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S'more Camp and Retreat News
Greetings!
As I write this article, there is snow falling outside my windows. It is quietly touching the trees that three months ago were providing shade for numerous campers. How quickly things change.
I want to acknowledge in this issue those churches who sent campers to one of the four camp sites for the first time in a long time. They are:
Second Avenue, Altoona Manor Hill Charge
Newburg, Chambersburg Grace, Three Springs
Fishburn, Hershey Ebenezer, Middletown
Trinity, Mifflin Wesley, Nescopeck
St Pauls, Danville Mt Pleasant, Sunbury
Watsontown Blain
Millerstown Trinity, Bellefonte
Milroy Salem, Milroy
Pleasant Gap Church Hill
Emmanuel, Rebersburg Goshen, Shawville
Duboistown Liberty, Lock Haven
Greenburr Trinity Sugar Valley Charge
McElhattan Bethel, Montoursville
Farragut Salladasburg
Woolrich Salem, Delta
Zion, East Prospect Shenberger's Chapel
Emmanuel, Windsor Zion, York
It is wonderful to have representation from the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Districts:
Dorranceton, Kingston Tunkhannock
Pine Mill, Honesdale
I hope we have not left any churches off the list.
Be on the lookout in December for the 2010 Camping brochure. Start making plans now as we will be about "Encountering Jesus." May you be busy planting seeds for Christ in the days ahead; as spring and summer come again, the harvest is sure to follow. May you be a place where God happens.
Grace and peace,
Anne Horton, Director
Camp & Retreat Ministry
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York City Day Camp
.............................................................................Michelle Schwartzman
Every time I reflect over this summer I am reminded of the verse in Ecclesiastes 4 that says a cord of three is not quickly broken. I felt that our new city day camp was strong because of all the "cords" that came together in Christ's name. Not only were children touched by God's love through people, but the adults that served together also bonded in Christ's love.
Thank you to the many churches and countless individuals that contributed to a God-filled 6 weeks! We are grateful for the donations of food, toys, books, craft supplies, use of a bus, and for monetary donations that helped pay camper registrations. Thank you to Otterbein UMC for welcoming us, providing support and a great space! And a great big thank you to those who volunteered their time in sharing their faith with the 21 kids at camp this summer; you prepared and served meals, drove big buses, drove kids to camp, served as nurses, story tellers and counselors.
It is NEVER too early to begin looking at next years' camp! Next year our day camp (for K-5th grade) will be extended to 8 weeks of summer fun: June 21 - August 13! We will focus our time around how we encounter Jesus! More Details on the camp to come. For 2010 we will need all those things we were so grateful for this last summer, so especially if you are able to volunteer a few days, a week or more, please contact me as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we have an "In-Kind Donation Wish List" and two events scheduled for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Upcoming Events
Christmas Party!
December 5, 2009
Otterbein United Methodist Church
301 W. Philadelphia St, York
9am-12pm
Snacks and Fun provided
Bring a friend or two!
Parents/guardians may stay or drop off children.
An Easter Carol Party!
March 27, 2009
Otterbein United Methodist Church
301 W. Philadelphia St, York
9am-12pm
Snacks and Fun provided
Bring a friend or two!
Parents/guardians may stay or drop off children.
Wish List
Hula hoops Frisbees
Play-doh Sidewalk Chalk
Scissors Glue sticks
Scotch tape Sharpie markers
Markers Washable paint
Construction paper Non-washable paint
Juice boxes Nerf balls
Nerf footballs 24 box crayons
Parachute
New/Gently Used Board games ages 5-12
New/Gently Used legos
Beads, all sorts and lots of them
Thin elastic for making beaded bracelets etc.
NEW OR USED Button maker and supplies (to make round pins)
basketball hoop - please contact Michelle Schwartzman BEFORE you purchase/donate this item
After this summer and focusing on how to listen because God calls us, I am filled with Joy to know the counselors and campers have grown closer to Jesus and have felt that they are worth so much, just because we are. I am eager to see how we encounter Jesus this next summer!
On the Journey,
Michelle
Director - York City Day Camp |
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GoodSearch and GoodShop
Mount Asbury........................................................................by Daphne Orr
You can support the Camp and Retreat Ministries without even knowing it!
Here's how:
Help Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church every time you shop online and search the web by downloading the GoodSearch/GoodShop toolbar!
Each time you shop at one of more than 1,000 participating top stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!), Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church will earn a percentage of the purchase price - at no extra cost to you! It also includes a search box and each time you search the web, about a penny is donated to Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. Click here to download the toolbar: http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbars.aspx?charityID= 839686 There are special instructions for downloading the toolbar to computers that use VISTA, so please be sure you are following the proper instructions! Please download this toolbar as soon as possible so that all of your searches, and all of your on-line purchases are benefitting Camp and Retreat Ministries! You no longer have to go to the GoodSearch website and click on GoodShop in order for your purchases to earn money for us. Simply type the store's website address into your browser, and if it is a GoodShop eligible store, it will automatically give Camp and Retreat Ministries the credit.
September 2009 was our highest earning month since we began participation in this program over 2 years ago. Last month, we earned $30.12, with over $20 coming from on-line purchases alone! To date, Camp and Retreat MInistries has earned over $413!!!
Thanks for making this a successful way to raise money for Camp and Retreat Ministries!
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Catfishin'
Wesley Forest..................................................................by Pat Sullivan
The campers at Wesley Forest have a multitude of recreational activities to choose from, with the Challenge Course being the most popular, followed by hiking to Chimney Rock or riding the tram car across Penn's Creek to the Big Island Trail. On a hot summer day Stream Stomping to the big hole in Weikert Run also rates high on the list of things to do. But each year, there is a growing number of adventurous individuals who thrive on the danger and excitement of catfishin'.
Make no mistake about it, there is a huge difference between fishin' and catfishin'. Practically anyone can participate in fishin' and even if you are a bit squeamish, Dave or one of the other Nature Resource staff will gladly bait your hook and remove any misfortunate bluegills or bass that you might catch. But the kids that are catfishin' are on a much more focused mission. Over the years they have become highly skilled professionals that approach the activity with one thing in mind - to catch one of the monster catfish that cruise the dark and mysterious depths of the lake. I heard it described once as "fishin' for dinosaurs."
Sure, almost anyone holding a pole could possibly luck into one of the catfish but the veterans know all the secrets to improving their odds. They've learned where the catfish are prone to hang out and they've discovered the "secret" bait that can tempt even the largest of the mighty beasts. They've broken a bunch of the "Huck Finn" cane poles over the years and more and more I'm seeing campers smuggling in specialized equipment and high tech fishing gear that will handle the job of landing one of the 10 pound monsters. But it takes more than just the right equipment. It takes skill, determination, attitude and relentless pursuit. But above all it takes bravery and sheer physical strength.
As I was walking along the shore of the lake one day this summer, I passed behind a small girl who was sitting patiently on the bank as she maintained a firm grip with both hands on her bamboo fishing rod. Curiously, she glanced at me through her pink framed eyeglasses and gave me a hint of a smile. I noticed she was wearing a weathered old hat that was embroidered with the words "Life's short, fish hard". Yep, she was catfishin'.
Pat Sullivan
Wesley Forest Site Director |
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A Postcard From Camp Penn
Camp Penn......................................................................David Hykes
Some of the first postcards in the United States were written as early as 1848. Popularity in these cards grew significantly due to the Columbian World Fair in 1893. Cards depicting the Exposition and buildings were an in-expensive souvenir and became an instant hit with those that attended the fair. Government issued plain postcards cost 1 cent to mail and private printed card cost 2 cents. However in 1898, the cost of mailing a postcard was actually reduced to 1 cent. Postcards almost immediately became a collectible item. Providing a memento of places and events and recording memorable words from family and friends. From 1900 to 1945 postcards became colorful works of art and continued to be an in-expensive form of communication. Many Camp Penn postcards show up on eBay with sellers from all over the country. From the beginning of camp, 1946, one color postcards were available to send a message home to friends and relatives. The one color cards were printed in either brown or green ink and showed photos of the campers playing ball, swimming in the pond and the welcome sign as well as the Indoor Chapel.   A four color postcard was next of the lake with 50's cars and the Dining Hall in the background. In the early 60's Kellogg's got into the act and Tony the Tiger made an appearance. "Camp Penn is Grrreat!" In recent years the swimming pool, Indoor Chapel and campers playing foursquare have graced the front of some of camp's post cards.
 The photos on the front may change but the contact with family and friends with a simple postcard still proves to be an important part of camp life. Phrases like "having a great time", "I made a new friend", "it rained all day", "I found Jesus at the campfire last night", "I have poison ivy all over me" or it's Monday and I miss you, please come and get me now!" are just a few of the many thoughts shared with these simple cards. Granted is may cost 28 cents these days to mail a postcard but the message can be priceless in conveying the love and concern between family and friends. | |
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Ever wondered what you can do to help
support the ministry and daily operation
of the camp and retreat sites? Here are
a variety of ways that you can get in-
volved:
* Join a "FRIENDS OF" at one of the sites. These groups gather at the sites once or twice a year to help out with
larger projects that need done.
*Collect all used INKJET
CARTRIDGES from your home,
workplace, neighbors, friends, family
and church, and bring them to one of
the sites, or the conference office
during your next visit. We recycle
them and use them to purchase
equipment for our sites.
*Make a DONATION to our camping scholarship fund so that someone who otherwise might not be able to afford it,
can attend church camp next summer!
*Make a DONATION for one of the
needs as listed on a site's WISHLIST. Contact the Site Directors for details.
*Make a DONATION to the Glory of
God in gratitude for the sacred spaces
that our camping and retreat program
provides.
*Consider adding Camp and Retreat Ministry to your WILL. For more information, please contact the camping office at 1-800-874-8474.
*PRAY!!! If a financial or service
contribution to our program is not
feasible for you, please pray for our
ministry.
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