There’s a saying that a problem is a chance to do your best and that’s what our scrappy team of communicators from the Lake Union, and beyond, set out to do. Pictured is Wisconsin Youth Director Zack Payne chatting with leaders of the Chicagoland Bridge the Gap ministry during Friday's broadcast. [Photos by Katie Fellows]
There’s a saying that a problem is a chance to do your best and that’s what our scrappy team of communicators from the Lake Union, and beyond, set out to do. As you watched our daily programs, you’d have seen conference leaders seamlessly working together as co-hosts, interviewing guests and providing up-to-the minute information on what was happening on the ground, even as camporee leaders made changes to the weather-impacted schedules.
What you didn’t see was the engineering feat to get us on the air. To begin with, we were in a space with no power or internet service. Getting a regular gasoline generator would’ve been the easy solution, but those generators transmit a highly variable voltage which could damage the expensive equipment. That option was immediately a no-no. We eventually rented solar panels with a wind turbine system to capture energy, which was then stored on a 700-pound battery for a source of steady power. The turbine was installed on a makeshift building doubling as a storage shed. The Gillette winds created a constant source for the turbine to go fast and steady, producing almost all the energy needed.
It was interesting to see how the turbine became a landmark spot pointing campers to where to go in case they got lost. With the intense storm on Tuesday evening, we were relieved it survived intact!
For internet service, we installed a Starlink satellite system. Bear in mind, there was very limited cell service in the area, so this proved most valuable.
Rebekah Helsius putting the finishing touches on the Herald logo
Lake Region Youth Director Earl Baldwin (right) interviews the director of a community-based Pathfinder Club, Sandrew King (center)
Ja'Ona Middleton, baptized at the last camporee, is interviewed by Jermaine Jackson
Illinois President John Grys, Illinios Youth Director Josant Barrientos and Illinois Comm Director Matt Lucio interview Jerry Malaguit
Debbie Michel ask the Becky and Elgin Zeismer about the idea behind Lake Union lighthouse entrance.
Passersby were drawn to add their names and location to our storage shed.
Director Haroldo Poiret (seated) confer with Alex WInkler
Indiana Associate Youth Director Trish Thompson and Indiana President Vic Van Shaik talk with youth pastor Keenan
Jeramaine Jackson, Lake Union treasurer; JeNean Lendor, Lake Region Comm director and Earl Baldwin, Lake Region youth director
JeNean Lendor (right) talks with Pathfinder memomorabilia collector LaToya Austin
Michigan Associate Youth Director Craig Harris and Wisconsin Youth Director Zac Payne
Stanton working on a social media post
During the camporee, our social media engagement exploded. This didn’t come as a complete surprise based on the high level of interest in youth and young adults' content which we have come to expect.
On Facebook, engagement in the last month went up 5,000%, with our content reaching over 240,000 people. We gained 1,600 new followers. Videos views topped 241,000 for at least 3 seconds and 29,000 views for a minute or more. The most watched video, seen 99,000 times, was the Guinness World Record for most backpacks stuffed simultaneously. The runner-up for most viewed was footage shot right after the storm showcasing the double rainbow, which was viewed by 93,000 people.
Instagram saw an increased reach of 15,000 unique visitors, an increase of 1,600%.
On TikTok, the engagement was the most explosive: 593,000 people were reached and the after the storm video was viewed by over 22,000 people.
More photos are available on our Flickr page.
Lake Union Herald staff
