Senior Work Week” or “Retirees Week” at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds in the fall happened September 26-30, 2011, with three couples from Trinity volunteering their skills and time in preparing the campground for winter.  Many projects need to be done and the volunteers help to improve, maintain, and prepare cottages and camping facilities for all the seasons of the year...  We have Spring Work Weeks also.  People are welcome to come for one day or more, also, to help.  In the spring, all the flowers are planted to make the grounds beautiful!

Arrival is Monday, later afternoon or evening, to set up camp with coffee and snack time in the Sunshine Room around 7:30 PM.  The kitchen staff provides some delicious food all week (snacks and some meals)

In the mornings we have coffee and doughnuts, etc. at 8:30-9 AM.  Bible Study meets from 9-10 AM.  We had Pastor Jim Osterhouse as our speaker.  The theme was, “Be Strong and Do Everything in Love.”  The theme verse was “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men (women) of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love” (I Corinthians 16:13-14).

After Bible Study, we begin our work projects and work on them until noon.  We have one-hour lunchtime either at our own trailers or we can eat together in the Sunshine Room.  We work again until 3 PM when we break for coffee/snacks.  We then work or rest until supper and evening activities.  We had a very competitive Bean Bag Tournament one evening and a Travelogue another evening with coffee and dessert following.

Jim & Joan Koetje, Bern & Marian Brookhouse, and Jerry & Carolyn Haverdink had a great week of fellowship time, spiritual, and physical refreshment and fun time with many other volunteers.

On Friday noon lunch we all came together one last time before going home.  If you have any questions about volunteering at the Grounds, you may ask any of us or call the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds at 616-842-4478.  Come and join us next season!