Trail Talk Newsletter
May 2022
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A Note from the Executive Director |
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Springtime at camp is a wonderful time of year! Seeing new life returning after a long winter reminds me of the rebirth we have through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The old has gone and the new has come! Hallelujah!
My words from the last Trail Talk still ring true: I am reminded daily to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I am to acknowledge him and he will make my path straight. (Prov. 3:5-6). There are still times where I find myself worrying about the future of camp, staffing needs, the finances, the facilities, the campers and guests and oh so much more and then God gently reminds me with these words: "Do you trust me?" While I answer, "yes, I do, Lord" my humanness still tries to take control of situations and get everything in "order." And, then He gently reminds me again, "I've got this. Do you trust me." And, I do know that He is in control and that He will make a way; even when I may not see a way.
We are excitedly preparing for summer camp and are happy to see registrations coming in daily! It is truly going to be a wonderful time this summer as we have the opportunity to be like Christ as we lead our campers in a closer connection with God, self, others and nature.
One area we would covet your prayers is for staffing. At this point, we are only about half-staffed. Please pray that God will send enough staff and the staff He wants for us this summer. Do you know of any young person looking for an amazing ministry opportunity this summer? If so, please have them contact us (717-865-4547) or go to the website to apply: Summer Staff Application Link
In addition to our summer and full-time staffing needs, we could certainly use the help of many volunteers throughout the year! Would you be interested in volunteering occasionally? We have needs in the following areas: housekeeping, maintenance/grounds, kitchen/dining and general office work. Would you consider how you might use your gifts and talents to bless our campers and guests through volunteering here at Kenbrook? For more information or to volunteer, contact us at info@kenbrook.org or call 717-865-4547.
Enjoy reading all that is going on and coming up at Kenbrook! It is my prayer that 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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Planting the Seeds Campaign Update
It's Not Too Late to Join Us in Planting Seeds for the Future of Camp!
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We serve an amazing God and He has continually shown His grace, protection and goodness to Kenbrook. Additionally, we have so many wonderful supporters and partners and we are extremely grateful for each of you. 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 $173,000 in donations and pledges which is almost 42% 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.
Since our last Trail Talk, the office/residence roof has been replaced and we were able to repair and replace the gazebo roof while keeping the costs under the original budget! The dock has been replaced (picture below) and the pool repair work is continuing with anticipated completion around the middle/end of May....just in time for the summer season (stay tuned for more pictures and updates on that as the work continues!).
In addition to the funds received for the campaign, I'm excited to share that thanks to a VERY generous grant of $50,000 from "Friends of Kenbrook Bible Camp" we will be able to replace the air conditioning units at the gymnasium which have not functioned for several years! This will not only provide greater comfort for the campers and guests who use the gym during the summer months, but will allow us to control the humidity levels which will help preserve the interior of the building and the equipment. Words will never be able to fully express our thanks and gratitude for the generosity of so many to help us be good stewards of the resources God has blessed us with here at camp.
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 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 (Eph. 3:18).
Summer Staff Still Needed!
We still have open summer staff positions for counselors, lifeguards, kitchen assistants and a summer maintenance assistant.
If you are looking for a great summer ministry opportunity or know someone who would be great for camp, please direct them to the online applications. We are looking for strong, Christian young men and women who have a passion for youth and sharing the Gospel. Help us fill all of our positions for summer 2022!
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44th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser |
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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. There are three ways you can get involved:
- Golfer: Sign up by yourself and be placed in a foursome, or make a foursome of your own.
- 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
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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Future dates to put on your calendar now!
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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SAVE THE DATE!
KENBROOK'S 75th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!!
Labor Day Weekend 2025
August 29-31, 2025
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On Sunday, April 24, Kenbrook hosted a hymn sing and luncheon which was a wonderful time of worship and fellowship! After enjoying a delicious buffet lunch, we joined together in song to worship our Lord and Savior (and sang for almost two hours!!).
A special thanks to Alice Lauver (pianist) and Charlie Starr (song leader) for sharing their musical gifts and leading us in worship.
Be watching for the date of our Second Annual Hymn Sing and Luncheon...coming Spring 2023!
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On Saturday, April 30, twenty-six volunteers gave of their time to bless Kenbrook and help prepare the camp for summer!
From mulching to trail clearing, putting canoes back out, splitting firewood, removing the old dock, staining ramps, cleaning windows, tree planting and much more, the amazing volunteers worked tirelessly to accomplish all that was set out to be completed on the work day!
We can't thank you all enough!
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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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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. With this issue of the Trail Talk, we launch a new section to highlight the incredible staff God has blessed us with here at Kenbrook. 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 Karen Barnhart
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Karen has faithfully served at Kenbrook since 1993 and she will celebrate her 29th work anniversary this July!
According to Karen, "I came to Kenbrook through a friend who introduced me to Darlene Wingert. I started working at Kenbrook when my daughter went to nursery school. My job as housekeeping director is preparing everything needed to clean the buildings, prepare the linen cart, cleaning carts, stocking rooms, stocking supplies and laundry. There are 50 private guest rooms with bathrooms, Koinonia and nine cabins as well as four sets of public restrooms, two bathhouses, six meeting rooms and two dining rooms which I clean!"
When asked what she likes most about Kenbrook, Karen noted, "The think I like most about Kenbrook is knowing that I am making it possible for people to come and hear God's Word and they don't have to worry about doing anything but relaxing and enjoying their time here."
Karen is married to her husband, Vic and they have three children and seven grandchildren.
Kenbrook is blessed to have Karen as part of the team and we are so thankful for all she does and for sharing her gifts with Kenbrook, our campers and our guests.
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