Published Friday, May 11 2012 by Mike Harrenstein | Permalink
To maintain and constantly seek to improve a facility of this size without the help of volunteers would be impossible. Work Weekend is our largest and most concentrated volunteer efforts all year. It always falls on the first weekend of May, and is in conjunction with our annual Garage Sale. We have been blessed with many volunteers of different skill levels.
We try to have work that is age appropriate. Ages of our Work Weekend volunteers vary from 5 years old to 87. My dad actually got sent to the woodshed... to run the splitter all day.
Many of our staff help lead different groups. We have a small childrens workcrew, where moms can come along to help pick up trash, and even move firewood for shorter amounts of time. It's all about learning to serve!
Families can work together to help with certain areas or projects. Youth Groups are full of energy and have a lot of fun when working together. They keep moving with a variety of work that takes them literally all over Camp's 570 acres.
Work is planned months in advance, supplies are secured, leaders are selected, and if we know who is registered and know their skills, we pre-assign their work. This weekend is a result of planning by our maintenance department. We have found that our investment in preparation and planning has a great return by the end of the day!
Garage sale staffed and many items sold
Firewood has been cut, hauled, split, and stacked and the resulting brush hauled away
Camp is literally transformed in one day into a "tool" ready to be used for God's Glory. Combined efforts have prepared a place where ministry can continue to take place in the lives of people of all ages.
Published Wednesday, May 2 2012 by Rebeccah Hopkins | Permalink
Praise God- our mother, daughter retreat (Heart to Heart as of this year) was a huge success!
With almost 200 gals in attendance, we kicked off the weekend Friday night with a concert by Sara Groves- What a blessing! She ministered to us from the heart with songs of life’s joys and pain- and most importantly the message of the hope of Christ. What a great way to start the weekend!
We had workshops that ranged from the practical (knowing how best to relate to your mom/daughter by understanding personalities) to the spiritual (avoiding the temptation to compare ourselves to other women) to the delectable (cupcake craze part II) to the fabulous (nail stamping!) Handcrafts was busy creating ruffle-y scarves from old tee shirts and felt clip-on bows. It was SO fun seeing everyone walking around sporting their colorful accessories!
Karen Petkau told tales of inspiration with help from her daughter Sarah (18.) We heard hilarious and touching reflections on their journey through the trials and victories of standing strong in the faith during the young adult years. We used tissues a-plenty as we laughed and cried our way through the three wonderful sessions, and one round-table discussion lead by Karen.
Saturday night was a decked-out banquet that you had to see to believe! Sparkly trees, an ice sculpture, a huge chandelier of tulle netting and lights with glitter-twigs at the tables… These were just a prelude to the AMAZING meal that was served that evening. The moms and daughters enjoyed fellowship, food, and a magical atomshpere together before gearing up for the evening events.
High Ropes, Cotton Candy, Wheel of Fortune, Minute to Win It, Climbing Wall, Sling Shot Range…. Is there anything we DIDN’T DO this weekend??? We ended on a wonderful note of praise and worship Sunday morning with the music of Matt Hoffland, Lydia Keifer, and John and Diane Windle and then up to a fabulous brunch with made-to-order waffles baked by our own staff men. What a treat! Thanks to everyone who came and here’s to next year’s event- Mark your calendars!!!
Published Wednesday, April 18 2012 by Karen Petkau | Permalink
To say that our REFRESH women’s retreat last weekend was a huge success would be an understatement. Camp was packed to the brim with more than 200 ladies which sparked a high energy level that started Friday night and lasted throughout the weekend!
It would have been near impossible to walk away from the weekend not being greatly challenged and encouraged by the teaching ministry of international Bible speaker, Jill Briscoe. She speaks with such grace and truth.
Laughter was also a big part of the event. Hats off to Fran Pratt for leading us in hilarious games on Saturday evening. Ahhh, it felt so good to laugh!
Workshops, including one woman’s journey through cancer, to women’s health issues, to making awesome cheesecakes were all another way of God pouring into the women’s lives. God had a beautiful April day in store for us with many making full use of the hiking trails, hayrides, and canoeing on the lake at camp (which resulted in some sunburned faces!). It was a beautiful day – thanks God!!
Between gorgeous weather, terrific food (including fresh Belgian Waffles prepared by our own staff men) and incredible sweet fellowship, it was hard to have the weekend come to an end. So now we’ll look forward in great anticipation to next year’s Refresh, where our keynote speaker will be Jill’s daughter-in-law Rhea Briscoe! Can’t wait!
