The Branch Magazine - Winter 2023

Winter 2023

GodWithUs

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”

- John 15:5

God With Us

Winter at camp can seem like forever. The trails sit quiet. Animal sightings are much fewer. The landscape is brown and gray.

And yet, as people of the resurrection, we know new life is coming.

In less than 100 days, the first campers of 2023 will arrive. We look ahead with fresh hope to

the songs, shrieks, and splashes soon ringing through camp.

Whether your camper is counting down the days to camp in excited or hesitant anticipation, know we are overjoyed knowing that very soon it’ll be summer camp season once again.

As God’s beloved people, we are all sent into the world every day to share the love of God.

“the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” -Revelation 22:13

Having a GRAND time at KINnect Camp

“The beginning and end of day devotionals were excellent,” Cammy Weichel raved after her camp experience this past summer. “The songs were engaging and stayed with the children (and adults) long after we left! This camp was so great for both our grandchildren and us. It provided bonding time and growing time with God!”

KINnect Camp is all about family. You may have heard about it; in the past, we’ve called it Grand Camp.

The past few years, however, we found more and more family members wanting to spend a couple days away with their niece, nephew, child, or Godchild. That’s how KINnect Camp came to be.

“The group was small enough to be able to get to know each other,” Cammy continued. “Our village leaders did a good job of helping us get to know each other.”

KINnect Camp (formerly Grand Camp)

This special three-day, two-night program is for a youth age 5 through 4th grade and a special adult. They will stay in the air-conditioned Sjogren Retreat Center with private sleeping rooms and shared restroom and shower spaces.

CarolJoyHolling.org/family-programs

“The grandparents and grandkids all made a special connection during our camp experience,” agreed Cindy Gengel.

The activities at KINnect Camp are designed to help build stronger relationships through fun shared experiences. Campers share stories, play games, talk about their faith, and enjoy time together.

Peg Schroeter recognized the benefit of bringing faith into our day-to-day experiences.

“I liked the way God was incorporated into the camp activities, praying, the songs, kids games, and more,” she said.

Everyone belongs at camp

J1:9 Camp & Jay Novicki PrOGrams for Friends with Special Needs

Summer is just around the corner, and for kids each summer, camp is a chance to make new friends, enjoy the outdoors and grow in faith.

Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM) is committed to providing opportunities for people with special needs to grow in their faith and learn through exhilarating outdoor experiences.

During the summer, that’s our J1:9 Camp program for youth and adults with varying abilities. Campers stay for 48 hours and enjoy adapted camp activities, sno kones, swimming, boating, Bible study, worship, and more!

In all, there are six sessions of J1:9 Camp each summer— five at Carol Joy Holling Camp (one for youth and four for adults 21+), and one at Sullivan Hills Camp (all ages).

During the rest of the year, our friends with special needs take part in the Jay Novicki day camps. Each halfday session includes worship, an inclusive activity, and lunch.

Every month has a new theme, and campers are encouraged to return month after month!

The program is named in Jay Novicki’s memory, and came about through a partnership with his family.

Jay was a person with developmental disabilities who

lived life to the fullest and impacted the lives of everyone around him.

He enjoyed camping with his mom, dad, brother, and two sisters. Every year their family would go camping to places like the Grand Tetons, Rocky Mountain National Park, and all across Nebraska.

In 2001, Jay passed away at the age of 37, but his memory lives on through this program.

In partnership with the Novicki family, NLOM is committed to keeping the cost of the Jay Novicki program affordable for all. While the actual cost of offering day camp is more than $50 per person, NLOM only charges $10 for each session. Each camper gets a t-shirt and lunch when they attend.

New last fall, we took the Jay Novicki day camps on the road to St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Omaha in a partnership with MOSAIC. More than thirty campers and volunteers had a blast.

We look forward to continuing to offer both options— at Carol Joy Holling Camp and on the road at nearby churches or centers—going forward.

If your church would like to host a Jay Novicki day camp session, reach out to Bailey Neitzel at BNeitzel@NLOM.org or 402-944-2544.

J1:9 overnight summer camp

adults

June 7 - 9 | Wed - Fri

Carol Joy Holling Camp

June 21 - 23 | Wed - Fri

Carol Joy Holling Camp

July 5 - 7 | Wed - Fri

Carol Joy Holling Camp

July 5 - 7 | Wed - Fri

Sullivan Hills Camp

July 19 - 21 | Wed - Fri

Carol Joy Holling Camp

YOUTH

June 14 - 16 | Wed - Fri

Carol Joy Holling Camp

July 5 - 7 | Wed - Fri

Sullivan Hills Camp

Jay Novicki day camps

UpcomiNG

March 15 – camp games

April 11 – gardening

May 10 – fishing

STEP OUT of the office

Working at camp can be the most rewarding 10 weeks of your life. It’s not easy, but it’s a ton of fun!

“I loved working at camp,” Rosey Higgs professed. “I loved being outdoors all summer, but what kept me coming back to camp year after year were the relationships I made with other summer staff members.”

Rosey worked on the Summer Ministry Team for five summers—1991 through 1995—and she credits the friendships she made year over year for the longevity of her tenure.

“There’s so much growth that happens at camp,” she shared. “Even if you don’t know each other that well, you grow close because you’ve been through this thing together—you’ve grown together, so to speak.”

The Summer Ministry Team is crucial to achieving our mission, Faith: Alive!

Summer staff members not only build relationships with one another, but also make meaningful connections with our campers and create memories for them that last a lifetime.

“At camp you learn how to work with other people,“ she continued. “Whatever your differences are, you learn to work with people and build a strong relationship with them really, really quickly. And that is a universal skill that will translate to any occupation. Anybody that works with people is going to build those skills at camp.”

We are looking for young leaders who have strengths in communication, hospitality, and teamwork.

Members of the Summer Ministry Team obtain skills that are transferable to multiple careers, gain a supportive community and network, and make a real difference to the youth and families that they serve at camp.

Rosey uses many of the skills she developed during her time on the Summer Ministry Team in her role as Director of Programs at the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands.

“Camp gave me the confidence to lead groups—task forces, boards of directors—and grew my confidence in public speaking. It also showed me how to bring a sense of fun to anything. If you can make doing dishes fun for a teenager, you can do pretty much anything!”

& into the outdoors

Working at camp is super fun!

“Camp is the place where I first really learned to believe in myself and my own skillset, and built the confidence to bring my unique skillset to whatever situation I was in,” Rosey admits.

In addition to building skills that are transferable to future careers, Summer Ministry Team members can also gain credits for any college internships that are required for their degree or that they wish to pursue.

“I think everybody needs to work at camp at least once because camp is an experience that is unlike any other experience you’re going to get anywhere.”

NEW AGE REQUIREMENTS

Positions available to high school graduates, 18 years old and older:

• group leader (camp counselor)

• challenge course specialist

• creative arts specialist

• health care specialist

• marketing intern

• service project specialist

If you know someone who would be a great fit for our Summer Ministry Team, please nominate them at NLOM.org/nominate.

Referrals are our best way of finding amazing candidates who are passionate about working with youth. So, we thank you in advance for sending exceptional young leaders our way!

Additional information and position descriptions can be found at NLOM.org/smt.

Contact Jacqueline Goering, Summer Camp Director, at JGoering@NLOM.org or 402-944-2544 with any questions.

Positions available to 16 years old and older:

• aquatics specialist (lifeguard)

• equine specialist (wrangler)

• food service specialist (camp hand)

• outdoor education specialist (naturalist)

Staff who are still in high school are encouraged to commute to their shift at camp during the summer, but housing is available to those who live further away.

New This Summer

Leadership CAMP

Come join us at Carol Joy Holling Camp for our firstever high school leadership program—Leadership Camp! Leadership Camp is designed to teach and train participants to be future leaders of camp and of their community. Campers will be referred to as “Leaders in Training.”

It’s a comprehensive three-week experience where Leaders in Training learn valuable skills in not only leadership, but also problem-solving, communication, safety, character development, program facilitation, and relationship building.

Week one of the program will offer Leaders in Training a comprehensive curriculum of leadership education as well as learning all about what it’s like to work at camp.

During this education week, Leaders in Training stay in platform tents at the Whispering Winds campsite. They will undergo a mini summer staff training— learning what it takes to work as a team, develop confidence, and understand the inner workings of camp.

For weeks two and three of the program, Leaders in Training are paired with experienced camp counselors. They’ll learn what it’s like to lead a village through observation, practice, and continued coaching from NLOM staff.

During these practice weeks, Leaders in Training stay with a bunk group of elementary-aged campers and a summer staff member.

Leaders in Training must commit to all three weeks of this program to participate in Leadership Camp. Weeks do not need to be completed consecutively, but participants must complete the education week prior to their practice weeks.

Leaders in Training must apply and be accepted to the program to attend Leadership Camp.

Leadership Camp is designed to teach and train participants to be future leaders of camp and their community.

High schoolers are invited to apply for this comprehensive, three-week experience to learn valuable skills:

• leadership

• problem solving

• communication

• safety

• character development

• program facilitation

• relationship building

• time management

To apply, visit CarolJoyHolling.org/leadership

Leaders In Training must commit to one week of education and two weeks of experience to participate in Leadership Camp.

Education Weeks (must complete 1):

• June 4-9

• June 25-30

Practicum Weeks (must complete 2):

• June 11-16

• June 18-23

• July 9-14

• July 16-21

Your Generosity Matters to Us.

Thrivent Choice Dollars are such a blessing to our ministry at Carol Joy Holling and Sullivan Hills Camps. Last year, we received nearly $14,000 through the Thrivent Choice Program! Your gift makes a real impact on the lives of our campers and ensures that every camper who wants to come to camp has the opportunity. Thank you for giving in this way! For more information, visit: NLOM.org/alternative-giving

Beyond Math:

For the summer of 2023, we are going to be looking at an aspect of our faith that is wonderfully confusing for people of all ages.

Together at camp, we will discover the holiness of the Trinity, who abides with us and for us, revealing our own belovedness as we are wholly—from beginning to end—loved by God, the three-in-one.

Each day at camp will guide us into God’s story of love for all creation that claims us and nourishes us.

Let’s take a closer look at each day’s theme:

Creator: The witness of creation testifies to the handiwork of our God, who, out of love, made all things good. We are part of this goodness and are compelled to honor creation, the love-work of God.

Redeemer: As the incarnate person of the Trinity, Jesus takes on flesh and abides with us. Jesus speaks metaphorically as “the vine,” while calling us “the branches,” but the metaphor extends beyond, to the truth of divine friendship marked by selfless love. This holy love of God for all humanity goes wholly to the end, to death on the cross.

Holy Spirit: With wild winds and dancing tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit makes a grand entrance in the place where Jesus’s followers have gathered for the day of Pentecost. The fire of the Spirit fuels and begins the church and our formation as beloved community.

Me: Jesus begins his public ministry in the waters of the Jordan River. We hear God and see the Holy Spirit mysteriously manifested while Jesus emerges from the waters, named and sealed as “the Beloved.” Through the love and relationship of the Trinity, the title “beloved” becomes yours too.

We: Fueled by the fire-energy of the Holy Spirit, we live as disciples of Jesus, embodying and sharing God’s radically inclusive love for all the world.

How does 1=3

To tie all of these days together, our theme verse for the summer is from Revelation 22:13. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

With Revelation 22:13 as our guiding text, (un)Equal explores the Holy Trinity through the whole scope of God’s love expressed from start to finish.

The totality of love in and through the Holy Trinity is beyond any mathematical equation.

This summer we set our calculators aside and explore the mystery of God through the formula of love—a love freely gifted to all of us!

As you’re gearing up for camp this summer, take some time to ponder and discuss these faith questions with your family or a friend:

• Where in creation have you seen God’s presence?

• What are some ways that you would show Jesus your love if he was with us today?

• When are some times when you feel God and the Spirit’s presence most closely to you?

• What are some things that you think God loves about you?

• How can we as a family/community show others God’s love?

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

-Revelation 22:13

and 3=1?

déjà vu

Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries continues to be blessed with opportunities to serve more campers every year. As the ministry grows, staff discover new and improved ways to serve families and organizations. These discoveries create openings for new people and positions on staff.

Please welcome these new additions: Summer Camp Director

- Jacqueline Goering; Youth Programs Specialist - Laura Stalder; Adult Programs Specialist

- Bailey Neitzel

If those three names give you a sense of déjà vu, there’s good reason!

The new Summer Camp Director, Jacqueline Goering, returns to Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries after a three-year hiatus. Previously, Jacqueline served in the roles of Associate Director of Programs and Program Specialist. In her new role, she is the director of all things summer camp. She is the hiring manager and supervisor of all summer staff. She heads up staff training, summer camp

scheduling, summer programs, and more. Jacqueline has a bachelor’s degree in Music and a master’s degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies. She resides in Lincoln, Neb. with her husband, Aaron, and their three dogs. Her passions include vintage furniture and décor, history, travel, and comedy.

Bailey Neitzel took a brief break at the end of the summer season last year and returned in January to fulfill the newly created position of Adult Program Specialist. During her previous tenure as Associate Director of Programs, Bailey was instrumental in the development of the Jay Novicki program (serving adults with special needs). Her new role will allow her to focus on that program, as well as lead numerous other year-round retreats and programs for adults and families. Bailey has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Theology. She lives in West Point, Neb. with her husband, Eli, and one-year-old daughter, Lainey, along with their dog and cat. They enjoy spending time baking and exploring the outdoors.

Laura Stalder is our new Youth Program Specialist. Laura served on the Summer Ministry Team in 2019. In her new role, Laura is the supervisor of all things summer camp in the afternoon and evenings. Laura also conducts staff training and specifically oversees the outdoor education and aquatics programs at camp. During the rest of the year, Laura manages and creates camp’s youth retreats. Laura has a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife. She is from Humboldt, Neb. and enjoys time outdoors, fishing, and helping out on her family’s farm.

NLOM is looking forward to new and exciting things as the Program Team grows. These three additions are proof positive that giving team members space to do what brings them joy will keep them coming back for more!

Welcome back Jacqueline, Laura & Bailey

Summer Camp Director Jacqueline Goering

Youth Programs Specialist Laura Stalder

Adult Programs Specialist Bailey Neitzel

In a time where electronics, extra activities, or friends can take away quality time with your daughter–the Mother & Tween Daughter Retreat sets aside the distractions to grow your relationship.

Mothers and their 10-13 year old daughter enjoy two days together at our Sjogren Retreat Center.

Participate in fun camp activities, sing some worship songs around a campfire, and enjoy the one-on-one downtime, and intentional time together.

Time away with your tween

November 18-19, 2023

CJHcenter.org/mother-daughter

Retreats aren’t just for adults

If you thought we’re only about summer camp, you’d be missing out on the super fun and impactful retreats that we offer to campers throughout the year! We have programs for all ages that offer campers an opportunity to experience camp for the first time or return to camp to restore and refresh during the different seasons.

Explore! Day Camp Retreat is offered for elementary students once in the fall and once in the spring at Carol Joy Holling Camp. This is the perfect program for campers who aren’t quite ready to stay overnight. They can experience some of the same activities offered in the summer and they build relationships with amazing leaders and fellow campers. Explore! Day Camp Retreat allows the campers to get familiar with the different areas of camp and experience camp traditions that include songs, Bible studies, as well as mealtime prayers and routines. When they show up for camp the next summer, they are pros! Have your camper join the next Explore! on April 22.

Middle school students were welcomed back to camp in December for the Middle School Retreat, a two-night stay in Western Town. Even though the weather threw the team a curveball, the leaders were able to make some last-minute changes to ensure the campers had a fun and impactful weekend. The frigid temperatures meant zip-lining and high ropes were off the table, so climbing and flying inside Town Hall was a great alternative!

Carol Joy Holling Camp is blessed with amazing facilities that allow opportunities for a variety of activities and scenarios. Comfortable, temperature-controlled accommodations allow for year-round events.

On March 10, middle schoolers are invited back for a lock-in. They’ll experience a fun night of camp activities, fellowship, and learning more about God. It will be packed with games, snacks, movie time, and Bible study. Campers will be introduced to the 2023 summer

“Explore is such a fun way to try camp without the overnight expectation. By the end of the day my son was ready to stay at camp for a week and couldn’t wait for the summer!”

-Allison Blatchford

camp theme: (un)Equal. Youth wishing to spend time with friends, learn more about God, and have a fun time will also find a meaningful message at this lock-in and an experience they can take with them for the rest of their lives.

We know that high schoolers need retreats too. In January, they were invited to join us for the High School Retreat to rest and recharge. This retreat was open to all high schoolers, whether or not they attended camp this past summer. The retreat was a recap of the things covered at summer camp and how they can continue to implement those lessons into their lives. For campers who may not have been able to attend camp, the retreat was an opportunity for them to experience camp in a condensed and meaningful way.

The program team at Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries is hard at work developing innovative programs that can serve campers of all ages and abilities. This amazing space has been set aside to bring Faith: Alive! and it continues to grow and change with each passing season as we live out this promise.

For upcoming retreats: CJHCenter.org/upcoming-retreats

Though most of us spend time with our immediate families every day, it’s been more difficult to see our extended families in recent years.

Now may be the perfect time to plan a family reunion, so you can maintain strong family ties and facilitate new relationships.

Where do you even start?

Generally, kicking off a conversation with family members to get a date on the calendar needs to happen first. Summer months generally work the best for family reunions, when those who have children in school can more easily make a commitment.

These days, digital invitations and social media make it easy to get the message out.

Need ideas for what to do?

We’ve hosted many family reunions at Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center as well as Sullivan Hills Camp. Here are a few of our suggestions to kickstart your creativity:

1. Ask everyone to bring a photo or family keepsake and share a story about it.

2. Gather fun facts before the reunion, and hold a trivia competition.

3. Ask anyone who has done some exploring on ancestry.com or other sites to bring their findings to share.

Creating Memories Through Time Together

4. Ask everyone to share a baby picture. Convert them all to black and white so age isn’t a factor and have a fun guessing game at the reunion.

5. Pair younger individuals with older individuals at the gathering with questionnaires that encourage the sharing of family history.

6. Make sure you plan for a family photoshoot!

If this inspires you to begin planning a family reunion, we would love the chance for you to experience our places set apart!

We really enjoyed experiencing the ropes course! The focus on working as a team and supporting each other through completing challenges will be a feeling we will remember from our experience.

Taylor

-Cari

“ ”

Our group was aged 13 months to 84 years! In a beautiful setting, with all the amenities, there was something for everyone.

-Patricia Meierhenry

Sullivan Hills Camp can accommodate up to 60 people overnight and many more for an indoor or outdoor gathering.

If you’d like a more full-service reunion, Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center can accommodate groups from 10 to 150 for the day or for a whole weekend, and you can leave the cooking to us. (What family cook doesn’t enjoy a break from meal prep?!?)

Two new pavilions at Carol Joy Holling Camp are already a hit—providing electric outlets for everyone’s crock pots, a gas grill ready for your grill master’s favorite recipe, and plenty of shade from the summer sun.

If you’d like more information about our spaces or are ready to discuss dates, reach out to our Manager of Event planning, Dana Jahn, at DJahn@NLOM.org or 402-944-2544.

Good luck planning a meaningful and memorable reunion that everyone will be glad they attended!

“ ”

Such a wonderful reunion surrounded by God’s love and those we love! The staff made us feel very comfortable and welcome. It was so relaxing to be able to enjoy our time together.

-Lora Lea Brennan

The Chef did a great job preparing foods for the dietary needs of some of our group. It was gracious of you to provide time two mornings for just our family to enjoy the pool and boats on the pond and everyone enjoyed the availability of the hospitality room at all hours of the day and evening. The camp went above and beyond all that we could have imagined. We thank you for blessing us.

-Larry and Marjorie Kirkpatrick,

about their family reunion experience at Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center

On this eight-day, seven-night adventure through the American Southwest, you’ll visit seven national parks, five national monuments, and more. Come along to see the beauty of the area both by tour bus and by hiking. A number of short hikes will be offered for an up close and personal look at the beauty, history, and culture of the areas being visited.

Registration deadline: March 13, 2023

Cost: $2,450 per

for double-occupancy room $2,900 per person for single-occupancy room

For full itinerary and to register: NLOM.org/trip

March 10-11, 2023

CJHCenter.org/lock-in

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 1, 2023

CarolJoyHolling.org/gala

April 22, 2023

CJHCenter.org/explore

May 20, 2023

CarolJoyHolling.org/work-day

A Day Retreat at Carol Joy Holling Camp for Elementary Kids

Summer Camp 2023

June 4 - July 28, 2023

CarolJoyHolling.org

SullivanHills.org

August 18, 2023

CJHCenter.org/kearneygolf

June 29, 2023

SullivanHills.org/heart-of-the-hills

Quilt Auction

July 29, 2023

CJHCenter.org/quilt-auction

October 14, 2023

CJHCenter.org/anxiety

UFO

UnFinished Objects Retreats

Carol Joy Holling Camp

September 22, 2023

CJHCenter.org/cjhgolf

A Day Retreat at Carol Joy Holling Camp for Elementary Kids

October 7, 2023

CJHCenter.org/explore

November 10, 2023

CJHCenter.org/ms-retreat

November 18-19, 2023

CJHCenter.org/mother-daughter

UFO

UnFinished Objects Retreats

Sullivan Hills Camp

March 19-21 | April 23-25 | July 9-11

September 24-26 | October 22-24

December 1-3

CJHCenter.org/ufo

April 14-16

August 25-27

SullivanHills.org/events-retreats