What Guests Say about DCC - Drift Creek Mennonite Camp

What Guests Say about Drift Creek Camp

Family Reunions| Church Groups| Outdoor Education | Volunteers

Outdoor Education:
The following statements are used with permission from directors of Outdoor School programs at Drift Creek Camp.

Dottie Knecht, South Salem High School
This fall we took 89 high school biology students on an overnight field trip to Drift Creek Camp. I could not have scripted a more perfect setting, facility, and hosts than what we encountered. The staff, food, accommodations, and the communication leading up to the event were all excellent. The surroundings at the camp provide rich diversity and opportunity for inquiry based learning. Many students shared with me that this trip was a highlight of their high school experience. We plan to return again next year.

Mike Cox, Sisters Middle School
Thanks for the form -- Also, I want to again thank you for your hospitality -- we had a fantastic time and felt privileged to be able to use your facility. Everyone affiliated with Drift Creek treated us with such kindness and that is a real tribute to your staff. If our budget allows, we will definitely strongly consider trying to return next year (which is something I could not have foreseen a couple of weeks ago due to the distance from home). Thanks again for everything.

Roy McConaughey, C.S. Lewis Academy, May 28, 2009
"As a first-timer at Drift Creek, let me first thank you for such excellent care of our school's needs. It's great to see how the staff cares for this beautiful facility--it's obvious that they see it (the camp) as a place of God's presence."

Susan Friesen, principal Valley Catholic
I want to tell you how impressed I was over your camp. It is a wonderful facility and your staff and volunteers were so welcoming and helpful! I wish I could have stayed longer .

Pat Whetstone at Newport
"Thank you so much for your hospitality during our stay at Drift Creek. The students surely enjoyed themselves and you and your staff were very accommodating to us all. Drift Creek lends itself to a wonderful natural landscape. Thank you again for a very positive experience."

Parker Ogburn, Oregon State University
Our October 6-10, 2008, Outdoor School was greatly enhanced and improved by the additions to the Drift Creek facility and your energetic new staff. I am very pleased with the service of Tony and Brenda Kauffman. They have been very gracious and helpful with all our camp needs and arrangements. Your facility staffs, Seth, Brie, Laura and Jesse, were always available, friendly and encouraging to myself and the facilitators of our Outdoor School. Seth, Laura, Brie and Jesse were curious about our programs and asked if we might need additional help. Laura introduced the new nature center and encouraged us to make use of the materials, in which we did. The plant identification guides and investigating materials were very useful and we used them throughout camp. Seth was very gracious and reassuring, he asked me several times how they might help, these overtures were very welcome.
The qualities you all have brought to camp have made for out best camp, we look forward towards working with you all in the future.
With appreciation,
Parker Neal Ogburn
OSU Extension Service Lincoln County / 4H Natural Resource Instructor

From Volunteers:

When we visit Oregon, besides visiting family and friends our number one thing to do is volunteer at Drift Creek Camp. There are many reasons why we like to go to camp. First, it is very different from where we live. Living in Vietnam in a large city with high density population, bad traffic, and a lack of green space, Drift Creek Camp is an amazing escape from the crude environment. Going to camp gives us and our boys an opportunity to experience nature. Who doesn’t like to go there? Camp is green, the air is clean and it is quiet and peaceful. The children can play outside without the worry of the traffic.
We also love to help out at camp because working there is a different kind of work than working at the office. We enjoy seeing all the children from around Oregon experience being at camp, away from home and what that means to each child. It is fun to watch how they interact with one another during activities and especially the talent show. Being there in the forest with children and meeting new people makes us feel like we are in another world. We love to hear the chirping birds in the morning before the sun comes up and the bell ringing for breakfast.
Thanks
Derek and Ana Hostetler (Lukas and Chase)

In reflecting on their service, Peter and Marilyn shared: “We were introduced to DCC as we followed Tony through Lincoln City, skillfully winding up one side of the mountain and down the other, crossing Drift Creek and into the serene setting of the Camp. We could not have imagined the peaceful retreat, away from the noise and bustle of the city, with huge, tall trees and a welcoming family.

We are pleased to have been volunteers through the SOOP program as a part of the camp’s support team. It has been a blessing to see impressionable children being taught the principles of God’s Word as well as having fun, good food, and fellowship, all at the same time. Our experiences have been varied. From helping with restroom /shower cleanup and providing paper goods, sometimes helping with meal serving, doing laundry, clearing walking trails and other assigned projects. There has also been enough available time to make clocks and read books.

A surprise for Marilyn was to see humming birds looking for food. The feeder was just outside the deck door but it was empty. Marilyn provided sugar water according to the recipe she used at home. She was delighted to see several hummers feeding regularly throughout their stay. Peter shared a whistle making project with Toby and his friend, Jessie. Then they invited him to cruise down Drift Creek on an inner tube. What fun! He certainly enjoyed tubing with those fine young men, an experience of a life time!

We have enjoyed evening walks with sightings of beavers, sounds of lots of birds, discovering a special tree blossom, being in awe of the giant trees in the Rain Forest, meditating by the laughing Creek and marveling at the wonders of God’s creation.

An event that initially drew us to Oregon was the Kauffman cousins reunion which was held at Drift Creek August 5-7. We have certainly enjoyed working with Tony & Brenda and Aaron & Sara and their family. We give praise to God for these opportunities and pray that the Camp will continue to be used for HIS glory.”
-Peter and Marilyn Hartman

A video response from Marilyn and Peter Hartman, Hesston Kansas