Trail Talk Newsletter
February 2022
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A Note from the Executive Director |
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Winter has arrived! The beauty of the fresh snow, ice on the lake and the crispness to the air makes camp such a serene, refreshing place to be; even during the cold days of winter! While things may be dormant outside, they are super busy inside and we are excited for all that is happening and be planned for this year!
I have been reminded so many times over the past eight months of God's words of truth in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight." There have been times where I found myself worrying about the future of camp, the finances, the facilities, the campers and guests and oh so much more and then God gently reminds me that He has it all under His control and that He has great plans for Kenbrook's future. We are to be obedient and He will guide and provide. It is my prayer that He continues to find us faithful and obedient to Him and His leading, trusting fully in His Word and promises.
And, we have so much to be thankful for! It has been wonderful to welcome back so many of our retreat guests and we are looking forward to seeing many more familiar faces and groups as we continue moving forward in 2022. We also are excited to be welcoming new groups to camp and are thankful for them choosing Kenbrook.
Planning for Summer Camp 2022 is well underway and we are so excited! This year's theme is Oceans Deep which is built upon Ephesians 3:16-18. We also have opened applications for all summer camp positions and encourage anyone interested in a summer position to apply at our Summer Staff page on the website. More information about Summer Camp can be found later in the newsletter.
I hope you find the newsletter and information below encouraging and helpful in keeping you "up to date" on all that is happening here at camp! I thank you for your continued support and interest in Kenbrook and as I've said before, I would love an opportunity to meet you, give you a tour of Kenbrook (especially if you've never been here before or it has been awhile) and hear your story and connection to Kenbrook. Please feel free to contact me at jmcfarland@kenbrook.org
Blessings,
Joe McFarland
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Planting the Seeds Campaign Update
There's Still Time to Join Us!
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In December 2021, we launched our Annual Campaign, "Planting the Seeds" with a goal of raising $419,000. The focus for this year's campaign is two-fold. First, due to the financial impacts caused by the pandemic, we needed to postpone some significant repairs to several areas of camp. Almost half of the needed funds will be used to make significant repairs to the pool so we can utilize it this coming summer, replace a dock at the lake, replace an aging and leaking roof on the office/residence and make some significant repairs to the gymnasium insulation and HVAC. Also due to the impacts of the pandemic as we continue to rebuild our retreat group base, the other half of the funds will be utilized to off-set lost program revenue.
We continue to be incredibly grateful to God for His provisions and sustenance through the pandemic. We are also thankful for the sacrificial giving of so many. We started our Planting the Seeds Campaign in December 2021 with a goal of $419,000. To date, we have received a little over $165,000 in donations and pledges which is almost 40% of the goal. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to this campaign which will help us in so many ways as we continue to rebuild from the pandemic and ensure the proper maintenance and care of all God has entrusted to us here at camp.
At this point, we have been able to begin work on two of the capital repair projects that were identified as critical needs for the campaign: repairs to the pool and replacement of the roof at the office/residence. Both have come in under budget which is a huge blessing. We also will be starting work on the dock repair/replacement soon as well and look for it to be completed before summer
If you have not yet considered giving to the campaign, please prayerfully consider supporting the ministry at Kenbrook! You can give online at Planting the Seeds Annual Campaign or by sending your gift to Kenbrook Bible Camp, 190 Pine Meadow Road, Lebanon, PA 17046. Thank you so much for partnering with us as we seek to live out our mission of facilitating a closer connection to God, self, others and nature for all who come to camp.
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Registration is now OPEN for the 2022 Summer Camp season. We are excited to return to a fully operational day and resident camp program! Plan now to join us this summer as we dive deep into the "Oceans Deep" love of Christ and how God wants us to share that love with others. As it says in Eph. 3:18, "May you have the power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." You won't want to miss being a part of an amazing, life-changing summer camp experience!
We also have summer staff opportunities available and are now accepting applications. We are looking for strong, Christian young men and women who have a passion for youth and sharing the Gospel. Are you looking for an opportunity to grow spiritually and personally? Might Kenbrook summer camp be your mission field this summer? Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Consider applying today! Staff opportunities include: counselors (day and resident), lifeguards, kitchen assistants, program assistants and more. |
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Hymn Sing and Luncheon
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Plan now to attend an "old fashioned" hymn sing here at Kenbrook! We are looking forward to joining voices in 4-part harmony and worshipping our Lord and Savior together! We will start with a delicious lunch at noon with the hymn sing starting at 1PM.
Registration is not required, but is requested so as to properly plan for lunch. For more information or to register, call 717-865-4547 or email info@kenbrook.org
This is a free event. A love offering to benefit Kenbrook Bible Camp will be taken.
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Spring Volunteer Work Day
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Looking for a great way to spend a day as a family, small group, men's or women's group, youth group or civic group while volunteering time and energy to helping prepare Kenbrook for summer? Well, look no further!
Plan now to attend our Spring Volunteer Day on Saturday, April 30 from 8AM-1PM. We will provide all the materials needed as well as a light breakfast and a hearty lunch! From mulching and raking to trail clearing and grounds preparation, the spring spruce-up tasks will be plentiful! We will have work for all ages and skill levels.
Please consider how you can be a part! Gather a group and make it a fun-filled day getting camp ready for the summer season. If you have questions, want more information or want to sign up, please contact us by calling 717-865-4547 or emailing Andrew Leslie our Facilities and Grounds Director at aleslie@kenbrook.org We are thankful for your help!
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Mother's Day Banquet:
Sunday, May 8, 2022
Looking for a way to honor and celebrate your mother this year? Plan now to bring her to Kenbrook for our annual Mother's Day Banquet. Come enjoy a delicious luncheon in the beauty of God's creation. After lunch, spend time with Mom taking in the nature and beauty at Kenbrook. This year's menu and pricing will be finalized and posted by Monday, February 21. Register now so you don't miss out! Seating is limited.
To register call: 717-865-4547
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Future dates to put on your calendar now!
Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Dad Camp (NEW Father/Child Weekend)
October 7-9, 2022
Fall Volunteer Work Day
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Family Camp Weekend
October 21-23, 2022
Hoopomani 5K
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Fall Family Fun Day
Saturday, October 22, 2022
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Need a Retreat and Time of Refreshing? |
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Are you in need of a time away to refresh, relax and get rejuvenated? Want to spend some quality time with family, friends, your church family or youth/young adult group in the beauty of God's Creation? Why not chose Kenbrook as the perfect place to plan that experience? Dates are still available for winter as well as spring 2022. Don't delay, check it out today! For more information, email:
Or, check it out at the website:
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Volunteers are an essential part of the Kenbrook Family! If you have a passion for service and are willing to give a few hours per week (or a month), we could certainly use your help! We are looking for committed volunteers to help on an on-going basis in the following areas:
- Housekeeping-to help clean and refresh rooms following guest group departures (various dates/times)
- Kitchen Help-assist the food service director with food preparation, dishes and clean-up for weekend rental groups (weekends)
- Grounds/Maintenance-routine grounds work as well as skilled project opportunities (weekdays and weekend opportunities available)
Thank you for considering how you might be a blessing to Kenbrook through volunteer opportunities! We now have an easy way to see and sign up for specific volunteer needs, descriptions, dates and times. Just go to our Sign-up Genius on our website. Or, you can reach out to us at 717-865-4547. Thank you so much for helping in this way!
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Want to Sponsor a Work Project? |
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Is your church, small group, young adult group or men's or ladies' group looking for a way to serve? Please consider sponsoring (with you time, talents and/or treasure) a work project at Kenbrook. Enjoy a day in God's beautiful creation while also giving to support the ministry of Kenbrook Bible Camp. Below are several needed maintenance projects that we would love to have a group of passionate volunteers to help us complete! If you are interested or want more information about these or any other projects both big and small, please contact Andrew Leslie, Facilities and Groudn Director at aleslie@kenbrook.org
- Replace ramps at Mountain View
- Replace roof on the landscape shed
- Replace roof on the arts and crafts building
- Build a new archery platform and range
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Looking for Other Ways to Support Kenbrook Bible Camp? |
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Prayer Support
Jesus said in Matthew 18:19 "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." Will you join us in prayer for Kenbrook Bible Camp and for all who come to camp that they may experience the love, grace and joy that can only be found in a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Will you pray for the staff and Board of Kenbrook that we might have the wisdom to make decisions for camp that will bring honor to God and allow Kenbrook to continue to be a place of rest, restoration, recreation and rejuvenation can continue for generations to come?
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Would you consider becoming Campfire Circle Member as a regular financial donor?
Have you heard about our Campfire Circle? Campfire Circle are our monthly financial supporters of Kenbrook Bible Camp. Through your monthly donation, you ensure a consistent source of funding that helps maintain and sustain the ministries of Kenbrook for generations to come! Will you consider supporting Kenbrook in this way as we strive to create an environment where campers and guests can grow in relationship with God, self, others and nature? For more information or to sign-up to be a Campfire Circle donor, click here.
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Did you know that Kenbrook Bible Camp is now in its 72nd year of providing camping ministry for children, youth and young adults? We are blessed to have the privilege of sharing the Gospel with hundreds and thousands of young people over those years and we hear story after story of how God used Kenbrook to impact the lives of those who have attended. As we prepare for our 75th anniversary, we would love to hear from you as alumni (recent or from long ago) of Kenbrook’s camps and/or retreats. We encourage you to send updates, pictures and stories from your experience at Kenbrook as well as reconnect with us about your current life, family and/or community.
This month’s alumni spotlight is on Melita Ramsey
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When Melita shared her memories, she noted that she had so many memories of Kenbrook that it was hard to choose!:-) So, she broke her stories into categories. She shared:
Staff: Some of the best times in my life were spent at camp, singing porch songs, leading cabin devos, discipling my C.I.Ts and taking part in late night snacking and prayer with my fellow staff. I still say that the time I have felt most truly alive and fully myself was during my time at Kenbrook. Camp has provided me with life-long friendships, which are still strong after 8 years! My time on staff confirmed my calling into youth ministry as well as giving me opportunities to grow in leadership and independence.
Retreat Guest/Group Leader: I love bringing my youth back to Kenbrook for our annual fall retreat. It is such a great place to get away from distractions so that we can focus on our relationships with God and each other. We make good use of the beautiful outdoor space for crazy games and usually a hike during free time. Having wonderful meals provided by the kitchen staff allows our leaders to spend maximum time enjoying the weekend and connecting with the teens.
Pastor on Personal Retreat: I so appreciate the generosity of Kenbrook to allow pastors to spend time at camp to care for their souls. Each time I have stayed for a pastoral retreat, I was warmly received, yet also given the space I needed for solitude and personal reflection. These weekends leave me refreshed and ready to return to the daily grind of life and ministry.
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