Árdís - 01.01.1955, Page 40

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ÁRDÍ S
unanimously decided to buy a camp site of seven acres (later that
year the executive decided to add five acres) making our present
camp site 12 acres, situated on the shore of Lake Winnipeg, four
miles south of Gimli. That decision was made on the recommenda-
tion of the executive and camp committee. The members had
examined the site that spring as well as a spot in Arnes previously
purchased. The convention of 1945 will stand out as the most
important convention of the League. There was great enthusiasm
among all delegates. It was decided to build the following spring
as many buildings as possible. It was further decided to establish
a memorial fund and build an auditorium as soon as possible in
memory of the boys that did not return from the two world wars—
boys belonging to our national and church group. It was further
decided to obtain the services of an expert to landscape the site
that summer. There was a wonderful spirit shown at that conven-
tion, a spirit of strong determination and great faith. We all re-
alized that this was an adventure in faith as our fund was very
small—inside of two thousand dollars. We closed that convention
by singing that hymn of faith, A hendur fel þu honum, chosen for
the occasion by Mrs. B. B. Jonsson, who conducted our closing
devotions. As the convention closed we all went in cars to view
the new camp site and took time to explore every part of it. Most
of the ladies had been there before. Many a fervent silent prayer
was offered for the future of this work that day.
As I write this I realize that today is exactly ten years since we
made that visit. Even if there was much optimism regarding the
future of this project, I know none of us dared to hope that during
the next ten years as much would be accomplished as has been the
case.
At our first executive meeting after the convention we formed
a building committee. Three men consented to work on that com-
mittee with us, these were Sveinn Palmason, S. O. Bjerring and
Hrolfur Sigurdson. How wise that choice was, and how much the
camp owes to these men I will not attempt to explain. We decided
to start building as soon as the snow was off the ground the follow-
ing spring—if—there were many ifs to be considered. In the first
place if we could get a permit from the government. At that time
(just after the close of the war) there was a great shortage of houses