Work on SDA Summer Camp Can Proceed

[Key Guy]

From the Fresno Bee, California, USA

http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1408549.html

Quote:

A Mariposa County Superior Court judge has refused to stop the reconstruction of Seventh-day Adventist's Camp Wawona, a private inholding in Yosemite National Park.

Judge Wayne R. Parrish disagreed with a group of Wawona property owners who fear the Adventist site will expand from primarily a warm-weather camp for children into a sprawling, year-round resort.

The property owners, who sued to stop the project in late 2007, will appeal the decision, according to their lawyer, Stephan C. Volker.

He said Mariposa County had not followed California environmental law in approving the project. The county should have required Adventists to consider a smaller project, according to the complaint.

Volker said, "I have little doubt the appellate court will reverse the decision."

But the Clovis-based Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists said there would be no more visitors than in the past. It characterized the project as a remodeling job, not an expansion.

The 30-acre camp has peacefully co-existed with the national park and landowners for about eight decades, officials said. It has been a religious retreat and popular summer camp for children.

Adventists said they have needed to renovate buildings for some time. They said they have worked with the county, the neighbors and Yosemite for years, trying to iron out differences.

Caron Oswald, vice president for Adventist communications, said the project has not yet begun, adding that the court's decision was gratifying.

She said, "We look forward to continuing our mission of connecting our families -- adults and children -- to nature and God, and to serving children with life-threatening and disabling illnesses."

(photo online)

[Jeannieb43]

I've been to Camp Wawona, camped there for a week with a large group. And it's the same camp where my parents went from PUC for camping, back in the early 1920s.

I'm sure the buildings are getting shabby by this time.

But it's a beautiful location and lovely setting.