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2010 Jr. High Leadership Camp at Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center
by Loren Meloy
During the first week in August 2010 a group of around thirty 6-9th grade students, along with a few leaders from Christ Center Cashmere, were blessed with the opportunity to utilize the Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center. This was our inaugural Jr. High Leadership Camp, and Ingalls Creek had a great deal to do with the success that it was.
First night session at amphitheater (left). Families from Christ Center roasting marshmallows (right).
 
Every student raved about how much they enjoyed the Center. Steve Critchlow was gracious enough to give a tour of the grounds the week before, which was very helpful considering the expanse that the Center occupies. It is exciting to see all that is developing at Ingalls Creek! I am not sure where to begin, but if I had to pick a highlight, it would be the amphitheater. Most of our sessions were held there, we watched movies every night there, and on Friday night we had more than a dozen of our church families out for a family service at the amphitheater.
We spent quite a bit of time learning at the gorgeous amphitheater, hanging out in the tree house, relaxing by the creek side, flying down the zip line, and eating way too much by the barbeque pit and outdoor kitchen
A mysteriously mustached student on the zip line (left) Students cooking “hobo dinners” over coals (right) 
When I think about all the development that is still happening at Ingalls, added to the abundance that is already there, I am tremendously excited for next year!
  Good Samaritan Ministries were so blessed with the use of the facilities at Ingall’s Creek. What a beautiful place to have a retreat. God’s presence was all around; in the beautiful setting, in the leaves with their fall colors, in the sound and beauty of the creek, in the solitude of nature, so conducive to special fellowship times we experienced in the cabin. The prayer trail – what a beautiful way to worship. I loved the quiet-solitude. The pond and waterfall were such a treat. What a gift it was to us. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. We were so blessed by the experience. Ginny LeGore and Staff, Good Samaritan Ministries of the Tri-Cities (a non-profit-donation only Christian counseling and teaching ministry.
 Following the nuptials in the natural setting of the amphitheater, a receiving line accompanied with drinks and various cheeses, and an oven fired pizza dinner with the sound of Ingalls Creek in the background, Sarah Giannobile and Joel Kresse fed each other the first bites of their wedding cake. Toasts, music and dancing made their wedding day “just perfect”.
 Worship was an integral part of the Wild & Rugged camping experience for West Side United Protestant Church of Richland, WA. The woodsy amphitheater setting was perfect for talent night, singing, sharing s’mores and whop whops around the cozy campfire, and just visiting under the star studded skies.
 Combining a service project along with vacation time in Leavenworth worked well for the Joe Bales family from Bend, Oregon. Tenting along the creek, riding the zip line and exploring the tree house were also part of their activities on site. They left knowing that they helped make this portion of the trail accessible for those who are mobility impaired. Pictured with their dad are Oksana (14), Josiah (12), Rhema (10), Noah (9) and Ezra (7).
 Led by Charlie Scoma, Director of Elementary Ministries at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle along with two staff members, ten summer interns enthusiastically started their summer of learning and serving. Having their overnight retreat along the banks of Ingalls Creek was a splashing success.
 Before launching into a fun packed summer for youth living in the Tri-Cities, eight summer interns gathered at Ingalls Creek for three days of preparation and getting to know each other. “This place is so beautiful and it is truly a blessing to all who come” was the parting comment made by Erica Cox, one of the group. No doubt that this group will be back another year.
 Clearing and widening a scenic creekside trail at Ingalls Creek was the object of this Middle School Youth service group. The work party of sixth through eighth graders, plus family members moved rocks, cut brush and opened overgrown pathways to allow for passage by the mobility impaired, especially those who may require wheelchairs or golf carts to enjoy the out-of-doors. Undaunted by the weather, the workers achieved good progress, and were rewarded with hot cocoa to warm up at the end of the day.
 Never too old to try something new, Dorothea King of Cashmere, WA earns the title of our oldest rider on the zip line. Anyone want to challenge her?
 Representing many years of valuable experience and a heart for the ministry that God is developing at Ingalls Creek, this group had an exciting time of interaction, giving the Ingalls Creek Board new ideas to explore. In attendance were Rev. John Zimmerman (former pastor at West Side U.P. Church) and Martha Zimmerman, Rev. Bob Paul (First Presbyterian, Portland) and Suzi Paul, Rev. Joyce Emery (Presbyter, Synod of Alaska-NW), Rev. Bob Shepard (Dir. of Serve Wenatchee Valley), Charlie Scoma (Youth Dir. Univ. Presbyterian Church-Seattle), Greg and Barbara Kinloch (Retired Dir. of FIRS Christian Retreat Center-Bellingham), Rev. Curt McFarland (Moses Lake Presbyterian Church, past Director of Camp Ghormley), Rev. Doug Waltar (Community Presbyterian Church-Post Falls, ID) and Susan Waltar, plus Keith Beebe (Prof. of Theology, Whitworth University). As we seek God’s hand on our ministry at Ingalls Creek, we look for continued interaction and advice from these dedicated individuals.
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