kids need adventure. challenges. direction. faith.
FALL NEWSLETTER 2012
IN THIS ISSUE + + + + +
Letter from the President ............ 1 Retreats ......................................... 2 Overnight Camps ......................... 3 Day Camps .................................... 5 Planned Giving ............................. 6
FALL NEWSLETTER:
PRESIDENT’S LETTER JUST A SIMPLE QUESTION BY MICHAEL PERRY PRESIDENT OF SPRINGHILL CAMPS
This summer, while sitting in the New Frontier’s dining hall eating lunch, a camper approached me and asked if we could meet because he had some important things to talk about. So, along with a couple of his counselors, we met together for a good, productive hour. Among the many good questions he asked and input he gave was this question: “Can I just stay here at the end of the week and not go home? I love this place and I’d rather stay here. I’ll even do some work and help you out.” You see it was this camper’s third summer at SpringHill, and every time he attends SpringHill, God does transforming work in his life. Of course this summer was no different, which prompted our meeting, and his bold question. This is just one of 1,000s of stories we’ve had the privilege to hear and be a part of this year. In addition to the incredible life change kids and staff have experienced, we have also had the opportunity to serve nearly 21,000 children and students through our summer camp program, making 2012 our largest summer ever. Through our Day Camp
ministry, we had SpringHill Experiences in 60 locations around the Midwest, as well as 1,000s of kids in our Overnight Camps. It was an exciting summer, and more importantly, a fruitful summer for God’s Kingdom. So let me say thank you for your prayers, support, endorsement, and most importantly, for allowing us to serve your family this summer. As you know, we exist to create experiences where young people can know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of your involvement, and the great commitment of our staff, we saw our mission fulfilled this summer. As you think back to summer, would you take a moment to pray for SpringHill in a couple of important ways? First, pray that the spiritual decisions campers and staff made this summer will “stick”. Pray also for our staff as we serve 1,000s of guests and retreaters this fall and winter. Finally, pray that our preparations for 2013 go smoothly, that our plans will be God’s plans and that we will faithfully carry them forth for His glory.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO START Looking for direction? Come alongside friends of SpringHill as we read through the Old and New Testaments in one year. Start your journey by visiting www.michaelperry1.wordpress.com and click ”Reflections”. Devotional is compatible for your electronic reader.
LOCK IN 2012 PRICING! WIN AN IPAD OR A FREE WEEK AT CAMP. TELL A FRIEND! Already registered? Refer a first time overnight camper to SpringHill and you and your friend could win a FREE WEEK of camp or an IPAD! Visit springhillcamps.com/offers and use promo code Free2013, when you participate. 1
Sign-up for 2013 Summer Camp and lock-in 2012 pricing before December 1st! + Secure your spot and program for next year! + Only $25 deposit till December 1st, 2012. + Deposit is refundable until December 2012 and your scheduled week/program can be changed a later date.
FALL NEWSLETTER:
RETREATS WINTER TEEN RETREATS
UPCOMING RETREATS
WHAT AN EXCITING SEASON!
CHECK OUT ALL THE DIFFERENT EVENTS HAPPENING AT SPRINGHILL!
Our Winter Teen Retreat theme this year, Sketch, will help your students understand what it means to be uniquely created by God for a purpose. We will unpack key ideas from Ephesians 2:10 with messages like Doodle, Erase, Color and Animate. JANUARY & FEBRUARY PRICING: + $135 for students + $99 for leaders
MARCH PRICING: + $115 for students + $99 for leaders
Register online at www.springhillcamps.com/registration. Visit www.youtube.com/springhillvideos to view our 2012 Winter Teen Retreat Highlight Video.
MICHIGAN WINTER TEEN RETREATS JANUARY 4-MARCH 10 For more information, visit springhillcamps.com/MI/retreats.
INDIANA For more information, visit springhillcamps.com/IN/retreats.
PROMO KITS NOW AVAILABLE! Visit www.springhillcamps. com/sketch to order your kit today!
SpringHill was the best experience of my life. I feel like a completely different person! I have picked better crowds to hang out with at school, my grades have gone up, and I am closer to God than I have ever been. – Winter Teen Retreat Camper
WE NEED YOU! VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE SpringHill’s volunteers are an integral part of camp, and they really help the camp go ‘round. Our volunteers span from young to old, and depending on interests and expertise, perform a variety of work including activities, medical staff, maintenance and administration. To volunteer at either Overnight Camp, contact Barb Feavel at 231.679.4454 or bfeavel@springhillcamps.com. For more information on what volunteer projects you can be a part of, visit springhillcamps.com/mi/ volunteer (Michigan) or springhillcamps.com/in/ volunteer (Indiana).
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OVERNIGHT CAMP:
MICHIGAN ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
52%
OF MICHIGAN OVERNIGHT CAMPERS COMMITTED OR RECOMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST THIS SUMMER.
WHAT YOU HELPED BUILD WITH YOUR HELP, WE WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE TWO OUTSTANDING PROJECTS.
New Frontiers Indoor Waterslides: Getting into the pool is more fun when you’re slipping down a slide. Thank you for your part in completing our 2011 Camper Project! This is a highly sought-after activity that is open year-round for campers and guests.
AMANDA FRON WEIDMAN, MICHIGAN
Former special needs counselor Amanda Fron was recognized this past September as “Hope Hero” of the month. Family Life Radio interviewed Amanda about her passion in life, and specifically, what she is doing to support SpringHill’s Inclusion Program. Over the past months, Amanda has been advocating for people who have special needs. Her goal is to raise $5,000 by June of 2013 through her “Speak with G.R.A.C.E.” Special Needs Scholarship Fund. Dollars raised will be used to help send campers with special needs to SpringHill on a full scholarship. The acronym for G.R.A.C.E. is “Giving Respect and Communicating Equality”. “ My passion for children with special needs came from understanding what it means to love others the way the Lord loves us. What it means to put others before yourself and when you learn to serve, this is how you fall in love with the campers at Springhill Camps.” – Amanda Amanda currently attends Spring Arbor University where she is pursuing a degree in special education. Her goal is to create a pageant for young girls and women who have special needs. Amanda has been involved with pageants since the age of 13. Through them, she has gained the confidence she has today as well as the knowledge to best prepare her for her professional field. I believe that every girl should feel beautiful and a pageant for girls with special needs would be an amazing opportunity to really show the beauty of God’s light in each and every girl. To donate towards the “Speak with G.R.A.C.E.” Special Needs Scholarship Fund, please visit www.springhillcamps.com/donate.
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New Frontiers Infirmary: After being open for 30 years, the infirmary took on a much needed expansion and remodeling project. Our goal is to provide the best medical care possible for our campers and guests. This facility is now energyefficient, safer and larger, in order to meet current and near future demands. INFIRMARY NOW OFFERS: + Lockable office + Exam rooms with doors + Med distribution directly outside + Drinking fountain for taking meds + Adjoined space for meds and first aid areas
+ + + +
Doctor’s apartment Waiting room Public bathroom Air conditioning
Still looking to fill our cabinets! We are in the process of purchasing new medical supplies. Help be a part of completing this project. Give today or donate an item. For a complete list of needed supplies, please contact Lynn Fischer at 231.836.1043 or email lfischer@springhillcamps.com.
OVERNIGHT CAMP:
95%
OF INDIANA OVERNIGHT CAMPERS SAID THEY WANT TO GROW MORE IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
INDIANA
CREATING A LEGACY
LET’S CELEBRATE!
WHAT ONE LIFE CAN DO FOR OTHERS
2012 COMPLETED PROJECTS
Thank you for making these projects possible. Your donations and volunteer hours went into improving the overall experience for campers and guests.
In April it will be four years since David Neeld, who was diagnosed at an early age with Muscular Dystrophy, passed away. David was and will always be remembered as an energetic, fun-loving and joyful child, who was a fighter until the end. He saw the best in people and provided many great memories to those he encountered. David touched lives, and in turn, he often spoke highly of many individuals and organizations that blessed him.
Party Barge: The party barge has always been a focal point for camp. The redesign and rebuild of this activity has allowed for a more appealing and safer experience. The goal of this project was to make it fun and exciting, while at the same time addressing safety and longevity. “ It’s a SpringHill tradition. You have to scream when you jump off the party barge.” – summer camper
After prayerful consideration, David’s parents, Damian and Sally, decided to create a scholarship fund in David’s name to help bless SpringHill for having an impact on their son. Every year David would come back from camp and say, “I felt like one of the boys.” Though still confined to a wheelchair, there were no boundaries and no obstacles that David and his counselor could not overcome together. For one week out of the year, SpringHill was able to not just blur the lines of his difficulties, but remove them all together. He was just like everyone else, fully accepted and loved well by kids and counselors. Camper scholarships in this economy are needed more than ever. It is our desire to provide scholarships for children with special needs to attend and flourish at camp. Join the Neeld family and many others in gratitude to God for David and the work God did, and will do, through this ministry. To donate towards the David Neeld Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit www.springhillcamps.com/donate. To view our 2012 Ministry Highlight Video, visit www.youtube.com/springhillvideos.
Dining Hall: This remodel was focused on acoustic changes and improving the professional layout. Being the largest meeting space on camp, we added a professional sound system, sound absorbing materials and permanent stage along with new projectors and screens.
In the long run, it’s a better experience because of the enhanced equipment and video. The campers feel special that this is something being done for them. – Rachel, summer staff
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FALL NEWSLETTER:
DAY CAMPS
81% 83% 323 OF DAY CAMPERS SAID THEY WANT TO PRAY MORE.
OF DAY CAMPERS WANT TO READ THE BIBLE MORE.
16,000
NUMBER OF DAY CAMP CAMPERS IN 2006. IN 2012, WE SERVED OVER 10,000 DAY CAMPERS.
NUMBER YOUNG PEOPLE DAY CAMPS WILL SERVE IN 2013, ALONGSIDE 90 PARTNERS, IN 100 WEEKS.
WHO’S BEHIND THE SCENES? GET TO KNOW THE STAFF HELPING YOU
ZACK WALLACE DIRECTOR OF CHICAGO DAY CAMPS EXPANSION TEAM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
EXPANDING AND STRETCHING NEW TEAM IN CHICAGOLAND
Going deeper and wider within the region. We are launching our second Day Camp team in the Chicago area. With these two teams, next summer we look to host 18 weeks of camp, serving 2,500 young people. The expansion team will foster eight new church relationships while reaching deeper into the inner city.
GIVE-TO-MATCH DOUBLE THE IMPACT YOU HAVE TODAY
Come alongside Chicagoland friends as we work together to match a $25,000 gift for our new Day Camp expansion team. Every dollar counts. Donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar and used to purchase new equipment, materials and offer urban week camper scholarships. Donate today and designate your gift to Chicago Day Camps. To donate, visit www.springhillcamps.com/donate and find the designation “Chicago Day Camp Match”.
Zack was the 2012 Assistant Director for the first Chicago Day Camp Team. WHY SPRINGHILL: SpringHill has a mission that reflects the passion of God for this world. For me to work with men and women of God whose chief desire is to grow His Kingdom is unbelievably fulfilling. FAVORITE THING ABOUT DAY CAMPS: Day Camps is a tangible way to partner with the local churches. We have an opportunity to come and serve a permanent community of believers in fulfilling our commission. SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT ME: I am one of seven boys (yes only boys, no sisters)! AN ADVENTURE THAT HELPED SHAPE WHO YOU ARE TODAY: At 13, I was brought along a backpacking trip in the Ozarks in Missouri with my Dad, uncle and older brothers. Early in the trip we ended up hiking almost double the distance we thought we would have to (17+ miles if I remember right). None of us anticipated the extra miles and we were left unprepared and exhausted. I learned then that any sort of adventure takes planning and if I was to avoid a mishap like the Ozarks, then preparation and planning was a chief priority. FAVORITE CAMP ACTIVITY: My favorite activity at Day Camps is when I get the chance to race campers and counselors on our inflatable water slides. Our Urban Week Day Camps are almost entirely funded by supporters. To join in the Urban Week experience and support these kids, please go to www.springhillcamps.com/donate and find the designation “Kids Need Camp Day Camp Scholarships”. To view our 2012 Urban Week Highlight Video, visit www.youtube.com/springhillvideos.
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FALL NEWSLETTER:
PLANNED GIVING WHY KIDS NEED CAMP
J’hira “ I just have trouble with friendships, but at SpringHill, I made a lot of friends and I achieved my goals. A Christian has a positive attitude, they have God on their mind, they know passages and they read the Bible. I’m going to get a Bible, start going back to church and getting to know God more. I love God; I got to know Him more here. SpringHill helped me get further.” - J’hira, summer camper
Nick & Nate “ I really enjoyed my interactions with Nick and Nate. They bring so much joy. Their favorite thing to do was joke around and be as silly as possible. They brought so much joy to their group and for them it’s really easy for inclusion to happen. That was one of my favorite things to watch with them. Their group embraced them immediately and loved the time they spent them with.” - Megan, special needs coordinator
DURING ONE WEEK AT SPRINGHILL CAMPS...
78 68% 79% %
OF CAMPERS WERE CHANGED BY THE MESSAGE OF JESUS. ARE MORE COMFORTABLE SHARING THEIR FAITH. ARE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH PRAYER.
HELP WRITE THEIR STORY Every camper has a story. Help more kids come to camp and write theirs. Camp allows kids to see themselves as God made them to be; camp brings life-change. We look to offer over 3,000 scholarships next year. Donate today and give a life-transforming experience.
WHETHER YOUNG OR OLD, RICH OR POOR, YOU HAVE AN ESTATE! Planning the distribution of an estate is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will ever make. You need to be informed about taxes, wills, trusts, charitable gifts and many other complex issues. Even if you have already done some planning by making a will or trust, a re-evaluation of that plan can prove extremely beneficial, particularly if there are tax liabilities. It’s an intricate process. Most people need help. As a free service to the friends of SpringHill, we have retained the services of PhilanthroCorp, a Christ-centered estate planning and design firm. With professional expertise and a servant’s heart, they can help you design your will and/or trust in a way that most effectively transfers your assets to loved ones and the ministries you care about. There are no products to buy and there is no obligation to you. Simply call PhilanthroCorp at 800-876-7958 or visit www.springhillcamps.com/ support/plannedgiving.
To donate or for more information, visit www.kidsneedcamp.com. 6
NonproďŹ t Org. U.S. Postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 564
SpringHill Camps | P.O. Box 100 | Evart, MI 49631 | 231.734.2616
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