateful for all she has done for our children’s ministry!
We are not the only ones who have missed out on the activities of camp life. ALL camps scheduled to be held at the Mann Center during the summer of 2020 were cancelled. True Coach and Duane have seen a few people on the grounds for a Boy Scout campout and one or two small retreats or gatherings. Unfortunately, they did not receive the blessings of watching all the smiling, laughing faces of campers enjoying time out in the invigorating fresh air as God touched those young souls in new and very real ways, and I happen to know for a fact that it left a void in them both, feeling like the summer was incomplete.
Sometimes it takes losing something to realize just how important it is. Though I already knew how important Camp “I Am” is before I was unable to enjoy participating in it for a summer, I now have a deeper understanding of how important it is for us to reach out to the children of our community and provide opportunities for them to learn about their Creator and grow in His love and mercy. I also realize, first hand, the tragedy it would be to lose the blessed gift of the W.W. Mann Center. So many lives are reached each year on these grounds, in these buildings. In deed, so many more could be reached if we would utilize what God has given us. We are called to be “stewards” of His gifts; let’s be good stewards and take care of ALL we’ve been given: our families, friends, homes, places of worship and other vital places of worship/service/ministry.
As we continue to move ahead, let’s remember that though we don’t know what tomorrow holds, we do know WHO holds tomorrow! Let’s “seek” Him, “call upon Him,” “return to” Him; His thoughts and ways are so much “higher” than are own! (Isaiah 55:6-10)
In Christ Jesus,
Debbie Marotte, Camp “I Am” director
(Romans 12:1-2)