The Outdoor Ministries Committee plans for the programming and staffing of our summer camps at the Community of the Great Commission and helps to promote attendance at CGC. The members include Haley Monachello (CCNC-N Youth Director), Nancy Bingaman, Cathy Gabor, Carl Cordes, Kathleen Schales, Monica Cross, Nancy Love, Paige Cook, Chris Gabe, Andie Raymond, Leslie Taylor, Tina Heck (UCCR Representative & CGC Facilities Committee Chair) Toni Bynum (Regional Minister) and Leanne Stump, (Director).
We are in full planning mode for 2024 summer camps. All of our camps will be together during one full week. This will make the best use of our staffing, our costs, and our ability to guide our older campers into leadership roles and opportunities with the younger campers at some times during the week. We have an overarching Dean for our camps this summer, Stan Slavin, who will coordinate and organize us. He is already working diligently in that role as we plan. Much of our staffing is complete. Our theme and curriculum is “Linked By Love”. Love links all of our churches in the Northern California-Nevada Region and love will be a link between our youth. We look forward to growing faith journeys and relationships this summer.
| May 11 | Director and Staff Training 9:30 – 1:30 on zoom |
| May 17-18 | CGC Work Days – Painting, Trail and General Cleaning - Please RSVP to tinasueheck@yahoo.com with names, time of arrival and departure. per meal. Bring your own bedding. |
| May 23 | Adult Online Registration Forms are Due |
| May 29 | Youth Online Registration Forms are Due |
| June 6-9 | Young Adult/Adult Camp – Tina Heck, Director, Rev. Mary Jacobs, Keynoter |
| June 22-27 | Junior Camp – Kathleen Schales, Director (entering 4th, 5th, and 6th grades) |
| June 22-29 | Chi Rho Camp – Jesse Kearns, Director (entering 7th, 8th, and 9th grades) |
| June 22-29 | CYF Camp – Chad Thompson, Director (entering 10th, 11th, 12th grades and 2024 graduates) |
| June 25-27 | JOY Camp (Joining Older and Younger) – Leslie Taylor, Director (entering K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades with an accompanying adult) |
We honor the work of Bobby Thoennes our site director. His leadership and project completion is very valued.
Financial Information – Each year, scholarships are granted to our campers who find it difficult to pay the entire cost of camp. This year we have received a substantial estate gift that will allow us to give scholarships up to 50% of the cost of camp for campers and staff members. Adults take off work without pay and some young staff members, college students, etc. are not able to contribute toward the cost of camp. We are thankful for their energy and youthful vision that resonates with our campers. The continuity of moving through our camping program and coming back to contribute as adult leaders is a great joy.
Our continuing sources of scholarship money include the San Lorenzo Church Camp Endowment Fund, the Ben Bohren Camp Scholarship Fund, and the Cal Underwood Endowment Fund. We are so very grateful for this financial assistance and for the love and dedication that is in the hearts of these camp supporters. Gifts to these funds are greatly appreciated. Please give generously and consider an end of life gift to these camp scholarship funds.
On behalf of the Outdoor Ministries Committee, I submit this report with a grateful heart for the opportunity to be a part of this ministry.
Leanne Stump, Director of Outdoor Ministries