Mount Hermon | Kidder Creek Newsletter Winter 2011

P.O. Box 208 Greenview, CA 96037 530-467-3265 1-888-CAMP-FUN Fax: 530-467-5328

Kidder Creek Camp is looking for a retired person or couple to help in the areas of maintenance, lawn care, cooking or office work. Housing or an RV space is available. Kidder Creek offers a beautiful location in the mountains of Northern California. Work in a fun environment, have life changing opportunities to witness, and develop long-term relationships with young people who need Godly models. If you or someone you know would love to have this opportunity, contact Kidder Creek at 530-467-3265 or 888-226-7386.

Or email us at office@kiddercreek.org.

ARE YOU RETIRED AND WILLING TO HELP IN A SUMMER CAMP MINISTRY?

3. Buddy Bucks Discount

• Invite a friend who has never attended Kidder Creek Camps.

• If the friend attends a camp, you receive 5% off your registration.

• Invite 5 friends, get a 25% discount!

2. Partner Church Discount

• Is your church a Kidder Creek Partner Church? If so, you save 10%.

• Call the Kidder Creek office at 888-226-7386 to find out how your church can be a Partner Church.

1. Early-Bird Registration

• Register before March 15 and save $25.00

THREE WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR REGISTRATION

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mount Hermon Association, Inc.

Kidder

CREEK

NEWSLETTER | WINTER 2010/11

State of the Camp Address

by Pete Morrill

with that intent, but most were more attracted by the fun and good past experiences. But week after week we saw kids who were excited about fishing, swimming, rafting or horses— become kids who were drawn closer to God by a loving environment and purposeful instruction. It is great to see students tear down walls that have kept them from God, and make decisions to follow Him.

A few days ago I sat down to hear our President address the country in the State of the Union Address.

He mentioned the victories and the setbacks of the last year, and then he laid out plans for the upcoming year—highlighting priorities as we move ahead.

I thought it might be time for the State of the Camp address. So here goes. Whether you are a camper, a parent, a donor, a volunteer or a staff member I want you to know that Kidder Creek would not be possible without you. Our camper numbers were down last year, as they were in most of the country due to the financial challenges our nation is facing, but the ministry was thriving.

In spite of slightly lower number—it may have been one our best ministry years yet.

What makes for a great summer of ministry? It starts with a staff that is

hungry to grow closer to God, and that was evident from the very beginning of the summer. I remember the first week, when I was challenging the staff with some Biblical truth, that I commented to my wife how engaged they seemed and how good the discussion time was after my teaching. Then to watch this team of energized young people minister in

“I want you to know that Kidder Creek would not be possible without you.” lots of different programs and service roles—I became even more impressed.

Even during a week of spiritual warfare that was most alarming, I saw this team of young people act maturely and obediently to see real victory in our midst. I was overwhelmingly grateful to have such a strong team to minister alongside.

But the next key ingredient to a great summer is campers who want to grow in their walk with God. Some came

Another key ingredient to a great summer is seeing progress in areas that are new and fresh. Our newer non-traditional programs are focused on teenagers who want to go deeper in both service and their own walks with God. These program are called Echo (service and discipleship), WIT (Wranglers-in-Training), and Summit (Guides-in-Training). I was encouraged with the strides I saw these programs take.

The year 2010 also saw the Lov’n Kids Campaign come to an end. With the initial goal of raising $800,000 during the campaign, we reached that goal within less than three years, and moved on to our challenge goal of $1 million.

Amazingly, God blessed us by reaching this goal early as well, and our final blessing was $1,138,000. The funds are very helpful as we move forward with the ministry, but what was amazing is that the faithful gifts were given during a time of recession and financial strain.

Thank you to all donors for blessing this ministry as you have.

Still, as we have been blessed with the finances from the Capital Campaign, our operating budget has been strained due to fewer campers in several of the last years. We still need to pray, invite, and encourage more campers to help both the finances and the mission of Kidder Creek.

Continued on next page

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God, Horses & a Life Renewed

by Tavia Sherman

who can know what you’re thinking and feeling before you even do. But it was also fun finding God in everything you do with the horses, and seeing how a normal ride can be like our walk with Christ.

For instance, when a horse is acting up and choosing to do his own will, that is like us when we choose to go against God’s will for us and do our own thing.

God has to correct us and put us on the right path.

Kidder Creek Ranch Camp was one of the most memorable experiences for me. Not only did I make new friends, I turned in my old relationship with God for a new and improved one!

One of the best parts was that I didn’t feel alone when we were worshipping and praying. I could look over to the girl next to me and see her singing and getting really interested in what was going on. The entire week I was able to give my heart back to God and enjoy making Christian friends.

The best part would be the horses, of course. For me horses are a doorway to the soul. They are the one animal

Devotional (devo) time was another fun thing we did, mostly because our counselor made an ordinary Bible verse come to life.

The people there to help and serve were fantastic! The wranglers, counselors, and WITs (Wranglersin-Training) made the camp week experience even better. The way I could talk to one of the WITs or wranglers, like they were my own counselor, was moving. That made me decide I wanted to help other boy and girls, and become a role model as well.

Kidder Creek Camp was one of the most moving memories I will ever have!

I can’t wait till next year!

Camp Address

Continued from previous page Finally, as we have completed the capital campaign, we have really begun to lay a foundation for the future.

Three years ago we moved toward the completion of a strategic ministry plan, and two years ago we completed our Master Site Plan. This year we have been focusing on getting our future use permit approved by the county, and it

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is our prayer that by the fall of 2011 our plan will be approved by the county.

So, the state of the camp is healthy— postured toward the future in a way that only God can make possible. We want to minister to more campers this summer, and continue to be faithful to the ministry and mission that God has given us.

PRAYER, PRAISE & NEEDS Prayers For The Kidder Creek Ministry • An eager and dedicated staff to share God’s love with kids • Campers who are open to hear God’s voice • Good working relationships with youth pastors, and effective ministry to the groups Praises To God For • Donations of several useful vehicles • Completion of the RV Area bathhouse, to better serve volunteers • New and returning youth groups excited about the Kidder Creek programs We Still Need • A vaulting horse for the Ranch Camp program • Ice machine to serve the pond and barbecue area • A cargo trailer for hauling rafting equipment to and from the Klamath River • Continuous need for good, kid-friendly horses and multi-use vehicles

God’s Majesty, Beauty & Wonder

by Craig Thompson

Growing up, I remember the first time my parents asked me to consider going to camp. A friend from church had invited me to join him for a week at Ranch Camp and reluctantly I agreed.

Upon arriving I grew cold feet and changed my mind. My parents convinced me to stay, having driven the three hours from Chico to drop me off. I believe that there was crying involved. Friendly people everywhere surrounded by a breathtaking natural backdrop and lots of horses and apples? Something smelled fishy.

My counselor’s name was Jon, my horse was Thunder - and the week was revolutionary for my faith. Growing up going to Sunday school every week and even attending youth group, I had somehow missed the Gospel message. Jon began talking to me about salvation and he described his personal relationship with Jesus Christ ­—something that I did not have.

While at camp that first week, I experienced God’s majesty, his beauty, and his wonder. For the first time, I truly

felt his love. I asked Jon question after question, and he patiently stayed awake late into the night talking and helping me understand. At one point, he asked me if I would surrender my life to Christ. I said no—I wasn’t ready yet.

On Friday, my parents drove up from Chico to retrieve me. Having last seen me in such despair, they were no doubt surprised to hear me beg to stay another week. Timberline High Adventure was taking place the following week and there was nowhere else I’d rather be. Unbelievably, my parents agreed, and by God’s design, Jon was my counselor again. It was during that second week that God ushered me into a lasting relationship with him.

Every summer since, I have spent at Kidder Creek in one way or another. As soon as I was allowed, I was trained as a river guide and spent four summers on the Klamath.

There was something about being on staff that felt different. My faith was growing.

On the river, we used to wake up around 5:00 or 5:30AM to cook breakfast for anywhere from 20-80 people on a propane stove smaller

than an average coffee table. When breakfast was served we’d scarf our meal and head down to pump up the rafts and prepare for a day on the water talking about Jesus. Around noon we’d pull off the river, make lunch, then raft until 5:00PM at which time we’d load the rafts, drive back to camp, make dinner, clean camp, do the dishes, and get to sleep around 9:00PM. I remember days when my head would hit the ground and the only thing that overcame my exhaustion was the excitement to do it all again the next day. There is something about serving with your last ounce of energy that is beautiful.

In 2008 I graduated from college and drove up to camp for “one last summer.

But there was something about the valley that beckoned me to stay, and I was given the opportunity to join the year around staff. I accepted, and moved up to the valley where I’ve spent the last two years serving as the Program Director.

During that time I’ve begun to realize that it isn’t retreating to nature, or serving on staff, or moving to the valley that is worth the giving of our lives, but rather it is our God who has a journey specifically planned for each one of us. We can allow any number of things to get in between us and that plan, but when our King is allowed to lead us in that journey, he puts our souls at peace. He makes it difficult, he takes us to the edge, and he always, always, catches us when we fall; and as we let him, he places us back on the trail that he has cut. For it is on that trail that he delights in us, and we in him.

Craig and Jen Thompson

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