February 7, 2018

Our Mission Statement

"To equip and support camp ministry professionals as they advance the kingdom of God"

Our Core Values

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

WE ARE OPEN

The storm was over and the waters were receding. Clean-up was progressing. Finally at last camp was once again ready for guests. “Now we are open for business” one staff member said. The director replied, “No, we are open for ministry”.

EQUESTRIAN MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS

These are the Equestrian Management Workshop dates that have been confirmed so far for 2018. If you are interested in having any of your summer camp staff attend, please touch base with the contact person shown:

• May 20-25 Camp Akita, contact: Roger Henderson 978-815-3377,  rhenderson@campakita.com  
• May 27-June 1 Camp Au Sable, contact: Ken Micheff 517-316-1500, kmicheff@misda.org
• June 3-8 Camp Cherokee, contact: Dan Whitlow, 315-469-6921, dan@nyconf.org 
• June 10-15 Camp MiVoden, contact: Jessica Garrett (208) 772-3484 
• June 17-22 Camp Frenda - not confirmed. 
• June 24-29 Camp Pugwash, contact: Kay Graca  kgraca@hotmail.com 
• July 15-20 Camp Pugwash specialty camp, contact: Kay Graca  kgraca@hotmail.com 
• Esther Lorenson, RN Certified Lifestyle Specialist; Founder & Director; Equestrian Management Workshops, LLC www.eqmw.com; Creation’s Pharmacy, LLC  eqmw@yahoo.com

BOARD MEETING ON FEBRUARY 13TH

Just a reminder to all board members…the conference call will begin at 2:00 eastern time. You will be receiving the dial-in information a day or more ahead of time along with an agenda from Norm Middag. ‘See’ you then!

 
 

MEMBERSHIP DUES PAYABLE ONLINE

These sites will be up and running in January for those who wish to pay their AACP Individual or Camp Membership fees online. You will login on this AACP site and then ‘Make a Reservation’ and then ‘Make a New Reservation’. Be sure to include all of the names of your year round camp staff on the list. You can use the form to figure out your dues for 2018. Of course, most camps won’t have their books closed until February or March to determine their overall expense used in the formula.

Pay Membership Dues Online
 
ALTERNATIVE: a membership form will be emailed to each camp which can then be used as a hard copy to submit the dues. Either way is fine. Thanks for continuing to be a part of the AACP family of camps as together we ‘advance the Kingdom of God’!

SUMMER CAMP NATURE RESOURCE CENTER

Wade Saint Martin and John Henri Rorabeck made a presentation at the AACP Convention. They shared five objectives nature programs in camp can strive for:

1. Connect Christ to Nature: Make it a primary goal for campers and visitors to see the beauty of Christ and the cross in the beautiful and complex stories in nature.
2. Schedule Outdoor Exploration: Maintain and improve the natural ecology of camp; doing so creates a diversity of life for the enjoyment and healthful stimulation of the mind and body.
3. Create beautiful exhibits: Designing naturalistic environments not only promotes the well being of your animals, but invites happier and longer viewing by camp visitors.
4. Encourage camp conservation: Promote nature preservation, for it perfectly parallels the Divine injunction on stewardship; "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof..." Psalm 24:1 
5. Communicate with Visitors: Regularly share photos/videos of nature activity with other nature center staff and visitors and invite them to contribute their nature experiences.

Implementing these five objectives in nature programming can deepen the spiritual and intellectual experience of your visitors and staff. To learn more and join the conversation of scores of nature enthusiasts who love the Creator and the creation, please join the Facebook group "The Summer Camp Nature Center Resource Center" or message John Henri Rorabeck (johnhenri14@gmail.com ) or myself (wadenersons@gmail.com ). May you experience success in your outdoor exploration.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY?

How do you share the group schedule with everyone? Some camps post paper schedules on bulletin boards, while others post them on doors or windows. Several camps also post schedules on flat screens near the office and/or the cafeteria, or other locations.

WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS!

Recently, one of our camps was contacted saying that their electric bill had not been paid for two months and that technicians were on their way to disconnect the power. Of course, it ended up being a scam. Be alert! If it seems odd, check it out! Camps are not exempt from being scammed, too!

SEASONAL DECORATIONS & DECORE

Special seasons of the year can add to the ambiance of a guest’s experience at camp. Here are some ‘seasonal’ themes presentations you might want to consider:

• Winter – snow, sleds, ice skates, snow shoes, hot chocolate
• Spring – spring flowers, hiking, waterfalls, rain
• Summer – camping, smores, vacation, sunshine, sunglasses
• Fall – harvest corn, pumpkins, colored leaves, apples, hot apple cider           
• Christmas – tree decorations, pine cones, light strands, wrapped gifts, music

TYPES OF EMERGENCIES – WHAT TO DO

The Red Cross has created a list of possible emergency situations and what to do in each one. They are chemical, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, flu, food safety, heat wave, highway safety, hurricane, land slide, poisoning, power outage, terrorism, thunderstorms, tornados, tsunami, volcano, water safety, wildfire, or winter storms. Want to know what to do? Check it out at http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies

FUNDRAISING – FREE ONLINE COURSE

Is your camp looking for ways to do fundraising and unsure how to get started? Philanthropic Services for Institutions (PSI) is a North American Division-based ministry that can help. They have prepared a free fundraising course that's available online in the Adventist Learning Community. "Understanding and Implementing Fundraising: PSI Essential Principles and Practical Applications" is a self-paced, 30-hour, free course with a 2.0 credit hour continuing education value. Go to www.adventistlearningcommunity.com and search "PSI."

HOW TO HELP YOUR CAMPERS BE RISK MANAGERS

A great way to demonstrate the importance of safety to your campers is by helping them become risk managers. At the start of camp, talk with the campers about how they can help keep the camp safe and stay safe themselves. A few key areas to cover are water safety, outdoor activity safety, and supervision.
 
Discuss why it’s vital for campers to always inform a counselor where they are going and with whom before they leave the group.  Ask campers why they think proper supervision is necessary. Give examples of how following the rules can be helpful and safer for water and outdoor activities. Brainstorm ideas on how to become risk managers and what to do if they see something that doesn’t look safe.
 
By teaching campers how to be risk managers and showing the importance of safety at camp, you can look forward to a smooth season on your campgrounds. Download free camp safety resources on Adventist Risk Management, Inc.’s website right here.
 
Elizabeth Camps; Writer and Public Relations Specialist; Adventist Risk Management, Inc.;
ecamps@adventistrisk.org | AdventistRisk.org

IDEAS FOR SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES

CAMP CEO

Sure, you are getting older. Big decisions are looming on the horizon…like choosing a college, career choices, and what path to follow in your bright future. At camp, we can’t provide the answers for you, but we can bring you together with others facing those same decisions. Learn about the strengths you do have and meet with successful individuals from numerous walks of life and learn from their experiences.

L.E.A.P.

Take the leap from camper to counselor in this leadership training program of experience and practice. Spend the week in learning the essentials of leadership, identify your strengths and special skills (and how to best utilize them at camp). Take the opportunity to discover your true leadership potential.

LIGHTED WELCOME SIGN AT ENTRANCE – HOW EASY IS IT TO FIND YOUR CAMP?

For those coming to camp for the very first time, you need to ask the question, ‘How can I make it easier for guests to find our camp?’ Many camps have helped to answer that question with a lighted sign at the entrance to their camp. They might cost a bit, but those lighted signs are a welcome sight to your guests! It says, “You have arrived!”

QUOTES FOR CONTEMPLATION

• A garden is a place where each plant is placed in an environment in which it will thrive.—Unknown
• As we grow older, and hence wiser, we slowly realize that wearing a $300 watch or a $30 watch... they both tell the same time.—Steve Jobs
• Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.—Unknown
• When you are upset remind yourself the cause of your discomfort is your own attitude. This is freedom.—Dr. Lee Jampolsky
• The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably, thought and act.—Orison Swett Marden

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.

RESUME’ – 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.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

AACP OFFICERS & UNION REPS – MARK THESE DATES!!

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.

2018 Dates

• February 13
• March 13
• April 3
• May 8
• September 11
• October 9
• November 13
• November 27–28 (in person at Camp Kulaqua)

COOK’S NOOK

WHAT DO YOU SERVE FOR BREAKFAST? 

At every breakfast:
Juice
Milk (Skim, 2%, and Soy)    
Hot Cereal
Granola
Fresh Fruit
Hot Chocolate
Cold Cereal
Toast and Bagels or Muffins
Yogurt
 
Hot breakfast selections vary daily. Selections may include:
Pancakes
Scrambled Eggs
French Toast
Waffles
Cheese & Egger Sandwiches
Breakfast Potatoes
Stripples
Biscuits & Gravy
Breakfast Burritos

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 toterry@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. Camp Winnekeag – Because of the extremely cold temperatures earlier this month, a number of the pipes in camp froze and then burst flooding out some of the facilities there. Repairs are never an overnight fix. Pray for them as the repairs are finished and that camp will continue to be ready for coming groups.
2. Timber Ridge Camp – The camp is in the process of constructing a new cabin and finishing the remodeling of the lodge. Pray that it all goes well.
3. Big Lake Youth Camp – needs more snow. They’ve had some, but can use more. The entire West Coast does need a good snow-pack this year!
4. Camp Mohaven – David Robinson (health concerns) and family
5. Leoni Meadows - Laurie Hicklin (housekeeping staff) fell and broke her wrist. Pray for healing.
6. NEW CAMP & YOUTH DIRECTORS – Pray for them as they take up the responsibilities, which for many of them, will be recruiting summer camp staff.

• Shelina Bonjour - North Star Camp
• Pete Maldonado - Laurel Lake Camp
• James Rooney - Camp Frenda
• Darriel Hoy - Nevada-Utah (no summer camp in conference)
• Doug Hess – Mount Aetna

7. Mark Holm, Loma Linda Academy religion teacher…(our worship and song leader Sabbath morning at the AACP convention). Pray for recovery from strokes.
8. Our ‘unknown’ fellow staff members who are also facing health issues
9. Ongoing building projects in numerous camps

Special Prayers & Praises from our SOUTHERN UNION

10. Summer Camp Staff Recruitment (this would apply to all of our camps)
11. Successful completion of on-going camp projects and goals
12. Camp Kulaqua - Nature Center plans and development

INSPIRATION, ENCOURAGEMENT & COUNSEL

“We are so erring and shortsighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good - that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are.

When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Do not fear to trust Him.”              Steps To Christ  pg. 96

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.