Currents
Ministry highlights of
Sugar Creek Bible Camp
June 2021 Volume 2, Issue VI
Summer Staff are arriving, the pool is being cleaned and prepped, and Summer Camp is nearly here!

Get all the latest news in this month's edition of Currents
Blessed to be a Blessing
Work Weekend was a tremendous success!
Many Hands Make Light Work

Willing volunteers turned out in full force for our Volunteer Work Weekend May 7 and 8.

Nearly 75 people of all ages came to help ready the camp for the 2021 Summer Camp season.

Families, friends, alumni staff, board members, clergy, ministry leaders, parents, campers, family campers, volunteer groups, and youth groups signed up for projects that suited their interests and skill sets.
Volunteers attacked their projects with gusto! We were amazed, and blessed, by all that was
accomplished in a single day!

"A picture is worth a thousand words" so enjoy this glimpse into the labor of love that took place May 8 at camp. And thank you, volunteers, for your time, effort, and willingness to help the ministry Sugar Creek Bible Camp!
ILC Viroqua youth
Douglass
Beth
Habitat volunteer
Volunteer Spotlight
This Dynamic Duo feels called to serve!
Meet Steve and Veronica Eicher. The Eichers are active members at Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church (NGMLC) in DeForest, WI and long-time volunteers at Sugar Creek.

The Eichers connection to Sugar Creek started decades ago when Veronica served as the Sunday School Supervisor at her church. She was looking for a Bible Camp that had onsite day camp options for younger children to experience their first time at camp. Her pastor at the time, Pastor Paul Markquart, introduced her to Dick Iverson, then Executive Director at Sugar Creek,

Dick explained all the Sugar Creek programs to Veronica and arranged for the first group of youth from NGMLC to come to an Explorers Day Camp. The youth loved their experience at Sugar Creek and so did Veronica! She was hooked! When her son Lucas was going into 4th grade he came for his first full week of camp, and returned every summer through 12th grade.
"Sugar Creek Bible Camp is a beautiful place for God's ministry! It is beautiful place to experience Nature at its finest. The staff and counselors are the best! This place makes a lasting impression on all people who come to Sugar Creek Bible Camp. You will learn about God's love here in a way that will forever be in your heart and soul."
~Veronica & Steve Eicher
During one of their trips to bring Lucas to camp, Steve came along and also met Dick. Steve and Dick talked about camp and some of the projects Dick hoped to accomplish to further the ministry. Being a handy man, Steve agreed to come over and help.
Thus began an annual volunteer trip for the Eichers a few days to a week each summer.

As a couple, Steve and Veronica have worked on clearing trails, building mangers for the horse barn, putting new insulation under the cabins, helping with fencing, and with cleanup after a significant flood at camp.
Starting in 2010, Steve and Veronica also got their Norway Grove Habitat for Humanity Team to volunteer each spring at camp before committing to their week of service at the Marquette, MI Habitat for Humanity.

The Eichers and their H4H team, have completed many crucial projects at Sugar Creek including:
  • New deck on Jesus Point.
  • New porches for Frontier Town
  • New porch for the Straw Bale Cabin on the Horse Overnight Bluff
  • Repaired and replaced benches at the Amphitheater.
  • Built the Gaga Ball Pit for campers to enjoy
  • New steps to the Log Cabin Village
  • Put up new horse fencing
  • Rebuilt the Resource Storage Closet
  • Cleaned up tree limbs on the Manna Center road to prepare for new gravel
  • Removed trusses and began clean up of the old shower house
Steve and Veronica feel called to serve others. They have volunteered since their teen years. Steve likes to put his handy man skills to work and Veronica likes to put her talents to work alongside Steve.

Their Habitat team believes they can reach others by using their hands. They appreciate the outdoor ministry that Sugar Creek offers and want to give back to God by volunteering. They believe, by using their talents and serving others, they are expressing their thanks and praise to God for all He has given.
Sugar Creek's Annual Raffle Fundraiser
3 GREAT PRIZES - one low price!
$5 per ticket or 5 tickets for $20
DRAWING DEC 6, 2021
Need not be present to win.
1ST PRIZE
"Americana"
Beautiful, hand-stitched and hand quilted
80 x 91" twin/full quilt

Tickets may be purchased weekdays, 8 to 4, in the Sugar Creek office, or during check-in times for events and summer camps.

Or, you may send your name, address,
phone number, and a check to:

Sugar Creek Bible Camp
13141 SCBC Rd Ferryville, WI 54628


2ND PRIZE
TWO NIGHT STAY
This gift certificate entitles you and your family up to a 2-night stay in one of Sugar Creek's beautiful log cabins!
Good thru Dec 31, 2022

3RD PRIZE
$100 SCBC CANTEEN
This gift certificate entitles you to a $100 shopping spree in Sugar Creek clothing and merchandise store!
Good thru Dec 31, 2022
IN THE WILD
Sugar Creek's Lake gets a much-needed restoration.
On Wednesday, May 12, a new type of "wildlife" was seen walking its way up the valley of Sugar Creek Bible Camp.

A long-arm excavator arrived to begin the much-needed process of reclaiming the lake at Sugar Creek.

Friends familiar with the lake know that it had become overgrown with unhealthy vegetation and filled with sediment.

Those who canoed the lake last summer were especially aware of the plant overgrowth as canoes left visible "trails" in the water behind them.
After the dredging is complete, the lake will be clear of sediment, non-native plants, debris, and it will be restored to its original depth.

Ponds and lakes age over time and are susceptible to overgrowth--especially of non-native species. If left untreated, overgrowth and sediment can build up to the point wherein a lake can no longer hold water.

Thankfully, our lake management strategy will allow the lake's clarity and overall health to return. Canoers and Christ hike participants will be able to enjoy the beauty of the lake once again.
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Summer Registration FAQs
Summer staff have begun to arrive and our first week of summer camp starts on June 13--we are so excited!

Although we always welcome your calls and emails, we thought we'd take a moment to answer some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about summer camp registration.

Can we still sign up our campers once summer camp begins?
Absolutely! We accept registrations throughout the summer as long as there are openings. We also maintain Waiting Lists.

Online registration - CLICK HERE!

About those Waiting Lists, is it worthwhile to add my camper to a waiting list?
Again, absolutely! Although a Waiting List isn't a guarantee your camper will get into a particular week or program, it is definitely a chance as other campers' schedules might change or life circumstances might prevent someone else from attending.

Also, waiting lists let us know where there is extra interest so we can assess our available staff and housing to see if we might be able to open additional spaces.

What is that June 1 deadline about?
We ask that all registered campers have their camp fees paid in full by June 1, 2021. Many, MANY congregations offer camperships to their youth so be sure to check with your church before you pay in full. If your church will be sending funds on your campers' behalf, leave that amount in your account and pay the difference.

June 1 is also the last day to cancel and receive a full refund. After that date, we simply retain the deposit if you cancel.

What if our schedule changes and we need to switch our campers' week?
No problem! Call or email our registrar, Kati, and she will help you make the switch. The ability to switch to a different session is based on availability.

When is check-in? What do we pack? How do we write to our camper? When is the closing program?
If you haven't already, please read through the 2021 CAMPER INFORMATION LETTER for all those details and more!
Grateful! Thankful! Blessed!
Memorials and Honorariums...
are one of many ways to support Sugar Creek. Thank you to all of you who remembered or honored friends and loved ones with a gift to this Bible Camp ministry.

Donors and Sustaining Givers...
Sugar Creek Bible Camp is blessed to have monthly supporters, known as Sustaining Givers, as well as regular Congregational Supporters (benevolence) and Individual Donors.

These gifts were received from April 21 to May 21, 2021.
Donations posted after May 21 will be recognized in our next newsletter.
In Honor of Given by

Bishop Jim Arends' retirement
given by English Lutheran Church-LaCrosse
Pastor Eric Bakken's Birthday
given by Barbara Knutson


In Memory of Given by

Curt Arentz Virginia Peterson
Dorothy Every Judith Johnson
Glenn Gardner Wayne & Karen Sherry
Becky Gray Rand & Cheryl Kuenzi
Marilyn Olson Terry Olson
Gloria Patterson Richard & Barbara Nord
Raymond Pearson Richard & Barbara Nord
Bonnie Spears Elaine Wrobel
Ed Waddell Aleta "Tootie" Ties
Don Wallace Verna Wallace
Pearl Wideman Aleta "Tootie" Ties


Congregational Donors

Barneveld Lutheran Church
Bethany Lutheran Church - New Lisbon
Castle Rock Lutheran Church - Fennimore
Coon Valley Lutheran Church
English Lutheran Church - La Crosse
Evangelical Lutheran Church - Mt. Horeb First Lutheran Church - Onalaska
French Creek Lutheran Church - Ettrick
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-La Crosse
Grace, Fountain, Trinity (3pt) - Elroy/Hustler
Grace Lutheran Church - Darlington
Grace Lutheran Church - Dodgeville
Holmen Lutheran Church
Lewis Valley Lutheran Church - Holmen Luther Memorial Church - Gays Mills
Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church
Mindoro Lutheran Church
Our Savior's Lutheran Church - La Crosse
Our Savior's Lutheran Church- West Salem
St. John's Lutheran Church - Boscobel
St. Peter ELC - Prairie du Chien
St. Stephen's Lutheran - Camp Douglass
West Koshkonong Lutheran Church


W-ELCA Donors

St. Peter W-ELCA - Prairie du Chien
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Sustaining (monthly) Givers

Peter & Joan Allen
Pastor Jim & Lynn Arends
Kevin & Betty Baird
Kjell Bakken
Jen & Jay Bjorklund
Elizabeth "Ellie" Davis
Michael Douglass II
Pastor Donald & Elizabeth Fox
Bryce & Katie Griffin
Meredith Hink
Shirley Hummel
Kyle Jaeger & Laura Mackey
Samantha Johnson
Daniel Kirschbaum & Jonathan Tippetts
Gregg & Pastor Lori Kleppe
Kyle Jaeger & Laura Mackey
Pastor Steve & Stacey Meyer
Kate Moody
Charles & Tiana Montgomery
Roxann Nedrelo
Alice Olson
John & Nancy Solberg
Pastor Jason & Carla Stanton
Lavonne Swiggum
Pastor Eric & Megan Thiele


Individual Donors

Roger & Lori Beckstrom
Roger & Sheila Champlin
Duane & Ruby Granger
Carl & Ardith Hansen
Pastor Joe & Brianna Iverson
Pastor Jim & Laurie Klosterboer
Tim & Dr. Ann Marty
Pastor Steve & Stacey Meyer
Duane & Laura Miller
Brent & Jessica Sherburne
Michael Wall

Gifts in Kind

Poultry Feeders, Waterers, & Lamp
given by Gene & Kati Allen
50 Collector Dolls and 33 Collector Plates
given by Connie Allers
Hand-Painted Outdoor Nativity Set
given by Joan Burns
5 Gallons of Wood stain
given by Pastor Jim & Karen Gerth
2 Osage Canoes + paddles & Canoe Rack
given by Pastor Joel & Gretchen Oines
2 Wenonah Canoes + paddles, Duluth Packs, and Camping Gear
given by Mike Schnitzius
4 new Screen Doors for Seeker Cabins
given by Gary & LuAnn Stanton
Did you miss last month's edition?
Click the link below to check out the May edition of Currents.


Or visit the CAMP NEWS page on our website to view any of our previous editions of Currents.