| |
Redwood
Glen Newsletters
Return to our archives here
|
|
|
The
latest news and events at Redwood Glen
|
Summer
2009
|
|
WELCOME
OUR MISSION:
"To
Reflect Christ through Serving Others"
A WORD FROM OUR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It's been 11 summers since I last spoke or
directed summer camp. So, I was a bit
anxious as the date drew near for me to co-direct and co-speak at
Junior High
Camp with Sara Clark (above left).
It was an amazing time sharing life with a large
group of junior highers for a week here at Redwood Glen. It's
been well over 30 years since I was in
Junior High, but I found out that not much has changed in terms of how
students
feel and their difficulties of fitting in and belonging.
I did find that one thing still transcends the
life issues of a junior higher:
That's the love
of Jesus.
I was reading through the camper evaluations and
read the following:
"I
realized how blessed I was and I understood that I am a child of God!"
"I
felt touched by God and I really understand now!"
You
really don't know as the week goes by how God
is touching the minds and hearts of the campers. Responses like
these tell us God is working
in their lives and is transforming hearts.
Seeing young people's lives transformed is the
primary focus of our ministry each summer. Campers are given the
opportunity to hear God's voice calling them into relationship with him
and to an abundant life.
I
rather doubt any of the junior highers will
remember any specific talk I gave, but I am quite sure they will
remember how
much God loves them and that we are to "love God with all our heart,
mind, soul,
and strength" which was our theme for the week.
We talked about this, sang about this, and shared about this during
cabin devotions. What a week!
There is still room for more kids (completed K-2)
who can come with their mom or dad for our Me and Mom/Dad weekend camp August
15-16. What a great way to start your
child in coming to camp with a 29-hour slice of what summer camp is
like. Register on-line here.
Thank you for your
continued prayers and
support. Please keep watching your inbox
for updates this fall on how you can help Redwood Glen as we "leave no
child inside."
Jay
E. Nordgaard,
Executive
Director
(650)
879-0320 Ext. 12
exec@redwoodglen.com
|
OUR
MINISTRY LINKS
It has been an
"INDESCRIBABLE"
summer at
Redwood Glen
(Click the above link to see pictures
of our camps.)
Children's MAD
Camp
June 22-27 - COMPLETED
Discovery Camp
June 14-19 - COMPLETED
Jr. Adventure
Camp
July 6-11 - COMPLETED
Jr. High Camp
July 13-17 - COMPLETED
Me and Mom/Dad
August 15-16
Sr. High Camp (NEW)
July 13-17 - COMPLETED
Youth MAD Camp
July 6-11 - COMPLETED
HEARD THE NEWS?
There's still room at Me and
Mom/Dad Camp. Register today for $95!
|
|
Hello Friend of Redwood Glen
WELCOME
to the monthly online
newsletter of Redwood Glen, your local Bay Area Christian Camp and Conference Center (www.redwoodglen.com).
Though the summer is the busiest season in camping ministry, it is also
the highlight of the year as lives are changed, memories are made, and
friendships are built. In this summer issue of our Redwood Glen
Reflections, we share with you a few stories and pictures of our camps
as we celebrate the blessings of an indescribable summer. We also
feature our volunteer summer camp directors who use their gifts, share
their passion, and sacrifice their time to make camp happen here at
Redwood Glen each summer.
To our supporters, thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial
support. Your generosity over the past 50 years has made summer
camp possible for countless children and youth. We celebrate you
also as we remember this summer season.
If
you would like to
subscribe and receive this monthly newsletter via email, please
register your
address via the link on our homepage (www.redwoodglen.com).
|
|
"INDESCRIBABLE":
Redwood Glen
2009 Summer Camps
"Indescribable"
was not only our summer theme, but also the best way to describe the
blessings experienced by both campers and staff this summer.
Though attendance was lower this season than last, spirits were high
with many encountering the indescribable love of God through the music,
the messages, the people.
In his
second year directing our summer program, Brandon Benzinger and his assistant,
Stephanie Knapp,
worked with a group of veteran camp directors to create a camp culture
where Christ's love was not just "taught," but "caught." Through
the counselors, the cabins, and the community formed each week, Christ
lived as the Spirit moved. Praise God that young lives were
"captured" by grace - some for the first time - with new decisions made
to walk in the ways of Jesus.
 Because a
picture can speak a thousand words, photos from our
"Indescribable" 2009 camps along with highlights from our camp
directors are featured below. More camp pictures can be
accessed on our website or by clicking the link here.
"We
were short counselors right up to a few weeks before camp. God
made
awesome choices and it was neat to watch all these Godly people come
together as a great team."
"There
were two girls who, when they arrived for Adventure Camp at Indian
Point, had no idea they would be sleeping in
tents! But by the end of the week they
loved it."
 "Because
of the smaller number of campers, we were able to spend more one and
one time
with the campers. They all had a great time with the archery which they
were able
to do more than last year."
"One
counselor arrived with her niece,
and wanted to register her last minute for camp. When asked why she
brought her, the counselor
said that she was praying that the Lord would provide a way for her to
attend. The counselor didn't have the money nor a plan for
payment, but she knew that camp would be just the thing to counter her
niece's hectic life at home. Although situations like this are
frustrating
for summer staff, news came that the registration cost would be paid in
full by a generous gift from the camp's scholarship program. Once the
counselor heard this, she broke down crying and repeatedly prayed
out loud, 'Thank you, Lord!' 'Thank you, Lord!' 'Thank
you, Lord!' This is grace in
action."
 "The
creativeness of the campers amazes me every year."
"How
the kids learn the musical in just a week is truly a blessing and the
highlight of MAD camp."
"One
of our counselors was having a real health challenge at the beginning
of the
week. She was such an example of leaning on God, believing that
she was
where God wanted her, gaining the prayer support of her fellow
counselors, and
powering through God."
"My highlight is when one of our campers took off her hoodie. She
kept the hood over her head all week because she felt
self-conscious. But on Thursday she took it off - a sure sign
that God was at work in the campers and in our camp."
"God spoke to the
campers this week as we spent a lot of time down at Indian Point and
enjoying
the beauty of His creation. Many campers said their highlight of
the week
was creek stomping in Pescadero Creek Wednesday afternoon. As wet
as they
were when they got back to then go swimming in the pool, they had
a
blast."
 "Pastor
Jen Plantenberg at Children's
Music & Drama Camp brought her own style to our chapel and
campfire. She did such a good
job of presenting the messages in an interesting way, especially her
Mad Libs,
which really reinforced the stories and made everything so silly at the
same
time."
"Finding a
good
balance between having fun and providing opportunities to learn more
about
their faith and be challenged to take those next steps of faith
development can
be challenging. I sensed that we were able to do both this week
and many
lives were touched by God's presence."
"When scanning the camp decision cards, I
was reminded
of the importance of camping ministry. Campers rededicated their
lives to the Lord, realized their call to full time ministry, and
believed in
the Lord for the first time at camp. It reminded me, too, that the Lord
is working
amongst us in might ways."
 -
It was an incredible, indescribable summer. Thank you for your
prayers and support. For more pictures from our summer camps, check our
website here.
NOTE:
We still have one more camp to go! Me and Mom/Dad weekend for a parent
and a child (K-2) takes place Aug 15-16. Registration is still
open. Details are below.
|
THANK
YOU: 2009 Summer Camp Directors
Though Redwood Glen was founded 51 years ago, the first summer camps
were not held here until a year later in 1959, making 2009 our 50th
season of summer camps. While each camp lasts only a week,
volunteer directors spend months behind the scenes, planning,
preparing, recruiting, and training their staff. Redwood Glen is
so blessed to have a team of dedicated veteran directors who serve
because of their commitment to Christ and to camping. We briefly
highlight each below and express our appreciation for their service,
not just for this year, but also through the years.
Carolyn Neitzke
has directed Junior Adventure Camp since 1988. Building on the
camping legacy of David Sato, Carolyn says, "I
continue because I believe it is what Christ has led me to do. It
is such a unique experience for children to get to know Christ through
all the wonderful creation all around us at Indian Point."
 Darin Elquist served in camping
ministry at Sierra Pines for four years before returning to pastoral
ministry at Emmanuel First Baptist in Sparks, NV. As co-director
of Redwood Glen's new Senior High Camp, Darin says, "We started a new
camp with a new format and it worked! That's exciting."
Janise Wilson
has directed Discovery Camp for the past 6 years and continues to be an
advocate for camping at her home church, Community Baptist Church in
Waterford.
Jay Nordgaard
wore many hats in mid-July as Redwood Glen's Executive Director,
co-director of Junior High Camp, and co-speaker. Jay shares his
reflections on camp in his monthly column (see left).
Jeanette
Calixto, director of Children's Music And Drama camp for 7 years
and counselor for 11, first attended camp as a child herself. She
is able to combine her love for kids and music, not just at CMAD but
also at First Baptist Alameda where she is involved with Christian
Education and the praise team. "There's just something about
using your gifts that feels like nothing else," she says.
Jeff Tessier,
director of Youth Music And Drama Camp, has participated in every YMAD
at Redwood Glen since 1984. His youth pastor dragged him to camp
that first year, but as he says, "That one act changed my life from
employment choices, to the ministry I do, to my home with my church
family." As he works with youth at First Baptist Vallejo, Jeff
now has the privilege of returning the favor and "dragging" kids to
camp, many for the first time.
Rodney Owens,
who worked with Sierra Pines Senior High Camps, was reunited in
ministry with Darin to co-direct our new Senior High Camp this
summer. Knowing the benefits of camp, Rodney brought youth to
Redwood Glen this summer from Crosswalk Community Church in Napa, where
he serves as youth pastor.
Sara Clark
is a familiar face at Redwood Glen summer camps. She has
completed the full camping circle (and then some), having been a camper
since second grade, serving as a cabin counselor, working as Summer
Camp Program Director in 2006 and 2007, speaking at numerous camps in
recent years, and this year, co-directing and co-speaking at Junior
High Camp. As Director of Youth Ministries at Community Baptist
in Waterford, Sara is able to share her gifts and passion for children,
youth, and camping year round.
 Finally, special
thanks once again to Brandon Benziger
and Stephanie Knapp who
served their second summer as Redwood Glen's Summer Program Director
and Assistant. Along with our appreciation for their ministry
this summer, we also extend our CONGRATULATIONS
as the couple announced their engagement
to be married last month. Brandon proposed to Stephanie between
summer camps at sunset on Pescadero beach.
|
|
|
"COME ON MOM! LET'S GO! Can
you take me to camp?"
 There is still room at our final camp for
the summer - Me and Mom/Dad Camp! Beginning Saturday, August 15th, this one night, 30 hour
retreat allows a parent and a child, who has completed K-2, to
experience what camp at Redwood Glen is like.
With fun Bible lessons, crafts, games, hikes, swimming, campfire and
more, this $95 get-away is really a priceless experience for a parent
to spend quality tme with a child, away from the regular schedules and
routines of life.
Register
online here by Monday, August 10th. For more information, please email us at
program@redwoodglen.com or call us at (650)
879-0320.
|
Planning
an event this summer? Redwood Glen has open dates.
 Because the camping needs of groups shift
and change, the following 2009 dates have opened up. Contact us
for more information at info@redwoodglen.com.
- Sunday-Friday, August 9-14
- Friday-Sunday, August 21-23
- Sunday-Friday, August 23-28
And remember,
through our REFERRAL PROGRAM, you can save $250 off your next Redwood Glen event if you
refer a group and if they book a first time event with us, they also
save $250 their event. Click here for more details or contact us at (650)
879-0320.
|
Redwood
Glen REFLECTIONS
This
monthly e-newsletter is a communication tool for the supporters,
friends, and guests of Redwood
Glen in Loma Mar, CA. We welcome your comments and suggestions. To ensure that you continue to receive our
e-newsletter, add info@redwoodglen.com
to your address book today. Redwood
Glen is located in the scenic coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains,
between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.
We are conveniently located one hour from both San Francisco and San Jose
airports.
For more
information, www.redwoodglen.com.
 
Redwood
Glen, a Bay Area Christian Camp and Conference Center,
is an
accedited member of the American
Camp Association
and a member of the Christian Camp and Conference Association.
|
If you have
a Redwood Glen story or an idea for this email newsletter, contact...
Larry
Jay
(650) 879-0320 Ext. 14
news@redwoodglen.com
If you would
like to
subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, please register your email via
the link
on our homepage (www.redwoodglen.com).
THANK YOU! (Our e-newsletter is supported by Constant
Contact.) |
Redwood Glen | 100 Wright Dr. | Loma Mar | CA | 94021 |
 |
|
