DECEMBER 2022
The Official Newsletter of Camp Lebanon
(320) 403-9555
www.camplebanon.org
“Merry CHRISTmas!” from Camp’s Year Round Staff – Love, Peace, and the Joy of Jesus! Thank you, Camp friends, for praying with and for us through an AMAZING year of ministry! Camp Staff (Left to Right): Faith Petersen, Izzy Thostenson, Scott Shoemaker, Michelle Goebel, Tori Campbell, Parker Anderson, Gloria Olson, Tony Cluka, Paulette Crowe, Jim Flaa, Lisa & Bill Abeler, Shane Hollenbeck, Noah Desrosiers, Monte Abeler, Craig Knudtson, Dwayne Pundsack, Ben Smith. Not pictured: Marc Nelson, Vern Frericks.
FALL MINISTRIES REPORT
Bumper Fall Harvest Blesses Guests, Camp Camp’s 75th year is looking to be one of its best ever! A strong fall season has put the ministry on track to finish with over 12,200 guests, which would be a new record. Up 20% from 2021, Camp is showing thrilling signs of growth coming out of COVID. Starting with a sold out Labor Day Family Weekend and a super fun Dads N Daughters, fall retreats for men, seniors, women, teens, and now quilters have all been at or near capacity, stretching Camp’s limits in facility and staffing. Fall attendance alone will top 3100. Praise God! One gym-size blessing of a strong year is Camp being able to direct year-end giving to advance the campaign. Pray that momentum carries over to 2023 as registration opens January 1!
Trees Cleared in First Step to Building the Gym! The site for the new gym is cleared! Funding has topped 75% with $600,000 to go to meet the $2.5M goal! And excitement is building! It must be “GYM TIME!” Thank you lumberjacks from West Concord and the Cities for an amazing effort in cutting down 60 trees and cleaning up the site. Camp is on schedule for Spring construction with hopes the gym will be fully covered in gifts and pledges. Pray for a strong year-end response to the invitation to support the campaign. www.camplebanon.org/gym
PRAISE & PRAY! • • • • • • • •
PRAISE! Gym Campaign Tops $1,925,000 (77%). On track to top 80% by year end. PRAISE! Record Year of Ministry: Expected to top 12,200! All glory to God! PRAISE! Women’s Generosity: $12,500 Women’s Retreats, $7500+ Bargain Barn. PRAISE! Volunteers: Help with site clearing, shed construction, leaves, waterfront. PRAY! CAMP LEADERSHIP: Campaign Plans, Gym Design, Cultural Challenges. PRAY! OPENING: Youth Ministries Director – Need to fill by March 1. PRAY! Winter Camps: Retreat planning, strong attendance, many blessed churches! PRAY! CAMP STAFF: Restful December, some physical challenges, babies coming.
FALL HIGHLIGHTS & COMING EVENTS Labor Day Weekend Dads N Daughters Young at Heart Fall Senior Day Men’s Retreat Women’s Retreat 1 Women’s Retreat 2 Fall Fire (grades 9-12) Quilt Retreats
Sept. 2-5 Sept. 9-11 Sept. 12-15 Sept. 13 Sept. 16-18 Sept. 22-25 Sept. 29-02 Oct. 14-16 Oct. 27-Dec. 5
2023 WINTER EVENTS Summer Staff CHILL Mega Fun A (3-6) Mega Fun B (3-6) Arctic Blast 1 (7-12) Arctic Blast 2 (7-12) Annual Meeting Quilt & Craft A Quilt & Craft B Quilt & Craft C Quilt & Craft D Men’s Advance!
225+ guests! 114 guests. Sweet! 48 and a taste of heaven! 90+ join the fun! 193 (new record!) 192 (71 Early Bird) 201 (83 Early Bird) 150 (record!) Over 575 women.
www.camplebanon.org
Dec. 30-31 Jan. 6-7 Jan. 13-17 Jan. 20-22 Feb. 24-26 Feb. 25 March 2-7 March 9-14 March 16-21 March 23-28 Mar. 31- April 1
QUILT RETREAT “Praise and thanksgiving for being called to Camp Lebanon! The first time I came, I literally knew not one person. Now this week is like a family reunion. How blessed I have been with these people that God has put in my life.”
$2 GIFT FOR THE GYM “Dear Camp Lebanon, I love giving to Camp. I can’t wait to come back to Camp Lebanon! I can’t wait to see the new gym! I miss Bobber Bill.” G.L. (age 8)
DOUBLE YOUR GYM-PACT! $75K Matching Gift Challenge Thanks to generous friends, beginning December 10 every donation for the gym postmarked by December 31 will be doubled up to $75,000! That means $10 becomes $20, $50 doubles to $100, and $500 grows into $1,000! To donate, go to www.camplebanon.org/blessing or scan the code. Thank you for your help!