http://www.gbod.org/camping/directory.html

Check out the various web pages: They include articles, a directory of all the pages, announcements of upcoming events, links to related sites, etc. Susan Hay, the new person working with Kevin Witt at the National Office, is managing the material uploaded to the web page. Check it out. Let her know what you think. Give her your suggestions-and corrections. This is a web page for you. Please help shape it! E-mail her at: Susan_Hay@gbod.org.

While you are on the Web, check out the UM Youth Ministry pages: http://www.gbod.org/youth/default.html

Leonard Sweet, president of Drew Seminary, recently invited Drew's faculty and General Board of Discipleship staff to a partnership dialogue. Topic: Educational courses for leaders in camp/retreat ministry! The meeting turned out to be very fruitful and energetic. The National Camp/Retreat Director, Kevin Witt, is now working with a team to launch a pilot project. We'll keep folks posted as it develops. This is very exciting, as, currently, there really is no ongoing, thorough training school or indepth continuing education process for Christian camp/retreat leaders who are serving in the ministry full-time. This may be a step in that direction.

Do you ever have a question or concern and wish you could bounce it off some people who understand the situation you're dealing with?

Now you can! The new UM Camp/Retreat Network has become very popular already. Approximately 100 camp/retreat leaders across the country are involved and it's only been in operation for a few months. You can join for free! Simply e-mail the National Director, Kevin Witt, at KWitt@gbod.org. Give him your name, the site you are associated with, your position or role there, and your e-mail address. Ask him to add you to the UM Camp/Retreat Network and that's it. Anyone can send information or ask a question of the group. Kevin determines whether the issue is of interest to the whole group or just certain individuals, then routes the message. This way the subject matter remains interesting and worth reading. Responses are more direct, helpful, and timely. In addition, job openings, cutting edge developments in the field, etc., also are posted for the group.

This can really make a difference! Imagine that you have a serious injury or child abuse situation, for example. You need advice on the most effective ways to respond to and care for everyone involved. You can put out a request for help and that same day you can begin receiving assistance from others who have actually faced what you are facing. People will identify themselves, so you are not completely stuck if you are new and don't have a lot of connections yet. Just call on the entire group. You no longer need to be alone!