Prairie States Christian Service Camp

Photos - 2007 Staff

To children (and perhaps a not-insignificant percentage of adults) the camp just functions; lights turn on, meals are prepared, buildings are clean, sports equipment is available, etc. Seldom, if ever, is the support system that maintains all the expectations considered - until, of course, something isn't functioning. Our manager, Jim Small, has assembled a capable staff that attends to the infrastructure of Prairie States.

Karla, Stacie, and Elizabeth see to it that the tables are filled with delicious, nutritious meals. Karla also oversees the volunteer program that calls on many Association Churches to supply helpers that smooth the morning/early afternoon work-load with extra hands for chopping, mixing, and washing up afterwards.

Kattie works in the kitchen getting drinks prepared and tables set, then helps in the washing up, then spends several hours keeping watch over the kids as lifeguard at the pool during afternoon and evening swim-times. She also works in the canteen at least twice each day with the above-mentioned Karla and Elizabeth!

Pete provides his Air Force training and love of people and health through his services as Camp Nurse. He tracts medication time-tables to see each child keeps prescription schedules, and is well qualified to assess and treat injuries that occur from time to time.

Dick arrives each morning to a variety of daily needs. Some needs are expected, such as giving the grass a trim or the animals a meal, and others are not so expected, like a burst pool pump or a corroded power coupler 25 feet up a pole. Most days will see Dick buzzing about the grounds, whether on his big red mower or his little white cart, attending to whatever needs arise.

Gilbert keeps vigil through the nights of the camping sessions. As nighwatchman, he remains alert for those who may try to enter the grounds while the rest of us are asleep. He also watches the dorms to make sure no adventurous campers decide to take midnight strolls.

Paden and Jeff pick up where everyone else leaves off, literally. They arrive after the camping sessions and clean the dorms and bathrooms, collecting abandoned items for the lost and found and getting the facilities ready for the next round of campers.

And as for our manager... Jim (full-time minister for Onarga Christian Church, EMT, Camp Treasurer, husband, Certified Pool Maintenance man, photographer, cross-country biker/hiker, Camp Operations Manager, fill-in speaker, Certified kitchen tech, animal feeder (no known previous circus experience), Camp Public Relations man, visionary, financial grant-getter, guitar player, draftsman, fire-starter, plumber, Camp Board liason to Camp operations, red golf cart and International Harvester tractor-driver, sound/PowerPoint coordinator, janitor, printer, etc., etc., etc.) oversees our Camp.