The Bingle Buzz - 2008 Winter Newsletter

Inside this issue:

Christmas Ornaments
From the Board
From the Camp Director
Ways to help
2009 Summer Calendar

Christmas Ornament Fundraiser

We still have a limited amount of the Bingle Christmas ornament, this would be a great stocking gift for the camper that just cannot wait for summer camp. Also, a great memento for those of us that are beyond camper age, but have great memories of our time at camp.

This fundraiser supplements our operating budget. Did you know that camper fee's only cover 50% of Bingle's annual operating budget? Your purchase will assist us in offering low cost camps for all.

This ornament is available on our website or by contacting the Bingle office 479-0562.

Cost: $15 donation or greater to Bingle Camp.

Greetings from the Board President

To Friends and Family of Bingle Camp,

Greetings, as this year ends I would like to share with you some information about camp. This has been a good year even with the way the economy has been, we had a good summer. The sad news is that our long time director Lisa has resigned as camp director. We will greatly miss her leadership at camp. This does not mean that she is not going to be part of our ministry but she will no longer run the camp in the summer. This leaves a big job to fill. Our board is in the process of writing a job description and looking for a summer replacement. This should not affect next years camp season. We are looking to add more activity's to our camp and up grade our water front program. Our board and my vision for camp is to offer a God based program that is safe, fun, and a life experience. We still have needs not just for summer help but for camp itself. We have a new van but it is not paid for fully. We have fixed the foundation of the chapel but have more cabins that need work. We have a staff to find for next summer but costs still go up. I would just like to thank you for your willingness to support Bingle Camp, whether its sending your children, helping with time or with finances.

Rick Sterling 

From the Camp Director

You can’t stay at camp forever! Our goal as we plan the programs for the summer is that our campers would have life-changing encounters with God that they can take home with them. This is one subject that I teach to our summer staff members, to look for everyday events throughout the camp week that is an opportunity to witness and minister. Little did I know when I took on the position as the “Camp Director”, eight summers ago, that this would be a life-changing experience for me too.However, just like those campers that we hug and send home at the end of the week...I have come to realize that it is time for me too.

In addition to my camp duties, I also have a family...a husband, 4 children, 2 daughters in law, and soon to be 4 grandchildren and all are living in the area. My family has all gone to great lengths to be supportive in the summer as I spend days, weeks, months at camp. At this time in my life, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to juggle ALL my responsibilities.

SO, what happens now? At this time the board is working on finding a part year replacement that will be responsible for the summer operations. In addition to this position they are offering me a job as the “Administrative Manager”. I will still be around Bingle, mostly working in the office. There is a lot that happens in the winter such as newsletters, fundraising, promotion, setting summer camp dates, recruitment for summer staff to name a few!

I am looking forward to a summer dedicated to be with my family! But a bit pained when I think of all the summer fun at camp, I will be missing.

Thank you too all who have invested their prayers, time, energy and dollars towards Bingle Camp. Camp cannot operate without all of us! May God bless you all as you have blessed this camp.

Lisa Eldridge

Ways to Help

Scholarship donations are needed!

Our scholarship fund is extremely low! In addition to the money that we raise yearly to subsidize our operating budget, since camper fee’s cover only 50% of our annual budget, we also raise funds for campers that might not be able to attend a week of camp because of finances. 72 campers were blessed this past summer that may not have been able to attend camp if it wasn’t for the generosity of your donations to the scholarship fund.

Don’t have kids at home anymore? You will be blessed as you continue sending kids to camp by donating to our scholarship fund. The average cost for a week of camp is $230.00. The average cost for a kid from a rural village $600.00.

Help us get ready for next summers campers! Donate Today!

Program Director Wanted!

The primary purpose of the Program Director is to manage the summer camp operations, implementing goals and objectives of Bingle Camp. Major areas of responsibilities include supervision and administration of overall camp program, training, mentoring, and supervision of camp staff. Prior experience in camping needed.

Part Year Position—April—September. Living on camp property required from June—August.

Applications are available online at the website or for questions contact the Bingle office 479- 0562 or email director@binglecamp.org

Bingle Camp Wish List!

Some things that will just help run things more smoothly!

Computer Needed! Have you recently upgraded your desktop computer and have a used one in GOOD condition? We are searching for a Desktop to replace our current one, for summer staff to use. This a GIFT to our summer staff, a much easier way to communicate with friends and loved ones! A much needed piece of equipment!

Van Replacement! This year our 1983 Chevy Van retired! In its replacement is a 2000 Chevy Van. We are wishing to retire the debt that came along with it...donate to the new van that is primarily used for hauling food and supplies for our weekly camps.

Digital Cameras Do you have an outdated digital camera? Donate it for program use! We regularly play photo scavenger hunt!

We were blessed with a large pile of BIG chopped wood, that needs to be split before summer camps start next year. Our wood piles are low after the cold summer! Have a splitter? Looking for a youth group project? Call us!

A BIG Thank You goes out to the anonymous donor that took care of the Chapel foundation. The Chapel has been saved! May God bless you as you have blessed this camp!

New Picnic Tables! We are still working on replacing the picnic tables around the camp grounds. Most are in poor condition and beyond repair. 9 tables– 120.00 each

Cash donations can be made on our website.

Rainy Day Program Fund! This past summer was the rainiest and coldest in a long time! Through this we learned that we really don’t have enough rainy day activities for our campers. We want to create Cabin Boxes that would include Nerf basketball hoops, UNO cards, small puzzles etc. All items will be stored in a bankers box in the cabins for use on rainy days! Cost for each box $20.00 We need 6 boxes on hand

If you are donating $$’s to a specific “cause” please indicate which one with your donation. For all other donations, contact the camp office 479-0562 or email director@binglecamp.org. Mail to Bingle Camp Ministries PO Box 80570 Fairbanks, AK 99708.

2009 Summer Camp Schedule

Visit our website for registration information, updated camp dates, donate online! You can even leave a message on the NEW Bingle forums!

Need some family time during this busy holiday season? Check out Knox Retreat Center, we are offering a holiday special! From November 14 - January 17, 2009. $160.00 first night then $125.00 each night after. Knox Retreat Center is a modern year round facility offering Alaskan charm in a beautiful setting! Call the Bingle office to reserve your dates!