2016 Fall Newsletter Archives - Bethany Birches Camp

Archive for the ‘2016 Fall Newsletter’ Category

From Jamaica To Vermont

It’s been exactly 3 months and a day since I left Bethany Birches. I’d really like to say that the time has been flying by, but it hasn’t. I think since this past summer my life has become so fixated on looking forward to possibly serving next summer, that I’m still reliving every day as though I never left.

Apart from the fact that the faces of my fellow staff members are splattered all over my social media timelines, I realise that camp made an indelible mark on me. And no, it wasn’t the fact that there were bears rummaging through the garden I worked so hard on (ok well, one bear), or Susie-sized* rabbits hopping around Hummingbird and scaring my campers (because I refused to scream and embarrass myself), or even the fact that I had to pretend to be strolling through the Garden of Eden [to stay motivated] with every trip to every facility on the campsite because every direction was a 10-minute hike. I can’t say either that it was the rock-farming or getting stuck in the bathroom whilst waiting out a thunderstorm at 3am. But what I can say is, before Bethany Birches, I had never really found somewhere that I felt like I just ‘fit in’.

I was different in so many ways—my culture, my heritage and even the way I worship had nothing in common with Bethany Birches, and I never got a lot of the jokes either; yet, I found my place there. And despite the fact that I almost froze to death on occasion, or got trapped in almost every ‘Mission Impossible’, I can’t say I’d ever change any of my experiences. I have felt my heart literally bursting with love and acceptance of not only so many others, but even myself, and I think that has been the most rewarding thing about Bethany Birches for me. It isn’t often that one literally finds themselves by wandering off into the ‘unfamiliar’ (never do that at camp by the way)…But this summer did that for me. Coming from Jamaica to cold VT wasn’t comfortable but it helped me become more me.

RaeChelle-Faith “Artsy” Hamilton, BBC Counselor

*Susie is the director’s daughter; 1 year old this past summer

Fall Newsletter: What’s up with the Pavilion Project?

We are fortunate to be operating completely out of the new pavilion! We gained occupancy to the entire building June 2016. We had partial occupancy June 2015. We are focused on finishing this project! That includes finishing moving in, some additional fundraising and completion of a few items.

Moving in is the easy part! Total cash needs to finish the project and pay down outstanding debt is $249,500. $116,000 of this is debt on which we are paying interest. We are working to get rid of this debt (you could make a contribution now… or buy a session of camp for your child for Christmas)! The remaining $133,500 is to finish aspects of the project. Those aspects include kitchen equipment, climbing wall/high ropes, wood boiler, finishes (paint, sealing floor etc). Find the detailed list and estimated costs at the bottom of this post.

To date we have spent a little over $1,800,000 on the building including the loans referenced above, some in-kind gifts of materials and almost 7,000 volunteer hours. We expect to complete the project and all its components as time and money allow. We expect to finish paying down debt by end of calendar year 2017. And we expect many great uses of the building from now on! The building has served campers for two summer camp seasons and this winter will be the second winter camp season hosted in the new building. There have been 5 weddings and many other group uses already in the short time the building has existed. If you would like to give to help finish this project, PLEASE let me know.

Brandon “Tuna” Bergey,

Executive Director

brandon @ bethanybirches.org

Fall Newsletter: Camp Agape Partners with BBC

Greetings! My name is Beth Ann Maier and I am Chairperson of the Board of Camp Agape Vermont. The single guiding mission of Camp Agape Vermont is for God’s totally accepting, unconditional love, to be experienced by children who have a parent in prison. These children have a 75% risk of being in prison someday themselves, and what better way is there to reduce that risk than for them to know that they are loved and valued by God? This summer, Camp Agape supported 55 campers in Bethany Birches Camp programs. I want to tell you a story that shares the wonder and hope that is fostered by the partnership of Bethany Birches and Camp Agape.

As the camp was gathering for the final Fireside of the Summit-Mid week, twelve year old Tom (all fictitious names) was all charged up, and shot a karate chop into the night that connected with thirteen year old Peter’s face. Now Peter had been dealing pretty well all week with the impulsive and irritating Tom. Usually he could laugh or turn away, but Peter was in pain, worn out, angry, and sad that camp would be ending the next day. He had reached his limit. He could screech out an obscenity, he could plant his fist in Tom’s face, or he could run. He chose to run – into the dark night. Christian, a sixteen year old BBC intern ran after him, and, because we are very serious about never having one camper alone with one staff person, I ran after them. I found them some distance away, sitting in the bushes, quietly talking. I stayed back, and heard Christian ask: “Do you mind if I pray for you?” Peter responded angrily: “I don’t need your sympathy. I don’t want your pity!” “That’s not what it’s about,” said Christian. “It’s about strength and courage, and I need it as much as you do.” And that is what they prayed for before they quietly got up and returned to Fireside.

May we continue to find strength and courage in our partnership as we accompany each other in God’s grace and love.

~ Beth Ann

Did you know that:

* 57.8% of VT inmates experienced the incarceration of a parent or loved one when they were a child.

* Over the course of a year, parental incarceration affects 6000 VT children.

Summer 2016 was the second summer in our partnership together and we hope the beginning of a long partnership together. Agape at BBC feels to us like an excellent fit. We believe deeply in the Camp Agape mission and want this shared program to succeed so many youngsters may consider alternatives to behavior that may continue the cycle of crime in their family system.

~ Brandon “Tuna” Bergey

14th Annual Benefit Auction Report

Greetings friends!

Another auction has come and gone. Boy was it fun! Preparation always seems so stressful for the committee and staff. I left camp at 10pm on Friday night knowing there was plenty to finish on Saturday morning. Slept OK. Woke up thinking about all there was to do. Rushed up to camp after kissing my wife and daughter. Got out of my truck and took a deep breath. Immediately I smelled quiche baking and doughnuts frying. The air was brisk and the sun bright. Fog was rising from the valley below. I recalled a snapshot from a recent board retreat. Someone wrote “Auction Day.” That was a response to the question, “What do you love about camp?” I hadn’t thought about that much until that moment. And I realized that even though it’s stressful for me I just love auction day! Campers are back on site. Many of our most faithful supporters are here. Lots of volunteers hustle around to get food out. And there are new-to-camp folks checking it out for the first time. Sometimes just passing by sometimes from a nearby town.

What a wonderful mix of people! And all for the purpose of supporting a vision of a better world – a vision of giving local children a needed experience; young people who need a place to go and get outside and play. To experience God in nature and the people around them. To be inspired to hope and dream and love. Who doesn’t want to invest in our youth in a meaningful way.

And then there’s the food. Fresh made doughnuts. Quiche & fruit. Fresh coffee. Fresh squeezed apple cider. Popcorn just popped like at the movies. Add the people and food to the event itself – the auctioneers doing their thing with their crazy fast talk. What fun and fellowship!

Some stats:

$42,049 has been recorded so far.
80 bidder numbers were handed out to over 130 people.
95 raffle tickets sold (congrats to Rebecca Golding, winner).
180 doughnuts made and consumed in 4 hours.

See photos from the day on the main auction page. Coming to that page in a day or so will be the lot list with winning bids attached. It’s often fun to see how much items sold for.

And please please please plan to join us next year, September 23 OR 30, 2017 (committee will be deciding shortly).

Please also plan to join us as a volunteer during winter or summer programs. Or, sign up for monthly giving (email me brandon @ bethanybirches.org for the monthly giving form). No matter how you join in the fun, hope to see you here at camp sometime soon.

Brandon “Tuna” Bergey

Archive for the ‘2016 Fall Newsletter’ Category

Give Camp for Christmas

The Seasons of Camp

From Jamaica To Vermont

Fall Newsletter: Taftsville Chapel goes solar in part to benefit Bethany Birches

Fall Newsletter: What’s up with the Pavilion Project?

Fall Newsletter: Camp Agape Partners with BBC

14th Annual Benefit Auction Report