Shepherds Fall (Summer) Retreat 2017

It felt like summer this past weekend for our Shepherds Fall Retreat.  We had a great time reconnecting with campers, staff and volunteers from the summer. 

Impact Story: Lakeside Fire Ring

The new fire ring at the lake looks amazing!  With comfortable & adjustable bench seating for 150 and firewood tucked away in the firewood shack, the new fire ring creates the perfect lakeside atmosphere for our campers, guest groups, James Project teams and volunteers.

A huge thank you to Refuge Church for bringing funding and skilled labor to create the new fire ring.  They took the blank structure of this monstrous fire ring, made the interior fire ready and covered the exterior with stone that matches our Picnic Pavilion.

We have been greatly blessed with James Project groups like Refuge Church that come to Arrowhead in full force - to serve in the kitchen, tackle projects around camp, immerse themselves in the program, complete a host of projects for our neighbors around the lake and take on specialized projects like our new fire ring.

Here's the old fire ring.

A special thanks to Chad, Marty, Tony (and Jeff)

A New Look at the PRP

Our Picnic & Recreation Pavilion looks great with a layer of fresh snow on the ground.  We aren't doing picnics... but our guest groups and James Project teams have enjoyed s'mores around the fireplace.

James Project turns 9

Our winter retreat season is in full swing! With it comes the opportunity to partner together and serve each weekend with a James Project group.  It has been a blessing as the James Project turns 9 this year!

James Project Sighting

Looks like a James Project shirt made its way to the Grand Canyon!

Everybody Loves Tony

We're heading into week four of the summer.  Campers, staff, visitors, volunteers, alumni and James Project mission teams; it's great to have a full house.

Our James Project groups have been a huge blessing.  They love camp.  They love serving.  They love Tony.  Of course, everybody loves Tony.  (In fact, that's one of the reasons why we love Tony)

What's Going on Back There?!?

It feels like camp has been a top secret location with restricted access this spring.  We have been very busy with a long list of new purchases, construction projects, renovations and enhancements all over camp.  We have had our "nose to the grindstone" for months.  All of a sudden it is time to put down the tools, dust ourselves off and put on our nice clean staff shirts... campers arrive on Monday!

Stay tuned for a huge list and some great photos from camp.

James Project 2016

Our winter retreat season is well underway and we have had some great James Project groups serving with us.  Check it the crew from Summit University in this year's new James Project t-shirt.

Top Chef Award!

Our winter retreat season is underway.  We are excited for 3 months of partnering with dozens of ministries - hosting our guest groups and serving with our James Project missions teams.

You can tell it's going to be a dynamite season... our Head Cook Tony received this "Top Chef" (aka Thumbs Up) Award from our first guest group.  Congratulations Tony!

What's On Your Door?

At camp one of our kitchen doors is the prominent place for all inside jokes, funny photos, staff quotes, thank you cards and randomness. 

Here's a recent (updated) Photoshop creation.  On a serious note - check out our BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.

26 to 45

The temperature this morning was 26 degrees.  Later today it is posted to reach 45.  What a difference!  With the recent time change and the break in the weather... our winter retreat season really is coming to a close. 

We have had a great winter with guest groups, James Project groups, volunteers, staff and friends coming through the doors here at Arrowhead.  It has been a privilege to partner together with each group and each person.  We are excited to begin shifting gears to work groups, projects and college courses onsite as we prepare for another tremendous summer.

A big THANK YOU! to everyone who made this winter a huge success.

On Mission at Arrowhead

Each weekend a new crew of students, young adults or families serves with us as a James Project group - our missions opportunity here at Arrowhead.  We have had a great season thus far, partnering with a hand full of great mission teams.

www.abcjamesproject.org

The Sleepy 5k for Arrowhead

Investments and pledges have already started coming in for the Sleepy 5k.  Join us in raising funds and running (or napping) for 165 brand new mattresses for the dormitories here at camp.  Check the blog and Facebook for updates on our progress - the Beard Chart will let you know how we're doing.

www.sleepy5k.org

Dear Blog... "I'm Sorry"

Day ?

I have no idea what day it is.  It seems like it was just yesterday when I posted the photo of our 2014 summer staff on the first day of camp.  I guarantee our poor neglected blog had much to say this summer.  Here's a recap to get you up to speed and me back on track.

Pedal Carts were a huge hit.

 

 

Each camper received their own Arrowhead Pedal Cart License at the end of the week!

 

Day Camp was a blast.  Check out this throwback photo (inspired by a 1966 Arrowhead Awana photo)

Our new Swing Set was the place to be this summer.

New dock sections made Paddle Boating more accessible.

Over a hundred students and leaders came to serve through the James Project!

Here's some of our staff with "D" our favorite 94 year old camper!

Camper Counselor Kickball has got to be the all time favorite evening group game.

One of our James Project groups made over 100 giant paper hats.  What a great gift and a huge expression of love & care.

50's Night - Our 2015 Weekly Picnic Theme

Some friends stopped by with their Bel Air's!  Talk about a photo op!