Life Changes on the Water
Nearly every day of the summer we see campers playing in the waters of Smith Lake. Some swim, some sit nearby and watch its beauty, others get out in a boat and paddle on the lake. We see many go out on the water in this way for their first time.
We watch nervous, uncertain kids leave the docks, worried about capsizing, and many of them come back all smiles with newly found confidence and an awe for the water they’ve been floating on. It’s not unusual for this lake time to be a camper’s most memorable experience of their entire time.
Always Improving the Experience
Camp Magruder puts great resources and work into making these lake experiences fun and safe. Staffers go through extensive training, boats are inspected and maintained. Equipment is replaced when it reaches its recommended life. On top of all that, we are always looking for new ways to make the lake fun and life changing.
We retire life jackets every three years in keeping with industry standards, so we can trust the equipment keeping our campers safe will be dependable. It is time for new life jackets in 2023. This decision is a no-brainer, but we’re also hoping for exciting new activity options to add to the Smith Lake experience next summer.
Keeping the Waterfront Safe and Exciting
Leading up to the summer, Camp Magruder will be purchasing a new stock of life jackets in every size from toddler to adult. This will help us keep our high standard of safety at the top of our priorities when it comes to getting campers and retreat guests out on the blue waters of Smith Lake.
After many years of discussing and hoping for a favorable budget year, we plan to secure several stand-up paddle boards to add to our boating options in 2023. We are excited to imagine all the ways these paddle boards may be used in the years to come and all the new ways it will introduce people to recreation on the water.
Going for the Big Dream Now
We have deeply felt the impact of inflation at Camp Magruder. Increases in the cost of food, digital equipment, and building materials have impacted every aspect of the work we do. Allowing for these increases and compensating our staff enough to manage these changes at home does not leave much room in the budget for additional ventures.
We are tired of waiting for these improvements, though. We want to find the funds to enhance our activities now, because we believe everyone is ready for that sort of relief in their lives. We imagine all the fun that will be had, and, after the last three years, we think it’s time to go for it. We’re ready to see paddle boards on Smith Lake!
You Will Help Campers Fall in Love with the Water
Your donations this Giving Tuesday will provide the funds needed to, first, ensure that our lake activities will maintain the levels of safety we expect without the life jacket replacement consuming what is available in our 2023 Program Budget.
Once we’ve covered the cost of life jackets, the additional funds from our $4,000 fundraising goal will cover our first ever fleet of stand-up paddle boards. The more we raise, the more paddle boards we will put out on the lake next summer.
Just imagine all the stories campers and guests will return with from their fun on the water. Imagine the peace so many will feel gliding across the blue water with tall trees and mountains rising around them. Here are ways your involvement will make that happen in 2023:
- Donate any amount to this campaign. Even if you feel like it's a small donation, it will inspire more to be involved.
- Share on the social media you use to connect with people. The more people see what we are doing, the bigger the snowball effect of new people joining. Share multiple times for even better responses.
- Watch the campaign as it progresses and celebrate. Seeing all the support you are a part of can be thrilling. Check in and be blown away by what we can do together. Enjoy it!
- Connect with the inspirational people in your life. Let's thank and encourage the people who help us see grow and discover our deeper selves.
| $25 | $100 | $500 | The cost of one life jacket | A rowboat full of life jackets | One stand-up paddleboard |  |  |  |
