Summer Camp Wrap
Did you know that one week at a United Methodist summer camp is equivalent to around ten months of Sunday school?The summer camping program brings young people together from all corners of our conference to learn about living in the love of Christ in a fun, safe, nurturing, and natural environment.
Free from the distractions of electronics and media, campers learn about and experience God through worship, Bible study, a variety of fun activities in the midst of His creation, and through real face time with their peers and caring adults — helping them learn more about themselves, their strengths and abilities, and who God created them to be.
Many young people would not be able to experience summer camp without the generosity of our local churches and many individual donors. In 2016 we had 1,316 campers (412 of them new) with 155 campers attending through the aid of scholarships.
One hundred percent of your gift to the Christian Education Offering will support the Susquehanna Conference Camper Scholarship Fund and will make it possible for more young lives to be transformed at summer camp.
Make a contribution through your church (note Christian Education Offering) or through the camping Web site at www.susumcamps.org
The end of an era
By Anne Horton, Director of Camp & Retreat Ministry
Saturday, May 21, the Camp Penn family wished David Hykes, Site Director, a happy retirement. David has served as Site Manager and Site Director for 37 years, following in his Dad’s footsteps.
David has served Camp Penn with a servants heart. His leadership has touched many with the love of Christ. Over 250 people came by to say thank you to David for his love, care, and passion for camp and retreat ministry. In honor of David a display of the history of Camp Penn will be place in the Hykes Dining Hall, with additional display pictures going into the sleeping lodges and recreation hall. Thank you David for sharing your love of Christ with the people who have come through the doors of Camp Penn.
Camp Penn, we remember you
By Anne Horton, Director of Camp & Retreat Ministry
The Camp Penn 70th Anniversary Celebration was a spectacular day for all who attended. The stories shared ranged from the fun of the Camp Penn Chicken, to the powerful impact God placed on many a young persons’ heart, and how lives were changed, and calls to serve God where made. The friendships people have made over these 70 years shows the connection Camp Penn has had for so many people.
All the pictures through the years not only show how people changed but also show the love people experienced through Christ.
I believe the Camp Penn Song says it all:
By the mountains, by the forest, murmuring stream meandering through.
Pine and poplar, oak and hemlock, Camp Penn, we remember you.
Swimming, fishing, stream exploring, stunts and games both old and new,
Softball, four-square, crafts, and hiking, fun-filled week with lots to do.
Morning watch and evening vespers, worship on an outdoor pew,
Singing, sharing, praying, caring, learning to be just and true.
Sacred spot through generations, place where we met God and grew
T’wards a life of Christian living, Camp Penn, we remember you.
(c) Music by Anita Meiser. Words by Anita Meiser and Diane Schmuck 1987.
Top ten churches sending campers to camp
Aldersgate, Mechanicsburg - 61
First, Mechanicsburg - 49
Christ, Selinsgrove - 37
Hicks Memorial UMC - 33
Camp Hill - 30
First, Williamsport - 30
Aldersgate, York - 23
Stewartstown - 22
Fishing Creek Salem - 18
St. Johns Newberry - 18
