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Bingle Camp Ministries P.O. Box 80570 Fairbanks, AK 99708 Phone: (907)479-0562 FAX (979)479-8879 e-mail: director@binglecamp.org |
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The Bingle Buzz - 2007 Fall Newsletter Inside this issue:
Special Interest
Out with the old...in with the new! When our new appliances arrived, it marked a point in Bingle Camp History. After many years of making due and hand me downs, Bingle was blessed with the opportunity to purchase brand new appliances. The stainless steel is still shiny and the stoves units are amazing. We were able to purchase two commercial refrigerator units, 2 stove/grill/oven units, 2 gas grill barbecues and an ice machine. There was a celebration as the first ice cubes dropped! We still have a few thousand dollars remaining in the grant. We are hoping to purchase a new range hood and 2 freezers.
It's been a busy summer!
A small but mighty group of workers came the first week of June to help us with various work projects around camp. They worked so efficiently that we found it near impossible to come up with enough tasks to keep them occupied. They assisted with installation of the new appliances, helped with the remodel of “staff housing.” Now affectionately called “Mabel's,” in honor of Rev. Bert Bingle’s wife. The team also spread sand and helped to trim our tree’s, all in the pouring rain. We had an amazing warm, sunny, smoke free summer, however the week this group was here, it was the rainiest week of the summer. Thank you all! You are awesome!
A 1994 Bayliner ski boat was donated to camp this spring. We purchased a longer dock, boat lift and parts using a portion of the $50,000 state grant. All this inspired the concept of a new camp, H20 Camp. H20 Camp was limited to 25 campers for grades 8 –12 and was oversold. God blessed us with a glorious week of fun in the sun. Our waking moments to the late night hours were spent on the waterfront. Staff arranged dinner on the beach, water games, group games and even our theme of the week was based on numerous stories related to Jesus and “water.” Our new boat offered tubing rides, fun on the banana boat and boat rides. It all added to the overall enjoyment that the Bingle beach offers.
If you haven’t visited the web site in some time...there have been some changes! This year was our first year utilizing paypal for our online registration process. 36% of our campers took us up on our offer and parents are raving about this new feature. Many thanks goes to our webmaster Bev Frey, who graciously offers her services to Bingle Camp. She spent many hours trying the new process and working out the bugs. Thank you! Bev! You are a blessing :) How easy it is for young people today to get caught up in selfdestructive behaviors! There are so many pressures facing this “You Tube-My Space” society. Youth today live in a world filled with opportunities and pressures; never before has so much information and stimulus been available to them. Bingle Camp’s summer programs are designed to enhance the whole camper. We provide a place that instills Christian values, positive role models and builds character to avoid risky behaviors. FUN camp activities such as our boating activities, canoeing, swimming, Iceberg, group games, archery and creative electives entice all searching for a positive camp program. Young people immerse themselves into the camp community and daily camp activities and so remove themselves from their typical day-to-day distractions of cell phones, email, social networking circles, or turbulent home life. Young people are searching for purpose, identity and acceptance. So, campers are particularly drawn to the Bingle Camp staff members who take the time to listen, understand where they are coming from and playfully interact with them. As staff shares what Christ has done in their lives, this relational ministry offers Jesus as a Life Anchor. In this structured secure camp community we are able to provide a greater option than the “pressures” can offer. Imagine a place that welcomes all! The diversity of our campers has changed dramatically. This summer as we ministered to:
God uses the ministry of Bingle Camp as a means to connect with young people in our society. Bingle plants the seeds, sometimes does some watering but once the camper leaves it’s up to God to do the rest. Our prayer is that all young people attending our programs will find a Sense of Self and a Life in Christ that will lead to well being and a meaningful purpose. Approximately, 210 campers attended a Bingle sponsored camp this summer. Of those 30% sought full or partial scholarships. Camper registration fees cover 50% of our modest annual budget. Your gift enables the ministry to continue! May you be blessed as you give to those that benefit from a place called Bingle Camp! In Christ,
Volunteers make the difference! The reason our annual budget is so modest, is because of the number of volunteers that help behind the scenes. This year we would like to thank... Ellen Axmear, Isaac Beckley, Lynn Beckley, Lyman Benshoof, Jack and Olena Blackwell, Megan Curtis, The Dreydoppel Family, James Durst, Steve Eldridge, Bryant Eldridge, Bev Frey, The Gelineau Family, Greg Giocondo, Sasha Graves, Patty Griemann, Brandon Hall, Naomi Herbeck, Lois Hildenbrand, Matt Hollenbeck, Erin Hughes, Claude Klaver, Joanne Klaver, Dean Knapp, Abe Milne, Karen Milne, Sarah Milne, Dana Morton, Kelsey Morton, David Rohwer, Celia Rohwer, Darcey Sharp, Dakota Sharp, Jen Shelton, Bill Slayden, Chris Slayden, Dan Solie, Ken Stapleton, Joyce Stapleton, The Sterling Family, Sundance Visser, and Ron Woolf. Thank You!
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The new appliances have arrived and a visit from the Alaska Speaker of the House makes a visit to Camp!
After all was installed, we then had a visit during Junior Camp from Alaska Speaker of the House John Harris and Rep. Jay Ramras. As we celebrated with cake, Speaker Harris and Rep. Ramras met with board members to
1st Presbyterian of Anchorage work group!
To
our donor...Thank you, the
campers were filled with excitement
daily when the boat
was brought out during
waterfront time!
Questions or comments? Contact Bingle Camp