Árdís - 01.01.1966, Blaðsíða 26

24
ÁRDÍ S
It was characteristic of the pioneer spirit in this field, as in all
others, that the workers at the camp not only gave their time
but paid their fee of six dollars for the period as well!
At the close of the camping session in 1941, the L. W. L. Con-
vention was held at the C. S. S. M. Camp by special arrangement.
In her report as president Mrs. Olafsson stated: “We have dreamt
that this might be the beginning of our project — that here had
been laid a foundation for the future work of our organization.
During this convention it will be for you to decide whether we
carry on this work or give it up.---------If we continue we need
more support and deeper understanding.” In her secretary’s report
Mrs. Danielson stressed that the ministers present, Rev. E. H. Fafnis,
Rev. S. Olafsson and Rev. B. A. Bjarnason, had stated definitely
that this endeavor of the L. W. L. was already recognized as a
big factor in building a firmer foundation for our church life and
especially in creating new currents of interest and faith among
our young people. They had said furthermore: “We extend our
grateful thanks to the small band of women of the Lutheran
Women’s League whose courage and loyalty and idealism has
launched this work to a successful start.”
After excellent discussions, Mrs. Margret Stephensen asked
whether at this time it would be possible to start a building fund.
This possibility was discussed and then Mrs. Gudrun Johnson
moved and Mrs. Stephensen seconded that such a fund be started
by transferring fifty dollars from the General Fund and another
fifty from the Árdís Fund. This was unanimously carried and
followed by a generous collection to add to the building fund.
The following winter Mrs. Henrickson and Mrs. Olafsson met
with disappointment when they met the C. S. S. M. officals to
enquire whether they would make the camp available to the
L. W. L. for a fourth season. They were refused the use of the
camp. These two dauntless women concluded between themselves
that the L. W. L. would just have to build its own camp! The
difficulty was solved the summer of 1942 by renting a camp, the
Rock Lake through the efforts of Rev. E. H. Fafnis. The burden
of the work rested on Rev. and Mrs. Fafnis and Mrs. S. Sigurgeir-
son. A very successful session was reported with thirty campers
registered. In 1943 no suitable camp was available and there was