Beloved North Georgia Camp and Retreat Ministries Family,
Many of us watched the recent gathering of United Methodist representatives from around the world – the special General Conference in St. Louis – with sadness for the conflict and possible split in our denomination. Some of you have expressed concern for what this might mean for the camping ministries of our annual conference.

Please know that for 94 years our staff and board have worked to make our ministries welcoming and safe places for all God's children – and that work will continue.

We are grateful for your prayers and your support of our camping ministries, and ask that you join us in prayer for our North Georgia congregations as they engage in challenging conversations in the weeks and months ahead.

On behalf of the board of directors and staff honored to serve your family and congregation,
‌
C. Russell Davis
Executive Director
‌
May 4th @ Glisson
Chapel Dedication @10:30am
Alumni Lunch @12:30pm ( Register )
New Camper Open House @2:00pm ( RSVP )
You're invited! Chapel Dedication May 4th anchors great day to be at Glisson
As announced previously , the largest-ever single donation in our history has paved the way to preserve and expand Glisson's beloved Chapel for generations to come. With construction well underway, we're thrilled to invite you to help dedicate the expanded Chapel to the glory of God on Saturday, May 4th at 10:30am.

We hope you'll consider coming to camp to be part of this historic moment. It's been over a half-century since we've dedicated our primary worship gathering space (and we won't be dedicating another any time soon!). Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson will preside as our extended camp family gathers to praise God for the past, present, and future of ministry here on this Holy Dirt.

Find out more details using the button link, including RSVP info for two other events happening at camp that day: 1) Alumni Lunch after the service; 2) New Camper Open House from 2-4pm.
Gearing up for another high-impact summer: Glisson filling up fast, Grow open for 32 sites!
After 8 consecutive years of record growth, your family of camp and retreat ministries is over 400 campers ahead of last year's record pace. Praise God! (In case you missed it, check out the 2018 Impact Report .) We are incredibly humbled by the chance to be in ministry with so many campers each year, and simply cannot wait for summer.

Speaking of not waiting, 2,754 campers have already saved their spots at Glisson. Sparrowwood is already at 94% capacity and multiple Village sessions already have waiting lists. Thankfully, though it's Glisson's fastest-growing program, Outpost's continual expansion has made room for more campers than ever. Spread the word to sign up soon!

Meanwhile, registration is live for 32 Grow Day Camps locations (with 5 more sites to-be-announced soon); Shoreline has 8 church groups on-board for 2 weeks on West Point Lake (with more spaces available); and ELI has already received a record 97 applications (with up to 100 leadership awards of $500 toward tuition). Our 95th summer of ministry is shaping up to be the best yet!
Alumni Lunch
May 4th @ 12:30pm
Glisson Dining Hall
$10 per plate
($30 family max)

Alumni: You're invited to an Alumni Lunch after the Chapel Dedication (RSVP)
After walking to the falls, visiting with friends, and all the singing and praying of the dedication service...you're gonna be hungry. What better way to make the most of your Glisson visit than to mosey through The Quad, along Boys' Row, and over Cane Creek to the new Dining Hall for a tasty lunch with fellow camp alumni?

Okay, there's one more thing that makes it even better: Everyone at this lunch will be part of launching the first-ever, alumni-driven, multi-generational Alumni Group. (No, you won't be asked for money. Well, except you do have to pay for your lunch...but that'll be online in-advance.) Former camper and current board member Elaine Sharp is on-board as our intrepid Alumni Coordinator. She's gathered together an Alumni Committee that's eager to share and hear ideas for future Alumni events and ways to reconnect with camp well beyond our camper/counselor years. From Elaine: "Be thinking of ideas and bring them May 4th or email me ( alumni@ngcrm.org ) ahead of time; we welcome and need your input!"

Whether it's been a few days, years, or decades, the Chapel Dedication is the perfect reason to get back to Glisson – and to be a part of Holy Dirt history to boot. We hope to see you at the service, and we hope you'll soak in a couple more hours of camp time over lunch.
We know how to have fun –
our passion is forming faith in the process