We wish all of you could have joined us this week in Bridgeport. We know it is a long trip and not feasible for some of you, but it truly has been a blessing. We have had great conversations, endless laughter, and have learned quite a bit in the areas of hospitality, programming, marketing, fundraising, and using our web resources (websites and social media). 

Special thanks to Beau Taft for organizing this event and to Beau, Caleb Burk, and the rest of the staff at Bridgeport CCC for their hospitality, great food, and comfortable lodging.

While there, we also spent time finishing a gazebo for the camp. We worked on a new roof and stained the entire structure as well as stained a ramp into one of the meeting spaces. 

We are all truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of sisters and brothers to call colleagues. Each of us has our own gifts and talents, and it is just amazing to see what happens when we all get together. Truly, we are doing God's work and I know He is smiling down on each of us! 

We really did have an amazing time. Our numbers may not have been as strong as we would have liked, but we did learn a lot and got to share a ton with our intimate group made up of staff from Ceta Canyon outside of Happy, Texas; Glen Lake in Glen Rose, Texas; Camp Egan outside of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; and of course here at Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center in Bridgeport, Texas.  I am so thankful for every single person who came to the event, because all shared from their vast knowledge, and even some of us who had only been at our respective posts for a few months were able to contribute and broaden the idea pool for even the most veteran person sitting at the table.  

We spent our afternoons in sessions about hospitality, marketing, fundraising, and internet presence. We shared our wisdom about the strengths and weaknesses of all our camping facilities, and generated ideas to help us all be better at what we do. I feel blessed to have been the host, and so very thankful to all those who were able to attend for their open minds and willingness to share.

When we lost power for about six hours on Tuesday afternoon and evening we had a candlelight dinner (not because we were trying to be romantic!)  Looks like some nice ambience...

Thanks to Josh and Beau for giving a glimpse into the experience. We're grateful for the community, friendships, (and gazebo!) that were built. We hope more SCJ folks will be able to be a part of the next event.