What do you do when you plan for about 25 campers and 74 show up? Panic? No way! At least not if you are part of the staff of Alaska Camps under the direction of Laurie Hosey. For three years, Laurie Hosey has assembled a group of trained young people to run the three rustic summer camps in Alaska, known collectively as Alaska Camps. Usually, the average camper count at Camp Lorraine, a nine-mile tidewater boat ride from Wrangell, has been about 25. When the campers started arriving it was obvious the rumored increase in campers was a reality. The count was triple the usual!
Rather than panic, the mood was one of rejoicing. The Camp Lorraine operating board took a giant leap of faith and decided to charge only $65 for a week of camp. "Community support has been strong," commented Jim Eilertsen, camp caretaker. "The camp has received donations of fuel, food and boat transportation services from Wrangell businesses."
As the campers arrived at Camp Lorraine, a volunteer mission group from White Salmon, Wash., was just finishing a new A-frame cabin for one of the girls' units. Over the past several years this group has provided material and labor to construct three cabins for the camp. They would come every year except that it usually takes about two years to raise the $8,000 to $10,000 to purchase and ship the materials for each cabin.
Camp Lorraine and Camp Polaris, also a nine-mile boat ride from Aleknagik in western Alaska, are attended predominately by non-Adventist kids from their respective communities. In fact, of the 74 campers at Camp Lorraine this summer, fewer than 10 were Adventist. What a ministry! What a thrill for the camp staff to have nearly every camper respond to a call to commit to a life with Jesus at the center.
Campers arrive by boat ready to enjoy a week of summer fun. Due to the constantly changing tide, the camp uses a trailer as the dock. The stable water bottom allows a trailer/dock to be wheeled out to a safe depth for the boats and then pulled back to dry ground. (John Kriegelstein)
Camp Lorraine, located on Vank Island nine miles from Wrangell, Alaska, was home to 74 eager campers in early August. The gym, lodge, bath house, and caretaker's home are shown at low tide. (John Kriegelstein)
Seventy-four campers line up for roll call at Camp Lorraine. Located on Vank Island, nine miles by boat from Wrangell, Alaska, the camp welcomed triple the number of campers than the average of the last few years. (John Kriegelstein)
Camp Lorraine girls enjoy their first day in the newest cabin provided by a mission group from White Salmon, Wash. (John Kriegelstein)
Archery class is a perfect time to absorb some of the magnificent scenery surrounding the camp. (John Kriegelstein)
A camper begins his leathercraft project with careful concentration. (John Kriegelstein)
