Ella’s Christian Camp at Green Farm Resort is now 30 days away from going live on the web as an official location for youth ages six years and up. The estimated cost for the project is upwards of $5 to $7 million.
T Bar M Camp Director Johnny Polk visited with Green Farm Resort Owner JR Newman on March 27 to discuss the two-year plan for implementing a camp on the grounds behind Green Farm Resort.
Polk has a strong background in constructing successful camps in the south, which is why Newman decided it was crucial that Polk become involved in this project.
On Saturday Polk and Newman drove around the landscape behind Green Farm Resort to get a game plan for the layout of Ella’s Camp. The first step when building a successful camp, according to Polk, is to stop and take a look at areas where kids could basically have encounters with the world around them, for instance, fishing and swimming.
“It is about a two-year wait,” Polk advised. “What we are doing is some master planning right now. I have had a chance to experience this throughout the south. Historically improvements will be around $3-4 million, by the time we are done, it will be a $5.5-7 million project.”
Newman explained the current plan is to construct an 80-acre lake on the grounds. He also wants to seclude a piece of land for crop production.
“We want the kids to be able to grow crops the way they (Green family) used to grow them here,” Newman mentioned, “and put them through the mill.”
Polk added, “The green thing is important, going back to the basic core values for here. The legacy with the families here from generation to generation, allowing kids to discover “Who I am”, “Why am I here” and “What is my purpose”. The goal is to get the community involved with this process.”
Some of the other key highlights the camp will offer are archery, water sports, canoeing, hiking and safety.
“People will drive four hours for a quality camp,” Polk assured. “This will give kids the chance to get off of the concrete, and out of the Xbox 360 world. They will have a place to get engaged, to have Mother Nature to point them to Father creator. Kids need to know they have a safe haven where they are valued, and that they are valuable. We want to build champions and warriors in the classroom at home.”
Newman explained that right now he was in the process of building an advisory board, to oversee all operations of the camp construction. He also welcomed the public’s feedback on the camp.
An upcoming benefit concert is already in the works. The performance will take place on the grounds of where Ella’s Farm will soon be.
“We are going to mow the land flat and keep it nice for the rest of year,” Newman said. “Phil Stacey will be back sometime the beginning of summer to perform a benefit concert for Ella’s Christian Camp.”
Berea artist Mitchell Tolle is another notable who is helping out to make Newman’s vision become a reality.
Tolle has painted five University of Kentucky Wildcats on canvas to signify the five freshmen on the U of K basketball team.
For each print that is sold, a portion of the sale goes back to the Ella’s Camp fund.
“He has done this type of print before,” Newman explained. “In this one he was inspired by the five freshmen on the team. He plans on giving us as many as we need. I brought 12 in this week and over half have been sold.”
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the project is urged to contact Newman by phone at 1-830-221-6948.
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