Updated June 26, 2009

One of the most massive deadlines that we have is the first day of summer youth camps. Our goal is to make the very first day of camp as good as the last day of camp. This year all kinds of preparations were coming together in order to be ready. The picture above shows a group of campers loading up in front of the Way Station. Visit the Scrapbook to see a few more pictures of our new Way Station. You can look forward to the following things this summer.

• Way Station—this is where you register for camp and jump on a wagon or Jeep as you finish the last leg of your trip to camp;  7920 square feet of office space, restrooms, 1800 square feet of covered porch, and several folks ready to answer your questions. Many volunteers made this building a reality and we thank them for their hard work.

• Three wagons are our taxi service—the rumble seat on the back is usually the first seat to fill. The 1947 John Deere A also served for the first time after getting several new parts.

• Red Rocks 80 Line Shack—this shade and rustic kitchen will make the junior high overnight campouts much more fun. Some are excited about the new outhouse, while others are happy about mid-morning shade.  Personally, I am happy to have a place to store all the cots and supplies that make a great adventure possible.

• Rivertown Campout—40 beds around the campfire and a place to do their own campfire songs and frivolity

• Carnage—our bucking barrel in Rivertown

• The Wander Wheel—a gyroscope on wheels for Ike's Roost

• Mojave Miner—an indoor game from Broken I Ranch, which keeps asking if they want to Bank It or Keep Digging.

• Ike's Game Room and General Store—the old offices have been retrofitted to provide a great place for refreshment and fellowship.

• Roping Calf—spring loaded and hard to catch, this contraption tests the skills of any cowboy

• Monster Rocket Ball—more than double the size of a normal rocket ball and played with bocce’ balls. Next size up is a bowling alley.

And that is just what campers see! Behind the scenes we have added a new server and communication room, planning room, copier, personal office space, staff lounge for Broken I Ranch and Ike’s Roost, T1 line for better communication, wireless access at the Ministry Shop for sponsors, file retention office, conference room, two more offices for program, computer and video projector upgrades, and the Hub where our staff meets for our morning meetings.  

So many details, and they are all made worth it when we see the campers jump on the wagon and look forward to a week of fun as well as a week of spiritual challenge. Last night I met one of sponsors rushing down to the Rivertown service. He wase so excited because he had just left the Broken I service and four of his juniors had accepted Christ as their Savior. All the work and effort of so many volunteers and staff was just made valuable as they were a part of several salvation decisions. And the best part . . . today is just day three of the summer . . . I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do.

Sam Brock
Director

. . . God uses Ironwood to bless me, and my life is always so much better after having spent time with Him here at Ironwood. Pam Shannon, Couples' Retreat

. . . I am always encouraged and blessed by the messages and staff's servant heart. Don Knehr, Couples' Retreat

. . . the atmosphere is great, and it's wonderful to get away from distractions. Logan & Janet Paine, Couples' Retreat

. . . [of] the obvious work of the Lord in this place.  Kimberly Luna, Couples' Retreat

. . . it was a wonderful place for my wife and I to separate ourselves from our daily stresses and glow closer together as we grow closer to God. Paul Luna, Couples' Retreat

. . . every activity has biblical application that truly benefits my life, walk with Christ, marriage, and relationships with others. Tia Wilson, Couples' Retreat

. . . it provides an ideal place for father-son bonding with spiritual encouragement from the Word. Clyde Greer, Father-Son Retreat

. . . it reminds me that the most simple things (time with the Lord and my family) are the most important!  Steffanie Diaz, Mother-Daughter Retreat

. . . great staff, food, and facility.  Rich Berger, Men's Retreat

. . . it is a great opportunity to take inventory of our lives and to re-focus our efforts to honor God in all things.  Patrick & Faye O'Keefe, Couples' Retreat

. . . it helps me keep serving the Lord and always helps me grow in the Lord.  Kris Erickson, Couples' Retreat

. . . it provides unchanging standards, preaching quality, and an un-compromising character and doctrinal position.  Bernard Gravel, Couples' Retreat

. . . it is a great asset to churches and families.  Gerry and Virginia Robinette, Couples' Retreat

. . . it is a great place to come with my kids and church. Walson Family, Father-Son Camp

. . . it glorifies God and takes focus off self. Lucia Ciuffetelli, Women's Retreat

. . . it strengthened my love for God and my family. Dale McCree, Couples' Retreat

. . . good ideas . . . good fellowship . . . good preaching . . . good people. Youth Leaders' Retreat

. . . it is always challenging me to become more like Christ and because of that starting to serve others even more. Youth Leaders' Retreat

. . . of the consistent challenge to examine every area of my life and ministry to make adjustments where needed. Youth Leaders' Retreat