Árdís - 01.01.1966, Blaðsíða 20

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ÁRDÍ S
own interest and initiative rather than any formal or official
policy. From this uncertain beginning there evolved a loosely knit
understanding between our Camp Board and the Synod. This ar-
rangement has worked surprisingly well, for like any good marriage
it was realized that each part was almost completely dependant
on the other for survival — if one failed the other would falter.
One of the reasons that this makeshift alliance did succeed
better than it normally could havc was the fact that the people
who had been actively associated with the camp had built up
through the years an enviable trust fund of good-will and patron-
age — a reputation that was drawn on quite heavily at times to
keep things going.
I am happy to say that now that the Central Canada Synod
has been formed and is gradually becoming a well-established
organization, an interesting and vital youth program including
camping is being developed. In the specific area of Camp Develop-
ment the Synod has undertaken a joint program with the American
Lutheran Church Synod. These two organizations have joined
forces and have set up a Camp Board which consists of ten
members from each, making a total of twenty members — ten
pastors and ten laymen — all appointed for a period of five years.
This board is responsible directly to both the synods and is in
charge of all the planning and promoting of camping programs
for their Lutheran congregations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
North Western Ontario. This is a unique, all embracing set-up
and seems to be of a permanent and effective nature. It is my
considered opinion that through the sincere efforts of this Board
and through the appointment of a fulltime Camp Director who
is well qualified, a well co-ordinated and meaningful camping
experience can be provided for the Camps that fall within the
framework of the Boards responsibility and domain. The situation
as it exists today is well nigh impossible for with divided authori-
ties, with one party finding itself in the role of caretaker and
the other as the uneasy guest, it is impossible to evolve a con-
certed well co-ordinated program. Even with the best of intentions
it rarely works out well to have two masters in the same house.
In view of these observations and experiences and with full
confidence in the newly formed Camp Board, representing offi-
cially as it does both the Central Canada Synod and the American