By Frank Ramirez
Galen Jay, a lifelong camper, volunteer, and employee at Camp Mack in Milford, Ind., was asked at the Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) breakfast just when he had last been to a Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. Without hesitation he answered, “1962, Ocean Grove, New Jersey.”
Jay was present 62 years later to receive the award for OMA Staff Member of the Year. Known simply as Galen to generations of campers and staff at Camp Mack, he started volunteering in the 1960s, joined the staff in 1996, and was facility director continuously through to the present. He mentored hundreds of staff, considering his task to be “boosting the faith of volunteers and staff.” During a recent time of financial crisis he also served as executive director of Camp Mack from 2014 until 2016, after which he returned his focus to facilities.
“I love being a part of a group…that connects with God, caring for the sacred places so people can come and enjoy them,” Jay said.
The OMA Volunteer of the Year award was given to Aaron Gerdes for his volunteer work for Camp Emmaus in Mount Morris, Ill. He has been Senior High Camp leader for at least 15 years, served two terms on the board, and has been a volunteer working on maintenance. Despite a 45-minute drive to the camp, this “jack of all trades” practices a “creative hands-on approach to both program and property ministries.”
The roughly 40 attendees at the breakfast event sang camp songs including “We Are the Church,” “Freres Jacques,” and “It Only Takes a Spark.” There was a roll call of the many Church of the Brethren camps across the country which recognized the centennials of Camp Harmony last year, Camp La Verne this year, and Camp Mack next year.
#cobac2024