Environmentally sensitive. That’s the first step! As work to rehab Templed Hills continues, the Camp Operations Team, volunteers, and staff are being environmentally and sustainability conscious.
Installing new LED lights
LED lighting replaces older fixtures. An extensive energy audit is ongoing. Installation of our first solar panel array has been authorized (not yet installed but in the works!).
In Skipper there’s a new dishwasher. A new bigger walk -in cooler is on the way. The new epoxy flooring in the kitchen sparkles! Food storage is improved. Sleeping areas are cleaned and painted while bedding is improved. Projects coming up include brightening the dining areas and improving the lower-level restrooms.
With the help of a volunteer professional architect, we have a design for accessible rest rooms on the dining level, and are now anticipating construction drawings and inspection approvals. We have a dream to add a large outdoor deck overlooking the meadow and hillsides.
A Personal note from Interim Conference Minister John Gantt: “Since my college, seminary and ministry colleague and friend, the Rev. Tom Eckert, and his father, the Rev. Mike Eckert, raised the funds by auctioning off the dog named Skipper to start Skipper Lodge, I wonder about dedicating that potential new deck in honor of their efforts. Would you like to donate funds to make that happen? I will!”
Memorial bathrooms are re-done. New beds and mattresses are in place. New carpet and lounge furniture are in place. There are new doors, new fireplace inserts, and fresh paint everywhere! Work is underway right now to divert water runoff away from the building with the possibility of developing a water garden as a result.
Memorial parking lot will be resurfaced and used for basketball this summer. Plans are to build a new and better court for later seasons. Anyway, no one will have to chase a missed basketball shot down the hill this summer! A GaGa pit will replace basketball on the old court outside lower Skipper.
Our guests to Memorial will be able to drive cars up to the back of the lodge for loading and unloading, but will park in the main parking lot this summer.
Heritage has new lighting, too. Check out the wagon wheel design created by Bent Westover. Fresh paint in bedrooms and lounge, renovated rest rooms, new and refinished furniture upgrade the space. A new design for bed arrangements includes two rooms with queen size beds. We already have rave reviews about the sleeping comfort! There is improved parking and a new accessibility ramp. Heritage has that same original rustic feel but fresh, clean accommodations!
Swimming pool equipment is replaced or repaired. The pool floor is repaired and smoothed. New siding is on order for the unsightly pool equipment house.
A new director’s cabin has been built on the Parker Ridge side. It is designed for either directors or so it can be used as an additional camper cabin when the need arises. Number of beds are increased in the Parker Ridge cabins. The very old decrepit cabins on this hill are being demolished.
Bath houses on the hillside above Heritage are being enclosed, roofs are added, drainage improved, and doors are added to discourage some of the summer “invaders.”
Volunteers have been cutting trees and clearing walk ways. The old maintenance building has new doors and will get new siding. The newer maintenance building has better doors.
New Furniture in Memorial
Internet capacity has been added. Exterior lights on buildings and other safety features have been improved.
Nearly every weekend volunteers are on the camp site checking off more of the tasks that will make this an exciting and comfortable summer for all our patrons. More work to do, of course, but you will be impressed at the “new look Templed Hills!’
A service of recommissioning is scheduled for June 10. Watch for more information and details, but plan now to come for a new look at the new look Templed Hills!
Thanks to so many volunteers and staff who have worked so hard. The fruits of all that labor are so visible, and so deeply appreciated.