The humming birds are back and they brought the swallows along with them.  It has been fun to stop the yard cleanup and watch the birds decide where to nest for the season.  The plum tree isn't quite ready to bloom but a couple more warm days and it will.  The elk are very curious of all the activity that the tractors and chipper have been doing and come to inspect the jobs that are done at the end of the day.  Now it is time for the campers to come and also enjoy the blossom of spring.

The plum tree is in full bloom and the humming birds, woodpeckers and swallows are back reminding us that spring is coming or maybe it's here.  Count all of your Blessings and thank God for the BIGGEST gift of all, His son.  Blessed Easter to you one and all.

Tomorrow is Join Hands Day at camp.  We will be removing invasive species so they do not invade the Middle Fork Valley.  I want to thank all of the hands that are here for all of the hard work that this project needs. At the end of the day a small group of us will be planting some native plants to replace all of the ones that have been pulled and dug up.  Please feel free to come and join us.  The project starts at 9 am and will end at 11.

Summer is near, flock of RV's have returned.

After several days of rain the forest is now sporting beautiful new foliage with every color of green visible by the human eye; ah, Spring!

Twin fawns were spotted having their first adventure out onto grass this week.  Mom with her watchful eye brought them just far enough out of the undercover that we humans got to see them and experience the baby fawn excitement that seems to travel with them.  If you do get the opportunity to see the new twins out on the meadow please do NOT chase them.  We want them to stay with mom so she can protect them and teach them lessons they need to know for survival.

Volunteers, the backbone of any non-profit organization.

Here at Valley Camp we hold several volunteer weekends a year, two are what we call Free-For-All weekends where in trade for volunteer time on Saturday we provide a lunch and a place for camping for the weekend for free.

You may ask, OK so you get stuff done with all this help, so what is new about this idea?

Here is way to look at this: when you ask for help taking care of a place you open the door to create a sense of ownership within the giver. Working together can create intentional community, with folks working together for a common goal and hopefully fostering a culture of giving.
We know most of the projects could be done by the small staff of volunteers here at camp, but all we would accomplish is getting the work done. We would fail to widen the fellowship of volunteers and all be poorer for not sharing the opportunity to work side by side and grow the ownership of this special place.

Next time you have a volunteer event ask: are we fostering increased ownership, expanding opportunities for future volunteers and users?

Yes we love our volunteers, they all own this place and we get to share it with them.

• Do you volunteer?
• What do you expect to get out of the experience?
• What would you like Valley Camp to offer in the way of volunteer opportunities?

New bridge connects a new loop trail in camp

Can you afford not to take time off and away?

The Middle Fork Road all the way to the Taylor River bridge is now back open, making more hiking opportunities available just a short distance from camp.

Thrivent is changing the way that they support Lutheran organizations. They will no longer be providing matching funds to organizations like Valley Camp.

One third the way into winter and so far it has been a very mild and beautiful winter here in the Cascades.

Dancing with deer....

Boy Scout wanders up looking for relief......

Birders rejoice, the spring flocks have returned to camp!

The USFS is planning on repairing and reopening the Middle Fork road above Taylor River this Fall

Valley Camp is now an official CoCoRaHS reporting station.

An orchard, and a gift that is shared by many, and it's not all about apples.

Valley Camp Ministries Board of Directors gathers for a Christmas Dinner

Contractor completes first phase of road repairs

Don't let a little bit of cold and snow keep you indoors

Actually Lake Dorothy Road has been reopened.....

Special thanks to all of you that help make a difference with your donations!