OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FOR CRISTA CAMPS
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF
FALL 2011
TRANSFORMING LIVES NEAR AND FAR “Island Lake changes my life more and more every year. I’ve learned so many new things and met amazing people and cried so hard I couldn’t cry anymore. Keep up what you do because you change lives, including mine.”
C
– 2011 Summer Camper
RISTA Camps offers an experience of adventure-packed days, engaging staff, and relevant speakers that together create memories which campers—like the one above from this past summer—can’t help but recount again and again for years to come. Whether it is paintball, “the blob,” muddy-field “Yuck Wars,” a conversation with a counselor following Fireside—or maybe a hodgepodge of all of the above—it is the goal of CRISTA Camps that the memories made will coincide with a very real experience of God’s transformational love.
CRISTA Camps doesn’t just want to show God’s love to those in our own backyard. We are committed to seeking ways for even greater impact, each and every week. Recognizing one such opportunity this past year, CRISTA Camps brought two separate groups together in the creation of International Week, where local campers spent the week with students from
tsunami-destroyed Sendai, Japan, forming rare connections and new friendships. CRISTA Camps is also able to love those in our community through Operation Xtreme—a new program developed to stand in the gap for the children of those serving in our nation’s military. Previously, a state-funded program paid to send the kids to a week of camp. However, in 2011, that funding was cut. Instead of simply looking elsewhere for a group to book those weeks at camp, the CRISTA Camps’ leadership team saw an opportunity to bridge the gap with love. Within a matter of weeks, Operation Xtreme was born, sendakid.net was created, and a fundraising campaign had begun. Not only is CRISTA Camps going to still welcome military kids to camp, leadership is committed to raising the funds to do so. Jesus Christ gave life to those who are lost, and at CRISTA Camps it is our goal to share this life and joy with as many campers—both near and far—as possible.
INAUGURAL EDITION FALL 2011
There is more to tell! Look inside as we take you on a photo tour of CRISTA Camps!
S T 1 H 1 G I 0 L 2 HIGH BACK TO OUR ROOTS Our founder, Jack Geer (pictured at left with Camps VP Doug Chase and CRISTA President Bob Lonac), spent time with our campers in August. His passion for kids was reflected in his eyes as he watched campers at the rodeo. True to his “can-do” spirit, he even got on a horse again! We dedicated a building to him— the new Jack Geer Building— which will serve as a reminder of this man of great faith and fervent prayer. He is a true blessing to every person he encounters throughout his visits to Miracle Ranch. One particularly special moment is pictured at left, when he stopped and spontaneously prayed a blessing over a group of counselors. His legacy continues to this day!
HONORING OUR YOUNGEST HEROES Through our Operation Xtreme program, our staff is free to not only give these kids an action-packed week they’ll never forget, but a chance to share about God’s personal love for each of them. One military mom said, “Thank you for this wonderful sponsorship opportunity to send our children to summer camp. My kids have never gone to camp and my son was bouncing in excitement! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”
NEW FRIENDS @ INTERNATIONAL WEEK During International Week each year, northwest kids get the opportunity to enjoy camp and make new friends with visiting students from Sendai, Japan. Given the trauma of the tsunami that ravaged their city last year, the Japanese campers particularly enjoyed their time away. Language barrier? Not a problem! None of the campers miss a beat as the kids interact with creative ease, ensuring each camper has a week with new friends they’ll never forget!
GUEST GROUPS & FUSION CRISTA Camps welcomes groups year-round. Whether group leaders want us to run the show or “take the back seat,” we offer support of groups no matter the size. Nick Steinloski, Bethany Community Church Youth Pastor says, “FUSION Camps make doing camp a breeze. They do all the hard work while I get to hang out with my students!” Not part of a group? Individual registrants are welcome to come join the fun at any of our Fusion weekends!
BUILDING LEADERS In 2010, a seed was planted in the heart of a troubled high-school camper. After camp, she met the Lord and returned this past year as summer staff. Thanks to the Lord’s work through CRISTA Camps, her life has been forever changed. Through our growing internship program, CRISTA Camps is excited to be entrusted with fostering leadership. As we specifically focus on building and preparing leaders, we are currently welcoming our largest group of interns yet.
TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP Baptisms become a special camp memory. Summer camp at Miracle Ranch and Island Lake delivers not only an actionpacked week for each camper, but a week that changes lives. Campers learn of God’s love for them and how He desires to be in relationship with them. As they come to understand, campers often ask to be baptized. Not to miss the special moment, parents are invited to camp to witness the baptisms. One camper wrote, “I loved this week, It changed my life. I was crying my eyes out, I met so many people who changed my life. Island Lake is my home.” We celebrate these transformed lives.
A number of photographs were submitted for our Facebook Photo Contest, and you voted for your favorites. Here are the results!
Miracle Ranch: the place to be for Horsemanship Programs. Throughout the summer Miracle Ranch welcomed many horse enthusiasts. There was something for everyone as the wranglers offered instruction for beginners and advanced riders alike. For horse lovers, there is simply no better camp experience than Miracle Ranch!
Nothing like a Camps 4th of July! There is no need to worry about missing out while at camp over the Independence Day holiday. The fireworks display is one-of-a-kind for Island Lake’s High School Camp—giving campers the full 4th of July experience!
High schoolers enjoyed an Island Lake 4th of July Horsemanship Extravaganza at Miracle Ranch
Waterfront fun at CRISTA Camps
Congratulations to the winners! Thanks for submitting your pictures and for voting!
facebook.com/cristacamps To see more photos from Camps, go to this website.
Girls’ Horsemanship Xtravaganza
Fusion Weekend Camp (Groups & Ind)
Grades 4-9
Grades 4-9
Grades 4-9
Grades 6-12
Grades 4-9
Feb. 3-5, 2012 Boys’ Cowboy-Up Adventure Camp
Jan. 20-22, 2012 Boys’ Cowboy-Up Adventure Camp
Mar. 9-11, 2012 Girls’ Horsemanship Xtravaganza
Grades 4-9
Apr. 3-6, 2012*
Jan. 20-22, 2012 Girls’ Horsemanship Xtravaganza
Apr. 3-6, 2012*
Nov. 18-20, 2011 Moto-X Weekend Session (Boys/Girls) Grades 9-12
Grades 7-12
Grades 3-8
* Spring Break
Fusion Weekend Camp (Groups & Ind)
Mar. 2-4, 2012 Grades 6-12
Feb. 10-12, 2012 Moto-X Weekend Session (Boys/Girls) Apr. 20-22, 2012 Fusion Weekend Camp (Groups & Ind)
Need more info? Call 1.877.723.4373 or visit our website www.cristacamps.com
Part of the CRISTA Ministries Family 15999 Sidney Rd SW Port Orchard, WA 98367
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