Spirit in the Pines Camp Brochure 2021

Camp & Registration Info Summer 2021

Covid-19 Safety Preparation It is with great joy that we share information about Summer 2021 at Spirit in the Pines Camp.

To say that these times living in a pandemic are unprecedented and challenging is an understatement. Our Camp Ministry Team is actively preparing to have a safe summer and is taking direction from the CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health, as well as the most up-to-date best practices from the American Camping Association.

We feel it is important to keep everyone informed about plans for Summer 2021. We will continue to monitor conditions and share any updates and changes with you as they occur.

Currently, we want to share some of the ways our partnerships named above are guiding us as we prepare this summer: • • • •

1

Camper capacity in cabins and on buses is limited to 50%.

Campers will participate at camp in smaller pods, limited in size, based on CDC guidelines for indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Community experiences like meals and worship will be shared in pods with staggered timing and in newly created outdoor spaces.

Campers will participate in games, activities, and lake time in their pods. We will continue some of our favorite camp traditions and experience them in new ways.

•

•

Our Camp Staff will receive special training in sanitizing of buildings and equipment and to oversee and enforce mask wearing, physical distancing, hand washing, and wellness checks. On-site medical staff will provide care.

There will be pre-camp policies, screenings, and changes to the check-in process that will be put in place to help prevent counselors, staff, and campers from bringing the virus to camp.

We look forward to sharing more information as we continue to learn and plan. Throughout the pandemic, our priority at St. Andrew has always been to do everything possible to keep everyone safe and healthy and we invite you to read this brochure with all of this in mind. We thank you for your patience and partnership and look forward to Summer 2021. *Please Note: Based on recommendations by our partners and health and safety experts, camp sessions may need to be canceled or reduced in size. Any changes will be communicated ahead of time and families will have options for a full refund or to transfer to another camp session if space allows.

Letter from Camp Ministry Staff At St. Andrew Lutheran Church we are inspired by the love of God made known through Jesus. Each camp session at Spirit in the Pines is a microcosm of God’s kingdom as we come together to discover what the inclusive love of Jesus can mean in our lives, in our world, and in our relationship with God. To focus on this mission, we look to five goals which guide each and every contact we have with children, youth, and families, as well as the connections trained leaders and staff have with campers.

Affirmation

Safety

Thank you for helping your camper to experience outdoor ministry with us!

We take your trust, and the responsibility of caring for your child, very seriously.

We are excited to be a part of sharing an amazing camp session at Spirit in the Pines with them and we truly hope it will be “the best week of their summer”!

Provide physical, emotional, and spiritual safety for every person we encounter. We maintain an environment where campers feel accepted and comfortable enough to share their feelings and know that they are loved and supported.

Fun

Create an engaging environment, through activities and discussions, which capture the attention and maintain the interest of campers of all ages.

We help each camper know that they are loved, accepted, and valued. God loves each of us, and with that as our guide our care for each camper is endless and unconditional and celebrates each person, just as they are.

Community

This goal is the beautiful result of the previous four goals. Our community is open to everyone and values each relationship equally.

Blessings, Burke Hancer Camp Ministry Coordinator

Message

Through words and actions, a message is shared of a loving God as revealed through Jesus Christ, which guides us in “living out our faith in daily life”.

2

Camp Staff Camp Ministry Staff

Burke Hancer, Camp Ministry Coordinator Burke has been leading Camp Ministry at St. Andrew since 1992 and has been in youth and camping ministry since 1981!

Burke’s expertise touches all areas of camp from registration, care of the Spirit in the Pines staff and property, and program.

Burke loves camping, playing golf, and family time with his wife Paula, three daughters, and grandchildren.

Additional Staff

TJ Helgren, High School Ministry Coordinator TJ has been leading High School Ministry since 2016. He has great gifts creating fun and meaningful experiences and loves all the work he does with high school students at St. Andrew. TJ graduated from Concordia University with a major in Theology where he ran cross country and track. TJ and his fiancée, Caroline, are busy planning their wedding later this year.

Camp Staff

Our staff of college-age and young adults includes many of the faces that your children have seen and gotten to know through camp over the past summers. Our Camp Staff will provide safe, fun, and meaningful experiences for all campers.

These young adults have many natural gifts and will develop these through an intensive staff training, as well as daily meetings and guidance from the Camp Ministry Leadership Team.

3

Camp Counselors

Our Camp Counselors are 11th grade students through college-age young adults and are at the heart of building relationships with campers. Through our careful selection process, we recruit and train our Camp Counselors in the important work of building community with campers. It is the heart of all that we do at camp.

Healthcare and Waterfront

Our Healthcare Team will provide loving care to all campers during their stay at camp. Bumps & bruises, upset tummies, scrapes and minor injuries will be treated with an extra dose of TLC. More serious injuries, or illnesses will be promptly communicated to the parents for discussion. All medications will be distributed per doctor’s prescription instructions. All our waterfront staff are professionally trained & certified in Life guarding, CPR, and first aid. All aspects of our healthcare and waterfront staff will be following the most current, best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, and the American Camping Association.

Spirit in the Pines Camp Spirit in the Pines is a stunning 30-acre property located on Pleasant Lake, one hour north of Brainerd, MN. Campers of all ages will be drawn to the beauty of the lake and tall pine trees that cover this unique setting where we will celebrate 20 years of camp ministry this summer. Spirit in the Pines is a ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, MN. For more information, please visit our website: https://standrewlu.org/ministries/camp/

4

Camp Sessions Family Camp

Middle School Camp

All Ages Cost for Sessions 1, 3, and 4: $300 Cost for Session 2: $400 Session 1: Friday, June 18–Sunday, June 20, 2021 Session 2: Extended Weekend—Thurs., July 1–Sun., July 4, 2021 Session 3: Friday, August 6–Sunday, August 8, 2021 Session 4: Friday, August 13–Sunday, August 15, 2021

For campers entering 6th–8th grade in Fall 2021 Cost: $545 Session 1: Sunday, June 13–Thursday, June 17, 2021 Session 2: Sunday, June 27–Thursday, July 1, 2021 Session 3: Sunday, July 4–Thursday, July 8, 2021 Session 4: Sunday, July 11–Thursday, July 15, 2021 Session 5: Sunday, July 18–Thursday, July 22, 2021 Session 6: Sunday, August 1–Thursday, August 5, 2021 Session 7: Sunday, August 8–Thursday, August 12, 2021

Your cabin awaits! Spend a weekend of quality family time with other families and friends. These extremely popular camp sessions include plenty of family free time and planned fun for kids and adults. Sunday worship and a hearty brunch closes each weekend. Enjoy swimming, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, pontoon boat rides, hiking, campfires, and so much s’more!

Children’s Camp

The program for the children’s sessions helps to ensure a positive first overnight experience at camp, including ageappropriate matters of faith. Children attending these camps can expect play time at the lake, outdoor games and activities, arts and crafts, hikes in the woods, campfire worship, and hilarious skits. Of course, we are holding back a few surprises!

For campers entering 3rd–5th grade in Fall 2021 Cost: $410 Session 1: Thursday, June 24–Saturday, June 26, 2021 Session 2: Thursday, July 8–Saturday, July 10, 2021 Session 3: Thursday, July 22–Saturday, July 24, 2021 Session 4: Thursday, July 29–Saturday, July 31, 2021

5

The program for middle school campers is focused on fun and friendship. It is an ideal time for deepening relationship with peers and counselors through games and events, music, skits, crafts, and time in nature. Faith talks, devotions, and campfire worship will help you experience God’s love and grace like never before!

High School Camp

The program for incoming 9th–Graduated Seniors is the ultimate camp experience. Every aspect of camp is available to the oldest campers, including special surprises and fun that you have not imagined yet! New and amazing games, activities, and adventures on the lake will WOW the senses, while in-depth campfire talks, devotions, and faith discussions will WOW the heart!

For campers entering 9th–Graduated Seniors in Fall 2021 Cost for Sessions 1 and 3: $575 Cost for Session 2: $425 Session 1: Sunday, June 20–Thursday, June 24, 2021 Session 2: Thursday, July 15–Saturday, July 17, 2021 Session 3: Sunday, July 25–Thursday, July 29, 2021

Program Theme A major international event is coming to the shores of Spirit in the Pines this summer...The Summer Camp Olympics! Ambitions are high and so we have created epic games for everyone; where everyone is invited to take part, compete, and enjoy the most exciting event in the world!

6

Registration Registration Process

Families will need to create or update their CampInTouch account. Please have your camper’s current health immunization records and insurance card handy when you go online, as this information will be required during the registration process.

Please register your child(ren) based on their current 2020-2021 school grade.

New This Year!

• A deposit for your camp session(s) will NOT be required at this time!

• Camper capacities have been reduced for safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration Dates • Registration for St. Andrew Lutheran Church Members, and those non-member families who have children in our confirmation program begins Saturday, February 20th, at 8:00 AM • Registration for non-members of St. Andrew begins Sat., March 6th, at 8:00 AM After registration is completed 1. You will receive an email from CampMinder confirming your registration.

2. Final camp scheduling details as well as camp payment instructions will be emailed to you towards the end of April. This will allow St. Andrew to re-evaluate the impact COVID is still having at that time.

3. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to keep the health and safety of your camper in mind!

Scholarships are Available

Financial challenges can be an obstacle for campers to attend camp. St. Andrew Lutheran Church is pleased to offer scholarships to individuals in need of financial assistant. Please contact Burke Hancer for scholarship information at bhancer@standrewlu.org

Cabinmates

We recognize that a sense of security begins at the time of registration when kids can request other students to be in their cabin. We offer a chance to request three cabinmates and will do to great effort to accommodate at least one of these requests.

However, circumstances do arise that make it impossible to grant every request. Please be aware that larger groups of friends are often divided between different cabins. All requests must be made 14 days prior to their camp session.

7

Logistics Transportation

Campers are transported to and from Spirit in the Pines by chartered buses which is included in the camp session fee. Buses are operated by professional drivers and currently running at 50% capacity. Please make sure that your camper’s luggage makes it into the luggage compartment. Camp Counselors will be on each bus to ensure a positive experience on the way to and from camp.

Late Arrivals/Early Departures

We strongly discourage partial camp experiences due to late arrivals and/or early departures. The experience of camp is designed with the expectation that all campers will be there for the entire camp session; any changes in the makeup of the camper population affects not only the absent person, but all of those in camp.

Any late arrivals or early departures must be approved by the Camp Ministry Leadership Team, at least 14 days prior to the camper’s session.

Food and Lodging

All cabins are bunk-bed style sleeping and have their own bathrooms and showers. Camper numbers in cabins will be based on the most up-to-date information from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health and our safety protocols will include proper sanitizing, increased ventilation, and physical distancing within each cabin. Meals will be served in the Dining Hall or in designated outdoor spaces, if possible. A staggered meal schedule and physical distancing policies will also be in place. Please indicate any dietary needs with your registration so we can provide the best care possible for all our campers and staff.

Canteen (Camp Store)

Campers have the opportunity each day to buy specialty items at the Canteen including snacks and drinks. Clothing items and gifts, such as hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts range in price from $5–$50.

Contact Information For questions please contact: Burke Hancer W: 952.697.7118 bhancer@standrewlu.org

8

2021 Camp Sessions June 13–17................Middle School Session 1 June 18–20................Family Camp Session 1 June 20–24................High School Session 1 June 24–26................Children’s Session 1 June 27– July 1..........Middle School Session 2 July 1–4.....................Family Camp Session 2 July 4–8.....................Middle School Session 3 July 8–10...................Children’s Session 2 July 11–15.................Middle School Session 4 July 15–17.................High School Session 2 July 18– 22................Middle School Session 5 July 22–24.................Children’s Session 3 July 25–29.................High School Session 3 July 29–31.................Children’s Session 4 August 1–5................Middle School Session 6 August 6–8................Family Camp Session 3 August 8–12..............Middle School Session 7 August 13–15............Family Camp Session 4

9

10

13600 Technology Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952.937.2776 | standrewlu.org