Fall 2016
2016 SUMMER CAMP WRAP UP MEET YOUR 2017 DEANS 2017 CAMP DATES
Welcome! Hello and welcome to the very first issue of the Asbury Woods Newsletter! Each quarter we will be providing camp updates, information about upcoming events, and much more . Consider this a “getting to know you� issue . Throughout the following pages, you will find out a little more about Asbury Woods, how the summer 2016 camping season went, and get to know our deans better. We are excited that you are here!
Questions? Comments? Have an event that you want advertised? Contact Gayla at gayla@asburywoodswv.org
2016 Camp Wrap-Up Elementary Camp:
Deans: Lana Blake, Allyson Chandler, and Mariah Cremeans Written by Lana Blake
How did day camp go during the summer of 2016? It was one of the most exciting camps yet! We combined both day camp and older elementary together to give us an even bigger group of kids. When they arrived each morning we always had a fun craft for them to do that went along with the theme. This year’s theme was “Under the Sea.” We taught the children bible stories that dealt with the ocean such as Noah’s Ark and Jonah and the Whale. After crafts we would play games relating to the bible story as well. We would teach the bible lesson in the Cow Palace and after the bible lesson the kids were always ready to get in the pool and cool off. On the last night we had camp fire and allowed the children to tell us their own testimonies from when they saw Jesus performing kind acts in the real world. We always want to hear when they felt the closest to God.
After campfire we played a movie for them and soon they passed out from a long eventful day. Next year we hope to have even more kids and the day campers and older elementary will be split up into different groups. The day campers will go home by 4 and only stay the night on the last day, while the older elementary will get to stay all night every night! The best part of camp is never having to leave camp and dedicating a whole week out of your summer to praising Jesus. I look forward to camp and I’m excited to see new kids and the kids that return every year at camp next year!
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Middle School Camp Deans: Ginny Stevens and Gayla Van Horn Written by Gayla Van Horn
Middle School camp was held July 10-15, with a theme of Who Am I?, based on the Casting Crown’s song of the same name. Campers spent the week getting to know themselves a little better. Each day started with a personal devotion aimed at taking a closer look at who you are spiritually, emotionally, and personally. Bible study was held mid-day and focused on topics like love, living your life for God, and how you people see you versus how God sees you. Every night ended with worship around the campfire. At this time, campers sang, heard testimonies from counselors, and offered up their own praise reports and prayer concerns.
Of course, we can’t be serious all of the time. Campers were placed in teams and spent the week competing for bragging rights. Both morning and evening games provided points for first, second, and third place. Additionally, a daily team activity was judged and awarded points. The teams were closely matched through the entire week, and in the end, the attitudes and behaviors of two campers put one team over the top. Alex and Byron were both awarded camper of the week, which earned their team enough bonus points to be crowned the winners for 2016. Congratulations to the entire green team for your win!
It was a great week with an even greater group of campers. We hope you all enjoyed it and return next year for more fun. Gayla and Ginny would like to thank their incredible team of counselors. They provide non-stop support throughout the entire week and make sure everything runs smoothly. They do it all: leading groups and activities, filling in for odd numbers in games, running errands, maintaining campfires, leading songs, serving meals, and so much more. But most importantly, they develop lasting relationships with our campers by sharing their testimonies, praying with the youth, and providing emotional and spiritual support to everyone around. We could not do this without their help. Thank you Cody Adams, Katrina Burgess, Abby Chafins, Rachael Houck, Matt Lee, Mandie Ronk, Megan Ronk. You all are the absolute best!
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High School Camp Dean: Schauna Chambers Written by Schauna Chambers
What I love about camp is that at the beginning of the week you are complete strangers, but on the last day (even though your own bed might be screaming your name) you find yourself asking for just one last day with your camp friends. This happened within the first two days with this group. They came from two different groups and at the end of the week they were no longer strangers. We focused on Kyle Idleman’s book, Not a Fan, for the theme of the week. We watch video clips, had deep group discussions, and personal journal time. This theme helped us identify how we can be a follower of God instead of just a fan when things are going good. It opened up the floor to discuss topics that they go through every day.
Of course it wouldn’t be camp without games. From being covered in flower to playing tire tug of war. The group split up into two groups, Boom Dot Com and Preaching Power Rangers, to compete for bragging rights for the year. They kept going back and forth, but in the end Preaching Power Rangers took the win. Beware next year the games will be more messy and there will be something to compete for! Hope you guys bring friends so we can make more memories next year!!! Stay phenomenal-Schauna
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Meet Your 2017 Deans NAME: Lana Blake HOME CHURCH: Community of Grace United Methodist Church YEARS AT ASBURY WOODS: I’ve been going to Asbury Woods since I was in day camp. I started counseling when I was in 10th grade and I have been the dean of day camp for two years! FAVORITE CAMP GAME: My favorite camp game is capture the flag! FAVORITE CAMP FOOD: I love me some chicken nuggets!!! FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: Proverbs 22 “A good name is more desirable than great riches;” THE PERSON YOU ADMIRE MOST: I admire my granny. She is 93 years old and she still lives on her own. She does not rely on anyone. I want to be as independent as she is when I’m her age. WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO CAMP EACH YEAR? Each year, on the last day of camp, all the day campers give me hugs and tell me how much they look forward to camp the next year coming. I love hearing that! I always question my teachings and whether the children are getting anything out of camp, but when their parents come to me and tell me how much they’ve enjoyed camp it warms my heart. These children might not learn anything or they might learn everything while at camp, but they’ve sure made a huge difference in my life and that’s what keeps me coming back. HOBBIES / INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF CAMP: My hobbies include reading and more reading. I work at the Cabell County Public Library and I’m an education major so you can see why I have such a huge desire for reading books.
NAME: Katrina Burgess HOME CHURCH: Mt. Calvary Church in Salt Rock, WV YEARS AT ASBURY WOODS: 9 years total: 6 years as a camper and 5 years as a counselor FAVORITE CAMP GAME: I love messy games the most FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: "Let all that you do, be done in love" 1Corinthians 16:14 THE PERSON YOU ADMIRE MOST: The person I admire the most would be my mother. She has overcome so much in her life, and she has taught me to be strong and patient. If it wasn't for her, I would not be the person I am today. I love her with all my heart. WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO CAMP EACH YEAR? Camp is my home and has been since my best friend invited me there in the 6th grade. I can't imagine myself not going every single summer. I owe this camp so much, and I hope to change the lives of kids just like my life was changed. HOBBIES / INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF CAMP: I am a junior in college who works as a server at Buffalo Wild Wings in Barboursville. I love crocheting and spending time with my family.
NAME: Schauna Chambers
HOME CHURCH: First United Methodist/Community of Grace YEARS AT ASBURY WOODS: 22 years…wow I never did the math of that one! Haha FAVORITE CAMP GAME: Bible Trivia when you got a question right you had a chance to pie a counselor in the face and anything that has to do with a slip n slide! FAVORITE CAMP FOOD: Chicken Nuggets or Brownies FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: Proverbs 13:19a – Souls who follow their hearts thrive. THE PERSON YOU ADMIRE MOST: The older I get, the more I look up to my parents. The sacrifices they made for me and my siblings is something I will never be able to repay them for. Of course I have to thank my mom. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have known how important a church family is to have and I would have never been introduced to Asbury Woods if it wasn’t for that strong willed person. WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO CAMP EACH YEAR? It is my second home. The place that accepted me for who I was and helped me become who I am today. Plus camp is always competitive, and who doesn’t like some good competition. HOBBIES / INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF CAMP: I literally love everything! Music and movies to outdoors and reading. I love spur of the moment trips, going on adventures, concerts, and just hanging out and being surrounded by loved ones!
NAME: Ginny Stevens HOME CHURCH: Community of Grace UMC YEARS AT ASBURY WOODS: 15+ years FAVORITE CAMP GAME: Messy Games/Capture the Flag FAVORITE CAMP FOOD: Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23 THE PERSON YOU ADMIRE MOST: If I had to choose one person that I admire most, it would be my best friend Emily. She always finds the positive in every situation and never forgets to praise God for all of His blessings in her life. She is so sure of her faith and she never doubts what God has in store for her. If she doesn’t receive the answer she wants, her response is always, “Ok, God. I don’t understand, but you are in control. I trust you.” I strive to be like that and I am blessed to have her as a role model! WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO CAMP EACH YEAR? Every year, I come to camp because it reminds me of what a beautiful promise God has for me, and it makes me feel closer to Him. It is so easy to get off track in the “real world” but at camp, time seems to stop and I am reminded of my purpose in life. I love Asbury Woods! HOBBIES / INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF CAMP: Movies, watching my shows, spending time with my friends and family, riding the Harley, learning with my kiddos!
NAME: Gayla Van Horn HOME CHURCH: Raised in Cox Landing UMC, recently decided to put down roots at Westmoreland UMC YEARS AT ASBURY WOODS: My first experience was in 1999, but I’ve been here every year consecutively since 2003. FAVORITE CAMP GAME: To watch: Tire Pull. To play: Scavenger Hunts FAVORITE CAMP FOOD: Chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Proverbs 61:2
THE PERSON YOU ADMIRE MOST: Leslie Knope. She is the most dedicated and hard working person a television show has ever created. She keeps her friends a priority and loves so intensely in both her professional and personal life. I hope to be half the woman she was written to be. WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO CAMP EACH YEAR? My best friends are people I met through camp. We are all grown now, married, most have kids, and we still maintain an incredibly strong friendship. I want to help other kids find that. I want them to grow up and have a group of people that they can text with a prayer request and know that God will be hearing all about them right at that minute from a bunch of people. I want them to have a solid support group that never questions their faith or belittles them for it. I want them to see that God has a community for them. Camp facilitates those relationships. And if they want marry an old camp friend? Well, hey, it worked for me. :) HOBBIES / INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF CAMP: Spending time with my husband, Jake, and our two dogs, Mac and Frank. Remodeling our nearly 100-year old house has been an adventure. Reading is a lifelong love. I’ve been getting back into physical fitness lately, so running, spinning, and yoga.
Upcoming Events
On October 2, 2016 at the Ritter Park Amphitheater churches in the Tristate area have come together to throw on an all day youth event called Tristate Thrive. It will be a day of giveaways, food, vendors, music, and speaker Jeffrey Dean. Our community is known for its drug problem or something that points toward the negative side. Thrive wants us to focus on the positive and that something positive is our youth! Thrive is about coming together no matter where you are from and no matter what group you hang out in and learning about what you mean to God. You were made to do great things. You are not your past. You are not your parents' past. You are not what you have gone through. You are not what your friends say you are or should be. You are a beautiful creation of God that is destined to Thrive! The great thing about it is that it is only $5 to get in and everyone is welcome. With your $5 entry free you will be entered into the giveaways throughout the day. You will have a chance to win something from the Pottery Place, Starbucks, Marquee Cinemas, and much more!
Come out and bring your youth and show the youth in our community love. We want this to be something that happens every year and we want you to be a part of this amazing event. So come Thrive with us! For more information about how to get involved or more about the event check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at tristatethrive@gmail.com! See you there!
Winter Retreat 2017
January 13-15 Youth grades 8-12 FREE WEEKEND More details to follow
Spring Retreat 2017 April 21-23 Children and youth grades k-12 FREE WEEKEND More details to follow