Who do you Know?

What a great visit.  A trio of friends who served at Arrowhead alongside their parents back in the 50's and 60's recently stopped by to visit.

They were full of stories and historical information that connected many of the puzzle pieces from the early days of Arrowhead to the present.  I won't tell you any of the pranks and practical joke stories.  I don't want to give my current staff any ideas.  It was fun to see what names, labels and ideas have spanned the decades and are part of the heart and soul of the camp to this day.  My favorite part of the visit was sitting down to look at photos from their time at camp, watching them point, chuckle and rattle off dozens of names (even the names of the horses) like they were teenagers again.

What a blessing to be apart of a legacy that makes alumni want to visit.  Camp sure has changed over the years.  But as we stood out at the camp sign and agreed, the mission is the same.

Remember When? Nurse Berry does!

We have a habit around here... of measuring the impact of our camp staff in DECADES!  What a blessing to have Nurse Berry visit us this week.  She served as our camp nurse for more the 20 years!  We walked all over camp looking at how things have changed since her last summer as our head nurse.  It was fun to hear her talk about the not-new-stuff and say, "I remember when that was new.  I was here when they did that."

Reconnect with a purpose

This goes out to all you fantastic Arrowhead Bible Camp alumni... it's time to reconnect!

You have served at Arrowhead before, and we want you to keep in the loop about what God does here on a daily basis. It's simple! Just stop by our website and fill out our alumni form, under the Alumni page, to let us know how you've been doing, and to receive weekly updates about what's up at camp. Find us on Facebook, and feel free to share us on your social media pages. Encourage other alumni to reconnect and fill out the form as well!

 The Arrowhead legacy that you helped build is still growing strong. Reconnect with Arrowhead, and spread the word. We look forward to hearing from you!

TBT - You're Never Too Old

You're never too old or too dressed up to go on a hayride.

Hayrides are just one of the many camp activities we have at camp.  Over the past 14 summers I have driven over 350 hayrides.  On our little 2 mile country loop that's 700 miles.  At 3 mph it adds up to 233 hours of hayrides.  That's like spending just under 10 days creeping along in a traffic jam.  It's a good thing hayrides are fun.

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

Wedding Bells...

"So... it's the last winter retreat for the season at Arrowhead.  Wanna get married?"

Actually, that's my paraphrase.  It was much more heartfelt and sincere.  This past weekend we had the privilege of watching one of our staffers get engaged.  The D's were here as a family to serve as our James Project group (they were full time staff back in the 90's and early 00's).  Brielle's boyfriend had made the necessary preparations and with her family (and us camp folks) in attendance, he got down on one knee and popped the question.

I'm not sure he even got through asking when she tackled him with a huge hug.  Everyone cheered and more teary-eyed hugs were exchanged. 

What a way to wrap up our winter retreat season!

Alumni Weekend

Our winter retreat season has come to a close.  But before spring hit northeast PA our guest group had a great time at camp with enough cold to keep snow on the ground.  Our James Project group for the weekend was a family that served here at Arrowhead (and Rock Mountain) full time for a number of years.  It was a blessing to reunite and partner with them to serve for the weekend. 

Also, they win the "James Project Group Who Traveled The Furthest" award clocking in 9+ hours of driving, over 500 miles... one way!

Top 50 List - D1

It's the last day of the 50th Anniversary of Shepherds Camp and our 50 days of celebration!  To sum it all up, here is a Top 50 List of new and exciting updates, additions, upgrades and enhancements from the past decade.

50. Shepherds Camp expanded from 4 weeks to 8 weeks
49. The beginning of our Day Camp program
48. Portable regulation size Gau-Gau court
47. Carpet ball
46. Renovated Craftroom
45. New hot water & heating system
44. The party grill - making picnics even better
43. An 1800 sq. ft. wheel chair accessible garden
42. Nine hole mini golf course
41. Two Shepherds Camp 1:1 sessions
40. New Radio Communications System
39. A camp mini van
38. The James Project
37. A brand new Steiner tractor
36. Jump Tower at the lake
35. Night watch gazebo - from the S.T. Homebuilders & Remodelers Assoc.
34. Interior Renovations to 8 staff cabins
33. New roof on the main building
32. New dock at the lake
31. Special Olympics Bocce Ball tournaments
30. A new maintenance golf cart
29. Carpeting in the bays
28. New paddle boats at the lake (soon to be replaced)
27. Resurfaced basketball court and cabin walkways
26. New Gazebo for small groups
25. Olympic size wheel chair accessible bocce ball courts
24. New roofs on 19 summer buildings
23. Two sets of brand new grand stands
22. New camp signs
21. The addition of a second full time staff member
20. A super-sized industrial laundry room - ready for anything
19. Upgraded pavilion seating and conversation spaces
18. Camper & staff bathhouse renovations
17. College courses offered here at Arrowhead
16. Professional broomball equipment for the winter ice rink
15. Renovated apartment and program offices
14. Renovated staff room
13. New coffee machine - everyone calls the "magic box"
12. Home Run Fence - arrayed with investor banners
11. Renovations to the mobile home trailer
10. New maintenance building roof and exterior paint
  9. Resurfaced hardwood floors in the main building
  8. Renovations to two private guest rooms
  7. Adirondack shelter at the lake
  6. New camp logo - unveiled at the beginning of 2012
  5. New plow truck - that still runs
  4. Creation of an accessible archery range
  3. Relocated, renovated and expanded nurse's station
  2. Brand new EZ-GO Shuttle
  1. Tomorrow Arrowhead Bible Camp turns 68 years old!

Thank You! - D2

I can not begin to express how thankful we are for all of our investors and volunteers.  They have given generously of their money, time, energy and talents.  They continue to have an enormous impact on the lives of students, families, campers, staff, friends, neighbors, churches and the community.

Allow me to borrow a Thank You card that I received this summer from some of our seasonal staff...

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!   

Thank you infinity-mucho-merci-beaucoup-a-loop-a-nus!"

Resolving to be Resolute - D3

What's your New Year's resolution?  Do you want to be more crafty in 2013... maybe try out some of those Pinterest ideas or get yourself on Etsy?  How about training for a canoe race?  Of course, there is always the thought of eating healthier.  Perhaps it is time to start dressing more stylish... start with that hat you have always wanted.  Spending more time with family would be a great New Year's resolution.  How about being more adventurous?  You could try one of those guided tours.  I say, spend more time with your friends.

It's here! - D4

Well... no more wishing, hoping, praying, calling the wbng hotline or writing letters to Santa.  Winter is now officially winter.  We've got a good 8" of snow on the ground here at camp!

Now, let's see if it sticks around.

Lows in the teens and even single digits is also a great way to stay on track for ice rink building at the beginning of next week!

Home for the Holidays - D5

We have had a great time traveling for Christmas.  Today, we leave Hanover, PA (my hometown) for our home in Brackney - blessed by our time away and excited to get back to camp and ring in the new year.

A White Christmas - D6

Celebrating our 50th with a white Christmas!  We trust you had a great day celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus.

Merry Christmas - D7

Merry Christmas!  May Jesus be first today and every day.

They're Great! - D8

I got to hang out with a bunch of our campers at a recent Christmas Party for the Southern Tier Special Olympics.  Our conversations ranged from what they hope to get for Christmas, travel plans and how many weeks of camp they will be coming for this summer.  The best part of the evening though - sharing some holiday treats, listening to the band and watching a slide show of all the athletes who are participated in the Special Olympics this past year.  Great job this year, especially at the State Games!

Merry Christmas to all our campers and Special Olympics athletes!

Tis the Season - D9

Our winter retreat season is just around the corner.  We are hoping lots of snow will accompany our roaring fireplace, delicious food, wild dodgeball games, worship bands and crazy camp activities.

Alongside some new guest groups we have the privilege of serving a handful of student ministries that have been coming to Arrowhead upwards of 20 years or more.

An Interview - D10

"Hi, I'm an old camp brat.  My parents used to work at Arrowhead..." was the opening line of an email I received a few years ago.

Since 1945 there have been a lot of kids who have "grown up" at camp.  I am not one of them, so I often wonder how my daughter Natalie views camp.  What does she think about spending her formative years living where we work, play, hangout, serve, etc.  Over breakfast, I conducted the following interview.

Q: What is your favorite part of camp?
A: Campers (she said definitively... and then added "and staff and swimming in the lake").

Q: What is your favorite camp meal?
A: Chicken Fingers!  (she said with a smile.  That's no surprise, everyone loves our chicken tenders).

Q: What is your favorite camp activity?
A: Jumping off the tower at the lake... in the summer time.

Q: What is camp's mission?
A: To tell people about God.

Q: What would you add to camp?
A: A playground slide.  That would be fun.  And a bigger nurse's station.  And a bunk bed for my room.

Q: If you could work on staff, what would be your dream camp job?
A: I would work in the dishroom!  Or I would help you with whatever you are doing (yeah, her second answer was definitely trying to score extra Christmas bonus points).

Q: What do you think about growing up at camp?
A: Like, Wow!  Why do I live here and not somewhere else in the country, just in a house.  We have all this equipment and stuff here.

Growing up at camp certainly is a unique experience.  I love the blurring of the lines between family, work, home, play and ministry.  I think Natalie does too.  I hope that as an adult, Natalie will look back on her time growing up here at Arrowhead and say with a smile, "I was an old camp brat."

Join Me - D11

Here is a note I received from one of our investors.  It would be our privilege to have you join him by investing in our Pontoon Paddle Boat Project.


"I was glad to receive your letter inviting me to invest in the new Pontoon Paddle Boat Project!  It is such a worthwhile endeavor!  I cannot think of a better way to help your campers experience the water!  The new pontoon boats will prove to be accessible, safe and enjoyable.  They will provide an opportunity for every camper to “go boating” regardless of age or mobility! Unless I miss my guess, the waterfront at Arrowhead will be a busy place this summer!  Thanks for putting the campers first.  I’m secretly hoping that the project will be fully funded by early spring! Keep up the good work!"
                                                                                                                                 - Arrowhead Investor

2012 and our celebration of Shepherds Camp's 50th anniversary are coming to a close.  As we are look forward to 2013 we are also looking for 50 new investors to make an impact by investing in our new pontoon paddle boat project. 

You can send your investment by mail or invest online at www.arrowheadbiblecamp.org

Find out more about our Pontoon Paddle Boat Project

You're Worth it - D12

Just five days left until Christmas.  If you are not busy yet... your to do list is probably about to explode or you have gotten everything done early and it is going to take the next five days to recover in time for Christmas morning.  This time of year certainly does ramp things up, from parties and decorations to Christmas movie marathons and wrapping presents.  There are also Christmas plays, church cantatas, your family newsletter and Christmas caroling (if people still do that).  And of course, there is the heart of Christmas... the birth of Jesus.  In the midst of all our festivities is the Christmas Story of Emmanuel, God with us.

In our unwavering busyness we can lose sight of the story that stretches from Christmas Day all the way to Easter.  It is a story about value and worth.  It is a story engulfed by love.

Each year hundreds of people come to Arrowhead.  Guest groups, churches, families, staff members, volunteers, James Projects groups, neighbors and friends call Arrowhead "their camp" for a time.  They differ in age, education, mobility, ability, gender, marital status and a host of other visible and invisible ways.  But, no matter what the difference, the message of the Christmas Story remains the same.

The message is this: You are valuable to God.  Why?  Because He loves you.  For that reason, He sent Jesus, His only Son.  Of course, the story does not end with Christmas.  It ends with Easter.  Because God loves you, you are worth dying for.  Now matter how obvious or subtle the differences God determines value and worth... and He says that everyone is worth dying for.  And that, is cause for celebrating!

Merry Christmas and Happy Easter!

Creating Space - D13

What's your favorite space?  Maybe it is a rocking chair by the back window or a breakfast nook where you enjoy a cup of coffee.  Maybe it is a spare room in your house that is an "electronic device free" zone.  It could be a garden bench in your back yard or at a nearby park.  It could also be a hiking trail or a spot alongside a local pond or lake.

Creating space is a great part of our daily or weekly routine.  Having a place to go that invites us to rest and relax is a healthy rhythm in the midst of the busyness of family, work, hobbies, commitments, etc.  However, creating space is not just about finding a place to go, but creating a space where you can be present in God's presence.  More precisely, it is an opportunity for us become intentionally aware of God's presence because we are not occupied or preoccupied with anything but Him.

Around camp we have many of these intentional spaces that invite our campers, staff, volunteers and guests to rest, relax and worship God.  From lean-tos and gazebos to giant logs and garden benches, we love serving others by providing these spaces.

We also have a more intense intentional space we like to call The Cabin.  Some have called it the Hermitage or the Fortress of Solitude because of its size and location.  It is a great space that we enjoy extending to friends, pastors and staff who like the outdoors and need a little help creating some healthy space as part of their rhythm of worshiping God.

What's your favorite space?  Where do you go?  Is it part of a routine or rhythm to intentionally be with God?