Camp Wilderness Ridge

January Newsletter

Ron Hunt — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:39:08 +0000

Though he slays me, yet will I trust in Him. Job 13:15 We’re ready to follow our Lord Jesus the Christ wherever He may lead us in 2012. Praise God! We now have 118 acres for at least 3-5 years to be our main camp, which we are calling Camp Wilderness Ridge – East. Utilizing this property will allow us to conveniently continue use of areas of the original camp (CWR – West) that are suitable for activities and leaves the rest of the property to heal.

We’ll spend the next five months preparing and rebuilding the property for the 25th year of summer camps at Wilderness Ridge. Let me interject here…that it is the faithfulness of people like yourself through your prayers and financial generosity that has made it possible for our camping ministry to continue. I know that God is pleased!

We have a lot to get done…construction: 6 camper cabins plus SALT cabin, a teaching and worshiping gathering spot, swimming pool with fence and deck, archery and rifle ranges, clearing for field games, craft shed, nature center, fencing around the property, tree cutting (saw milling lumber), grounds clearing, wood debris clipping, restrooms, showers, life guard station (at CWR-West lake area) etc. …refurbish: kitchen area, existing restroom/shower, staff housing, infirmary, etc.

Work project opportunities are available Monday thru Saturdays from January through April or as needed in May. Day workers are welcome…let us know you are coming at least 5 days in advance. Spring Break which spans from Saturday, March 10 to Saturday, March 17, you can be a part of an “Extreme Makeover” style experience to complete several building and land preparation projects.

We are looking for groups to take on a project to complete. They will receive a building construction project package with drawings, instructions, and bill of materials with a mutually agreed upon completion date. We are harvesting lumber from dead pine/cedar trees which is having a positive impact on building material costs. Can you put together a group(s)? Total cost of materials with or without saw milled lumber will be provided. Your group can finance your project but that is not required. Keep watching our website: www.wildernessridge.com for availability of project packages. Please pray for God’s provision for all the human and financial resources we need.

Also we will be serving churches Father/Daughter or Son campouts at Cooper Farm on the weekends, Spring 2012, so we will need volunteers to help us serve them.

Dates	Holiday	Organization	Function	Expect #
February 24-26		Bridgepoint Bible	CSB Treks	30
March 2-4		Windwood Presbyterian	Father/Daughter	50
March 9-11	Spring Break
March 16-18	Spring Break
March 23-25		Cypress Bible	Father/Daughter	100
March 30 - April 1		OPEN
April 6-8	Easter
April 13-15		OPEN
April 20-22		Hutto Bible Church HCBC Pflugerville	Father/Son	40 60
April 27-29		OPEN	Open
May 4-6		OPEN
May 11-13	Mother's Day
May 18-20		Harvest Bible	Family	25
May 24-25		Regents Christian School	Father/Son	60
May 25-27	Memorial Day			35

Last month we stated that “Only God knows whose lives you will impact with your gift. Please pray about what God would have you do, and for our needs to be met.”

Please pray for Camp Wilderness Ridge (CWR), as follows:

Gentle and continuous rain. Note: Our sincere thanks for answered prayer.
Praise for our new Assistant Camp Director, announcement notice coming soon.
Summer Camps 2012 be filled to capacity each summer session (48 campers) 288 campers for summer.
Summer Camps staff enough to fill each position needed.
Trial (started 1/9/12) on 2009 wildfire to have the right judgment.
Each staff meets their financial target amount so we can focus on the tasks necessary for 2012 Spring Campouts/Retreats and Summer Camps.
Financial needs…scholarship funds for camper and summer staff…funds to build camp facilities
A Christian young man that is considering full-time service on the CWR staff and intern application under consideration.
God’s direction, holiness, wisdom and unity for the CWR Board of Directors and staff so that all decisions and actions bring Him honor and glory.

As you head into the New Year, we leave you with this blessing: We ask God to give you wisdom and a spirit attuned to His will. We pray that you will live well for our Lord. We pray that you will have all the God-given joy-filled strength you need to persevere in the beautiful work He has for you. May you be full of thanksgiving to the Father because He has set you in the Kingdom of His Son, Jesus. Author Unknown

Ron Hunt
Camp Director

December Newsletter

Ron Hunt — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:49:02 +0000

Dear CWR Family,

God is so good as He continues to provide for Wilderness Ridge. Summer Camps 2012 is foremost on our minds right now. It appears that God has opened a door to a nearby property in the Lost Pines that would provide a familiar environment for our camps. Utilizing this property will allow us to conveniently continue use of areas of the original camp that are suitable for activities. Please be in prayer that this opportunity comes to reality and the details are quickly completed. While there is much work to be done in preparation for summer camps, we are confident that God will provide the resources, staff, and volunteers to bring this miraculous recovery about. Please review the detailed status report of our facilities located at the end of this newsletter.

Spring 2012 retreat/campout weekends to be hosted at Cooper Farm by Wilderness Ridge are being confirmed.
The Board of Directors has unanimously and enthusiastically re-affirmed our commitment to the mission and ministry of Wilderness Ridge – Low Cost, Christ-centered camping for Men and Boys. We have committed ourselves to moving forward in restoring the camp’s ability to operate the summer camp programs and to facilitate the programs of our guest churches.

We are very grateful for God’s faithful provision for our financial needs through you and others like you. We are trusting God for at least $35,000 for the General Fund, and staff support that we have received in past years. Only God knows whose lives you will impact with your gift. Please pray about what God would have you do, and for our needs to be met.

Please pray for Camp Wilderness Ridge (CWR), as follows:

Gentle and continuous rain. Note: Our sincere thanks for answered prayer.
Campers that became followers of Jesus Christ during Summer Camps 2011 to find a Bible believing, Christ-centered church. Campers that are searching and questioning to submit to God’s authority over their lives by following Jesus Christ. Campers that already believed to follow

through…committed to spiritual growth, obedience, and faithfulness.

Each staff meets their financial target amount so we can focus on the tasks necessary for 2012 Spring Campouts/Retreats and Summer Camps. Alex Becerra’s support as a CWR intern through August 2012.
Financial needs…scholarship funds for camper and summer staff.
Two Christian men that are considering full-time service on the CWR staff.
God’s direction, holiness, wisdom and unity for the CWR Board of Directors and staff so that all decisions and actions bring Him honor and glory.

May 2011 be a year in which God receives great glory through our lives! Spread the Gospel; the time is short!

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Ron Hunt, Camp Director

CWR Fire Damage Report: Facilities and Grounds

Structure	Status (updated 12/3/2011)
Camp Director's Residence	Destroyed; Using insurance proceeds, the camp has purchased a home w/ office in Smithville for use as a Camp Director residence.
Manufactured Housing	Destroyed
Cabins 1-6	Destroyed
Kitchen	Destroyed
Office	Destroyed
Craft Shelter	Destroyed
SALT Cabin	Destroyed
Maintenance Barn	Destroyed
Woodworking Shop	Destroyed; bathroom rebuilt on old slab (11/21/2011) and pole barn to store supplies and lumber is being erected. Damage to slab makes it unsuitable for use as wood-working shop without significant re-finishing.
Bicycle Corral	Destroyed
Sports Equipment Storage	Destroyed
Apartment	Destroyed; a fifth-wheel trailer has been donated and now serves as housing for Alex Becerra, an intern at the camp.
Lodge and Apartment Rooms	Destroyed
Above-ground Swimming Pool and Deck	Destroyed
Outdoor Learning Center	Destroyed
Man Bath House	Destroyed
New Bath House	Destroyed
Chapel and Serving Area	Destroyed
RV Park	Partially damaged, Repaired and hosting volunteers beginning 11/1/2011
Climbing Wall	Destroyed
Zip Line	Damaged, only one pole remains serviceable
Life Jacket Shed and Well House	Destroyed, well has been repaired and well house constructed.
Pavilion Dining Area	Intact
Gazebo	Intact
Canoes	Intact
Lake Area	Suitable for Activity

Saturday Workdays: December 3, 10, 17

Ron Hunt — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:05:12 +0000

8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Come when you can and leave when you need to.
Lunch and air masks provided.
E-mail sandy@wildernessridge.com if you are coming.

Work Projects:

Cutting down trees

Chain saws (recommend for chain saw users to wear: chaps, helmets, ear protection, safety shield or glasses, gloves)

Loppers

Slung Shot

“Heavy Duty Rope

Scrap Metal Load & Haul to Recycle Company (maintenance area, vehicles and miscellaneous debris around property)

Trucks with flatbed trailers and straps

Loaders (all types)

Erosion Prevention

Cedar branches

Barriers

Watering System Setup for Rye Grass & Trees

Mending Fences

Pole Barn Raising

Additional items you can bring:

Work gloves

Safety glasses

Loppers

Post hole diggers

Picks

Shovels

Tractor (Auger & Grader available at camp)

Sledge Hammer

Pliers, vices grips

Hack saw

Hammers

Wheel barrow

Hope to see you on Saturday.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Ron Hunt, Director, Camp Wilderness Ridge

Staff: Anthony Ramos & Alex Becerra & Sandy Hunt

Update from the Board of Directors

Ron Hunt — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:17:44 +0000

God is Good, All the Time!

Wilderness Ridge continues to provide outstanding camping experiences for the Christian community in Texas despite the tremendous setback suffered in the Labor Day fire. We operated retreats for five groups over four weekends this fall, using an outstanding campground a short distance east of our Lost Pines property. Wilderness Ridge staff and volunteers were able to provide great weekends for these groups, utilizing the facilities of Cooper Farm in Ledbetter, TX. After the great success of our Fall retreats at Cooper Farm, we are continuing plans for a full season of Spring retreats. We are confident in our ability to provide an outstanding, low-cost, Christ-centered camping experience for those groups who are lined up for this spring.

Restoration work at the 95 acres in the Lost Pines continues. We have re-established the functionality of our RV park, having brought electric power and Aqua Water Supply water to the campsites at the beginning of November. We are now hosting four Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (MMAP) couples who are accelerating the pace of recovery through their efforts. Along with the MMAPers and the WR staff, many volunteers having been showing up for workdays at the camp.

Well House

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We are making great progress in our efforts to protect the property and begin the process of restoring the camp. We have been taking down trees that are in danger of falling in critical areas, cleaning up debris at the building sites, spreading rye-grass seed, and taking other measures to accelerate recovery of the property. Work is completed on the well-house and we have enclosed a bathroom facility at the former wood-working shop. We plan to raise a roof over the full foundation in order to provide dry storage for lumber milled from trees cut on the property. We are optimistic about the recovery of the property and are following the recommendations of the Bastrop County Emergency Services Agency and the Texas Department of Forestry. If you have time or resources to help with the work at the camp, please contact Ron Hunt or other staff members for the latest information. Workdays will continue in December and throughout next spring.

Planning is also underway for a full six weeks of Summer Camp in 2012. We are finalizing arrangements for the use of a nearby property in the Lost Pines that would provide a familiar environment for our camps. Utilizing this property will allow us to conveniently continue use of areas of the original camp that are suitable for activities. Please be in prayer that the details are quickly completed and that this opportunity comes to reality. While there is much work to be done in preparation for summer camps, we are confident that God will provide the resources, staff, and volunteers to bring this miraculous recovery about.

We also want to celebrate the love expressed by the friends of Wilderness Ridge in the housewarming party for Ron and Sandy Hunt. Over 60 attended the event hosted by Karen Van Overloop, Karen Kenagy, and Kim Gardiner. The gifts have provided the Hunt’s with a quick start in their path back to a stable, well-established home life. They are now residing at the temporary Camp Directors house, located at 503 Olive Street in Smithville, TX 78957.

Wilderness Ridge continues to receive an outpouring of support, including the donation of a fifth-wheel trailer by a civic leader in Bastrop. The trailer is now in the RV park and will be used as housing by Alex Becerra, an intern at the camp. Alex had been staying with Grandparents near the camp, but that home was lost in the fire.

Wilderness Ridge has been truly blessed by God moving the supporters of our ministry to give of their time and finances. This outpouring of support allows us to continue using the camp experience to establish and develop young people’s relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We have much to celebrate this Thanksgiving and we are truly thankful for a great God. We thank you for your continued support,

Wilderness Ridge Camp, Board of Directors

Workdays: Saturday – November 12th & 19th

Ron Hunt — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:44:50 +0000

8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Come when you can and leave when you need to.
Lunch and air masks provided.
E-mail sandy@wildernessridge.com if you are coming.

Work Projects:

Cutting down trees

Chain saws (recommend for chain saw users to wear: chaps, helmets, ear protection, safety shield or glasses, gloves)

Loppers

Slung Shot

Rope

Scrap Metal Load & Haul to Recycle Company (maintenance area, camp director house, miscellaneous debris)

Trucks with flatbed trailers and straps

Loaders (all types)

Electrician Work

RV area – install electric outlets

Electricity to woodworking area

Erosion Prevention

Cedar branches

Barriers

Watering System Setup

Additional items you can bring:

Work gloves

Safety glasses

Post hole diggers

PVC pipe cutters

Picks

Shovels

Tractor (Auger & Grader available at camp)

Sledge Hammer

Pliers, vices grips

Hack saw

Hammers

Wheel barrow

Power extension cords

Ladders: 10 – 12 foot

We give thanks for God’s provisions and protection. All things are possible with our God! Hope to see you on Saturday.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
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Ron Hunt, Director, Camp Wilderness Ridge

Staff: Anthony Ramos & Alex Becerra & Sandy Hunt

Fall Retreats Continue & New Camp Director Housing

Ron Hunt — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:50:47 +0000

From the Board of Directors:

The Park Road property continues to make great progress in recovering from the fire that devastated the Lost Pines area two months ago. Power and water service have been restored to the property and the RV area is ready for a volunteer team that will be arriving this weekend that will be serving at the camp throughout November. The well has been repaired, is powered up and running. Volunteer teams have been steadily cleaning up the structures that were destroyed and hauling off the debris for recycling or disposal. Seeding and other erosion control efforts are underway in order to protect the property, and we are beginning the process of taking down dead trees.

The camp continues on its’ Fall schedule of retreats. Our staff will be running a Father/Daughter campout for two Austin-area churches at Cooper Farm this weekend and the Katy Bible Church family camp there next weekend. Wilderness Ridge has been blessed by the gracious opportunity to use the Cooper Farm facilities in Ledbetter, TX and by an out-pouring of support from the leaders of camps throughout Texas.

During the fire we lost the beautiful directors house at the Park Road property. While our long-term goal is to have our director living on the camp property, the board saw a need to quickly establish a stable living situation and office environment for Ron and Sandy Hunt. With rentals in short supply because of the loss of 1500 houses in the area, we made a decision to purchase a property in Smithville. The house, at 503 Olive Street, is now owned by Camp Wilderness Ridge and is being prepared for the Hunts to move in. The house provides ample living room for the Hunts along with office space and room for guests.

Finally, Karen Van Overloop, Karen Kenagy and Kim Gardiner are hosting a housewarming shower for Sandy Hunt on November 12th in Round Rock, TX. Ron and Sandy lost their personal belongings in the fire and the goal is to shower them with love and gifts in order to help them quickly establish a comfortable and welcoming home in Smithville. Sandy is registered as a “newlywed” at target.com, and for housewarming gifts at bedbathandbeyond.com and sears.com All are invited to the shower, for details please visit http://new.evite.com/services/links/LBO5RFTAM7.

God has done great things at Wilderness Ridge and the Board of Directors continues to seek His will regarding the ministry and the resources of the camp. Please join us in lifting the guests, the staff, the volunteers, and the mission of the camp to God in prayer.

God bless you and thank you for your support,
Board of Directors
Camp Wilderness Ridge

Camp Update: Weekend Retreat Volunteers Needed& Work Days Progress Report

Ron Hunt — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:48:45 +0000

Retreat Volunteers Needed at Cooper Farm in Ledbetter
for the next two weekends!

October 28-30: Hill Country Bible Church Pflugerville and Hutto Bible Church Father/Daughter Campout

November 4-6: Katy Bible Church Family Campout

Please check your calendar to see if you can come serve with us. Our needs are:

Foodservice crews:

Friday evening 6-8 pm, (October 28th only)

Saturday breakfast 6:30 – 9 am, (October 29th only)

Saturday lunch 9:30 am – 1:00 pm

Saturday Dinner 3:30 – 7 pm, (October 29th only)

Sunday bunch 7 – 12 noon

Saturday activities leaders/assistants
Full day (8 am – 5 pm) or Half day (8AM – Noon or 1PM – 5PM)]

Riflery (BB)

Craft

Fishing

Group Games

Challenge Course:

Zip Line

Climbing Wall

Big Swing

Low Ropes

Our needs cover every aspect of our camp. You can also serve…

Trash, restroom details

Utility Player(s) – Does a little of everything as needed.

As a volunteer, meals and sleep accommodations, as needed, are provided. Church small groups (men & women) can serve together. Dads, it is an excellent opportunity to come serve with your son(s) or daughter(s).

We need helpers on Friday beginning anytime after 4:00 pm (arrive when you can) on through about noon on Sunday (go when you need to go). Yes, you can just do Saturday or any other time period that is best for you or your group.

Just let us know your schedule, email: sandy@wildernessridge.com. If you have questions, please call us, 512-237-4442.

Work Days Update

We had about 18 people on Saturday, October 15, 27 people on Sunday the 22nd and 30 UT students on Sunday the 23rd.

A pump house was built. 10 trailer loads of scrap metal we hauled off…$2500 earned. Rye grass seed spread. Cedar branches were gathered to use for erosion control. Dead pine and oak trees were cut down. Sifting through debris. Construction of a restroom to eliminate portable potties was began. Progress to restore RV area (electrician, water, septic connection).

The RV restoration project must be completed by October 31. There will be five couples from Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (MMAP) will arrive October 31-November 2 to start work on November 3 ending a few days before Thanksgiving. Another MMAP group of six couples arrive November 30th to work through December.

Would you be able to donate your used tools or buy a tool for the camp? See Tools Needed for a list.

Renewal Begins – Saturday Workdays – October 15th & 22nd

Ron Hunt — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:41:12 +0000

Workdays @ Camp Wilderness Ridge
Saturday, October 15th and October 22nd
855 Park Road 1C
Smithville, TX 78957
8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Come when you can and leave when you need to.
Lunch and air-masks provided.
Email sandy@wildernessridge.com if you are coming.

Projects:

Scrap Metal Load & Haul to Recycle Company (woodworking shop, Chapel, maintenance area)

Trucks with flatbed trailers and straps

Loaders

Restore RV area

Electricians

Electric Pedestal Installation (hole digging & concrete)

Erosion Prevention

Cedar branches

Barriers

Seeding rye grass

Watering System Setup

Pump House Building

Tree cutting (bring chain saws)

What to bring:

Work gloves

Safety glasses

Post hole diggers

Picks

Shovels

Tractor (Kubota Auger & Grader available at camp)

Loppers

Chain Saws

Sledge Hammer

Pliers, vices grips,

Hack saw

Hammers

Wheel barrow

We give thanks for God’s provisions and protection. All things are possible with our God! Hope to see you on Saturday.

In His Service,

Ron Hunt, Director, Camp Wilderness Ridge
Staff: Anthony Ramos & Alex Becerra

CWR Hosts Fall Retreats and Campouts at Cooper Farm

Ron Hunt — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:30:30 +0000

Last weekend, Wilderness Ridge resumed it’s Fall schedule by hosting the Hill Country Bible Church-NW third through six grade Awana boys. All of the CWR Fall Retreats and Tent Campouts will be held at Cooper Farm in Ledbetter, TX. The Wilderness Ridge staff enjoyed the facilities at Cooper Farm especially the large, very well equipped kitchen and the comfortable cabins!

The High Ropes Course has four ziplines, four climbing wall tracks and much more.
Other attractions include a low ropes course, fishing ponds, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, rifle/archery range, nature trails, a covered pavilion and climate controlled cabins.

Campouts and Retreats – Fall 2011

Dates Organization Function Last year's
attendance Volunteers
Needed

October 7-9 HCBC-Northwest
Houston Chinese AWANA T&T Boys
Father/Son 50
16 10

October 14-16 Open

October 21-23 Open

October 28-30 HCBC-Pflugerville
Hutto Bible Church Father/Daughter
Father/Daughter 50
35 16

November 4-6 Katy Bible Family 68 10

November 11-13 Open

November 18-20 Open

Secure Storage Container Needed – You can help!

Ron Hunt — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:21:29 +0000

The first order of business in Camp restoration is to get a secure storage container placed on the property so we can store tools, equipment and supplies. The Mobile-Mini storage container is the best in the business and exactly what we need.

There is a $250 delivery charge, $250 pickup charge (both payable in advance) and the cost of leasing a 10′x25′ or 8′x40′ unit is approximately $160/month. Instead of leasing, we can purchase a used 10′x25′ container for $7,250 or 8′x40′ container for $6,200 plus a one time delivery charge.

Would you be willing to contribute a portion of the cost of leasing or purchasing the container? Please use the button below to make a donation of any amount.

If this project becomes over-subscibed, the extra donations will be applied to our next project, “Tools and Equipment”.

You can view some of the tools and equipment that we need on our Gift Registry. Check it out here. It will be updated regularly with additional items as we determine exactly what is needed.

Dates	Organization	Function	Last year's attendance	Volunteers Needed
October 7-9	HCBC-Northwest Houston Chinese	AWANA T&T Boys Father/Son	50 16	10
October 14-16	Open
October 21-23	Open
October 28-30	HCBC-Pflugerville Hutto Bible Church	Father/Daughter Father/Daughter	50 35	16
November 4-6	Katy Bible	Family	68	10
November 11-13	Open
November 18-20	Open

Camp Wilderness Ridge

January Newsletter

December Newsletter

CWR Fire Damage Report: Facilities and Grounds

Saturday Workdays: December 3, 10, 17

Update from the Board of Directors

Well House

Workdays: Saturday – November 12th & 19th

Fall Retreats Continue & New Camp Director Housing

Camp Update: Weekend Retreat Volunteers Needed& Work Days Progress Report

Retreat Volunteers Needed at Cooper Farm in Ledbetter for the next two weekends!

Work Days Update

Renewal Begins – Saturday Workdays – October 15th & 22nd

CWR Hosts Fall Retreats and Campouts at Cooper Farm

Campouts and Retreats – Fall 2011

Secure Storage Container Needed – You can help!

Retreat Volunteers Needed at Cooper Farm in Ledbetter
for the next two weekends!