Draw the Circle Wide

“Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. / Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.
No one stands alone, we’ll stand side by side. / Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. “*

It may seem odd to tell you this, but I was never a “conferee,” staff member or dean at Silver Lake! I came on to the Silver Lake Board at the encouragement of Brian Lapis due to some other camp and programming experience I had in Western Massachusetts. I continue to be drawn into the circle we know as Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center and, also, continue to fall in love with this place and the people who compose the big family circle.

The Silver Lake circle continues to be drawn wider and wider as we welcome and embrace all from the Southern New England Conference. More and more people are being introduced to all that Silver Lake has to offer. There are additional opportunities this spring and summer to help us draw that “circle wide” as we seek to welcome new folks to the circle.

On March 26, everyone is welcome to participate in the 2022 Intergenerational Maple Sugaring Day.
We will tap the camp’s maple sugar trees, collect the sap, and boil it over a big outdoor stove as we participate in the transformation of sap into syrup.

You can register for this event by clicking here https://www.silverlakect.org/campsession/15809028

Are you interested in working at Silver Lake this summer?
Summer Staff work six days per week for approximately nine to ten weeks during the summer. Applicants for Summer Staff must be at least 16 years old. Applications are open! 
Positions include: Camp Family (leadership development program for 16- and 17-year-olds), Resource Staff, Waterfront, Adventure Team (A-Team), Kitchen, Maintenance (ETF). Read the job descriptions.

Can't commit to the entire summer? Join us for a week (or more!) as a summer volunteer counselor!

Counselors are responsible for shepherding the young people in their cabin or bunkroom -- a maximum of eight -- through a week-long conference. Counselors sleep in a counselor's bunk in or adjoining the conferees' cabin or bunkroom, share their meals, and lead them in activities throughout the week. 

Learn more about counseling here and save the date for Counselor Retreat, April 8-10.
Click here for more information and to register for Counselor Retreat. https://www.silverlakect.org/campsession/13539385

The Silver Lake Award Celebration returns to the spring on Sunday, April 24 from 2-5pm at Farmington Gardens in Farmington, CT.
We invite everyone in our circle and beyond to join us as we honor Rev. David Peters, who has given so much to Silver Lake as he strives to draw the Silver Lake circle wide. This event features a live and silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and an opportunity to donate directly to the Silver Lake Scholarship Fund.
Please click here for more information. https://www.silverlakect.org/silverlakeaward

Spring Action Weekend gives you the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new ones as we draw that circle wide to prepare for camp this summer. If you’d like to join us on April 29-May 1, click here for more information. https://www.silverlakect.org/campsession/14954952

On behalf of the Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center Board, I thank all of you for your efforts to continue to “draw the circle wide” and welcome all—no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey—to Silver Lake.

Peace,

Rev. Paul Nesbit
Silver Lake Board

*“Draw the Circle” lyrics by Gordon Light, music by Mark Miller, Abington Press

View all the upcoming Silver Lake events at https://www.silverlakect.org/campsessions