August 31, 2017

Our Mission Statement

Our Core Values

1. Bible-based
2. Community
3. Excellence
4. Christ-likeness
5. Diversity
6. Experiencing God in Nature

IT MUST BE A SIGN!

Eric was making contact with the families of those young people who had made decisions at summer camp to be baptized or to receive Bible Studies. One of the phone calls reached a dad who was driving down the highway. When it was mentioned that his child had made a decision to follow Jesus, the dad said that he himself had not attended his local Adventist church in twelve or thirteen years. As he and Eric continued visiting, the dad suddenly said, “Of all things…I am just now passing an Adventist Church. It must be a sign!”

DIRECTOR’S CLIPBOARD for ALL STAFF

FAMILIES TAKE REFUGE FROM HURRICANE

Hector Perez, Lone Star Camp Manager, reported that they have opened up their doors to receive those who have had to leave their homes because of Hurricane Harvey. Families began arriving on Monday. Please keep them in your prayers!

SUMMER CAMP EVANGELISM REPORT – SHARING THE RESULTS!

Now that many summer camps are over, this is a reminder to be sure to complete your Summer Camp Evangelism Report (summer camp attendance, those requesting baptism, and decisions made for Christ). Send your report to Tracy Wood on or before September 30th. Thanks for doing your part in making known the value of camp ministry throughout the North American Division!

2017 Summer Camp Evangelism Report Form
 

AGENDA ITEMS FOR YOUR AACP BOARD

Do you have an idea, concern, or dream that you’d like to share with the AACP Board? Be sure to let your Union’s AACP representative know, OR contact David Yeagley and share your thoughts with him at david.yeagley@wc.npuc.org. Our next board meeting will take place on September 12th.

AACP CONVENTION

As has already been announced, the AACP convention will be held at Pine Springs Ranch in the Southeastern California Conference. Check-in will begin sometime Wednesday afternoon, November 29 and conclude with Sunday breakfast on December 3, 2017. You might want to plan some vacation days before or after since there are plenty of attractions in Southern California. NOTE: The AACP Board will be meeting that same Wednesday morning at 9:00, so you might want to arrive Tuesday evening. More information will be coming out on that later. More information will be shared as it becomes available. Hope to see you there!

PINE SPRINGS RANCH VIDEO

Take a look at where the AACP convention will be held in just a few months! 

• https://vimeo.com/167972316
• http://www.pinespringsranch.org/meeting-areas
• http://www.pinespringsranch.org/lodging

FIRE THAT THREATENED CAMP WAWONA & SURROUNDING COMMUNITY

Below are a few pictures of the fire that burned to within a half mile of Camp Wawona and some of the homes in the community. Thanks to Matt Morgan, Wawona's Camp Ranger, for sharing these with us. The fire crews used the camp's location to look over the fire as it was the best place for them to assist the aerial-drops of retardant where the flare ups were occuring.
     

YOU’VE GOT MAIL!

One camp noticed that some campers never did get mail at line call with all of the other campers watching…sometimes an embarrassing situation to a young person. So, this camp decided to have a mail box for each cabin (the counselor painted their mailbox). When the mail came to camp, it was distributed to each mail box. A cabin could then swing by and pick up their mail without the entire camp watching. Plus, the camp director would often write a single note to the entire cabin thanking them for something special that they did.

EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE

While that is not often practical at camp (which is often the reverse), during Family Camp it was decided to have earlier campfire programs so that the youngest campers could enjoy the program and still get to bed at a decent hour. After the program, those who wished could stay by for a songfest and leave at their leisure.

WHAT’S YOUR GOAL FOR GUEST GROUPS?

Have you ever thought about some of your goals for your guest groups? One camp found three simple words to describe theirs: Refreshed, Rejuvenated, and Restored.

CREATING PARTNERSHIPS WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Camp leaders use all available resources to keep their camps running properly and ensuring all campers safety. One helpful resource we may overlook is the local community. Here are three reasons why you should create active partnerships within your community.

1. Provide immediate response – Law enforcement, fire, or medical personnel can provide more skilled responses to emergency situations. Invite these first responders to familiarize themselves with the camp property and your staff.
2. Use their expertise – In times of crisis, emergency personnel can provide legal or behavioral expertise that can mitigate additional risks from your camp. Work with your local social services office to assist with mental health concerns.
3. Create goodwill – Staff members may often interact with non-Christian campers or community members. Your camp has an opportunity to be a beacon of light by setting a standard of safety through community partnership.

You never know when a crisis may occur so get to know the people in your neighborhood today.

Frenita B. Fullwood, Manager, Communications & Resources, Adventist Risk Management, Inc.
ffullwood@adventistrisk.org | AdventistRisk.org.

BIBLE ACTIVITY – TALK WITH ME

This is similar to the familiar ‘Sword Drill’, but with a bit of a twist. It begins by everyone holding their Bible in their hand and raising it above their head. One person is chosen to stand and begin reading any chapter of Scripture desired, beginning with the first verse. Of course, everyone is listening and looking in their Bible to locate that passage. When it is found, they stand up and begin reading along with the first person, and so on, until a pre-determined number are reading it in unison…not from memory, but from Scripture. Then the first person who found the chapter begins the next round.

FEELING WELCOME

Someone once said that saying ‘everyone is welcome’ does not mean that everyone feels welcome. What do you do to make your guests ‘feel’ welcome? Here are some ideas:

1. Greet everyone with a smile throughout their stay,
2. Have adequate signage so that new-comers can find where to go when they arrive, where to park, where the restrooms are, the location of the cafeteria/dining hall, etc.,
3. Keep the registration process quick and easy…not standing in line for a long time,
4. Have an information board that has schedules, a menu, and things to do list,
5. Fix/resolve problems quickly, and
6. During the cooler months, make sure their rooms are warm when they enter for the first time.

GENEROSITY EXPRESSED DIFFERENTLY

In a recent Barna study (State of the Pastors), one of the emerging facts is that a younger generation is expressing generosity in a different way than we have seen in the past. They may not be giving more money, but they are giving more of their time volunteering than ever before. Do you have a need for volunteers at camp? Spread the word! You may be surprised at the results!

QUOTES FOR CONTEMPLATION

• Your mind, like a parachute, has to be open to work. — Unknown
• I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than to stand with the world and be judged by God. — Unknown
• The best way to escape from a problem is to SOLVE it. — Alan Saporta
• The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. — H Jackson Brown Jr.
• Just one person taking action can inspire others to do the same. — Leslie Aguilar

TRADING POST

This is a section dedicated to those camps either looking for equipment or wanting to donate or sell one or more items. Send your list of needs or items you’d like to get to another camp (donating or selling) to terry@leonimeadows.org.

Résumé – SEEKING JOB POSITIONS

DO YOU HAVE JOB OPENINGS?

If you have a job opening for year-round staff, let us know and we can post it here. Or if you are having trouble finding someone to fill a particular position in summer camp, that can be posted here too. Contact terry@leonimeadows.org to get it published.

ONE YEAR JOB OPPORTUNITY AT CAMP ALAMISCO

Camp Alamisco is looking for a full time Assistant Camp Ranger willing to work for one year at camp. Applicant must be physically fit in order to perform the manual labor associated with this job. This job could be ideal for a single individual. If you or someone you know could be interested in this position, please contact the Gulf States Conference Youth Director, Todd Casey at tcasey@gscsda.org.

CAMP WAIANAE – ASSISTANT CAMP MANAGER

The work environment is in an outdoor setting with all noise levels. Volunteer hours fluctuate depending on the day and needs. Perform tasks that may include but are not limited to: occasional weekend rotation camp supervision, clean cabins, bathhouse, and kitchen facilities, electrical work of all sorts, change batteries in such items as smoke detectors, put fuel in gas tanks, blow off the roads and sidewalks, haul trash to dumpster, help with pool maintenance, clean and organize the shop and shop area, replace window screens, set out wasp traps, make repairs to structures (wood working, sheetrock, concrete, windows, roofing, painting, plumbing, electrical, foundations, etc.). Housing and transportations is provided. $650 Living Allowance. For more information, please contact Dennis Anderson, Manager. Camp Waianae, Hawaii Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, danderson@hawaiisda.com,www.campwaianae.org, Office (808) 696-1717, Mobile (808) 282-2921

CAMP WINNEKEAG - ASSISTANT CAMP RANGER

Camp Winnekeag is looking for an Assistant Camp Ranger. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please pass this information along. The camp would be grateful if you would keep this search in your prayers. For more information, contact Jose Alarcon   SNEC Secretary/HR Director, Phone 978-365-4551 - E-mail: jalarcon@sneconline.org - Fax: 978-365-3838
 
Instructions: Send résumé to: Southern New England Conference of SDA, Attn. Job Request, P.O. Box 1169 South Lancaster, MA. 01430

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

AACP OFFICERS & UNION REPS

The dates for the AACP board meetings via conference calls are posted here once they are finalized. You will also be notified by email and/or phone call prior to the meeting, along with agendas when possible. Meetings begin at 2:00 Eastern Time, unless otherwise specified.

• September 12
• October 10
• November 14, if needed
• November 29 - 9:00 – 3:00 before AACP Convention at convention site
• December 3 - 9:00 to noon after AACP Convention at convention site

COOK’S NOOK

HAWAIIAN CARROT & PINEAPPLE SURPRISE CAKE 

INGREDIENTS
2 cups             Flour
1 ¾ cup           Sugar
2 tsp                Baking soda
1 tsp                Baking Powder
1 tsp                Salt
2 tsps              Cinnamon
1 tsp                Vanilla extract
1 cup               Vegetable oil
3                      Eggs
2 cups             Carrots, shredded
1 cup               Coconut, flaked
1 cup               Walnuts, chopped
1 can               Pineapple, crushed (8 oz can)

TOPPING
1 pckg             Cream cheese (8 ounce)
¼ cup              Butter
2 cups             Sugar, confectioner’s
 
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and flour 9X13 inch pan.
3. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
4. Add sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
5. Stir in carrots, coconut, walnuts and pineapple.
6. Pour into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
7. Allow to cool.
8. Top with frosting (cream the butter and cream cheese. Add confectioner’s sugar and beat until smooth).

PRAYER & PRAISES

If you know of a special need or praise that should be lifted up in prayer by your fellow encouragers, please send an email with that request to terry@leonimeadows.org. Be sure to mention if it is URGENT. Special E-messages can be sent out quickly rather than waiting for the next E-News edition to be sent out. We serve a God who listens AND answers.
 
Each month camps in specific unions are invited to share their special prayer requests and praises (although they can be shared at any time). Here is the list of the E-News Issues and which union is featured that month: 

• January - Mid-America
• February - Southern
• March - Pacific
• April - Southwestern
• May - Columbia
• June - Atlantic
• September - North Pacific
• October - SDA Church in Canada
• November - Lake

1. Families affected by Hurricane/Topical Storm Harvey. Pray for those to whom Lone Star Camp have opened up their doors.
2. Camp Akita…funding for a new auditorium
3. Erik VanDenburgh (Camp Waianae) – continued healing
4. Lone Star Camp…continued work on the building projects
5. Provide needed help (labor and funding) with various camp projects throughout the NAD
6. Sheryl Bolton (Leoni Meadows) for continued health improvement

Special Prayers & Praises from the North Pacific Union Camps

7. Following up on the Decisions for Christ
8. God’s continued blessings on the year-round camp ministry
9. Summer Staff returning to school…that they might continue the ministry they experienced at camp

INSPIRATION, ENCOURAGEMENT & COUNSEL 

THE STEP INTO DARKNESS

In visiting with one of the guests who had participated in the zip line experience, he mentioned what he had learned from a spiritual perspective. Instead of being during the daylight hours, the zip line was at night…no moon, no other lights illuminating his way. He shot across the open gulf of darkness trying to discern anything more besides the indistinct shadows of the trees as he passed by them. He was a bit panicked as he was one who liked to be in charge. Looking up he saw the stars seemingly unconcerned with his situation. Then he began to wonder what would happen when he reached the end of the zip line cable. Now he could sense that the cable was on upward slope and he gradually slowed down. Then he heard a voice out of the darkness saying calmly but directly, “Grab the rope when you see it”. Suddenly, the rope came into view and he latched onto it with a firm grip and found himself being pulled into the landing platform. He had made it!

He said that trusting God is sometimes like a zip line ride at night. Trusting Him we step out into the darkness. We can’t see where we are going, but we hang on to Him as we move forward. Sometimes we get scared with not being able to see what the future holds for us. But then, just when we need to hear it, He says, “Hold on to my promises. You are almost there”. And sure enough, we have a ‘safe landing’.  

AACP E-NEWS is the regular communication to all of our AACP members. This message is sent to you because you or your camp is a member of AACP. Its purpose is to provide news, announcements, reminders, and ideas on a regular basis. If you have any items you would like to include in E-NEWS, please email them to terry@leonimeadows.org and list the subject as ‘AACP’. Please include your name and camp name in the email and any contact information as appropriate. For email address corrections or additions, or to unsubscribe, please contact Norm Middag at bnmiddag@gmail.com. We do not hold any responsibility/liability for the excerpts/announcements/articles.