Árdís - 01.01.1954, Page 42

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ÁRDÍ S
As a further explanation of this second quotation I might state
the fact that the Sunday School Committee of our group had been
active in trying to establish permanent Sunday Schools in outlying
districts having no resident pastors. The lack of leaders in these
districts was one of the obstacles to contend with. If we could hope
for attendance of young people from these districts at courses in
Leadership Training we felt that the difficulty could be overcome
there. We were fully aware that the need for leaders was equally
great in other districts.
At the beginning of the following year (1939) the members of
the League were fairly unanimous that it was time to launch out
on the new venture. We felt the field had been ploughed, the soil
seasoned and it was not unreasonable to expect some harvest. The
Canadian Sunday School Mission Camp was rented on behalf of the
League by Mrs. Henrickson and myself from August 10 to 20 at
$12.00 a day. Rev. E. H. Fafnis was chosen as dean. Rev. S. Olafsson
as dean of boys, Miss Kristin Skulason dean of girls, Mrs. H. F.
Danielson, registrar, Mrs. F. Johnson, dining room hostess. I was
chosen as camp mother. Miss Emily Bardal was engaged as camp
nurse and Miss Petra Jonasson as cook.
A fine group of 45 young people registered and stayed for the
ten days. Lectures were given by our ministers during the forenoon
of each day and one lecture during the afternoon. Entertaining
programs were given in the evenings. When the course was over
we felt the time had been well spent. The students proved them-
selves excellent campers and were interested in the course. At the
closing concert I expressed the thought that perhaps from this
beginning something might develop far beyond what we at the time
dared hope for.
The two following summers the work was continued along the
same lines and in the same place. I quote from Ardis: “Campers
registered in 1939—45; in 1940—48; in 1941—50. Seven young
people were at camp for the three years: Josephine Olafsson, Baldur
Danielson, Karl Olafsson, Jon Olafsson, Lloyd Sigurdson, Olive
Oddleifsson and Thorhallur Erlendson, all of Arborg. Twelve young
people were there for two years: Helgi Austman, Njall Jonasson,
Grace Eyolfson, Sigurberg Oddleifson, Teddy Erlendson, Arni
Sveinson, Maria Josephson, Margret Johnson. Agnes Oddleifson,
Elenore Gudmundson, Jonas Sigurgeirson and Stefan Helgason.