The annual Memorial Day cleanup event at the campground began with bright sun and warm temperatures instead of the more traditional cool drizzle. The gates were opened just before 8:00, and volunteers steadily arrived, ready to work.

Many people were assigned ahead of time to teams that were prepared to take on a number of projects. Others checked in at the entrance gate and were directed to where they would be most useful. As always, the primary goals included cleaning over two hundred cabins, scrubbing kitchenettes, setting up the prayer room and tabernacle platform, and laying fresh mulch on the flowerbeds.

This year, the volunteers cleaning cabins took an inventory of the contents in each cabin and noted any needed repairs. Some cabins had many, many hangers, and some had just a few. Some had an especially eclectic assortment of furniture, and some seemed to have had wildlife in residence. The goal, of course, is to have just the right amount of furniture and storage in each cabin (and no wildlife at all). Whatever the situation before the cleanup, the situation is better now, and incoming visitors can count on more-or-less comfortable though rustic accommodations.

The men's and women’s dorms were also cleaned and organized, and beds were made in the camp housing units. Volunteers deadheaded rhododendron bushes in front of the tabernacle, and worked on installing washers and dryers in the laundry room that was rebuilt after the winter storm damage early this year. Another crew painted cabin doors and applied stain to many new benches that will be placed around the campground.

By about noontime, there were noticeable improvements all around the campground! At 12:30, the Memorial Day band played the national anthem and then Darrel Lee led in prayer before the doors to the lunch line opened. Several youngsters helped Gary Riler in conducting the band as it continued playing patriotic favorites while workers waited for their turn to enjoy the burgers, coleslaw, and corn salad that had been provided. Delicious brownies or fruit crumble a la mode were served for dessert.

Guests from across the world are preparing to travel to Portland in less than four weeks, and those in Portland are eager to greet them. All anticipate a blessed two weeks of fellowship and revival.