Camp Sonshine Spring Newsletter 2019

SPRING 2019

NEWSLETTER

WHAT’S INSIDE? Arbor Day Tree Planting - April 27 Buy & plant a family tree at Camp Sonshine!

Giving to Lincoln Day - May 31 Giving open all month! Consider a generous gift to further the mission of “Making Memories, Changing Lives!”

Life Change Spotlight Read the story of one of our dearest campers turned AC! Upcoming Events & Much More!

LIFE CHANGE SPOTLIGHT: MEET DESKO! Desko’s first time as a camper was in 2016 at Camp Solaris. He has since been a Leader in Training at Camp Sonshine and an Assistant Counselor at both camp programs. Also, when he saw a need for campers, he raised enough support to give 60+ bibles to Camp Solaris so that campers would be able to read from The Word during personal time at camp! Read about his journey below: “I was born in Bulgaria, a country in Europe. When I was two months old, I was taken to an orphanage. I can remember loving to be there, because I got to be with my sister and meet a lot of different people. When I was 12 years old, I heard from the orphanage director that a family from the U.S. wanted to adopt me and my sister.

We ended up in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2015.

When we arrived, we didn’t know much English. It was hard to understand a lot that was happening. One thing I remember not understanding was when my parents would take me to church - I did know I liked all the singing! One of my first friends in America invited me to the youth group ministry at my church, and I met a lot of really nice people and had a lot of fun. It was still difficult for me to understand a lot at this time.

Then after my first school year “I REALLY THINK I CAN in America, my MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE mom signed me up for a week of WORLD SHARING THE WORD OF GOD WITH OTHERS AND Camp Solaris.

I didn’t know LOVING THEM THE WAY MY anything about COUNSELOR DID FOR ME.” what camp was and was kind of confused.

But when I stepped inside, I saw all the counselors and campers having fun.

I remembered that I wanted to be one of those people having fun, but because I didn’t know English very well, I had a hard time connecting with others. I’m sad to say that I became one of those kids who acted out.

One night, my counselor, Clayton, took me aside and explained the rules to me, then he just took the time to get to know me as we sat around a table. He then told me more about camp and why they exist, to tell campers about Jesus.

That day, he told me what Jesus did for us - while we have sin, he died to save us. I asked him a lot of questions. Throughout the week, I thought a lot about what my counselor had told me.

On Thursday, while we sat around a bonfire down near the pond and listened to Clayton speak, I realized I wanted to accept Christ Jesus in my life.

Camp Sonshine is now a place that feels like home.

They don’t just say that they’re about “Making Memories and Changing Lives,” I’ve seen that they actually do. That first summer of 2016 was one of the best summers of my life.

Since that first summer, I was baptized at my church and I’ve seen the need to serve others as I continue to pursue Jesus Christ. I even got the chance to go to Mexico with Camp Sonshine to help lead a week of camp for kids there. It was there that I realized how much I love working with kids. I really think I can make a difference in the world sharing the Word of God with others and loving them the way my counselor did for me.

I still go to Camp Sonshine and Solaris every opportunity I get, because I love the people there and want to be more like them, which is why I hope to someday be a counselor and impact kids at camp. It’s crazy to see and believe how much I’ve changed and all that has happened to me since I’ve been in America because of the different camp experiences I’ve had and the work of God in my life.”

WANT TO HELP CONTINUE TO MAKE STORIES LIKE THIS POSSIBLE? Read about Give to Lincoln Day on the next page or go to CampSonshineMemories.org/Give!

ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING & GIVE TO LINCOLN DAY Tree Planting - It’s been said that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. For us, the second best time is April 27th on Arbor Day! Part of the long-term strategic site plan is to create outdoor spaces that will support the mission of camp. In order to do this, we will need to plant hundreds of trees over the next few years. We are inviting families to sponsor one or more trees at Camp Sonshine. For your convenience, specific trees on our site plan can be order online and delivered to camp. You can then join us on Arbor Day to plant your tree or have one of the camp staff plant it for you. Leave your mark on camp that will last for decades to come!

Give To Lincoln Day - Give to Lincoln Day is a 24-hour event that encourages you to contribute to Lincoln and Lancaster County nonprofit organizations on May 30th. Give to Lincoln Day is coordinated by Lincoln Community Foundation, in partnership with local nonprofit organizations.

Every donation makes a bigger impact on Give to Lincoln Day because nonprofits also get a proportional share of a $400,000 match fund made possible by LCF and generous sponsors.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING APRIL 27 GIVE TO LINCOLN DAY MAY 30

Would you consider a generous gift of the purchase of one or more trees and/or a gift on Give to Lincoln Day? To give to these projects or more information, go to CampSonshineMemories.org/Give!

You are invited to Camp Sonshine’s....

VOLUNTEER COOKOUT - MONDAY, APRIL 29!

Join us from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. for a BBQ cookout and learn about the ways you could volunteer at Camp Sonshine this summer!

To RSVP, call 402.423.8746 or email info@CampSonshineMemories.org!

UPCOMING EVENTS

See more details online at CampSonshineMemories.org SPRING WORK DAYS April 6 @ Camp Sonshine April 13 @ Camp Solaris Work days are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come for an hour or stay all day! Lunch provided. Work projects range from landscaping to painting or setting up camp activities. Fun for one person, families or a group! If interested, contact us!

ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING April 27 Specific trees can be ordered online and delivered to camp.

Join us on Arbor Day to plant your tree if possible. Leave your mark on camp that will last for decades to come!

CAMP SONSHINE OPEN HOUSE May 11, 2 - 6 p.m.

The Open House is the perfect time to meet camp directors and staff, get a tour of campgrounds and see what activities and adventures Camp Sonshine has to offer!

VOLUNTEER COOKOUT Monday, April 29, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

To RSVP, call 402.423.8746 or email info@CampSonshineMemories.org!

GIVE TO LINCOLN DAY May 31 SUMMER CAMP DATES AC Training May 29 - 31 LIT Training June 1, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sonshine - Day Camps 10 Sessions, June 3 - Aug 10 Solaris - Overnight Camps 9 Sessions, June 3 - Aug 2 Sibling/Lil Sibs Camp @ Camp Sonshine Monday, July 1 - Wednesday, July 3 Sign up for all three or individual days!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING - APRIL 27 Leave your mark. More info inside!

YOU’RE INVITED!

CAMP SONSHINE OPEN HOUSE

MAY 11 // 2 - 6 PM

The Open House on May 11 will be the perfect time to meet the camp directors, get a tour of the campgrounds and see what activities and adventures Camp Sonshine programs have to offer!

Can’t make it to the Camp Sonshine Open House?

Want a tour of our overnight site Camp Solaris?

Call the office to schedule a private tour!