HEAVEN ON EARTH:
Leoni Meadows Opens
J
une 26 was a momentous day for the staff at Leoni Meadows. It was the first day of Family Camp and a soft opening for a camp significantly scarred by the Caldor wildfire a year ago. “From day one following the fire we have battled challenge after challenge to get the camp ready for this week,” said Craig Heinrich, camp director. Heinrich continued, “God has provided, time and again, the resources, materials, permits, employees, contractors, and volunteers to rebuild, refurbish, and restore our camp.” The 2021 Caldor Fire, which started near the camp, burned nearly 220,000 acres during its rampage. Nearly 1,100 structures in its path were destroyed or damaged. Structures lost at the camp were also significant. Ten buildings key to the camp, including two staff houses, were total losses. Most of the camp favorites, like Frontier and Wilderness Camp, burned; even the pool did not come through unscathed. What the fire didn’t burn, water and smoke made up for in damage. But work on the camp started immediately—clearing trees, demolishing structures, and lining up volunteers. According to Debbie Alexander, office manager, “During the project, over 100 people gave a week or weekend to help get us to this point. The jobs they accomplished ranged from construction to painting, scrubbing walls, and installing new mattresses. There was so much to do.” And so now the first camp of the summer has commenced. In January, camp director
38 Pacific Union Recorder
Northern California Conference
