Redwood Glen

Protection from the Fires

First, thank you all for your concern and prayers for the safety of the Redwood Glen staff and facility. The staff and board are very grateful for your partnership in these very trying days. God has been gracious: All of the staff and most of the camp facilities were protected. Some property was damaged and there is a LOT of clean up to do. As of this writing, the staff and their families are not allowed back onto the property. But they are ready to start the recovery process as soon as they can return.

 

The hundreds of fires caused by lightning strikes in our state have been disastrous for both people and property. A slow-moving ground fire was literally at the doorstep of the camp for several days. The staff evacuated promptly and safely. And this evacuation was necessary even though the Redwood Glen campgrounds are always monitored and cleared of vegetation as a fire precaution. This ongoing maintenance proved to be vital for the camp's safety. We give thanksgiving to God for the safety and morale of the staff and their families during this very difficult time.

Two of Redwood Glen's staff are also firefighters.  In the photo above, you see Ronald Gonzalves and Andrew Gonzalves after more than a week of fighting the fires around the property. Ronald and Andrew gave the staff and board regular updates about the progress of containing the fires. The photo on the right shows a fire crew that the camp's insurance company sent to help. They were are the camp for several days, holding off the fire's advance.

Because of the fire's incredible size, not every part of the camp was spared damage. An irrigation tank was destroyed. A platform at the Pioneer Village site will need rebuilding. Pipelines that feed the water system from the creek were also burned and damaged. It will be a major effort to replace these lines.

The most disheartening damage was done to the Chapel in the Woods. The fire initially passed by the chapel, leaving it completely okay. But the next night the fire returned and destroyed the platform and stage area. It is very sad to look at the chapel.

What's Next? What Can You Do to Help?

Glad you asked! Work on a number of projects will begin very soon. 

1. The "Bridge the Gap" Funding Campaign – The Redwood Glen board will be launching a fund drive in the near future. The goal will be to secure enough donations and monthly commitments to get Redwood Glen ready for next summer's camps. Since the Shelter-in-Place order began, the pandemic has meant no camps, no guests, and no income for the camp. And now, with the damage caused by the fire, there will be lots of work that require money and expertise. We hope that you will give generously to help in this effort. 

2. Work Days! This fall you and your friends and neighbors can also participate in workdays at camp. There will be much to do, including the clean up of fire retardant, replacing water pipelines, cleaning up the ashes and other remains of the fire, and other tasks. Planning for the workdays will begin In the next few weeks. Please stay tuned for the dates and the specific needs of the cleanup efforts that must be done to get the camp ready for visitors.

Help needed in just a few weeks: Able-bodied volunteers will be needed to "pull pipe" in order to restore the water supply to the treatment plant. This will be a tough job, but 3 to 5 volunteers helping the staff can get it done.

"Such Gratitude" The staff and board of Redwood Glen have an intense and heart-filled gratitude that the camp survived the fires. Among the long list of who and what deserves our "Thank You" are the firefighters (professional and volunteer), the team leaders, the positive factors of the weather, the staff's preparation for such an event, the prayers and hopes of many people, and, of course, God. We know we are not especially blessed because God loves all people and gives wisdom to all ministries that serve the mission of Christ. However, we also know that sometimes God's saving grace comes in very physical ways, and for this, we sing in praise and thanksgiving. (The photo below is by Andrew Gonzalves.)