2013-03 RoundUp

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF CRISTA CAMPS

yeah,

it’s THAT fun!

what’s inside:  Summer 2013 Camp Schedule  Meet Our Interns  CRISTA Camps Salutes Our Troops

“Like” and Tweet CRISTA Camps to keep in touch!

letter from the head of camps

hello from

CRISTA Camps!

Island Lake and Miracle Ranch are not slowing down this year!

In this issue of ROUNDUP, you will get a look into all the things that have us turning our wheels harder and faster—our spring offerings, military events, and the newly released summer schedule!

Why do we work so hard at CRISTA Camps?

To make it a place where lives are transformed and changed. We see lives change through weeklong summer camp experiences where campers meet Jesus for the first time (page 4); we see change during Operation Xtreme and our Family Military Appreciation Day, when families of the Armed Forces get the chance to enjoy camp free of charge (page 6); and change happens when our interns selflessly serve our guests day after day (see them on page 3). CRISTA Camps is and always will be a place of growth and transformation.

We are excited to welcome you into the community of fun, excitement, and transformation at CRISTA Camps. Enjoy this issue of ROUNDUP and learn about our passion for serving you, then join us at Island Lake or Miracle Ranch this spring and summer.

See you soon!

Doug Chase Vice President, CRISTA Camps

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CRISTA Camps  ROUNDUP

meet our 2013 interns

they’re wild about you!

H

ow does CRISTA Camps run each day? With the help of energetic interns of course!

The 2013 interns are the wheels that keep our camps moving forward.

These 20 young adults dedicate a year of their lives to serving the campers and families of Island Lake and Miracle Ranch. Through long days, constant requests, and catering gigs to boot, these interns simply make camp happen.

Leadership programs at CRISTA Camps create incredible opportunities to

grow as a leader while serving each person who comes to our properties.

Year-round internships, high school leadership programs, and summer staff positions benefit both our guests and participants. Guests receive exceptional service from responsible, committed staff members. In turn, participants mature into Godly leaders as they selflessly serve our guests and campers.

Join us at Island Lake and Miracle Ranch this summer to meet our staff and interns first hand—we promise you’ll never forget them! 

cristacamps.com

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a story of

transformation

4

CRISTA Camps  ROUNDUP

E

lizabeth was used to working in the barn and saddling up horses as an intern at Miracle Ranch.

When she was assigned to be a cabin counselor during Junior High Horsemanship Camp last summer, she knew it wouldn’t be easy. Elizabeth struggled to answer the question, “Why am I here?” God answered her in a camper named Sarah.* Sarah was wary of her cabin mates and counselor, and she had no interest in trusting God. Why would she trust someone she couldn’t see, hear, or feel? Sarah struggled with anxiety, and as her counselor, Elizabeth felt her nervousness and noticed the way her hands shook. When asked about it, Sarah confided in Elizabeth that she was seeing and hearing things during Fireside each night, and the fear of it overwhelmed her.

Elizabeth didn’t know how to respond to her camper.

But God did.

she enjoyed freedom from anxiety and distrust; and she testified to God’s work in her life.

Since last summer, Elizabeth has connected with Sarah at CRISTA Camps events. She can still see the fire and freedom in her. According to Elizabeth, seeing the work God did in Sarah is a reminder of the work He can do in her.

“There was a long time when I thought, God, why did you put me in these situations?” Elizabeth said. “I didn’t know how to help some of my campers. But God did. Being able to see how He works with campers opened my eyes to how He works in me.”

Interns like Elizabeth serve campers with hard work, dedication, and most importantly, a dependence on the Lord. “We pray that our students are filled with the spirit,” Elizabeth said.

“We pray for campers’ families, that they see Christ through them.”

“... she felt God’s hand on her shoulder.”

A few nights passed, and Elizabeth felt a nudging to pray with Sarah about specific things in her life. So Elizabeth went to Sarah, and for the first time all week, she allowed Elizabeth to pray for her.

In that moment, Sarah burst into tears, saying she felt God’s hand on her shoulder. The voices and images disappeared. Her shaking hands stopped.

She said she wanted to be baptized because God showed her she could trust Him. Sarah was baptized the next day, and as the week at camp continued it was obvious she was a changed person. She became friends with her cabin mates;

CRISTA Camps is a place where lives are changed, both for the campers who come to Island Lake or Miracle Ranch, and for the staff members who run the programs day in and day out. It’s a place where people are transformed by a real God who meets each camper or intern right where they are.

Transformation comes in surprising ways.

“It’s such a different style to learn and grow than most other places,” Elizabeth said. “There are not very many other places where you can learn about Jesus on dirt bikes and horses.”  * The camper’s name has been changed.

cristacamps.com

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CRISTA Camps salutes

military families

CRISTA Camps has welcomed over 1,000 military children to Island Lake and Miracle Ranch over the last two years. It is our goal to continually serve more families with FREE and special camps and events.

Operation Xtreme Spring Weekend Camp March 22-24, 2013 This weekend camp experience at Miracle Ranch includes paintball, horseback riding, a ropes course, and much more!

Available for boys and girls

in grades 6-12.

While all these events are FREE to military families, OPX camps do require a fully refundable deposit to register.

Military Appreciation Family Day Memorial Day, May 27, 2013

All ages welcome! This event is for all current and former Armed Forces and their families.

Enjoy a picnic meal and camp activities at Island Lake, including boating, paintball, dirt bikes, bounce houses, ropes course, skate park, disc golf, field games, and more! This is our way of saying THANK YOU for all you do!

Operation Xtreme Summer Camps Come to Miracle Ranch and experience paintball, dirt bikes, horses, new friends, and more—ON US! Mon-Fri, June 17-21: Day Camp

Grades 1-6

Mon-Fri, June 17-21: Overnight Camp

Grades 4-7

Sun-Sat, June 16-22: Overnight Camp

Grades 7-12

FOR MORE INFO, VISIT SENDAKID.NET OR CALL 877.723.4373

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CRISTA Camps  ROUNDUP

summer 2013 schedule Summer doesn’t get any better than CRISTA Camps. Outdoor adventures? Check.

Friends? Check. Riding high on dirt bikes and horses? Absolutely! At Island Lake and Miracle Ranch, you’ll experience adventure, create new friendships, and learn about a God who is bigger than you imagined. Who’s in?

summer camp

day camp

No one wants to see an endless summer pass by. Take your summer break up a notch with weeklong camps at Island Lake and Miracle Ranch—complete with paintball, high ropes, horses, dirt bikes and more!

Who wouldn’t love the camp experience while enjoying the comfort of your own bed each night?!

Noah’s Landing Day Camp is a jam-packed week loaded with the fun and excitement of camp from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mon-Fri.

horse xtravaganza camp Grow your riding skills at Miracle Ranch horsemanship camp! Learn the ropes from our knowledgeable instructors, reach your goals with the encouragement of friends, and watch your faith grow like never before!

Island Lake

Day Camp Grades

Dates

Cost

at Miracle Ranch

9-12

Jun 30-Jul 6

$398

 Session 1

Jun 17-21

Middle School Camp 1^

7-8

Jul 28-Aug 3

$387

Session 2

Jun 24-28

Middle School Camp 2^

7-8

Aug 4-10

$387

Session 3

Jul 1-5

Junior Camp

4-6

Aug 18-23

$349

Session 4

Jul 8-12

Session 5

Jul 15-19

Session 6

Jul 22-26

Session 7

Jul 29-Aug 2

Session 8

Aug 5-9

Session 9

Aug 12-16

Session 10

Aug 19-23

Session 11

Aug 26-30

Sessions High School Camp

Miracle Ranch Sessions

Grades

Dates

Cost

4-6

Jun 23-28

$349

7-12

Jun 30-Jul 5

$649

Middle School Camp^

7-8

Jul 28-Aug 3

$387

Junior Camp 2^

4-6

Aug 4-9

$349

Horse Xtravaganza Camp 2*

7-12

Aug 11-16

$649

Horse Xtravaganza Camp 3*

7-12

Aug 18-23

$649

Junior Camp 1 Horse Xtravaganza Camp 1*

^ Tomodachi Week (with campers from Japan) * Horse Extravaganza camps are all-inclusive

 Operation Xtreme

for more info or to register visit cristacamps.com cristacamps.com

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PART OF THE CRISTA MINISTRIES FAMILY 15999 Sidney Rd SW Port Orchard, WA 98367

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