Category Archives: Summer

2012 Overnight Camp Ministry Review | Michigan

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                Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”   Through the ministry of SpringHill camps in Michigan, children of various ages have been welcomed into that same kingdom.

                SpringHill counted 7120 elementary through high school students that went to camp this past summer.  Of that total number, 1310 kids gave their lives to Christ for the first time in their lives, 2439 kids renewed their commitments to Christ, and 895 kids described themselves as “not ready, but interested.” Around 52 percent of kids who went to SpringHill began or renewed their relationship with Jesus Christ.

                In StoryBrook, 87 percent of kids said that they wanted to grow in their relationship with Jesus.  81 percent said that they understood what Jesus did for them better and 90 percent of them said that people will notice positive changes in their lives.  A majority of campers said that they’d apply what they learned at camp, as 80 percent said that they wanted to pray more and 86 percent said they wanted to read their Bibles more.  78 percent also said that they wanted to reach out to their friends and tell others about Jesus.  347 StoryBrook campers gave their lives to Christ for the first time and 383 renewed their commitments to Christ.

                SpringHill served the most total number of campers in Copper Country.  85 percent of those campers said they wanted to grow in their relationship with God and 92 percent said people will notice positive changes as they returned home.  79 percent said that they understand what Jesus did better.  In terms of post-camp application, 80 percent of kids said they wanted to pray and read their Bibles more and 66 percent said they wanted to tell others about Jesus.  505 campers gave their lives to Christ and 996 rededicated their lives to Jesus, the most out of any camp center.

                Copper Country counselor Chelsea Reits remembers the impact that Christ had on her campers in Week 8.  Feeling inadequate after a hard week, Reits was faced with a long week of having two different groups of four day campers.  Reits had a camper named Katie in one of the groups, and Jesus was knocking on the door of her heart.

                “We talked after campfire the last night and she told me that she never heard about how to get to heaven,” Reits said.  “[We] talked and she gave her life to Christ! As soon as we finished she looked at me crying and said ‘I’m so glad I came here! If not I would have never heard about how to get to heaven and be with Jesus forever!’ She was so excited and was telling everyone about what God had done in her life.”

                In New Frontiers, 83 percent of students said that they were changed by the message of Jesus.  94 percent said they wanted to grow in their relationship with Jesus.  Feeling better equipped for the mission of the Gospel, 73 percent said they felt more comfortable sharing their faith with others and 68 percent said they would get more involved in church.  85 percent of New Frontiers campers said that they were more comfortable with prayer and 80 percent said that people will notice positive changes in their lives.  393 campers gave their lives to Christ for the first time and 777 renewed their commitments to Christ.

                New Frontiers area director Liam Bernard recalls an instance in which the Lord used two new counselors in his area.  Although they had previously worked with kids, Bernard noted their lack of experience as counselors, and helped them in any way that he could.

                “Needless to say, they were rock stars!” said Bernard.  “The two, through the grace of God, were an absolute dream team! Not to mention that according to the surveys at the end of the week and conversations the two had with their campers, every kid in the cabin either re-committed their lives to Christ that week or gave their lives to Christ for the first time! Talk about the Holy Spirit working through obedient servants!”

                Of our various Teen Service Teams serving throughout camp, 84 percent of the high school students said that they were changed by the message of Jesus.  87 percent said that their friends and family back home will notice positive changes once they return.  84 percent said they understand what Jesus did for them better and 97 percent said they wanted to grow in their relationship with God.  83 percent felt more comfortable sharing their faith with others and 67 percent said that they would apply what they learned at camp by getting more involved with their church back home.  49 TST campers gave their lives to Christ for the first time while 282 renewed their commitments to Christ.

                God has continually used SpringHill camps as a tool to impact the lives of kids of all ages, for the advancement of His kingdom.  Summer 2012 is another great snapshot of this fact.  If you would like to register your child for camp in 2013, visit register.springhillcamps.com.

Guest Blog: Be Approachable

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Jeffrey Dean at SpringHill

Jeffrey addresses a Winter Teen Retreat audience.

This spring at our Memorial Day Family Camp, Jeffrey Dean mentioned two keys to great parenting: being approachable and being unshockable. As today’s guest blogger, Jeffrey takes a closer look at the need for approachable parents.

Have you heard of the Guinea worm disease? The Guinea worm is one of the largest human parasites. People get infected when they drink or swim in parasite-filled waters and unknowingly ingest the larvae of Guinea worms. In about a year, the worms pierce the intestinal wall, grow to adulthood, and mate. The worms eventually mature to a length of as much as three feet. They make their way through the body to the surface of the skin causing swelling and burning blisters.

Here’s where the problem intensifies: To soothe the burning, an infected person often runs to local water sources and immerses his or her infected limbs into the water for relief. Unfortunately this is exactly what the female (males die off inside the body) Guinea worm wants: access to water. Once in water, she lays hundreds of thousands of more eggs. And the cycle continues.

In many ways this horrific process is one that is repeated over and again in the spiritual lives of teens everywhere. In their search for relief from life’s “diseases,” countless teens run to the infected waters of the world: drinking, drugs, cutting, sex, partying, binging, porn, and more. In the moment their choices may appear as soothing and innocent as the local waters appear to those infected by the Guinea worm. But below the surface lies a raging and burning consequence that will never satisfy and will only leave them desperate for more.

I met a teen named Katie at a conference I spoke at. She sent me an e-mail detailing poor choice after poor choice in her life, each one compounding her troubles, but none of them bringing resolution. She finished, “What am I supposed to do? Help.” I wish I could say that Katie’s was an isolated story. She picked the wrong goal, then in an attempt to heal her hurts, she hastily jumped into other relationships, only to continue the same mistakes again and again. I hear from countless teens just like Katie from across the country. The specifics of their stories are different, but inside all are seeking help from the “diseases” of the world, and many are jumping into infected waters.

As a parent who loves God, it’s important for you to guide your teen to real safety. I’m convinced that Christian teens are desperate to be taught how to stand for what is right. But many aren’t sure how to do so.  They need help, and, often want our help as influencers in their lives.  However, many feel as though a parent is unapproachable when it comes to the big struggles of the teen life.

There is a war being waged daily for your teen’s soul, and the consequences can be deadly. But there is hope. Ephesians 6:10 encourages us to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” The Bible gives us tools for suiting up in armor, taking up shields of faith, and holding firm the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.  Your teen needs you to suit-up for battle.  Your teen can’t find alone.

Work to create an environment in your home that screams to your teen, “I am approachable.” Strive to help your teen see that, unlike the infected waters of this world, you offer a safe place of help, hope wisdom and support that will never fail!

Parents: What are some ways that you help your teenage kids see you as approachable?

Jeffrey Dean is an author and speaker who has spoken to more than 2.5 million teens throughout our nation’s churches, conferences, prisons, and public schools. With 19 years of experience communicating to teens, Jeffrey has a pulse on this generation, their challenges and needs. This year, Jeffrey joined Dawson McAllister and now addresses a national radio audience every week on TheHopeLine.com. Jeffrey has written for Stand Firm Magazine and writes regularly for several magazines and blogs, including Direction and Horizon, TheWiseWay Blog and, and JD’s official blog, blog.jeffreydean.com. This winter, Jeffrey will speak at two of SpringHill’s senior high Winter Teen Retreats.

Storybrook Update | August 15th | Week 9

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Can you believe it’s already Wednesday here in Storybrook?  Wow! 

It’s been a very busy day filled with faith, friends, and of course, tons of fun. Activities ruled the day with fun times at the spray park, the zipline, the beach, and of course at C.O.W (Candy On Wheels).  Tonight the fun continued with a sugar-fueled contest of wits, stamina, and heart, more commonly known as Skittle Skattle Battle.  While similar to Capture the Flag, Skittle Skattle Battle combines the best of high energy fun with creative costumes and of course CANDY!!!

We also continued our exploration into the story of Moses. Campers got the opportunity to discuss with their counselors and area directors how the Lord calls us to be his forever friend.  When we choose to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we receive new strength and get to be apart of God’s awesome adventure.  We encourage you to ask your camper about these lessons, and discuss what it really means and looks like to have Jesus as your forever friend.

Finally, to catch a glimpse of all the fun had today, check out these photos from our Storybrook photographers!!

What a hoot!  For even more great photos, be sure to stop by the Photo Zone at www.springhillcamps.com!!  Hope you all had a great day at home, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Prayer Requests:

  • Camper’s relationship with Christ
  • Understanding
  • Discernment
  • Quality Conversations
  • Safety
  • Cabin Unity
  • Inclusion
  • Energy
  • Meaningful fun

Copper Country Update | August 16th | Week 9

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Welcome back to the Blog!!

It’s been a hot and humid day here in Copper Country, but that won’t stop us from having a ton of fun!!  With exciting activities, great friends, fun faith lessons, and good food, we can’t help but have a great time.

The SpringHill experience continued for our full-week campers into the afternoon.  Some highlights from the afternoon included horseback riding, swooshing down the Gusher, and feeling the breeze on the Giant Swing!!!  Wheeeee!  We also continued our exploration into the story of Moses. Campers discussed with their counselors and area directors, the concept of salvation and what it means to accept Jesus as your forever friend.  They explored the reward of reconciliation with God, and the call to partake in the mighty adventure He has planned for our lives.  We encourage you to discuss these lessons with your campers, and have quality conversations as to what a God-immersed life really looks like.

In other news, Wednesday Night Live was definitely the highlight of night!  A collection of hilarious improv skits put on by our leadership staff, Wednesday Night Live is a great time of community and fun were we can all dress up, dance till we drop, and laugh till our sides hurt!  Each housing area had a ton of fun dressing up like tourists, maintenance engineers, Pipi Longstocking, and goat-tees??  Check out these couple photos from the night!

For even more great photos, be sure to stop by the Photo Zone at www.springhillcamps.com!!  We hope you all had a great day at home, and we look forward to seeing you all soon!!

Prayer Requests:

  • Camper’s relationship with Christ
  • Understanding
  • Discernment
  • Quality Conversations
  • Safety
  • Cabin Unity
  • Inclusion
  • Energy
  • Meaningful fun

New Frontiers | Thursday | Week 9

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Hi parents!

It is a rainy day here, but we are having a great time! Many of the activities have been rained out, but don’t worry. Your kids are having fun! It has been an awesome week in NewFro and all together an amazing summer. God has worked so much through both the staff and the campers and it has been incredible to witness. Thank you for trusting us with your children.

Tonight, there will be a musical performance that the leadership staff performs that represents the body of Christ.  Through individual parts played in different instruments (like guitars, cellos, trumpets, drums, etc.) we too can come together and create a beautiful melody that far exceeds any of the instruments on their own.  Likewise, we as a body of Christ are made up of different types of body parts.  Not everyone is an eye or an arm.  We each have gifts that Christ has given to us to use for His Kingdom and purposes.  When we come together as a body of Christ, we can have a powerful impact in our communities and culture, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And if Christ is for us then nothing can stand against us? (Romans 8:31).  Pray that your campers realize this truth, and find their own gifts that God has given to them to use for His purposes.

Than you again for your support and prayers. It has been a life-changing summer. Have a great rest of your day and rest of your summer! :D

TST | Thursday | Week 9

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Hello!

It’s the last full day here at SpringHill! Your campers have had an awesome week and so have we. It has been such a blessing to serve all of you this summer. It is rainy here today, but we are enjoying this time no less. Thank you for trusting us with your teenagers this summer, parents!

Here is a short video from Erika Murray, TST Assistant Director, so check it out:

Thank you again so much! For your support and prayers. Have an amazing rest of summer and go in God’s grace.

:)

TST Update | Wednesday | Week 9

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Hi again parents!

It is beautiful here today at camp and we are having so much fun. Take a look at these photos from activities earlier today:

Tonight’s Avenue is focused on the idea of refuge. Your campers will get a message about how we all have things in our lives that we take refuge in, whether it be other people, sports, our sin, success in school, etc. They will see a drama illustrating this idea of refuge, using bricks to represent the situations or things in our life that we seek refuge in. We take our refuge in and find safety in so many things besides Christ. But God’s Word says, “The Lord is my refuge” (Psalm 8:2). All these issues will never truly protect us. They are weighing us down. They are keeping us from growing closer to God. Therefore, we need to give them to the Lord and let Him be our refuge. We need to let him break every chain. He desires to carry these things for us and we can’t do it alone. Please be praying that your kids will learn tonight to find their refuge in Jesus, rather than the empty things that this world offers!

Thank you and have an amazing day!