Nearly 250 people filled Camp Courageous’ Durgin Pavilion to celebrate Peace Church’s 150^thAnniversary.

Terry Rehling, Past President of the Camp Courageous Board of Directors 1982-84.

Randy Brokaw, exceptional Camp Courageous Volunteer.

Happy 150-years to Peace Church of Monticello, IA…who chose to have their celebration at Durgin Pavilion at Camp Courageous.  Peace Church members have been involved in Camp Courageous since some of the first Weber Stone was laid in 1973 by members of the Bader Family.  Camp Courageous was without a paid maintenance person for its first 20-years of its existence.  It relied on future Honorary Board Member, Clete Goedken.  Clete was fortunate to have the talents of Peace Church Member, Randy Brokaw, in refrigeration, plumbing and so much more.  I remember Clete getting up on a cold winter’s night, thinking there was a problem at Camp.  He drove out and sure enough water was pouring out of the front door of one of the camper cabins…and who did we call, Randy Brokaw.  New walk-in coolers, freezers, ice machine, and so much more were all installed and serviced by Randy.  Then there was Peace Church Member, Agnes Duit.  Agnes Duit was the Camp Office Manager through the three Executive Directors of Camp Courageous…Gary Turbes-4-years; Bud Ewell-2-years; and Charlie Becker. During times of many challenges in Camp Courageous history, when the Camp was fighting to survive, Agnes was the glue that held everything together.  And lastly, and game changing, was when Peace Church’s Pastor, Terry Rehling took over the reins of Camp Courageous, 12-years into the Camp’s history, as Board President.  Board meetings were interesting…  I would drink a half a bottle of Pepto-Bismol before each meeting.  During a time when over half the board was prepared to resign, Terry stepped forward to lead the Camp as President of its Board of Directors beginning in 1982-1984.  Under Terry’s leadership the Camp began to reshape its priorities and build what today touches the lives of thousands.  Camp Courageous and Charlie Becker will be forever grateful to Terry Rehling for stepping forward and leading the Camp during its most challenging time.  We welcomed Terry back with open arms, having been away for over 30-years.  -Charlie Becker