Our RVICS project for March 2009 is Twin Oaks Ranch in Buda TX. Buda is located of I35 about 12 South of Austin.

Twin Oaks Ranch, affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America, offers a unique opportunity to groups for strengthening and affirming Christian values while enjoying the peace and serenity of nature's beauty. All facilities and properties are dedicated to the glory of God.

Ladies Work: Thoroughly cleaned not only the kitchen, but also all the cabins. Removed, cleaned, repaired, replaced (when necessary), and reinstalled mini blinds and curtains throughout the camp. Spray applied water seal to fences, tables, benches, docks, and other exposed wood throughout the camp. Washed all windows inside and out. Painted Chapel bathrooms. Scraped and repainted metal railings. Repaired arrows and made HAVC filters from salvaged filter material.

Men’s Work: Replaced back flush valves on the pool filters while Bob painted. Anchored top pole and helped staff in installation of new 450’ zip line (included welding rebar on pole in crevice, filling crevice with 4+ yards of concrete and pouring a starting platform) while Bob painted. Laid 600+ feet of water and electric line to the creek area while Bob painted. Installed anchors for cliff climbing while Bob painted. Re-plumbed and rewired the pump house including removal of a leaking water tank and adding a new pressure tank for more capacity while Bob painted. Pressure washed the exterior of all buildings and the interior of the community bathrooms while Bob painted. Repaired the old and installed a second icemaker while Bob painted. Made numerous small electrical, plumbing, and carpenter repairs around camp while Bob painted. Assisted Bob with painting.

Social: The entire project was a social! Arriving Thursday with Marie serving soup, Friday Ruth served Goulash and Saturday was Jan’s chili. Week one; Wednesday popcorn and movie. Week two; Sunday breakfast at the Hays church and Wednesday birthday/anniversary party with homemade ice cream (thanks Merle). Week three; Sunday breakfast with Three Rivers Community Church (met at camp), Tuesday St. Patrick’s Day corn beef and cabbage (thanks Mary), Thursday dinner with staff at the Gruene Grist Mill (thanks camp director Don Haluzan,), Friday Spring Fling potluck in Smithville and Saturday brisket BBQ lunch with the camp board. Wrapping it up, a departure breakfast of biscuits and gravy, eggs, and sausage on Wednesday of week four.