Thank You Topaz.

As we gear up for Cairn’s 80th Anniversary, it’s important to recognize the circumstances that have allowed us to be successful for so long.  There have been many essential ingredients, but over the last 15 years the torch has been carried by Beth “Topaz” Allison.  Together with Zoic, her husband, Beth has made camp into a place that many of us consider a second home.  Yes, she has raised camper numbers and introduced new programmes and carefully shepherded Cairn into existence – but those are only the most visible of her successes.  I want to tell you about a few more.  I’ll present my list: Camp According to Topaz; or: Camp Done Right.

1. People come before programmes.  The emotional, physical and spiritual needs of individuals and the community are more important that goals of any single programme.  Are the campers too tired?  Cancel your wonderful evening programme and send them to bed!
2. Everyone is welcome (and welcomed).  We say, “welcome to camp” – but it doesn’t stop there.  When our staff members arrive, there are welcome signs on the doors of their rooms.  When campers arrive, they are ALWAYS “on the list” (even if we somehow missed them in our pre-camp counting).  When guests or alumni arrive, there is always time to say hello and to make them feel welcome.
3. The 4 S’s.  Nothing has shaped camp more than this simple set of questions, written by Beth in her early summers at Glen Mhor.  The best part?  It’s a tool we give away freely!  We encourage our campers to use the 4S’s to make decisions, we encourage other camp directors to borrow the 4S’s and use them to make their own camps better.  The 4S’s define the way we do things at camp – they are our operating principles.
4. Camp work is done by professionals.  For the staff, camp is not just a fun place to spend the summer.  Camp is a place where hard, hard work is done by people who are devoted 100% to the cause of Christian community and youth ministry.  There is no wavering from this ideal – not even when it’s raining for the 14th straight day or when the last child leaves site…camp is always run by professionals (and I think it shows).
5. Faith is a journey, questions are good, Jesus loves you.  Beth’s faith is remarkable, as is her ability to encourage growth in others.

2009 was Beth’s last year at camp, at least as our full-time Director   We say goodbye to a friend, a leader and someone who knew how to make camp run perfectly, even when it was hard, hard, thankless work.

Thank you, Topaz.  For everything.