For years the wonderful staff and campers at camp have been creating many videos (hundreds!). A lot of those (less than two hundred) made their way to Youtube. It was such a shame to let them sit there, lonely and unwatched so we decided to create BBC TV. There are currently four channels: Summer, Winter, Staff and Everything (clever title, we know). You’ll find them here: BBC TV
Archive for the ‘Newsletters’ Category
Newsletter 2013: An Update From The BBC Board of Directors
The annual board retreat was held in January at Jeff Rosenberger’s Springfield Apple Orchard. Phil Bergey was the facilitator. The Pavilion Project is foremost for the director and the board along with the continuing energy needed to carry on the mission of BBC. Mission Possible: The Pavilion Project has been launched to make this dream become a reality in 2014 after the camping season is completed. Building plans, site location, timetables, contractors, current finances, and prospective donors are on the minds of many.
A comprehensive director’s review has also been undertaken. Recommendations and compensation have been updated. The board is very pleased with the leadership and vision provided by Brandon Bergey and the program director (and wife!), Amber. Public Social Media Policies are also being formulated to keep abreast with modern technologies and social media. The organization continues to seek ways and opportunities to help shape youth and young adults to be productive Kingdom citizens.
Russell Pejouhy, board member – Find Russell’s bio here.
Newsletter 2013: Snow Camp!
A lot of snow + campers + BBC= SNOW CAMP!! Undoubtedly campers love going to camp: to see friends, to see the staff, and at BBC- to learn more about God. We (a group of volunteers) had a great time with the campers in a non-stop action packed weekend, but the focus wasn’t necessarily on snow – It was on God.
Something that stands out in my mind from the weekend was a conversation that a couple of us (volunteers and campers) were having. I remembered one of the campers – he has a brilliant mind but had a hard time processing the existence of one almighty God. He and his family tended to be polytheistic and as we talked about the story of Elijah found in 1 Kings in the Bible, he asked some really good questions – like, “Why did Elijah call upon Baal to bring fire down when that wasn’t Baals ‘gift’ or ‘power’? He wasn’t the god of fire so of course he won’t be able to send fire down on the altar.” Hmm, good point. We continued to go deeper, yet at some point he seemed to reach an impasse, to which he said, “I’m a skeptic…” as if he thought that by saying that I would stop asking questions. We pressed on. He said that it would take a REALLY BIG miracle to prove to him that the God of Abraham is real.
It was a blessing to be a part of that discussion. He was processing the Christian story. He was asking good questions. He has a deeper knowledge now than he had before – whether that translates into a trust in Jesus and eventual service of God’s Kingdom is yet to be seen. At least a weekend at camp filled his heart and mind with knowledge of the truth. Sometimes these conversations can be a challenge, but they’re the ones that can also bring about the most change and can give us the most encouragement to keep going, to keep proclaiming the message of the gospel to a world that so desperately needs to hear it, see it, feel it, experience it – and Bethany Birches IS all of those things to EVERY camper!
Scott Kratz, Volunteer
Newsletter 2013: Summer Programs & Events
| Event | Age | Date |
| Staff Orientation | 17+ | Jun 15-22 |
| Pilgrim | 9-11 | Jun 23-28 |
| Voyager | 10-12 | Jun 30-Jul 5 |
| Voyager Extended | 10-11 | Jun 23-Jul 5 |
| Church at Camp and Chicken BBQ(Camp staff lead in worship and sharing) | All | Jul 7 10 am BBQ following Service |
| Friendship/ Pioneer | 6-9 | Jul 7-9/7-11 |
| Discoverer | 11-13 | Jul 14-19 |
| Internship | 15-17 | Jul 14-26 |
| Explorer | 12-14 | Jul 21-26 |
| Discoverer Extended | 12-13 | Jul 14-26 |
| Sojourner | 14-18 | Jul 28-Aug 2 |
| Mission Possible/Crew | 11-14/15-18 | Aug 4-8 |
| Staff De-Orientation | 17+ | Aug 9-11 |
| Facility Available for Rent & Events | Aug 12-Oct | |
| BBC Annual Benefit Auction | Sept 28 10am | |
| Fall Work Day | Oct 26 9am |
Newsletter 2013: 5 Reasons to Attend the Annual Benefit Auction
Many people have been to the annual benefit auction here at Bethany Birches. If you aren’t one of those persons, I wanted to give you 5 good reasons why you might enjoy the auction:
- A Mercedes Benz will be auctioned with NO reserve price, courtesy of Signal Aviation
- There will be free doughnuts and coffee during the preview (9 – 10 am)
- A snowmobile will be raffled from June 23-September 28 and the winner drawn that morning
- Be AT camp. From the view to the campers to a tasty, no-charge lunch, the auction is a good taste of classic BBC
- And of course, Sandy Alderfer (auctioneer) will entertain you with his wit and wisdom
For more information, visit the benefit auction page.
Tuna
PS – we’re looking for auction donations!
Spring Newsletter 2013: Mission Possible, The Pavilion Project
Intel is on a need to know basis. Here’s what you need to know. The effort to replace the old pavilion with a new one is under way.
We’ve been hard at work raising money since October 2012. Some of camp’s faithful supporters have given generously to achieve nearly $700,000 in commitments already. The project total is $1,800,000. This will pay for the new pavilion and subsidize program for 4 years (we wanted to consolidate all our fundraising needs for the length of the campaign into one effort).
Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to make a gift (or at least a commitment) by August 15, 2013. If you complete your mission you will receive a couple free gifts.
You may gain intel about the free gifts and give here.
In order to proceed, you must watch the video about the project here.
Newsletter 2012: Encouragement in the Face of Challenge
We knew it was going to be a challenge – I remember being in a beautiful place after my frustration subsided upon the fire marshal’s departure. The kind of place in which it’s clear that though this is going to be a hard road to walk, it’s going to be good. It’s a road that God has paved. And it was. Not only did we receive grace from the fire marshal and volunteers but many gave money. And by the end of December, we should be completed with the cabin fire safety project.
And now we find ourselves facing another challenge: the construction of a new pavilion. Lots could be said about this project but that will be the topic of future newsletters. Right now the thing to know is that we’ve begun the fundraising effort. We’re calling the effort Mission Possible: The Pavilion Project. If you have a contribution you’re compelled to make and you’d like to talk about your gift, please contact me at the office (802-672-5220) or by email ([email protected]).
The third challenge on my mind as I write is the mission the camp has been given – to help young people develop their relationship with God by providing them with a Christ-centered camping experience in a natural and nurturing environment. Inherent is a challenge for staff and campers alike. While we (donors, volunteers, staff) are the helpers, it is the young person and God that must do the relationship building. To become Christ-centered while creating a natural and nurturing setting is a life-long work for each of us. If we can accomplish it, the world will be changed. As Mission Possible states in its theme verse, this sort of change is only possible with God (Matt. 19:26).
And that’s the encouraging part: that seemingly impossible things are possible. Then the challenge of life becomes not how to build that building or how to repair a broken relationship but how to join up with the God who instead makes things possible. If we are willing, God will help in that endeavor too.
Brandon Bergey (Alias: Tuna)
Newsletter 2012: Community of Love: 10th Annual Benefit Auction
Voices chattered against the drone of the cider press as we walked through the fog towards the pavilion. This was the 10th year for the annual event; but my first in attending. The heavy air was not enough to dampen the number of early birds who, by 9:00 am had already gathered to survey the inventory. Huddled bodies milled about the pavilion clasping respective cups of coffee and hot cider. A fire burned in the hearth. I received a free donut and a cup of coffee from Anna Hepler. As the crowd grew, the scene turned warmer. Conversations erupted amidst the silent auction tables. Old friends re-united at the home-made donut dispensary. Ted Shattuck and I both remarked on how long it had been since we had last seen each other. Just before 10 AM, as the sun began to filter through the mist, the auction was underway.
I took a seat next to Brian Goshow, who graciously allowed me to look over his shoulder at the auction manifest every five minutes. The morning slowly built into a raucous occasion full of laughter, bid and counter-bid, and banter all of which were led with the hearty energies of auctioneer Sandy Alderfer. I would be hard pressed to find anyone who would be able to pinpoint a climax during the auction. For some, it was the high cadence of the bidding for Matt Maxham’s side table, eventually won by Jed Dickinson, (or was that Norm Koop’s hand that went up at the last minute?). For some, it might have been the strong supporting bids towards camper sponsorship. And for others, it might have been the donuts hand made by the Hershey-Lapp family.
The highlight for me however was witnessing the broad spectrum of participants who had gathered to share in the event. As I sat with friends from Lancaster PA and from Woodstock Vermont, from Burlington and from Philly, I was aware that it indeed takes all of us to make this event and this camp the great thing that it is.
Seth Shaw
Newsletter 2012: Winter Rental Coupon
Any overnight Mid-Week Rental earns your choice of one of the following:
- A Killington Ticket
- One Hour Private Ski Lesson with Tuna (our Director)
- Breakfast for your entire group
Mention this offer and where you found it to receive benefit. Your choice depends on availability.
Newsletter 2012: Summer Camp Coupon
Early Rise Camper Discount
Register within the first 7 days summer camp registration opens to receive a $50 discount on a summer 2013 session. Sign up to receive blog posts or “like” BBC on Facebook to keep up to date on the beginning of registration.
www.facebook.com/bethanybirches
www.bethanybirches.org/blog-subscription/