Dear friends,
Many outdoor centres throughout the land turn into paint workshops and what look like indoor building sites at this time of the year and Min y Don is no different.
Door frames, skirting boards, showers, walls, the wash up kitchen, cabins, and yes – even one of the septic tanks have all had a ‘make-over’ and everywhere smells fresh (especially the septic tank!), new and ready for the new season.
As I write our ‘new season’ has actually begun as we have a regular group of Youth workers from the Chester area here for planning and retreat purposes. We are glad to note though that they’ve made plenty of time to go canoeing, do the nightline, explore the high ropes course and do some archery too – so it’s not been too arduous for them. We’re gearing up for our first primary school arriving Monday and a number of youth weekends throughout February. It doesn’t seem that long since we stopped for Christmas.
Staff training has been underway for some time. This part of the year lends itself well to cycle and some climbing training though many have been braving the water, pressing on with their progress towards becoming a Level 2 Canoe and Kayak Coach.
We have spent time on developing our epilogues, writing new ones and looking at communication skills too that we hope will be of benefit to all our groups coming throughout the year. We try hard to make sure you don’t get ‘repeats’!
We’re delighted to welcome our latest Trainee, Rachel Critchley who joined us in the middle of the month. Rachel is already a paddle-sports Level 1 coach and so has not had quite as much to do to catch up with others who have been with us for longer. She’s a trampoline coach too but I’m not too sure how exactly that can be worked into our sessions, but we’re trying to find a way! Maybe a trampoline at the foot of the rock crag?? It would speed up the sessions quite a bit!
Susie, Sara, Steve, Zoe and Pete have just returned from the CCI UK Conference in Staffordshire. As always this was an encouraging and uplifting time and helps us maintain (or is it regain?) the right perspective when dealing with the day to day issues that are inevitably part of managing a busy Christian centre.
It was as well that we had that time away as the day after we returned we received the news that ‘Care for the Family’, our biggest customer, have cancelled half of our summer bookings. They have to make serious cuts themselves and sadly one of the main casualties is their ‘Take a Break’ weeks for single-parent families, for which we are the Wales venue.
We feel for them in their situation as over the 10 years or so that we have been privileged to serve ‘Care for the Family’ we have got to know some very special individuals whom we know will also be very downcast by this decision.
So, what have we done to fill the weeks? Well – the big news is we are launching new ventures! One is a summer week for single parent families run by ourselves like we do at Easter, and the other is a brand new weeked - The Ultimate Adventure
‘The Ultimate Adventure’
‘The Ultimate Adventure’ is a week for un-accompanied 11-14 year olds and runs from August 19th to 24th. The week will have its own theme, have loads of great activities and will include our famous
epilogues too. We hope it will appeal to many of the school and youth group youngsters that visits the Centre at other times in the year – but if you know anyone who might be interested …..
Check it out on minydon.com on Min y Don facebook or give us a call on 01341 250433 if you would like more details – early booking recommended!
So – like most years I guess – we face challenges and seek to overcome them. Not in our own strength but by relying entirely on God – the one who upholds and sustains it all.
Thank you for your time in reading this far, for your prayers and letters of support (there were many at Christmas – Thank you!). We keep on keeping on and at the start of 2012 our desire is to serve Him better through serving others more.
With love,
