Project 365

Currently, we are demolishing the lower restrooms so that new flooring, walls, dividers and fixtures can be installed. The scheduled completion date is sometime before summer camp (June 20, 2010). This project was funded by numerous Project 365 partners and the attendees of the 2009 men's retreat.

We recently received a new regulation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) which forced us to replace the Shalom House flooring in our food serving area because it was not to code. This was an unexpected state requirement that we were able to address quickly because of many people donating to Project 365, our dollar a day program capital improvement program. Thank you to many who partner with us. 

Thanks to the men from Galilee Baptist Church, Circle Pines who volunteered their time and skills at Trout Lake Camps. They put a new roof on the office at The Point and completed the project in less than a day. Project 365 donations help fund maintenance and repair projects throughout the "older" part of Trout which includes The Point and Shalom House. Thanks guys. 

Thanks to dozens of volunteers, financial partners and staff who helped finish the Shalom House renovation project. Over and over again we hear, "wow, Shalom House looks great" and "what a wonderful renovation." The completion of Shalom House is a reminder that with many people donating at different levels we can complete significant improvement projects at Trout. Praise God.

Shalom House looks completely different now that the siding is all on and the front has been painted. Just last week we installed the street lights, sprinkler system and completed the landscaping. There are only a couple small miscellaneous projects left like planting the flowers in the flower pots, installing the cultured stone and final painting. 

Thanks to all of you who helped with this Project 365 renovation project. It would not happen without you donating your time and money to Trout.  

Your donations have helped give Shalom House an entirely new look. The building’s exterior has cement board siding which has a life span of 40+ years. This investment into a higher quality siding product was made to reduce the amount of annual maintenance on 80 buildings at Trout Lake Camps. That’s stewardship.

Volunteers, like Malcolm (above photo on left) from Duluth, have significantly reduced the cost of labor which keeps the overall project costs down. Meaning, your donated dollars are extending further with the dozens of volunteers who have worked on Shalom. That’s value.

The next steps with the Shalom House Renovation are to paint, install the sprinkler system and complete the landscaping. If you are interested in volunteering to complete any phase of the project contact Mark Grindahl at Trout. That’s partnership.

See photo of Shalom

Thanks for your continued support to Project 365. It makes a huge difference in God’s ministry at Trout and kids’ lives are being transformed because of Jesus. That’s Trout.

The front of Shalom is changing daily as Mark Grindahl and Al Diers modify the building. Also, the windows are being installed during the month of December and installation will be completed before Christmas. These new windows will significantly reduce the heating costs during the winter. For those partners in ministry participating in Project 365, thanks for helping fund this project.

The exterior siding has been removed, the windows have been ordered, cement steps have been poured and the retaining walls are completed. Currently, the construction of the new covered entrance is underway, with Mark Grindahl and Al Diers leading the charge of renovating the exterior of Shalom House. Because of many financial partners involved in Project 365 we hope to finish this renovation in late spring. 

The second project is now 95% complete.  The rest rooms are usable and the only items we are missing are the dividers.  With an arrival date for the dividers still to be determined we are making adjustments in case they don’t show up on time.  Also, with energy costs increasing we have taken measures to reduce wasted electricity.  In our upper bath house renovation project we’ve installed light sensors, eliminating unnecessary energy use when campers and guests are not in the facility.

Again, volunteers have kept the project costs down as they helping in the following areas: electrical, plumbing, setting fixtures, painting, staining and caulking.

The next project we are considering is the renovation of Shalom House.  This project includes replacing the siding and windows and we are in the process of gathering information for bids.

The replacement of the main kitchen floor went as planned and the last phase was completed by volunteers at the end of January.  Throughout the project, Trout saved considerable amounts of money with volunteer labor and donated supplies.

Volunteers removed the kitchen equipment before the project began, they tore up the floor and moved the equipment back into the kitchen after the tile was set.  Approximately 1/3 of the tile was donated as well as all the grout.

Thanks for your involvement and because of your partnership the main kitchen meets Minnesota Department of Health regulations.  Now, we focus our efforts on completing the upper bath house renovation project.

By Joel Nelson:

Over the years I’ve logged quite a few miles in the old green camp van.  It’s taken me to every corner of Minnesota, from Pipestone to Cook, from Roseau to Houston, for a variety of programs related to Trout Lake Camps.  The van has carried supplies, presentation displays and TLC summer staff.  I don’t know how long Trout has had “old green” but I know it gets used.  And I know first hand that vans wear out...

In early January, Wick and I were heading from a meeting in Mankato to another in Willmar when “old green” broke down along Highway 71.  My first hand experience is Trout needs newer vehicles...trucks, cars, and yes, vans!  Project 365 is a great way to guarantee there will be reliable vehicles supporting the transportation needs of Trout.

The tremendous response to Project 365 has allowed for two significant renovation projects to begin this fall.  The first project is repairing the main kitchen floor in the dining hall on The Point.  The Minnesota Department of Health as indicated the current floor does not meet industry standards therefore floor surface correction is required.  The estimated cost of this project is $15,000.

On November 10th the second project on The Point began with a complete remodeling of the upper bath house near the health lodge.  The building plan will increase shower capacity from 4 adults to 10 adults, eliminate group showers and be proactive in responding to our greatest facility complaint from our guests.  The estimated cost - with volunteers helping in certain phases of this project - $65,000.