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Church offers free camp in Glen Ellen

I begin today’s column with sincere and profusely grateful thanks to Don Shone, Dale Downing and Sherry Shone.

This trio of town movers and shakers has supported me for many of these 25± years that I’ve written this column. Ever as always, Don, Dale and Sherry grace the back page with a full color ad for their two markets, the Sonoma Market and the Glen Ellen Village Market, the latter of course, being my favorite. If you enjoy reading these meager 500± words each week, you should support those markets.

For the many folks in this Valley who can afford to send their kids to summer camp, there is an explosion of local opportunities.

Our boys preferred Rhoten’s summer camps, both at Westerbeke Ranch and on the road, where they discovered climbing rocks, nesting birds and endless fun. Second in favor for Sky was Cloverleaf Horse Riding Ranch and, for Gabriel, Pt. Reyes Nature Camp.

In both cases, I always felt slightly lost and bereft when the boys were at camp. Though in the weeks prior to camp I would fantasize all of the projects I’d begin and complete in their absence, in truth, I mostly mourned their absence.

So it was.

Yet, for many Sonoma Valley families all of the advertised and much touted camps are beyond their means: too expensive, too intensive, too, too much. This is where our tiny church in the vale comes in.

The Glen Ellen Community Church offers a free summer evening camp experience for children ages 4 through 12. Older kids are welcome to come as camp helpers.

This year’s camp is called “God’s Big Backyard,” and some of that time even includes a little jaunt down the lane to our own little backyard, at Creekbottom. Each year we happily loan our yard to the church folks as an extra staging ground for games and getaway. For us, it means pleasant dinners while we gaze out the window at the youngsters frolicking in our front yard.

Diana Spry, one of the camp organizers promises a backyard adventure like no others.

As backyard explorers, the children will learn how their lives can be transformed by God’s great love for them. Songs, skits, crafts, games, Bible stories, snacks and community service projects all make Vacation Bible School Kids Camp a can’t-miss experience.

The fun begins June 25 and continues through the 28. The cost? Absolutely free, no obligation.

See www.gechurch.com for more information and how to sign up. Or call Diana Spry at 935-6697 to find out the times and address.

The camp takes place every evening giving Glen Ellen parents a chance to experience a little time alone, sans kids. My suggestion is to pick up a great sandwich at the deli counter at the Glen Ellen Village Market, then trek out Carmel Avenue to Cold Springs Lane, thence into the Sonoma Valley Regional Park. Walk to the nearest (or farthest) picnic table and enjoy your feast. It’s a great way to spend the week  – and still be able to tuck your sweeties in at night.

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Share your good news with friends and neighbors in Glen Ellen. Call or write me at 707 996-5995 or P.O. Box 518, GE 95442. Or email me @ Creekbottom@earthlink.net. Glen Ellen chatter rarely requires timeliness; however, if your news does, please be sure to contact me at least three weeks before the run date.