FLOOD RECOVERY
PROPERTY UPDATE
MAY 6, 2024
Since the flooding occurred in August of 2023, our staff has been so encouraged by the amount of prayer and support we have received from our camp family. There has been such a willingness to jump right in and get things done despite the tough situation! Many people have helped organize workgroups, donated to the flood recovery fund, and called to pray with us. It has been such an encouragement to see the camp family in action, responding to needs as they arise.
Immediately after the flooding, we continued in prayer for guidance and constructed plans to get the camp property functioning as soon as possible. The plan that we initially came up with was to reconstruct the camp property in 2024 and rent out a facility for winter and summer camps. Our goal was to be back running camp at our site by winter camp 2025. On one side, we were able to find a site to run camps in 2024! We toured many potential campsites and ultimately settled on a camp that met all our needs (Camp Sky Meadows) located a couple of miles from our camp. We have since completed our winter camp season and the site worked well for us! We are also encouraged and excited that we have a place to hold camps this summer. On the other side, the reconstruction has been difficult. The wet winter left the roads in poor condition, so it has been challenging to get work groups up there and to complete projects. So far, we have reconstructed the outside of the residence and jacked the cabins in preparation for moving them.
That brings me to where we are currently. One of the issues that has persisted since the flooding is the high groundwater. There are many new “springs” that are popping up around the property which has created some additional problems. Septic flooding and tree uprooting are a couple of them. The other big issue (and I mean BIG), is the road. Since the river is now located where our road used to be, it has created issues for the Forest Service in their approach to fixing it. One of their main priorities is to complete the work with the least amount of ecological impact. With that in mind, it doesn’t sound like good news for us. From what we understand right now, their plan is to connect a road from our camp to the upper road that goes out west. With this plan, we would have a route to the west and the east, but it adds a couple of miles of dirt to our driveway. Things are still up in the air so it could change, but it is still a question mark for us at this point. That brings me to the biggest obstacle (sorry for the suspense)...
We have received a timeline from the Forest Service: they plan to finish our road repairs sometime in 2028! Upon hearing this news, we will likely be forced to remain off-site until completion. It is tough news to face but we are trusting God with this. The date of completion is even a question mark at this point. When we had the much smaller washout in 2019, they gave us a timeline of 6 months and it was completed in just under two years. So, it is tough to know if that is actually when it will be complete.
You may be wondering as you read this “Well, what’s the plan?” and at this point, we are still unsure of how this plays out. We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), so we are trusting Him! And after many years of experience at Camp Alandale, there’s one thing I know that is true. GOD LOVES THESE KIDS! Our main priority is and has been to continue to have kids at camp. We will seek God’s will in this while pursuing our mission to bring the gospel to abused children. God has been faithful to provide for Camp over the last 45 years and I have no doubt that He will continue to do so. Although it is tough and burdensome right now, I know we will look back on this in the future and see exactly what God was doing. We can do what we can (and we are looking at many different options), but the one thing we SHOULD do is pray for God to move and trust that He has a plan. Please join us in praying for Camp Alandale’s future in this next season!
WE ARE REBUILDING CAMP AND NEED YOUR HELP
Construction to restore the camp property has begun and we are looking for people to aid in the repair process. If you know of skilled workers who may be of use in this project, or you are one yourself, please use the SIGN UP FORM to contact us.
WHO WE ARE
Camp Alandale is a Christian camp for children in the foster care system. Our mission is to introduce abused children to the life changing and healing reality of Jesus Christ and equip them to lead meaningful and productive lives. We accomplish this by providing summer and winter camp programs for children ages 9-18 where they are introduced to the gospel, receive mentorship, experience healthy relational dynamics, and ultimately are impacted by the love of Christ.
WHAT HAPPENED
On August 20th, Hurricane Hillary passed through Angelus Oaks. Despite preparations, damage still occurred to a few areas of camp property due to flash flooding. The river rose significantly with the rain, washing out all roads to camp, flooding the main residence, displacing and damaging a few cabins, and scattering heaps of mud, logs, and debris.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Since the flood, staff and volunteers have been hard at work to repair damages and create a plan for reconstruction. The goal is to run camps on our property again as soon as possible with all safety. As of today, two roads leading to camp have been majorly improved, some external damage to the main residence has been repaired, and almost all debris has been cleared. This leaves the damaged cabins as our major area of repair and high priority need.
WHAT WE NEED
We are looking for workers to come up and help complete the rest of the repairs and reconstruction. If you and/or someone you know would be willing to assist on this project, please click the sign up button below and fill out the form. We are looking for all kinds of workers, skilled or unskilled, paid or volunteer. We value all help available to get camp property running again and to help fulfill our mission of bringing the gospel to abused children.
HURRICANE STATEMENT
AUGUST 27, 2023
August 20th, a week after summer camp ended, Hurricane Hilary passed through Angelus Oaks and all of our onsite staff were able to evacuate safely. Despite preparations, damage still occurred to a few areas of camp property due to flash flooding and high winds. The river rose significantly with the rain, washing out all roads to camp, flooding the main residence, and scattering heaps of mud and debris. Four of the girl cabins were moved by the current, crashing into each other. This was disappointing news to face but we are grateful that the rest of camp property remains safely intact! The areas of camp located further from the river remain in safe condition, such as the lodge, boys cabins, west side cabins, pool, and other key areas. This is deeply encouraging. We know that the Lord is continuing to guide and protect Camp Alandale.
The severe damage to the roads is the most significant issue. The flooding of the river wiped out all the roads leading to camp. Because much of those repairs will be up to the state and county, the timeline for repair is out of our control. In the meantime we plan to work on repairing the damage to camp property and moving forward with the winter and summer program however and wherever the Lord provides.
A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDERS: Karen and I, Robin, founded Camp back in 1980. Over these 43 years there have been lots of attacks from the enemy trying to close down the ministry. With God’s grace, we have never given in to these attacks and this situation is no different. This is God’s camp. This is God’s ministry. It is our father God’s loving heart that wants all of us to continue to reach out to the hurting. We know God loves these abused children even more than we do. He has a plan for this ministry to continue into the future. Because God is for us we know that no evil force can stand against us.
We, the Board and all the staff, want to thank you for your prayers and support. Thank you to the volunteers that are already showing up to help. God bless you all!