2017 UNY Camp & Retreat Ministries' Impact Report

Impact Report â—? 2017

Transforming Lives

UNY Camp & Retreat Ministries 7481 Henry Clay Blvd.

Liverpool, NY 13088 315.898.2026 campsandretreats.org

Measuring Our Impact; Sharing Our Story Im·pact noun 1. the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another. verb 2. have a strong effect on someone or something.

The encouragement from his counselor gives James the courage to jump in the lake for the first time and he learns that he has the strength to face his fears. Samantha offers to help Jasmine with her art project and they build a life-long friendship. Ricky says a prayer out loud in his small group for the first time. Emma sees a salamander and toad in the stream and learns about different sorts of plants and can identify some trees.

All of our participants learn that There is a God, a creator of the world around us and all living creatures, God Loves Us, nothing can separate us from the love of God and that God wants a Relationship with Us, Jesus meets us where we are and walks with us throughout our journey.

It is hard to measure the full Impact of Camp and Retreat Ministries but our data and feedback from participants and their families shows clearly that time involved at one of our sites has a strong effect on how we think about the love of God, how we interact with our families, colleagues, and those we meet throughout our daily lives. When we forcibly come into contact with the beauty of nature and a diverse community of people the Impact is often immeasurable. A relationship with Jesus is a relationship that changes all other relationships.

The Upper NY Conference of The United Methodist Church is blessed with five places of sacred space that encourage and nurture faith formation and spiritual growth. We are pleased to offer this sampling of the Impact of your Camp and Retreat Ministries. As we look forward, we are committed to constantly analyzing our work, so that we may continue to grow and adapt to Impact an ever-changing world. We invite you to walk with us on the journey!

Ms. Carmen Vianese Chair Mr. Stuart Williams Vice-Chair Rev. Hoyt Brown Mr. Shafeegh Habeeb Ms. Judy Hipes Mr. Stephen Ranous Ms. Eden Rotella Dr. Donald Schuessler, Jr. Liaisons Mr. Peter Abdella, Esq. UNYAC Trustees Rev. Nancy Adams UNYAC Cabinet Rev. Nancy Dibelius UNYAC Council on Finance & Administration Ex-Officio Bishop Mark J. Webb Upper New York Area Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding Director - Connectional Ministries Michael D. Huber Director of CRM

Thank you to out-going board members Carmen Vianese, Stuart Williams, Stephen Ranous, and Rev. Hoyt Brown for their dedicated service to Camp & Retreat Ministries.

Blessings,

Michael D. Huber Director of CRM

Committee On Camp & Retreat Ministries

Carmen F. S. Vianese Chairperson, CCRM

“At camp, I discovered what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and began to sense God’s call in my life to full-time ministry. I encourage you to participate in the many opportunities that our Camp & Retreat Ministries provide. You will discover God in a new way and your life will be transformed!”

Bishop Mark J. Webb

Upper NY Area Resident Bishop

Our Mission To create disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by providing intentional spaces and transformative experiences in which everyone may encounter the love of Christ.

Casowasco Ministry for All Ages Casowasco is a year-round camp & retreat center located in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Casowasco serves over 1000 campers and over 5000 retreat guests throughout the year.

Casowasco also provides space to encounter God throughout all stages of life with numerous events for children, youth, and adults of all ages.

Findley Changing Seasons With the fullness of feelings and mixed emotions, the Upper NY Conference has closed on the sale of Findley Camp and Retreat Center. We are pleased to share that a not-for-profit organization has purchased the facility and plans to continue a ministry of hospitality. We offer thanks to the many people in both organizations that have worked so hard and faithfully during this season. May God bless the planting.

Aldersgate Ministry through Partnership Aldersgate is a seasonal site located on the western side of the Adirondacks. It primarily serves as a partner to organizations looking to host their own programs. In 2017, Aldersgate provided radical Christian hospitality to groups including AIM High Running Camp, Camp High Hopes & Little Oak, and Camp Kesem, among others.

Asbury Christian Hospitality & Service Asbury is a year-round retreat center located on Silver Lake in Western NY. Asbury focuses on hosting a wide variety of retreat groups throughout the year, providing comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and first-rate hospitality. In 2017, Asbury hosted over 100 groups and served over 4,800 people.

Sky Lake A Place for All of God’s Children Sky Lake is a year-round facility located in the Southern Tier region. Sky Lake offers space for children and adults alike with a wide variety of facilities ranging from traditional summer camp cabins to the beautiful Founders and Underwood lodges. Sky Lake also specializes in intentional programming for adults and children with special needs.

Skye Farm Exploring God’s Creation Skye Farm is a seasonal site located on the eastern side of the Adirondacks, and provides one of the most picturesque views of this beautiful region. Skye Farm is the perfect site to experience God in the beauty of creation, and specializes in high adventure outdoor camp programming.

Transforming Lives Through...

All of our camp & retreat centers are located in beautiful settings and provide excellent facilities. Our lodges, dining facilities, waterfronts, ropes courses, worship spaces and more are WHAT attracts people to our sites. What brings them back is the ways in which they experience the living God. We know how to have a great time, but through it all, we want to provide a transformational experience through the love of Christ.

Radical Hospitality “Whoever you are…”

Accepting everyone as a unique creation of God, just as they are, without exceptions.

“For once I didn’t have to worry about being made fun of or judged. Camp is just really fun!” Camper “It always gives me a feeling of renewal to feel accepted into a community of faith, with people who love each other and seek God in their everyday lives.”

Retreat Participant

Unconditional Love “Whatever you do...”

We love each other because God loves us, not as a condition of perceived merit.

“I enjoyed meeting new friends and having fun. It made me feel good when my counselor and group cared about me and made me feel safe.” Camper “As a mom, and former Camp Director, there is a lot I expect from a camp. The ease and peace I feel leaving my kids with you comes from knowing that they will be loved and accepted for who they are. I know they are in good hands!” Camper Parent

“Great experiences are what we offer, but our passion is forming faith in the process.”

Christian Community “You belong here…”

We serve one another by contributing our unique set of God-given gifts to the good of the group.

“Camp is a place where I always find authentic relationships. Every time I come, I feel safe and filled with the Holy Spirit. After years of coming here, I have learned how to take that peace with me and share it with others.” Camper “I always appreciate time away from the hustle of life to just read the Bible and talk with new and old friends. It’s just wonderful.” Retreat Participant

Experiential Learning “You can grow here…”

We challenge one another to put our faith into practice, and reflect upon our experiences.

“My faith in God was renewed and it was like a heads up for me. Like a ‘get back on track to what’s really important’ kind of thing.”

Camper “Our daughter has experienced a deepening of her faith, maybe even a maturing of her faith because of her counselor and the programs offered.”

Camper Parent

CRM Participants by Site Below is an accounting of the number of guests in attendance at each of the 5 sites operated by Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries in 2017. Guests are divided into the three categories below. Variance between sites is due to multiple factors including building capacity, style of programming, seasonal vs. year-round availability, and others.

2017

2016

2017

Aldersgate

110

83

2,397

3,637

103

94

Asbury

(Year-Round Retreat Center, does not run camp)

(Year-Round Retreat Center, does not run camp)

6,570

6,628

227

394

Casowasco

1,100

1,091

4,204

4,524

434

435

Sky Lake

Site-Hosted Events**

2016

451

386

2,607

2,598

411

291

Skye Farm

Guest Groups (User Days)* 2017

375

386

887

821

55

142

UNYCRM

Campers 2016

2,036

1,946

16,665

18,208

1,230

1,356

*Guest Group attendance includes all rental groups including overnight retreats, day meetings, banquets, weddings, etc. and is calculated by user days. 1 user day = 1 overnight + 3 meals per participant. Guest groups with no overnights or meals are equal to 1/6 of a user day per participant. **Site-hosted events are non-camp programs that are developed, advertised, registered, and lead by CRM staff and include adult, youth, and family retreats which vary by site.

2017 Camper Distribution (Upper NY & Surrounding Areas; campers beyond this geographic region not shown)

Camp & Retreat Ministries Administrative Staff: Jenna Amberge, Asst. Director - Sky Lake Naomi Hartnagel, Asst. Director - Asbury Donna Morrison, Registrar - CRM Shari Mudge, Site Manager - Aldersgate

Joan Newlon, Executive Asst. - CRM Sue Russell, Director - Asbury Betsy Schuessler, Admin. Asst. - CRM Ryan Siver, Director - Skye Farm

Mike Huber, Director - CRM/Casowasco John Thomas, Food Service Coordinator - CRM Jessica Walczak, Guest Services - Aldersgate/Casowasco Matt Williams, Director - Sky Lake David Wood, Program Director - Casowasco

Testimonials from our Campers And their Families “My week at camp was awesome! I think I will start doing things for God and for other people because my counselor really inspired me to do things for God.” Camper “The program packs fun and spiritual learning together for a win-win situation.”

Camper Family “Her time at camp has done the best of anything in her life so far of helping her connect with God and develop her faith!”

Camper Parent “My best part about my week is going to Chapel, because I love singing! Also, praying let’s me know that I could improve my relationship with God. Starting now, I really want to!”

Camper “This was a highlight for both children.

Our son really learned more about the Bible and it’s teachings and our daughter loved the music, worship, and has even said she wants to attend a Christian college. It is LIFE CHANGING! Camper Parent “Before this I never really followed God and Jesus. This camp has created a connection between me and God. I will always remember that God is real, God loves me, and God wants a relationship with me. I really felt a connection to Christ and I want to remain connected. I know that if I abide in God, God will abide in me.”

Camper

Check out our 2018 schedule at campsandretreats.org

“Mom, they really do transform lives!� ~2017 Camper