The Lane - February 2025

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2024 In Review

Now that 2024 has come to a close, we want to take time to reflect on what went well, and ways we can plan for the future to ensure the continued health and growth of Camp Mardela. A HUGE thank you to everyone who was involved with camp this year.

The biggest area of improvement was adding heat and air conditioning to Krabill Hall. This has already had positive impacts on the usability of camp - campers were safer and we had less heat-related illness this summer. We have also been hosting more winter groups and events. Thank you to everyone who supported this improvement.

This year, we maintained the same number of campers at our winter retreats and summer camps. We had a full staff, with international representation from Germany and Nicaragua! We are still looking for ways to increase our campers, and thus our ministerial impact. We are offering discounts, scholarships, and incentives to encourage more campers to join us. You can help us by continuing to share about Camp Mardela and its ministry.

As you may know, costs this year increased, which created some financial strife. We ended the year with a net loss, and are working to find creative solutions to maintain a steady cash flow. Rentals, fundraisers, prayers and financial support are ways that you can help Camp Mardela in 2025.

GENERAL UPDATES

Sights & Sounds of Christmas

This year, we held our 4th annual Sights & Sounds of Christmas event on December 20-22, 2024. Even though weather and schedules impacted attendance, those who came enjoyed an even larger light display than last year, and high-quality musical performances by Kindred Spirits, Cheers Quartet, and Phyllis Dodd & Rusty Curling. We also had a wonderful train display by Dale Fike, crafts for kids, food and Christmas items for sale at a silent auction and store table. This event raised $2,000 for camp as the year came to a close.

This event started in 2021 as a way to use camp in the off-season. Now, with more winter usage of camp and more local Christmas events being offered, we are brainstorming ways to revamp this event for 2025. We are excited to see how it will grow and evolve! Thank you to everyone who has supported this event!

Snow Days at Camp Mardela

On January 6th, 2025 we had one of the biggest snow storms that the Eastern Shore has ever seen since 2010. The final unofficial snow fall total was just under 11 inches at camp - with another 2 inches added on Saturday, January 11th. With temperatures barely getting above freezing, camp has remained a winter wonderland for quite a while. It has proven to be lots of fun to run around and play in - not as fun to shovel and plow!

Despite the challenges of clearing this snow, several volunteers braved the terrain to help make camp accessible. The following week, a group of homeschoolers were able to safely make it down the lane to meet in our heated Krabill Hall.

One thing is for sure - the natural beauty of snow never ceases to amaze. Getting to see Camp Mardela covered in snow is a wonderful blessing.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2024 Remaining Events

Winter Service Day - Feb. 1 - 9am-5pm

Valentine's Dinner - Feb. 14 - 6pm-8pm

FaithX & BVS Reunion - Feb. 15 - 12pm-4pm

2025 Camp Programs

Spring Service Day - Mar. 22 - 9am-5pm

Camp Auction - Apr. 12 - 8am-1pm

BVS BLOG

It has been an eventful winter season with our participation in the Denton Parade and our three nights of Sights and Sounds of Christmas. In the new year, we are feeling the full effects of winter here with around 10 inches of snow accumulating January 5-6. I’ve enjoyed finding time to walk all around the camp property to fully experience the changes in each season so far. In January, I got to help out at Brethren Woods for their first winter retreat of the year and made many great memories. Tubing was our main off-campus excursion and we had a blast! I’ve also begun playing bells and singing with the choir at Easton Church of the Brethren. Finding ways to further connect with people in the community has been wonderful!