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A Summer for the Books

Laura “Roon” Church

This summer was special for our family. One for the books. My kids and I got to do a lot of traveling, spending time with people we love and doing things we love like going to the beach, visiting family, and exploring new places. But the highlight for us was our time at Bethany Birches. What made it so special? An opportunity to be in God’s beautiful creation, meeting new people to love, and being able to both enjoy all the highlights of camp while also giving back.

I have been to Bethany Birches as a Camp Shepherd several times over the past 16 years. After I got married and started having children I knew I wanted my family to experience the peace, beauty and loving community that camp has to offer. They came along with me as I spoke several times and they too could feel and see how special this place was. This year, when I was invited back to be a shepherd, I realized that all my kids were finally the ages that they could attend as campers, although not the same week. Since we live out of state, and had a busy summer, traveling up twice didn’t make sense. So, we decided to take turns volunteering and attending camp as campers and me as the Shepherd.

Jericho, my daughter, was up first for camp. I was so thrilled to see her and her fellow cabin mates seem to instantly be comfortable with each other and their friendships were definitely the highlight of the week for her. She also enjoyed Mission Impossible, the food, and being able to be silly with activities like Pig Trough and Iron Chef with Pepperoni Peggy.

My three boys and I spent the first week as volunteers mainly helping maintenance by stacking wood to be used in the winter. This was a physically demanding task but the boys put their whole heart and soul into their work. They spent several hours each day getting crates ready for wood, loading wood into the crates, and organizing and stacking wood in the woodshed. Our family has spent several Christmases with extended family at BBC and know how important the wood supply is to keeping all the buildings warm during winter. They could see tangibly how getting the wood ready for winter could directly help the camp’s needs later in the year.

The boys also helped in the kitchen with dishes after lunch. Again, they were happy to join in the work of washing, drying, and putting dishes away. I appreciated that they were getting the opportunity to see all the different tasks that need to happen in order to make camp run and have a chance to learn to serve.

After their week of hard work it was the boys turn to attend camp. Shades and Kevin, their counselors, were their favorite part of camp. They made the week so fun and made each camper feel special. I expected the boys to say that all the different activities were highlights as well, but what it really came down to for them was their cabin mates and the time they spent as a community within their cabin that they liked best.

Jericho spent her days as a volunteer in the kitchen. She helped do everything from prepping food for campers to cleaning and washing dishes. She poured herself into volunteering and said at the end of the first day “I love this as much as being a camper”! She made friendships with the kitchen crew, learned how much time and effort goes into keeping a large crowd fed, and learned the joy of serving others.

As a parent, seeing my kids make friends and have fun at camp is always wonderful, but being able to spend time watching my kids serve others and serve alongside them was a priceless gift. I will definitely look for more opportunities for us to serve together as a family and give back to communities that we are engaged with.

Come join us to volunteer!

20 Years Investing in People

Brandon “Tuna” Bergey and others

When Brandon was asked for a reflection for this article, he wrote: Twenty years is a long time. It is also a short time, when looking in the rearview mirror. It also happens to be my 20th anniversary as Executive Director at Bethany Birches! There are far too many experiences, moments, and relationships to comb through as I reflect on my service over the last two decades.

One thing that stuck out to me immediately, was the transformation I have experienced and witnessed. A while ago I started, and developed, a backcountry ski program. I am no longer the only coach, but sometimes I still get to take campers skiing (so fun!). Often campers new to the experience start with uncertainty, and a lack of confidence or maybe worse, overconfidence. When I am patient, and engaged, and responsive to their specific needs and concerns, many start to focus and improve. That’s when their God-given spirit starts to appear. They become excited and willing to challenge themselves. They start realizing how to learn the skills they need to succeed.

I have witnessed the same transformation over a long period of time within campers who become staff members and in some cases board members and supporters. One of those persons who is walking along that pathway, currently in the lifestage between staff member and supporter, is doing a pilgrimage and will then spend some time with a group of nuns she admires. She shared that camp played an important role in shaping her faith journey and grew her hunger to know Jesus. In a slightly different vein, the director of Camp Agape (a BBC-operated program for children with incarcerated parents), said that she often sees graduates of Camp Agape around town in restaurants and other shops. She sees them behind the counter, or in whichever job they hold, and she hears a similar message. They are thankful for their time at Camp and it is one of the keys that helped them envision a productive future, and helped them to now reliably hold a job.

The BBC board and staff put together a two-part book to honor Brandon at this year’s annual benefit auction (mark your calendar for September 27, 2025 to attend). There were some wonderful remarks from past staff sharing their memories and experiences working alongside him. Some highlighted funny times, others shared their appreciation of his leadership. One tribute highlights Brandon’s other-centered leadership. She writes “he looked straight to the inside skills and gifts within me, and past my timidity. Having someone respond to my strengths in this way, rather than bending to my weakness, caused me to start to open up into those strengths, into my truest self.” Another shares “I was extremely grateful for you opening BBC, your home, and your lives up to me while on the 2017 summer staff, when I needed rest and healing for the next chapter of life (parenting). Our Rivers was in the works while you were expecting Simon. Being in VT with you all was an experience outside of space and time. Kind of like a dream, with challenges and deep healing. I feel confident the Lord coordinated this opportunity for me and I am appreciative of your openness to facilitate.” From a slightly different perspective, a multi-year counselor writes “I have so many memories of Tuna jumping his dirt bike for the MI skit every week, late friday nights watching movies in Tuna and Cheeks living room, and ridiculous ways of pronouncing mundane words just to make things more interesting. Beyond the fun, silly, and even wild memories, I think the thing that comes to the surface quickly is his uncanny way to incorporate deep faith thoughts into almost any conversation.”

Among many accomplishments, Brandon has led Bethany Birches through a program revitalization, the replacement of it’s key building “the pavilion,” multiple program leadership transitions, the 2020 pandemic in which BBC summer camp was full with zero Covid-19 transmission, and during his tenure has worked with supporters to raise more than 6 million dollars.

Family Affair: Father and Sons as Camp Counselors

Last summer I worked for a week at BBC as a counselor. As a parent of three sons who have loved camp for a decade, I was excited to stick around past drop-off and get an insider’s look. When I arrived on Sunday afternoon Meatball handed me a grey staff shirt. The shirt had the summer’s theme – TOGETHER – written in block letters on the front. It has since become my favorite t-shirt because of the great memories connected to it, and also because that word “together”, says so much about what makes BBC special.

** Continue Reading from Newsletter Email**

Even before the campers arrived that day, I saw the staff intentionally cultivate togetherness amongst themselves. The final thing they do to prepare for campers is what they call “Prayer Hike”, in which they walk silently as a group to all of the cabins. They stop at each one and say personalized prayers for the cabin’s counselors. This togetherness amongst the counselors continues throughout the week. They have regular, brief staff meetings that are light on agenda, and heavy on affirmation. Every staff member I worked with that week was a tremendously talented and loving individual, and the extra steps they took to work and love together helped them serve the campers even better.

I also watched campers spontaneously come together to help each other and have more fun. At every chance they got, they ran to the gaga pit where there were always campers encouraging others to jump in and play. One night at Fireside, while singing songs after dinner, a few campers swung their arms around each others’ shoulders and swayed back and forth while they sang. It wasn’t long before every camper had their arms around another’s shoulders.

All this togetherness at camp is only possible because camp does it all together with God. The Gospel tells us, “Without me you can do nothing.” The Gospel tells us we have to – and get to – do everything together with God. Whenever I put on my favorite shirt, I think of campers and counselors being together, and I thank God for working together with BBC to do great things for kids.

-Andy “Gumby” Smith, Camp Dad and Volunteer Counselor

Time and Talent. Making Camp Happen.

Bethany Birches was very fortunate to have two young, retired, volunteer couples join the team summer 2021. Rita and Lowell Peachey from Kansas, and Mark and Kathy Alt, of Maryland. Head cook Amber “Cheeks” Bergey who worked with them asked a little about their experience.

How’d you find Bethany Birches?

Kathy: We found them on the internet. The information was good and we felt God call us there.

Lowell: We are in a stage of life where we are volunteering at church camps and other organizations while living in our RV. We were introduced to BBC by Joe Friesen, our nephew, who was a college friend of Brandon.

** Continue Reading from Newsletter Email**

What were some challenges of living at camp for the summer?

Kathy: I didn’t really experience too many challenges living on the campus. It was so nice to be able to walk to work, serve in the kitchen, and share a meal with the staff and be able to use the washer and dryer when needed.

Could you talk about joys and highlights of living at camp for the summer?

Kathy: I absolutely loved working with Cheeks in the kitchen. It was both a challenge and a joy. The challenge came with learning the kitchen and cooking for large amounts of people, special diets and packing the crates sufficiently. The joy came when it all worked out and came together at the end of my shift. I would have to say that having prayer time together with Cheeks each morning before facing the day was a big highlight for me. Another highlight was the end of the week small group time with the counselors and staff. Listening to their challenges and highlights was so inspiring especially knowing the sacrifices of comfort and how they loved all the campers.

Lowell: We enjoyed learning to know counselors and interacting with them, sharing meals together, and some interaction with the campers. Lowell enjoyed the time spent with Brandon looking at plans and visions for the future of the camp along with discussing operational challenges. We really enjoyed being in Vermont and exploring the state.

What have you taken with you from the experience?

Kathy: Definitely inspiration from staff and counselors for the way they sacrificed and loved the campers. Tackling the challenge of learning the kitchen and coming away with new skills acquired and friendships made.

Lowell: We enjoyed not being in charge of anything and being able to serve as needed. We tried to offer the gift of flexibility to the camp to help the team create a meaningful experience for campers and counselors.

What would you say to someone else who may be considering a similar experience?

Kathy: The biggest draw to come back next summer is the challenge of working in the kitchen again. There is a certain type of excitement meeting those goals each day and figuring out new ways for better time management. There is also the added joy of working with the staff again and living in a beautiful Green Mountain state.

Lowell: Go for it! This was our third volunteer gig and the rewards clearly outweigh the challenges. Having said that, your experience is mostly what you make of it. If you have a concern or question about your assignment make sure to let your volunteer coordinator know at the time of the discomfort rather than waiting for the exit interview at the end of the assignment.

Let me add one more thing. It is clear that camp leadership and the board are in alignment as to values and strategic direction and there is a great support – financially and otherwise – from the constituency. BBC is a gem given its clear focus and role in the community. God lives there; He can be seen in the seeds planted among campers and counselors, in the seedbeds tended by counselors leadership and the church community, and in the majesty and beauty of the surrounding mountains and forest.

Full Circle: From Camper to Counselor

When it comes to long-time campers who love camp Maja is as loved and well known as they come. Maja has been coming to camp since 2014, when she was 7 years old, and has had the experience we hope all campers can have at camp. I asked Maja how she would describe her experience at BBC with someone who has never been here, and she said, “Camp is a place where, either if it’s your first year or fifth year coming, there’s always something new that you will experience and it’s always a good experience. I only have good memories.”

Maja is one of the many campers that remind me of why I love to work at camp. Not only has she come for 6 summers, but this past summer she participated in our two leadership programs.

** Continue Reading from Newsletter Email**

During the second week of camp Maja arrived as an LIT (Leader in Training); it quickly became evident, to her counselors, myself, and other staff, that she was someone who would grow to be a strong counselor at camp. Partway through her LIT week I pulled Maja aside and encouraged her to apply for the CIT (Counselor in Training) program happening later in the summer. Maja is a loud and energetic person, but I don’t think I’ve seen her as excited as she was at this moment. I watched a long time camper with dreams of becoming a counselor jump up and down, literally, as she realized that she was a step closer to her dream. When I asked her later what that moment felt like she said “All I thought was ‘I’m going to be able to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time a lot earlier than I thought.'”

When Maja walked up to the registration line on day one of CIT there was nothing but excitement in her eyes. She was ready, and I couldn’t wait to see how she would use her gifts of connecting with others easily, participating to the fullest, caring for those around her, and of course brining pure joy to whoever she came in contact with. To put it simply, Maja did not disappoint. It was rare in her weeks as a CIT that Maja was seen without a handful of campers by her side. When observing her it appeared as though she was already an assistant counselor, rather than a counselor in training. Her campers clearly loved her, and the counselors, leaders, and staff who worked alongside her were impressed by her ability to step up, without being asked, to serve anyone and everyone around her. When it came time at the end of the program to recommend next steps, I did not hesitate to encourage Maja to apply to be on staff.

While interviewing Maja it remained clear that helping campers grow to become counselors is meant to be a part of what we do here at BBC. There is something about a past camper becoming a staff member that helps them connect deeply with our campers during the summer. Campers get to look up to a counselor who was them; that’s special. Maja will get the opportunity to be that example this summer as a female assistant counselor. When I asked Maja what she was most excited for as a staff member she said, “Meal time. Me and the girls in my cabin during LIT week all got to connect in different ways than we would because we were all sitting together. It’s been like that since I was younger. Meal times was that time when we could connect, and were when the funniest moments happened.” I cannot wait to walk up to Maja’s cabin this summer and see her making her campers burst into laughter, watch as she teaches them how to safely cook over the fire, or simply know that she is investing in their lives the same way that so many counselors did when she was a camper.
Maja puts it simply, “Camp has been such a big influence on my life, and that is because of people who have supported camp. They’ve given me that opportunity and they are going to give that opportunity to so many other people. Camp really leaves an impact on your life that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.” Maja is just one example of the campers that have and will experience growth and a beautiful community at Bethany Birches. Here’s to the many campers who have come before Maja and the many who will come after. May BBC provide them with a safe space to experience personal growth, connect deeply with God, and be lifted up by a community of joy.

-Anna “Meatball” Martin

Program Director

BBC Easter Service Video

BBC Easter Program Live Stream

Greetings Camp Friends

(Reading this after Easter Sunday? The links below will still take you to the video. Enjoy anytime!)

He is risen?! He is risen indeed! You may or may not be familiar with this Easter call and response phrase. We say it together on Easter Sunday. Someone says he is risen and someone replies that he is risen indeed. Sometimes, I think about the call “he is risen?!” as though it is a question. As though the asker needs reassurance. Then the responder affirms very boldly, that it’s true! Jesus of Nazareth was raised from the dead!

I digress. That’s only part of what this email is about… this email is an invite to join us at 7pm Easter Sunday for a ~20 minute reflection and song service. You’ll hear music from Elvis, Sprocket, Meatball, Tom, and Nugget. Reflections from Chick, Gigi, and Gwen Groff, pastor at Bethany Mennonite Church. Join us on Youtube here www.bethanybirches.org/easter -yt and on Facebook here www.bethanybirches.org/easter-fb That will take you to the respective platforms for live a real-time event starting at 7. Hope to see you there.

He is risen indeed!

Brandon “Tuna” Bergey, Executive Director

Nevin J. Bender, BBC’s First Camp Director, Joins The Great Cloud Of Witnesses

Ask those who were on staff or came to camp as campers in the 1960s and 70s about their Bethany Birches experience and they will almost certainly reference the rustic and challenging moments that became so deeply engraved in their memories. Back then, the Bethany Birches experience had to be rustic and challenging. Camp was just getting started and there were minimal dollars being invested and limited machines and tools to use to carve the camp out of a grown-over farm. Those missing dollars and machines weren’t important to Nevin Bender. He and his family were called into action by a sense of vocation, faith, and by Lloyd and Alice Moyer. Quite literally, when the Moyers had the idea to open Bethany Birches they asked Nevin to run the camp. He said yes and was the first camp director serving from 1965 to 1980.

Nevin J. Bender passed away this summer. His willingness to forge Bethany Birches with minimal resources created a lasting culture and while he has recently joined the great cloud of witnesses (see Hebrews 12:1), his mark was made and is still visible today, here at camp. You can see his personality and work in the Core Values of BBC. We named our core values just last year after conducting research with many different stakeholders (over 150). The core values are found in this word picture. Interestingly, in 2010 Marcia Bender (one of Nevin’s daughters) was asked what she felt was important to her father. In her reply she touched on community building, learning to trust each other, nature, building consensus and trying new ideas. Here we see the values she saw in her father’s behavior match some of the camp’s core values. At a dinner in 2008 Nevin was honored at his place of work and his colleague, Will Hairston said of Bender, “Nevin’s passionate faith, intense work ethic and model of service have been an inspiration to all.”

Weaving these two comments we get a sense that our core values are closely linked to who Nevin was. Here at BBC we use the phrase “With Over Watch.” It was coined by Michael Brandwein and is a comment about leadership, influence, and how to have a relationship. You don’t “watch” a 10-year-old from afar and expect to have much influence, or connection with each other, you go to be “with” them! It is by being together that individuals get to know each other, have shared experiences, and influence one another. Nevin was a “with” kinda guy! You see that in Marcia’s comments about her father and the stories that abound of Nevin connecting with others, leading from among the various camper and staff groups. I have met many people who shared about the influence Nevin had in their life.

Here we are today, still working with fewer resources than many organizations have, still cooking over the fire as they did that first year, and still our Directors spend a lot of time “with” people. We see relationships and community building as central to how we go about our mission just as Nevin did. We trust that God enters in the midst of this special camp experience, just as Nevin did. Today we are thankful that God (and the Moyers!) called upon the Bender family and thankful for their service. Nevin, please continue to be “with” us from the great cloud of witnesses!

When Nevin passed, his wife Lourene requested that gifts be made to Bethany Birches in lieu of flowers and gifts to the family. Please join her and many others in giving to the camp in memory of Nevin. Learn more about Nevin at www.bethanybirches.org/Nevin

~ Brandon “Tuna” Bergey,
Executive Director

Shifting From Receiving To Giving… Yet Still Receiving

Having been a camper at Bethany Birches for six summers (and a Counselor In Training for one), I knew that I wanted to be a counselor eventually, and I finally got that opportunity last summer, as the youngest member of the 2019 summer staff. Camp had always been one of my favorite places in the world. At camp I always felt like I could connect with God. Interestingly, my first staff experience was a lot like what I expected it to be. However, “being on the other side” of camp helped me better appreciate how special Bethany Birches is. Even if I sometimes struggle with my faith while at home, I can always see how God is working at camp.

As a camper, the main feeling that I experienced was joy, regardless of what I was doing. During my time as a counselor, things were more topsy turvy than I remember them as a camper. I enjoy working with kids (one of the main reasons I applied!), and the skill I improved the most over the summer was patience. Whenever I was stressed out, I would take a deep breath and remember: I’m not just doing this for myself. I often remember that when I was a camper, I got a little sad when my counselor went on break. Now, even though I love being with my cabin, I get a little excited whenever I get to take a break, partially because I know that it gives me time to relax, making me better at my job once I go back. The further into the summer I got, I noticed how some of my campers reminded me of my younger self, which gave me great joy. It’s always good to know that whatever you are doing, it can ultimately have an impact on someone — and that’s what I think I enjoyed the most about working at camp. Being a camper was constant fun, every single day, but being a counselor still contained many of the great joys of camp. From the pig trough to hikes to the treehouses, many of my camp experiences remained the same, but being able to lead others made them far more rewarding.

~ Ryan “Michi” Smith, Assistant Counselor

Are We Accomplishing Our Mission? Beyond Anecdotes.

Over the last few years Bethany Birches has been committed to partnering with academic organizations researching the benefits of Christian Summer Camps. Last year the Hope Study (University of Oklahoma) measured whether campers experienced increased hope as a result of their camp experience. The Hope Study 2018 found “The results of this report continue to provide support for the positive impact the participating Christian camps are having on the boys and girls attending those camps, not just in terms of Hope and Well-Being, but also in social connectedness and interest in their Faith.” Fifty-six percent of campers had increased hope scores after coming to camp. This was most closely correlated with making friends and having developed some faith.

This year The Power of Camp study (POC) has given us preliminary data about campers’ engagement with faith, relationships with peers, and connection to staff as a result of their camp experience. Based on early data from this summer all of the parents surveyed said their child made friends at camp and 67% of campers said they were strengthened in their faith. Only 24% of parents reported reading the Bible with their children and 87% of parents felt we were “effectively teaching Christian faith.” All of the parents surveyed said they would send their child back to camp and 90% of campers ranked “the entire camp experience” as their most enjoyed part of camp. The initial data we have received from this summer is very encouraging and points toward significant mission accomplishment. We are excited that 100% of parents surveyed were pleased with our “system of addressing bullying/ conflicts.” We see Jesus’ teachings of “Love your enemies” and “treat others as you wish to be treated” in this statistic.

2019 was the third summer in a row in which our seasonal staff participated in The Power of Camp. POC was conducted by Wheaton College looking at how staff of summer camps are affected by the experience. We have received data specific to our staff’s experiences and are able to compare this with the average of camps participating in the study. Participating in these studies allows us to quantitatively identify our areas of strength as well as opportunities for improvement. For example, between the 2017 and 2018 staff studies we saw a significant increase in how staff felt supported by their supervisors. We improved from being on par with other camps with a 4.1 out of 5 rating to a 5 out of 5 average rating from the staff. Also improving in the same period were the percent of staff who experienced growth in the teamwork and emotional intelligence areas assessed by the study. These and others had been identified as areas for improvement by camp leadership and the following year increased by 22.5% and 21.5% to be on par or higher than the average camp in the study. Between the summers 2017 and 2018 we improved parts of staff training, intentionally sought ways to provide more support for staff, and had better and more frequent meetings to improve communication. These improvements have been continued this last summer and we look forward to the forthcoming 2019 research study results.

It is encouraging to have data to inform our decisions and confirm what we are doing is consistent with our mission. We were able to see that staff was improving in areas of spiritual growth, leadership, and resiliency similar to other camps and pinpoint what we could improve the next year. We feel both affirmed by the research and able to identify potential areas for improvement next year. We will continue pursuing these research opportunities because they have been and will continue to be part of making Bethany Birches Camp better at achieving our mission to help young people develop their relationship with God.

~ Patrick “Rupert” Graber,

Office Coordinator and Facilities Manager