AUGUST 2024
Newsletter of Camp Lebanon
(320) 403-9555
After three decades of dreams, two false starts, and countless winter retreats chilled by the snow, cold, and ice, the weather-proof, multi-purpose gym is soon to open for ministry! Motivated by a big Labor Day Gym Grand Opening, it’s been a huge push to complete the siding, connect all the wires, and wrap up all the finish work inside and out. The landscaping is taking shape, 504 black chairs are on the racks, and lots of fun rec items are on order. Thanks to hardworking staff, volunteers, and contractors, the FINISH LINE is in sight!
www.camplebanon.org
SANDY’S BIG SPLASH! No longer able to swim across Cedar Lake, Camp’s 97-year-old “Swimmin’ Grandma” took the big plunge on July 6 and raised over $14,100 for scholarships. Supported by a big team of friends and family, Sandy Abeler bravely dove off the iconic raft. The impact was more like a cannonball blessing as it helps 80 kids get to Camp to hear about Jesus. That’s what keeps Sandy “swimming” for Camp!
Thank you, friends, for funding both the BUILD IT ($2.5M) and FILL IT ($500K) phases of the gym campaign. As funds continue to come in (thank you!), the focus turns to USE IT with a $250,000 goal by year end. Operationally, there are several significant steps in ramping up to utilize this amazing facility. Staffing is the big one. There will also be a number of onetime costs in bringing the building fully online. Thanks for your help in building a threeyear bridge to gym self-sustainability. Exciting days ahead!
WIFFLEBALL ALL-STARS KNOCK IT OUT OF THE PARK Nine teams of two sluggers. 11 hours. 2899 homers. The coveted golden belt. And an elimination tournament that featured a walk off home run on the last possible pitch! Wiffleball Challenge V smacked a grand slam in blessing Camp on Saturday, June 8 at Legends Field. Despite a strong wind blowing in from Turtle Bay, the men swung with gusto and raised over $33,5000 to underwrite Screamin’ Eagle Zipline upgrades and pour concrete in the new cold storage shed. Five years have witnessed 18,278 home runs and $146,000 in gifts. Thanks to all who took a mighty swing for Camp!
PRAISE & PRAY!
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• PRAISE! Summer: 1754 youth (includes LIT & Sweat Team), full Family Camps! • PRAISE! Gym: Campaign tops $3,000,000. Major progress! • PRAISE! Summer Harvest: Many campers are saying “YES!” to following Jesus. • PRAISE! New Staff: Scarlett Sutton (Registrar); Cassie Jean Lewis (Women’s Dir.) • PRAY! 2024 Fall Ministries: Safety, staffing, fruitful ministries & the funnest fun! • PRAY! Transition: Executive Director. Pray for the Board as the search continues. •
Story of Summer by Number FAMILY WEEK NOTES “Camp is a refuge.” “Our son was curious about the baptism and really wants to say, ‘YES’ to Jesus.” “Stepped away from life’s stress into a true Meeting Place with God.” “Camp allowed us the space to slow down and reflect on God’s Word.” “Loved the water, laughter, and joy-filled staff!” “Two of our kids said ‘YES!’ to Jesus this week.”
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Sheep in Camp’s sheep pen to help experience “The Good Shepherd.” 1700 Summer Youth campers (9 sessions) 162 Kids who said “YES!” to Jesus 28 Sweat Team (first stop in D3) 41 Service Crew (second stop in D3) 26 Leaders in Training (third stop) 802 Family Campers (4 sessions) 37 Summer Rental Groups 5600+ Total Summer Attendance $11,068 Missions Offering for Ukraine Camps $14,109 Swimming Grandma’s Big Splash $33,500 5th Annual Wiffleball Challenge 650+ Grand Opening / Abeler Farewell 84,898 Youth Campers – 1947 to 2024 Camp’s most important number! Every camper welcomed, loved, kept safe, and presented with the Gospel.
SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS Super Kids 1 (3-6) June 9-13 Junior High 1 (7-9) June 16-21 Adventurers (1-3) Jun 30-July 2 Junior High 2 (7-9) July 7-12 Super Kids 2 (3-6) July 14-18 Senior High (10-grad) July 21-26 Super Kids 3 (3-6) July 28-Aug 1 Junior High 3 (7-9) August 4-9 Super Kids 4 (3-6) August 11-15
189 130 163 181 230 227 205 190 189
Great start! Happy camp! So sweet! Hot and fun! WOW!! The Ultimate! So much fun! Wet! Wild! Fun! Grand Finale!
FAMILY CAMPS Memorial Weekend Family Week Summer Fun Labor Day Weekend
May 24-27 161 guests. Yea! June 23-28 210 guests! Wow! July 4-7 215 packed out fun! Aug 30–Sept 2 FULL HOUSE!
FALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Dads N Daughters Young at Heart Fall Senior Day Men’s Retreat Women’s I Women’s II Fall Fire! (gr. 9-12) Quilt & Stitch
Sept 6-8 Sept 16-19 Sept 17 Sept 20-22 Sept 26-29 Oct 3-6 Oct 11-13 Five Sessions
Purple Party! Wait list! A Sweet Taste of Heaven! Sign up soon! Almost full! Hurry!! Filling fast! Hurry!! Interest is HOT! Mid-weeks, Session E open
IT’S GYM [PARTY] TIME! Gym Grand Opening & Abeler Farewell Monday, September 2 11 AM RSVP Soon! www.camplebanon.org/gymparty