Back in the Day - D32

Photo: Shepherds Camp back in late 60's just a few years after the program began.  On the left hand side is the old dining hall.  The bathhouse in the middle of the picture has changed a lot... especially this past year.  Notice, the camper cabins in the background used to face the lake.

A Dramatic Partnership - D33

I love how camp is a great catalyst for ministry partnerships.  Our camp programs and the James Project have triangulated some great opportunities to serve with a variety of churches, families and other parachurch organizations.  Just a few weekends ago we served a local church here at camp as our guest group with another local church in to serve them as our James Project group.  Three different ministries under one roof with one mission.

Photo: We have been blessed to partner with the Drama Ministry over the past six years.  They have done an amazing job serving with us and alongside other groups - presenting the gospel, serving as counselors and as a James Project group.

Families Welcome - D34

The James Project has become a great missions opportunity for a host of different groups.  I always get excited for our James Project Family Groups.  Moms, dads, brothers, sisters and their friends serving together... as a family!  Here is a note from a family from one of our new James Project Family Groups.

"Wow!  What can we say?  What a week that we have experienced at Arrowhead!  There are about a thousand adjectives we could use for the week... but overall, just an amazing feeling of wanting to be there indefinitely!  What a ministry!  Thank you so much for coming alongside "newbies" like us.  Thank you for the campfire & s'mores, blankets and great fellowship.  Wow - we have some great memories!  Thank you so much for your ministry."

                                                                                                                                          - The Q Family

Not Just for the Italians - D35

Bocce Ball has become a big part of our program activities here at Arrowhead.  It all started with a conversation with a local Bocce Ball coach whose daughter attended Shepherds Camp.  Bocce Ball continues to be a thriving Special Olympics sport and the Southern Tier now has over 100 local athletes.

A few years ago we upgraded our boarded courts with a brand new Bocce Ball "Arena".  This new activity area has a level playing field, packed surface, 6x6 boards and wheel chair accessibility.  On top of all that we were blessed last year with the addition of stadium bleachers, funded by the George A. and Margaret Mee Charitable Foundation. 

We greatly enjoy partnering with a multitude of local Special Olympics Bocce Ball teams for tournaments and scrimmages. Bocce Ball continues to be a growing and exciting part of Shepherds Camp.

Arrowheadlines - D36

Photo: Check out the header from a past Arrowhead newsletter.

Titles, logos, designs and media sources have changed... but the excitement of telling folks what God is doing at Arrowhead is still just as exhilarating.   Here's a sneak peek of our 2012 year end letter.

Check out our 2012 Year End Letter - www.arrowheadbiblecamp.org

Ahhh, Isn't He Cute - D37

This little guy came to Arrowhead with a work group from Reading, Pennsylvania.  We served together for a weekend - cleaning cabins, landscaping, pulling weeds, picking up sticks, pulling up sod, reconditioning the ball field and creating a 1,800 square foot wheel chair accessible garden.  In just a few days they had clocked a combined total of 200 hours!  That is the equivalent of a five full time weeks!  Or, over a month's worth of work in just a few short days.

Camp certainly does not run because a few full time employees show up to work everyday.  The success, growth and forward progress of Arrowhead is a direct result of what God is doing through hundreds of people who come to camp each year for a serve day, as a work group and through the James Project.

In 2012, work groups and James Project groups served for more than 9,000 hours!

That's equal to:
225 weeks! or
56 months! or
4.7 years!

That Camp in Pennsylvania - D38

Earlier this year we reconnected with a Shepherds camper who attended camp a few years ago.  Despite our efforts, we had been unable to find him after he moved into a new group home.  His new group home brought him two new housemates and a new camp experience.  

Even with the new surroundings, careproviders, roommates and summer camp he continued to talk about his time at another camp… in Pennsylvania.  He couldn’t remember the name of the camp but was relentless in expressing his desire to return there.

His careprovider asked her daughter to search the internet for “special needs camps in PA”.  Their search quickly brought them to our website and we received a call inquiring if the newest member to their house had been to Shepherds Camp.  They were as happy as we were to recognize his name and confirm that he was one of our past campers.  The careprovider informed us that he had been talking non-stop about this camp in PA and that is where he wanted to go.  His persistence also enlisted the excitement of his housemates who now want to attend Shepherds Camp as well.

What a blessing to be such a significant part of the lives of our campers… who talk about Shepherds Camp as “their camp”, a camp they love and miss during the winter months or times when they move away.  We are grateful for the opportunity to impact the lives of adults with developmental disabilities, caring for them and sharing the good news of Jesus with them.  What a blessing!

Books for Sale - D39

In 1951, an onsite bookstore began here at Arrowhead.  The bookstore has been a huge part of our history for over 60 years.  Arrowhead Parable Christian Store is now located in a beautiful 14,000 square foot facility in Johnson City, NY.

Arrowhead Parable Christian Store

"Resourcing Life"

Thankscrafting - D40

Happy Thanksgiving!  We hope your day is full of family, friends, turkey and whatever "traditional dish" your family loves (and other families call weird).  As you head out early for a 5k turkey trot, sleep in til noon, play football in the back yard, watch the parade, share a feast together or take in a few football games... GIVE THANKS.

Here is a crafty Thanksgiving project that we used at our Shepherds Fall Retreat this year.  It is a great idea for kids... but if your family is anything like mine, it will lead to a epic challenge with everyone involved. 

Sponge paint fall colors on the tree to make leaves.  Then write down all the things you are thankful for.  You can write on the leaves, the tree trunk or in outline format justified on the left side of the page if you have a healthy touch of OCD like me.

On Mission - D41

Our mission at Arrowhead is to: Impact Lives and Make Disciples.

We are passionate about Impacting Lives with the Truth of God's Word and Making Disciples like Jesus!  We have the privilege of making disciples as we INVITE our Staff and James Project teams to live the CAMP LIFE with us.

Lake Arrowhead Bible Conference - D42

Arrowhead Bible Camp was known as Lake Arrowhead Bible Conference.  The main building sure has changed over the years.

One More Summer - D43

"Arrowhead was such an important part of my life. I still hold dear many of the friends that I met there and went on to get an SW degree to work with developmentally disabled adults because of my love of the work I did out at Arrowhead. Wish I could return and have just one more summer."

                                                                                                                               - Arrowhead Alumnus

Blob Tag! - D44

Another classic camp photo: Noodle Blog Tag!

Without Boundaries - D45

Shepherds Camp has been a home away from home for our campers.  Unlike traditional camp programs that serve individuals during their high school and college years, our campers have the opportunity to attend Shepherds Camp into adulthood.  Many of our campers have been coming to Arrowhead for over 30 years.  Pictured below is our camp staff gathered around D., who is 92 years old.

The Dog House - D46

What was it?  Where was it located?  What was it used for?

Give us your best guess... or tell us, if you know.

Make an Impact... Online - D47

You can Invest Online!  Make an investment by credit card or set up a bank account withdrawal.  We would be thrilled to have you consider a year-end investment to Arrowhead and the Shepherds Camp program.

Lake Arrowhead - D48

This is one of my favorite photos from the past ten years.

My Happy Place - D49

"My summers at Arrowhead still top the best times of my life! The memories and lessons I had learned there will stay with me forever. It really had an incredible impact on my life and shaped me to the person I am today. My happy place in my mind...is still Arrowhead. And I'm thankful that God blessed me with those opportunities and experiences."                                        - Arrowhead Alumnus

50 Days to Celebrate: D50

We are on the road to 51.  We have 50 days left in 2012 to continue celebrating Shepherds Camp's 50th Anniversary.  We are excited to share a host of stories and pictures from the past five decades as well as updates on what's new for 2013.  

Check in each day to stay connected and continue celebrating the past 50 years of Shepherds Camp. 


Photo: This photo was taken a few years ago to celebrate another milestone.  The staff are gathered around a camper who has attended Shepherds Camp for 45 years!

 

Moving In

Well... not really "moving in".  But, the exterior of the trailer is done and we have moved inside to work on the new bedroom and original bathroom.  This continues to be a great project.  It certainly does enhance the building, but we are most excited about how it honors our staff.