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03.15.08
Partnership with Cedarville University is Fruitful for Team
-Aaron Cook, permanent staff
I have been praying and searching for ways that God would use what we are doing here at Scioto Hills Christian Camp to a greater degree, beyond our borders, for the promotion of His Glory. At the beginning of this month, we partnered with a Cedarville Univeristy’s MIS team and Puebla Christian School in Puebla, Mexico for their Spiritual Emphasis Camp. The week really came as what I believe a direct answer to prayer!
We had a wonderful time of successful ministry partnering with missionaries to run camps for MK's (missionary kids) in Puebla, Mexico. My life will never be the same as a result of the trip and I think that the other MIS teammembers would echo the same. Our intent was to facilitate two age-appropriate, Christ-exalting camp programs for junior-age and Jr/Sr High-age campers. It was obvious that the team of Cedarville students took their relationships with Christ seriously and it overflowed into their serving, loving and teaching the campers and the staff in Mexico. I look forward to continued partnership with the teammembers as many of them have applied for summer positions at Scioto Hills.
As a result of Christ working through the team, the teachers, and the staff from the three schools that combined for the Spiritual Emphasis Camp in Puebla, much spiritual fruit for the kingdom was harvested. The main focus of our program was driven by an inductive study of the book of Colossians and our theme, ROOTED, from verses 2:6-7, which was originally prepared to serve as our study this summer at Scioto Hills. Our goal was to convince the campers to believe Christ and pursue a life driven by Him so as to make sure they don't waste it. Through the personal bible study as well as the evening teaching, we endeavored to entice the campers, staff and team to become more and more enamored with the beauty of Christ. It was truly a privilege and blessing to lead the MIS team; I believe our time was extremely successful in light of eternity.
02.29.08
Feedback Encourages Staff
-Scioto Permanent Staff
Our staff has been working hard to improve our program while maintaining the strong spiritual emphasis. We want our guests to truly “come away” from their every day routine and meet with God at camp. In addition, we don’t want this to just be an experience—but to be the beginning of a whole life “all to the glory of God.”
Within the three weeks our staff has been blessed by several comments from guests. God has used them to encourage us to keep pressing on for His honor and glory. Here are just a few of their comments:
“Wow!!!! Was I impressed. I felt so good about your ministry. There is something special at your camp for sure. Such a great spirit of love and compassion. We loved it!!!” – K. (manager for an up-and-coming band)
“Hey- just wanted to thank everyone there [at camp] for being so giving, generous, and fun while we were there last weekend [at 24/7 Revolution]! I came down with students helping out as a leader but found myself acting like a kid at your camp! I loved it there! :) God is good! Thanks again!!” – B.M. (mother and youth worker)
“I was really impressed with Scioto Hills and will keep it in mind as a future destination for church and school activities. Kudos to your staff too. They seemed to interact well with the students, and unlike some places I’ve been, actually seemed to enjoy the campers and not see them as some sort of inconvenience. By the way, it was fun to watch the staff interact at meals. It seems like everyone really enjoys each other, and it appears that there is a real “team” atmosphere. God bless, and thanks again!” – B.I. (Christian educator and regional speaker)
The Scioto staff loves feedback. Even not-so-positive feedback helps us adjust and better meet the needs of our guests. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. God is using this ministry to reach hearts and to change lives. We hope to minister to YOU soon.
02.06.08
Recommendations for Camp
-Pam Bruns, permanent staff
“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:1-5)
It’s that time of year again – time to recruit our summer staff! A big part of our application process is the recommendation forms that we require. And who doesn’t just love to get a glowing recommendation? As I was reading the above passage, I was struck with the fact that Scioto Hills Camp has letters of recommendation all over the country. Those letters are campers, staffers, youth pastors, pastors, etc. whose lives have been impacted positively for Christ through this ministry.
What a joy and a blessing it is to receive letters from those who have experienced Christ here at Scioto Hills! We love those “letters of recommendation”. But in reality, the lives of those touched by this ministry are the “letters of recommendation” that we appreciate. As you all continue to serve Christ in a deeper way, impact others for His Kingdom, and continue your own ministries, you truly become “letters of recommendation” for us.
And the bottom line is that we can’t take any of the credit for the impact that comes through an experience at Scioto. We are incompetent without Christ. So we give Him all the glory!
Let me encourage you to keep living in such a way that others will be able to read your heart and be impacted. How will your “letter of recommendation” read?
01.31.08
Camp Update: Praises and Prayer
-Scott Bruns, permanent staff
Over the years I have become less of a fan of sports, for good reason, and more of a fan of Solomon and the practical wisdom he offers in Proverbs, for really good reasons. In using his words as a counseling tool I have often chuckled and marveled at their relevance today. His quaint sayings have had a huge impact on my thinking and approach to ministry. These short, timeless principles ring true today, thousands of years after they were written. These ancient words continue to shed light on how I manage and prepare each day as a new camp director. For example, in 21:4 Solomon speaks of the importance of planning. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty” (or “advantage” in the NAS and “profit” in the NIV). All three terms hit the target! Planning is an essential ingredient in Christian camping as it is in any ministry. Diligence in planning must take priority if we are to know where we are going and how we are going to get there. Diligent planning is a daily practice at Scioto Hills.
We value your trust in our programs—rest assured your investment in the spiritual lives of campers is worth the time and worth the money. Diligent planning makes a difference and it is making a difference at Scioto Hills.
As we begin our 43rd year of ministry, here are some praises and prayer requests.
PRAISES:
- Staff Unity: Although we are not without our occasional bumps in the road, we are experiencing a wonderful bond in Christ. God has given us a great team. We are on the same page and believe God will continue to bless His camp and use us for His glory. We fellowship together, pray together and dream about the future of camping together.
- Guest Group Record: As a “year round” camp it is important that we have guest groups scheduled just about every week beyond our regular camp season, retreats and major holidays. In 2007, we ministered to an average of 88 guests per week for 29 weeks. This is the highest average in camp history! Our goal is 100 guests per week for 35 weeks.
- 13 New Giving Partners: We are believing God for 100 individuals who will contribute $1000 a year to the future of camping in southern Ohio. Since last October we’ve had 13 join our club. We’re praying for 100 by 2011.
- Open Doors: God is opening many new church doors enabling us to present our ministry to a greater number of people. Opportunities within evangelical circles and in the states of West Virginia and Kentucky are growing.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Summer Camp Numbers: In recent years numbers have been in decline, but last summer we believe we turned it around when we reached the 1000 camper mark. Our goal this summer is 1200. That’s only 200 per week for 6 weeks! Churches are rallying behind us and more and more of them are sponsoring kids. Pray that a new generation of parents will again see the value of a week of camp and introduce their children to the Scioto Hills experience.
- Summer Staff Needs: We are aggressively recruiting our 2008 summer staff. We are looking for 35 college and 15 upper high school students who can make a difference in the lives of campers. Pray for us as we sense God’s leading in the selection and interview process and pray for summer staffers as they determine God’s plans for them this summer.
- Camp Finances: For the past few years and for various reasons the camp has operated in the red. Not good, but the Lord has graciously met our needs during this time and we believe He will continue to do so. However, we’re trusting Him to help us once again “see black”. This not only includes good stewardship and planning but also church and individual support, new ministry partners, increased camper numbers, well-attended retreats and an increase in guest groups. Pray that God will continue to meet our needs and raise up those individuals and churches who believe in the cause of Christian camping.
- Project Completion: We anticipate the completion of our last log cabin by the end of May, enabling us to house 20 additional junior campers per week. The cabin shell, floor and roof are completed but window and door installation, chinking between the logs, and the construction of a small shower house to accommodate the additional campers still needs to be completed. An additional $2500 is needed to complete the project as well. Pray, through our staff and the help of volunteers, that the project will be completed by end of May.
True, I am a fan of Solomon and diligent planning is essential, but I am also a fan of prayer and the words of Jesus when He says, “Ask and it shall be given to you.” At Scioto Hills we’re striving to accomplish both. An attitude of hard work evidenced in diligent planning and an attitude of faithful dependence upon God evidenced through an active prayer life. Will you pray for us as you continue to support our ministry? Thank you for accomplishing both! May the Lord bless you as you serve Him.
12.21.07
Merry Christmas All Year!
-Scioto Permanent Staff
 After three weeks of
Christmas songs on the radio,
cookie exchanges with friends,
lights and pine trees in our homes,
crazy shoppers in the stores,
choir and play practices at church,
party planning with family,
restless children in school,
cold weather outdoors,
and budgets for gifts, gasoline, food, or other holiday spending . . .
. . . we have finally come to the day we celebrate God coming to earth!
Wow! So much is preparation is required to continue our Christmas traditions and festivities. Some people plan all year by shopping for bargains for family, thinking of new games to occupy the children, collecting recipes for tasty treats, and organizing friends to carol or visit shut-ins. And some other people procrastinate until Christmas Eve when they realize they still haven’t purchased a gift for their wives! Seriously, though, it’s interesting how Americans have developed their own holiday habits. It’s tradition this time of year. And we call it Christmas.
When the shepherds first heard of the Messiah coming to earth, they acted immediately—they went in a hurry! The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." . . . When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. – Luke 2:10-12, 15-16 (NIV)
Somehow our cluttered holiday—although mostly good and honoring to God—slows us down. We often get so burdened with the “activity” of Christmas that we do not hurry off to worship Jesus. We simply are unable to abandon everything and worship.
Christmas time is not exclusive in creating cluttered minds and lives. Actually, most Americans are very busy all year with family, church, work, school, etc. Rather than “making some time” for God in the midst, we should center our choices on glorifying Him. The theme verse at Scioto Hills is 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether, therefore, you eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Sometimes what is most glorifying to God is taking a break from activity.
The camp offers a place to “come away” from distractions, to refocus on what matters, and to refuel one’s heart. Whether during six days of summer camp, a weekend at a winter conference, or an afternoon visit during the week to walk the hills in silence, Scioto Hills is one place to meet with God and worship Him. Our staff knows our guests are investing in their families’ spiritual lives; and we take our part seriously. We strive to “de-clutter” your surroundings, even just for a few days.
Please visit us soon. Until then, enjoy celebrating the coming of our Savior; have a Merry Christmas!
11.30.07
Exciting New Way to Support Scioto Hills!
-Elaine Wilson, permanent staff
 What if Scioto Hills earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or what if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support the ministry? Well, now it can!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine and watch the donations add up! We suggest making it your homepage for quicker access.
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37% of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause. Get some Christmas shopping done AND give to Scioto Hills!
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and enter “Scioto Hills Christian Camp and Retreat Center” as the charity you want to support. And be sure to spread the word to others who use the internet!
For additional—and easy—ways to support Scioto Hills, check out OUR NEEDS page (link in the bottom right of homepage). Thanks for being our partner in ministry.
11.26.07
Now Accepting Summer 08 Applications
-Scioto Permanent Staff
 We are so excited about what God is doing in southern Ohio! In just six months, we will be gearing up for the “summer buzz” in the hills. By then, Lord willing, we will be anticipating the arrival of our summer staff. It’s definitely not too soon to be praying for the summer staff.
Each year, we hire approximately 50 college students to fill significant roles in the summer ministry. As the applications are coming in, please pray for discernment among staff and preparedness among the applicants to serve and learn with our permanent staff. We do not take this task lightly: some of the summer staffers will be working directly with campers 24/7 as counselors, while others will work in support roles like kitchen, grounds, pop shop, and lifeguards. The Scioto Staff seeks individuals who love children and being outdoors.
We were reminded how important the summer staff are to children when Scott and Pam’s youngest son, Jared, wrote about a 2007 support staffer for a school project. Jared (age 11) wrote:
Malachi is my special person. He helped me through my fear of storms. He worked at the camp that I live at. He was a lifeguard. He was a lot of fun that summer. He has beat every single Zelda game. It is so fun to play those games with him. We also like to go swimming a lot.
We studied the Bible during chapel at camp. One day it was thundering when we were in outdoor chapel. I was freaking out. But then Malachi told me a verse. It reads: “The Lord has delivered me from all my fears.” That is my favorite verse. I would like to be like Malachi when I grow up. He has encouraged me…
If you know a young adult who has a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and would be an asset to the ministry, please encourage him/her to print and mail in an application. All forms can be downloaded on our “staff” page. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
11.13.07
Camp Conference Refueled Scioto Staff
-Elaine Wilson, permanent staff
Our staff just returned from a national camp conference with our friends and colleagues in Christian Camping. It was such a joy—and privilege—to fellowship, to encourage, and to be taught for the week. Working in the camping ministry is not only a job. It is a lifestyle of service.
As I interacted with and observed the godly men and women who have served for decades, I was inspired to keep my passion. Not my passion for camping, not my passion for the church, not even my passion for developing relationships, but my passion for Jesus Christ. To be true to Him and reaching people with the gospel. To reconcile lost, wandering people to their Creator. Like other roles in ministry, camping is 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Sometimes being faithful to the cause is lonely. Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused on the mission. That is exactly why this conference was so meaningful: it reminded me to be true to my original passion.
Scioto Hills’ staff has the privilege of working with local churches from around the Midwest. We also have the challenge of working with local churches from around the Midwest. Every church, every pastor, every youth group has its own “culture” and goals for spiritual growth. But one thing remains true: to be “partners” in the ministry, they must have a passion for Jesus Christ. As fellow sojourners, we each hold a shared responsibility for the spiritual efficacy at Scioto Hills.
Camping is valuable. Our guests believe camping is valuable or they would not partner with us. As our staff spent a week with brothers and sisters who serve in the same capacities, we were reminded just how valuable camping really is. It recalled the victories and struggles and grace we experienced this past year (since the last time we were together). God gave us a retreat AT a camp FOR camp workers to be REFUELED for camping. Wow! God is so good.
11.04.07
Surgery is Inevitable
-Elaine Wilson, permanent staff
Last Wednesday, our kitchen warrior—a.k.a. Foodservice Director Virgie Macedo—faced her fear and underwent double knee surgery. If you know Virgie, it’s no surprise she considered every other possible method of relief from the constant pain. But surgery was inevitable. “Sure, the idea of needles and knives isn’t pleasant, but think of the end result,” we said to console her. I don’t think our words really helped, yet Virgie had no other option.
As I thought about her predicament, I was reminded that our spiritual state can be like physical injury. We often put off the “surgery” because it will be painful. We try to patch up gapping holes or put a transparent bandage over dark wounds. To no avail, we repeatedly attempt other avenues to spiritual wholeness. Still, surgery is inevitable; we need God to work on our hearts.
Our vain effort to gain relief really shows our lack of faith. And lack of faith can lead to lack of obedience. Real faith changes the way we live. Rather than striving to “fix” our lives to avoid God’s surgery, faithful people know obedience is the only real relief. Hebrews reminds us that faith is not our natural mindset because it’s being “certain of what we do not see” (11:1). However, Jesus told the woman with a bleeding problem “your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9). Scriptures records she was healed immediately because of her faith!
Often we weigh if the outcome is an improvement over our current situation before choosing to obey. But when we try to do things our way, we’re ultimately taking glory from God. The LORD told the Israelites, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another” (Isaiah 48:10-11). Obedience glories God. “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:3-4).
10.12.07
Preview to 2008 Summer Theme
-Aaron Cook, permanent staff
 I have a growing conviction that we, American Evangelicals, in general do not have the influence in intellectual circles that we once held. Due to our historical track record of avoiding this arena and the infiltration of the postmodern mindset, we have lost the level of authority and influence that we once had. According to our culture, in large part, the Truth of the Gospel has been relegated to a position of individual or subjective truth along with all the other false world philosophies. The Gospel demands preeminence and will not be demoted to this level of relativism. Throughout Scripture, God calls believers to a high level of excellence in all areas of life (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:23-24). We, in general, do not apply the level of commitment to understanding and applying God’s Word that it demands.
This next summer’s theme is ROOTED. We will be studying the book of Colossians. The weeklong and daily themes are derived directly out of Col. 2:6-7. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is exhorting the Colossian believers (along with us) to have a growing understanding of the Person and Work of Christ and an increasing conviction and passion for pursuing the fruits of applying this knowledge. The maturing believer will be like a flourishing tree. He is rooted in the Person of Christ and exponentially being built up and strengthened. This will produce an increasing faith, and the fruit will be a life characterized by overflowing with thankfulness.
Unfortunately, in our day many believers set out with good intentions of being people who are nice and thankful, but fall short because of their shallow understanding of God’s Word. It isn’t for lack of desire, but rather spiritual malnutrition as they soak in the mare of primetime television rather that drinking in significant amounts of the life-giving water of the Word. Our lives, in large part, are not characterized by the fruits described in Colossians, but rather diseases in ER.
10.05.07
Join the new “100-Thousand” Club
-Scott Bruns, permanent staff
If I have learned anything the past 25 years, I have learned that I cannot out-give God. Our faithfulness to God’s work has evidenced God’s faithfulness to us. In fact, His faithfulness surpasses our wildest imagination. Such is the case at Scioto Hills. God’s blessings have been obvious. For more than 40 years, He has proven Himself faithful. There is no way to calculate these monetary blessings or the countless hours spent in prayer and volunteerism. We can only praise God for the results and the camp’s rich heritage. We love what God has done.
However, it is time to live the future. A rich heritage never insures God’s future blessing. In fact, it can actually be a road block to a healthy, vibrated future. As the new director, I am committed to honoring our history, but it is my task to move the camp forward! In short, I want to experience first hand God’s blessing for the next 40 years and beyond! Scioto Hills is building a new generation of partners ready to invest in our future. I am asking individuals to be part of our team. A team that is committed to seeing Scioto Hills make a spiritual difference for many years to come. Our ministry cannot survive on “camper numbers” alone. In fact, my goal is to produce 20% of our annual budget through the generous support of friends. A healthy camp needs helpful partners. A commitment today insures the opportunity to minister to campers tomorrow.
I believe God can give us 100 individuals who love the camp and will commit to making a $1000 annual contribution to assist in the future development of Scioto Hills. It will be our “100-Thousand” Club and it will make a huge difference. In short, 100 partners enable us to move forward and effectively accomplish what God has called us to do. The purpose is for progress and not to pay bills, reduce debt or fund a mortgage.
Beyond the joy of giving to a wonderful ministry, there are also three benefits for the partner. A $1000 commitment entitles the donor to one “Free Week of Camp” Coupon that may be used during the summer by the camper of your choice, “T-Shirts for 4” that promote our current summer theme, and finally 1 “Off-Season Get-a-Way” that invites the partner (and spouse) to enjoy up to 2 nights of free lodging at the camp. Partners will also receive a quarterly newsletter keeping them up-to-date on current camp events. If you have a heart for Scioto Hills or if the camp has at anytime had a positive impact on your family, I am asking you to become a“100-Thousand” Club partner. Please contact the camp office for a “100-Thousand” Club Packet: 740-778-3279 or grow@sciotohills.com.
09.28.07
New Program Assistant Reflects on Internship
-Chuck Spears, permanent staff
I just wanted to take some time to reflect upon the last year of my life that I spent here at Scioto Hills Christian Camp and Retreat Center as an Intern. While my days were composed of cleaning, retreat programming, scheduling, promoting, running high ropes courses and paintball, recruiting summer staff members, and planning for our summer Jr. High program (Alpha Camp) which I serve as the Program Director, the most beneficial and exciting things that took place in my life were the result of God changing my heart.
Throughout the year, God, in His sovereignty, worked through a variety of circumstances and relationships to draw me nearer to Himself. He taught and even still continually reminds me to seek first the things of His Kingdom, that I must find my joy, contentment, and satisfaction in Him rather than in things and situations of my life. He confronted my pride and reminded me daily that my life should be all about Him and not my own pursuits. I’m overjoyed to be part of the Permanent Staff at Scioto Hills now, and I look forward to being used by God in this ministry as He brings glory to Himself through it and as He continues to transform me into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.
09.21.07
Staff Reflects on REJUVENATE Ladies’ Retreat 07
-Rebecca Mantle, permanent staff
Softer hands. More limber muscles. New friends. A few extra pounds. A deeper relationship with the Lord. These are just some of the things the ladies who attended Rejuvenate took home with them. Guests enjoyed plenty of activity: braving the zip line, shooting skeet, swimming in the pool, boating at the lake, and relaxing with free massages and hand treatments, scrapbooking, crafts, and chocolate and coffee bars. There was plenty of time to sit and enjoy God’s creation with uninterrupted quiet time.
A personal highlight from the weekend for me was the teaching times spent with Dr. Cheryl Fawcett helping us to focus on rejuvenating our hearts! I was specifically challenged to list and pray daily for unsaved people in my life. One guest reflected, “[The weekend] ministered to me in many ways, from Cheryl to chocolate! It was all great!” Another added “It was a wonderful, blessed event for me: a time of great fellowship and contentment with the Lord and His people. I look forward to next year’s retreat!”
As a staff, we planned the weekend especially for busy women to be refreshed both physically and spiritually; however, it also ministered to me personally. If you missed out this year, mark your calendar for September 5-7, 2008 and be a part of this special weekend! |
