UPBC Retreat Center Construction

Want to Volunteer?

2010-07-02T14:55:00.004-04:00

Throughout this summer, we will using the UPBC website to communicate our volunteer needs for the Retreat Center project. Please visit upbiblecamp.org for up-to-date information. Thanks!

Flooring and Interior Walls

2010-05-22T07:39:00.003-04:00

Saturday April 3 Update

2010-04-03T07:32:00.005-04:00

The snow is mostly gone and work on the RC has resumed! The Fire Brigade fellas are using the scaffolding to put in some piping. Jim and Jack, thanks for all your work on the furnace! Gordon Lucas, thanks for your work on the stairs. You can also see here, the water pump and controls for the fire suppression system. Thanks to all who are pushing forward on the project!!

VIDEO: DV's Walkthrough

2010-02-12T22:15:00.002-05:00

VIDEO: Summer '09 Footage

2009-12-05T16:05:00.005-05:00

snow falling... window installing

2009-10-13T06:53:00.004-04:00

early october update

2009-10-07T11:22:00.002-04:00

The Place is Lookin' Good!

2009-09-24T14:39:00.004-04:00

ABOVE: bunk wing off to the left (with metal roof),
connected to dining room (right) and kitchen (far right)

ABOVE: bunk wing floor which will have
concrete poured over it

ABOVE: bunk wing on right, dining hall
and kitchen on the left

Summer Camp ending.. Construction continuing

2009-09-07T16:16:00.003-04:00

ABOVE: the latest work crew. :)

ABOVE: Charles Barkley

ABOVE: looking from future circle drive onto dining hall

ABOVE: Dining Hall / Kitchen Work

The Work Continues!! Thanks to Volunteers!

2009-08-28T09:34:00.004-04:00

The work continues! The above photo is looking
from the Dining Hall into the Kitchen

Above: Roof work on the bunk wing.

Above: Dining Hall / Kitchen on left, Bunk Wing on right

Above: View of the bunk wing.

CURRENT VOLUNTEER NEED

2009-08-15T20:57:00.002-04:00

Here is the Retreat Center Building Activity for the rest of this month. The Summer Staff will be leaving this weekend and they have been carrying the load at the Retreat Center. Help is needed at the Retreat Center to cover the remaining activities of this month, starting Monday, August 17th. We need able bodied volunteers who are able to work at heights on a 8/12 pitch roof, able to hammer nails in straight, and lift sheets of OSB board. Specifically we are looking for ten (10) volunteers each day to assist our builder Bill Pollard. Housing and meals provided.

If you are interested/available, contact Bruce Black: PH: 810-877-0102, or bruce.s.black@comcast.net

UPBC Retreat Center Building Activity
As of 11-Aug-2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009	Finish Sheeting the Bunk House Roof
Wednesday, August 12, 2009	Start Framing the Kitchen
Thursday, August 13, 2009	Frame the Kitchen and Lounge Area
Friday, August 14, 2009	Frame the Kitchen and Lounge Area
Saturday, August 15, 2009		Catch-up Day
Sunday, August 16, 2009		Day of Rest
Monday, August 17, 2009	Frame the Dining Hall
Tuesday, August 18, 2009	Frame the Dining Hall
Wednesday, August 19, 2009	Frame the Dining Hall
Thursday, August 20, 2009	Sheet the Walls of the Dining Hall
Friday, August 21, 2009	Sheet the Walls of the Dining Hall
Saturday, August 22, 2009		Catch-up Day
Sunday, August 23, 2009		Day of Rest
Monday, August 24, 2009	Frame the Gable Ends
Tuesday, August 25, 2009	Prep the Trusses
Wednesday, August 26, 2009	Set Trusses on Kitchen/DiningHall/Lounge
Thursday, August 27, 2009	Sheet the Roof
Friday, August 28, 2009	Sheet the Roof
Saturday, August 29, 2009		Catch-up Day
Sunday, August 30, 2009		Day of Rest

Trusses Going Up on Bunk Wing!

2009-08-07T15:56:00.001-04:00

Dining Hall / Kitchen Work has Begun

2009-08-06T13:32:00.003-04:00

The picture below is looking out of a Bunk House window onto the Dining Hall / Kitchen.

Sand is being leveled for the Dining Hall / Kitchen

The trusses have arrived for the bunk wing and the crane to move them is scheduled to arrive tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 7). We are excited to be able to move forward on this project! We have also been working on the Dining Hall and Kitchen facilities. You can see that the block has been laid and the sand is being leveled. Thanks for all of your continued prayers!!!

Bunk Wing Framed

2009-07-18T15:27:00.002-04:00

VIDEO: Those who trust....

2009-07-13T13:50:00.006-04:00

Most Recent...

2009-07-09T19:37:00.002-04:00

Volunteers Needed!

2009-07-08T09:39:00.002-04:00

Thanks for your patience as we go back and forth on what can or can't be done on the construction front.

As of this morning, we have a need for 5-6 individuals who can help to put up the walls for the bunk wing. This project will likely run from Monday - Friday of next week (July 13-17). It would be ideal to have some of you that have had experience with this type of work, but we would love to have any of you that are capable. For this specific need, please call Lisa VR (616.401.0419) if you are interested in helping. Thanks!!

When Can I Come up to Help?!?

2009-07-02T11:28:00.002-04:00

Some of you have been asking about what our volunteer needs are and when you can come up to help with the building. Thank you for your interest and willingness! This blog post is an attempt to let you know, as best as we can, where things are at at this point.

Our current need is PRAYER. We are still waiting on government officials to give us the go-ahead with the Dining Hall and Kitchen. We cannot continue with the critical path (scroll to bottom of page to see the CP) until the DEQ says we can. Because of this, realistically we are currently looking at mid-to-late August to pour the floor. The work of constructing the footings and foundation walls has been contracted out to Butch Peterson. Another contractor will be pouring the floor. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU - We will not be able to utilize much volunteer help until after the floor is poured (sometime near the end of August). This projection is based on how quickly (or slowly) the DEQ and Health Dept. have been moving. Which brings us right back around to our current need - PRAYER.

Psalm 27:13-14 tells us this: "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Continue to keep an eye on the blog - we will still be making frequent updates. Thanks!

good ole cement

2009-07-01T17:35:00.005-04:00

Butch Peterson and crew pouring
the cement for the bunk wing.
(FYI - you can click on images to
see them in a larger view)

heating things up

2009-06-30T07:52:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Jim and Judy Van Ryn for delivering a load of heating duct material last Thursday. And thanks to the staff guys for helping to unload it!

Yellow Light, Green Light

2009-06-25T10:22:00.002-04:00

As of this morning, we have received word that we can proceed with the construction of the entire Bunk Wing portion of phase one. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray that the same "go ahead" will be issued soon for the kitchen and dining hall projects. Thanks!!

Late June update

2009-06-24T13:10:00.004-04:00

Please continue to pray for the construction process. As of right now, we are still awaiting the official "green light" to move forward with the project. However, we are continuing to do what we can here and there. Thanks!

Below are some of the men working on electrical hookups
(Pictures taken June 24)

John Schuman
& Doug Brush

Ab Bauman

Brad Larsen

This Wednesday is an important Wednesday

2009-06-08T12:55:00.004-04:00

Please take a moment to pray for a few things that will be happening at camp this coming Wednesday - June 10.

John Schuman and Bill Pollard will be meeting with a Marquette rep. from UPCO (U.P. power company) regarding the power requirements. We need clear direction from the Lord as we make decisions.

The Health Department will be at camp to check on the septic system situation and also to discuss how this will effect the Food Service permit. Pray for favor from the Health Department.

Eric Klienman will be at camp to drill a well for the RC and we need there to be an adequate amount of water available. Pray for God to provide.

We need to decide how to supply the Fire Suppression System for the building. The options are to draw from the well or to use a tank storage system. There are pro's and con's for each. If we choose the tank system, these tanks would need to be put in below the bunk wing before the foundation is poured. Pray for the Lord to grant wisdom to those making decisions.

Prayer Requests - June 1, 2009

2009-06-01T09:56:00.003-04:00

Psalm 139:16 says, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." This morning we are thankful for a God that loves us and has all the plans for camp and this retreat center already worked out.

We would like to share a few requests with you and ask that you lift these up in prayer.

A. Pray for details to come together in a timely way:
1. We are hoping for a timely arrival of a kitchen bid so that engineers can finalize the kitchen plans. This is a requirement for obtaining the building permit.
2. We are needing approval from the health department on a few issues (including acceptance of the proposed drain field and the licensing of the kitchen). Pray for the Lord to move in the heart and mind of the health dept. representative.
3. Eric Klieman of Klieman Well and Pump in Iron Mountain is planning to drill a test well for the purpose of determining if we have enough water to use a well to supply the fire suppression system. If we can it means that we would not have to have a large tank (think $) to supply the system.
4. We are looking for plumbing bids that will be within our budget.

B. Please pray for budgetary concerns.
Unexpected expenses have the potential of delaying the completion (though some of the high ticket items are sized for the entire project not just this first phase).

C. Please pray for those making decisions. Deciding which bids to accept, which systems to install, which way to go has to be decided over and over again. Pray for the Lord's wisdom.

D. Please pray for the Lord to move in the hearts of those who can come and work on this project.

This is an exciting time for camp and for the work of the Lord in the U.P. Let us remember to pray for those that will be reached through this ministry. Once the building is in "full swing" with retreats etc., but also while the building of the building is in process! Thank you for your prayers.

Footing Work

2009-05-24T07:46:00.001-04:00

VIDEO: Groundbreaking Reflections

2009-05-21T11:51:00.000-04:00

VIDEO: Groundbreaking

2009-05-21T11:30:00.000-04:00

Mid-May Update

2009-05-15T17:09:00.000-04:00

1. The "brush and burn" portion of Phase I is completely finished. THANK YOU to those of you that pitched in and gave of your time, energy and resources to get this done ahead of schedule!

2. The access drive is currently being covered with gravel. This driveway comes off of Bible Camp drive and runs east to west along the south side of camp's Eagles Nest building. This drive will be utilized by the construction vehicles and eventually, will be the main entrance to the new facility. In it's final stage, it will include a circle drive near the office portion of the Retreat Center.

3. From the building perspective, we need the Health Department to expediate their end of the permit approval process. Please pray for God's will to be done in this matter.

VIDEO: Big wheels and a lot of work

2009-05-07T12:49:00.000-04:00

Groundbreaking Ceremony!!!

2009-05-03T15:33:00.000-04:00

Is "groundbreaking" one word or two? Anyway... the trustees met at camp this past weekend (May 2) and with the help of a golden shovel, officially broke ground for the new building! Please enjoy these photos, courtesy of Jonathan Dale.

Construction Trailer Purchased

2009-04-30T22:24:00.000-04:00

Life sized Tonka Toys, Holes, and Roads

2009-04-30T22:00:00.000-04:00

This road is coming from
the edge of the soccer field.

This road is off of
Bible Camp Drive.

This is a big truck
used for moving things.

Digging a big hole to
fill with
stumps etc.
and using the
sand elsewhere.

This summer's outlook...

2009-04-04T20:09:00.000-04:00

As it stands today, God has provided in such a way that camp is financially able to begin construction of the Retreat Center building this summer. Praise the Lord!

And as it stands today, the work is officially set to begin on June 1. From clearing and burning brush, to the buildings being "closed in", the Dining Hall, Kitchen & Lounge, and Bunk House will all be part of Phase I. A "critical path" (see below for details) has been set in place providing a very detailed outline of the day to day work that will be taking place this summer. If construction plans (considering weather, volunteers, materials, etc.) go as scheduled, Phase I will be completed by the end of August.

In case you missed it in the "blog description" portion of this page, if you are wanting to be involved with the project in any way, please contact Steve Dale (email above).

As the work begins, expect to find this blog updated often, pictures included.

Lord, please bless this work and the ministry at UPBC this summer!

******************************************

These pictures illustrate the work that has already taken place on the retreat center site. Volunteers have worked hard to clear some of the area and from what I understand, they enjoyed a few pasties in the process.