Trail Talk Newsletter
August 2022
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A Note from the Executive Director |
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Where has summer gone; in fact, where has this year gone? It is hard to believe it is August and our summer camp season is wrapping up! Not only is summer camp wrapping up, but I realize I have been blessed to be here as the Executive Director for a year already!
As I sit writing this issue of the Trail Talk, the words of the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness keep running through my head: "Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me." We saw God's great faithfulness in so many ways this summer (and in fact this entire year) and He continues to provide for us every step of the way.
He provided us the wonderful summer staff who poured into the children. He provided the resources and companies to fix our pool and make it operational. He protected our campers and staff throughout the summer. He spoke to children through our speakers and staff throughout the weeks and during the Jesus Walk. I could go on and on with so many other ways He showed His faithfulness and provision. We are so grateful and it was an amazing summer for sure!
Now as we wind down our summer and look to the fall, we are excited to see how God will continue to work in and through Kenbrook as we look toward our 73rd year of camping and retreat ministry! Kenbrook is buzzing with activity this Fall and there are several opportunities for you to come and enjoy what God has provided here.
One great opportunity is to bring your family to Family Camp and enjoy a weekend away strengthening relationships, relaxing, playing and worshipping in nature. More information and the link to register is later in the Trail Talk. There are many other events coming up which you can read about in the newsletter. And, as always, you can go to our website for more information.
I hope you find this newsletter informative, encouraging and engaging! I thank you for your continued support and interest in Kenbrook and know you are always welcome at camp. 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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This year's summer camp was our first "back to normal" camp since 2019 and it was amazing! We served almost 350 children during our five weeks of camp with over 50% of those campers being first time Kenbrook campers! To hear the laughter, energy and excitement echoing throughout camp was uplifting!
We also had the privilege of serving over 400 campers with Inspire Sports Camps as well as our friends at Milton Hershey School who again came for two weeks of day camp at the end of the summer.
Here are just a few quotes/comments from campers and parents about this summer:
“I had so much fun learning about Jesus and God and I made lots of new friends.”
Our camper had a great week and didn’t stop talking about camp the whole way home!
"This week I felt something I never felt and it helped me so much mentally and spiritually. I felt welcomed here."
We know many people like to plan early for next summer, so we are happy to share that our Summer 2023 camp dates are set so you can plan now when you want to come to camp. And, we are bringing back an Explorers' week which will be geared for younger and first time campers. This week will run from Sunday through Wednesday. This is something families have asked for and we are happy to provide this slightly shortened week to help our first time campers. Click here to see the weeks of camp next summer and be watching for registration to open in January 2023.
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44th Annual Golf Outing...REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
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Help support Kenbrook Bible Camp and provide camp scholarships to children so that every child has an opportunity to attend camp. Our goal is to ensure that finances never stand in the way of a child's chance to experience summer camp and our annual golf outing is the way to make that a reality. Last year's outing raised over $24,000 which enabled us to provide support for over 70% of our families which totaled $24,600 in assistance.
Not a golfer? No problem! There are three ways you can get involved:
- Sponsor: You or your organization can pick from multiple levels of sponsorship with varying levels of recognition based on sponsor level
- Contributor: Send a financial gift to help cover the cost of the event and send kids to camp.
- Volunteer: Help the day of the tournament with set up, on the greens or serving food.
When: Thursday, September 29, 2022
Where: Pine Meadow Golf Course, 319 Pine Meadow Road, Lebanon, PA
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DADCAMP Father/Son &
Father/Daughter Weekend
October 7 - 9, 2022
WHAT IS DADCAMP?
DADCAMP has been called by dads and kids, "The best weekend of the year!" DADCAMP is NOT just a campout. It is NOT just a weekend of activities with your child. It IS an experience that will equip, inspire, and challenge you to become the strongest father you can be! DADCAMP can assure you of this: it will be without question one of your favorite experiences of the year, you will create memories that will last a lifetime, and you will become a stronger father.
WHY DADCAMP?
Because EVERYTHING changes when a father is strong!
An EPIC Father/Child experience!
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FALL VOLUNTEER WORK DAY...WOULD YOU CONSIDER GIVING YOUR TIME?
WHEN: Saturday, October 15, 2022
WHAT: Help us to prepare our facilities and grounds for winter. Projects this year will include: installing curtains for changing areas in cabins, cutting back perennials, blowing leaves, cleaning gutters and much more. A light breakfast will be served at 8:00am and lunch will be served as work concludes at 12:00pm. Please call 717.865.4547 or e-mail info@kenbrook.org if you are interested in helping during this event!
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FAMILY CAMP 2022...REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
WHEN: Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23.
WHAT: Family Camp at Kenbrook is an intentional time to grow and connect as a family that does not happen in the normal home environment. Try new activities as a family in relay races, collaborative craft times, canoeing, and so much more. Attend two devotional sessions geared specifically for families, and see God through the nature around you. Enjoy good food and fellowship. For more information or to register, go to www.kenbrook.org/family-camp or email nnissley@kenbrook.org
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FALL FAMILY FUN DAY AND HOOPOMANI 5K WALK/RUN
Looking for something fun to do as a family while being outside in nature? Well, look no further! Plan now to come to Kenbrook Bible Camp for a day of free fun and games for you and your family. Enjoy a free hot dog lunch, go on a tractor ride, go hiking, canoeing, play on bounce houses, hold a baby kangaroo, make your own snowcone and much, much more! WJTL will also be broadcasting The Kids Cookie Break live from Kenbrook that day! Fall Family Fun Day will run from 10AM - 3PM.
And, if you enjoy an early morning walk/run through the woods, consider participating in this year's Hoopomani 5K Walk/Run. All proceeds benefit summer camp. Watch for more information on registering coming soon at 2022 Hoopomani
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Future dates to put on your calendar now
2nd Annual Hymn Sing and Luncheon
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Spring Volunteer Work Day
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Summer Camp Open House
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Mother's Day Banquet
Sunday, May 14, 2023
For a full listing of Fall 2022, Spring 2023 events and the 2023 Summer Camp Schedule, click below:
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SAVE THE DATE!
KENBROOK'S 75th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!!
Labor Day Weekend 2025
August 29-31, 2025
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NEW WEBSITE COMING THIS FALL!! |
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We are so excited to announce that we will have a new, mobile-friendly website in early September 2022. We have been working with Fresh Creative in Lebanon to design our new site and are grateful to them and our summer intern, Madelyn Hoke, for all the work they have done to update our platform and photos.
So, stay tuned and be watching for the announcement when it is launched. The web address will remain the same: www.kenbook.org
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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) or just want to volunteer for a day, we could certainly use your help! We are looking for committed volunteers to help 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 some skilled project opportunities (weekdays and weekend opportunities available)
- Office Help-assist with database updating, guest services paperwork
Thank you for considering how you might be a blessing to Kenbrook through volunteer opportunities! If you would like more information or would like to sign up to help, please email us at info@kenbrook.org or call us at 717-865-4547.
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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 choose Kenbrook as the perfect place to plan that experience? Dates are available for late Fall/Winter 2022 and Spring 2023. Don't delay, check it out today! For more information, email:
Or, check it out at the website:
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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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Planting the Seeds Campaign: There is still time to participate!
Would you consider helping us end the year strong?
In December, 2021, we launched our Planting the Seeds Campaign with a goal of $419,000. Half the funds are to complete some major infrastructure repairs and upgrades and the other half is to offset expenses as we continue to rebuild from the effects of the pandemic and to begin creating a contingency fund for those unexpected repairs. To date, we have received a little over $184,730 in donations and pledges which is 44% of the goal. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to this campaign which will help us in so many ways and have allowed us to complete almost all of the repairs we initially set out to complete.
Since our last Trail Talk we were able to complete the work on the pool and, even with additional challenges and costs, were able to get it operational for the summer! When we filled it, we quickly realized we had a major leak. Thankfully, we were able to create a temporary fix so we could operate the pool this summer, but we will have to do more extensive pipe repair work this fall in order to fully correct the issue for next pool season. Any support you can provide will help us to complete this critical project.
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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Would you consider becoming Campfire Circle Member as a regular financial donor?
Have you heard about our Campfire Circle? Campfire Circle friends 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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Kenbrook's mission is to be like Christ in all relationships in order to facilitate a closer connection to God, self, others and nature. The staff (both year-round and seasonal) are integral to helping fulfill that mission. We encourage you to pray for the staff and hope that by introducing you to us through this spotlight, that even if you don't get to camp often, you know who we are and can be praying for us as we serve our campers, guests and all who come to Kenbrook.
This issue's staff spotlight is on Kenny Lane
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Kenny has been serving at Kenbrook since May of 2019 and has been in full-time camping ministry since June of 2014. He serves as our Guest Services and Operations Director and is the man that you talk to when interested in booking a retreat. Kenny keeps all the details straight for our staff and for you from start to finish.
Kenny fell in love with camping through Boy Scouts starting in 1st grade and his love for the Lord grew every summer attending a camp similar to this one in Illinois. According to Kenny “Camping ministry is a way for me to do something that I love everyday while getting to see others grow in their faith journey.”
Kenny is married to his wife, Angela, who works in the medical field.
Kenbrook is blessed to have Kenny as part of the team and we are so thankful for all he does and for sharing his gifts with Kenbrook, our campers and our guests.
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