The lodging is heated! There are beds instead of a wood floor. Activities are different. The point is the same; developing skills, relationships and faith.
So sign up for a winter weekend. Dates and registration here.
Archive for the ‘Program News’ Category
Halloween Weekend For Teens at Camp
In a little over a week, the October Teen Connect will be hosted at camp. At the teen connect, there are a bunch of things going on. Cheeks and Sparkles have been making videos about some of the activities planned. Come and bring friends!
PART 1
PART 2
Register Now Facebook Event
PART 3
PART 4
Register Now Facebook Event
Old Pavi Art Sold At Annual Benefit Auction
On September 27, the 12th annual benefit auction will be held at Bethany Birches Camp.
The original pavilion was torn down just a month ago. And we are busily working toward the completion of the new pavilion. And boy is it going to cost some money to build and finish this new pavilion! Many people have given faithfully, sacrificially and exuberantly. And we are thankful. More on that in a future post. This post is about the auction and old pavi art!
Some camp supporters who are skilled craftsmen decided to make some really cool items for the auction out of the old pavilion. Fred Schlabach and Dave Beidler have been hard at work and they’ve created some incredible stuff. Fred made a bunch of mirrors. He will explain why he chose mirrors at the auction. He also made a pendant light. Dave made a table out of the old pavilion posts! Some of these items will be matched so that when you bid on it your dollar is worth two or three! Who wants one?! Can’t make it to the auction? Place a bid online right here using the codes in the descriptions
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- Pendant Light made with mixing bowl from the old kitchen. All hardware for install included. BID CODE: PLBBBC
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- Old Pavi window transformed into a mirror: original patina with fresh varnish sealer. BID CODE: PAVWIB
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- Old Pavi window transformed into a mirror. Deep red paint and varnish sealer. BID CODE: PAVWIC
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- Old Pavi window transformed into a mirror. Gray paint and varnish sealer. BID CODE: PAVWIA
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- Old Pavi Posts transformed into a hall table finished with multiple coats of danish oil. BID CODE: BBCTAB
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- You can even put a doile on it!
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- Old Pavi Siding transformed into a mirror: Red wash over black. Varnish sealer. CODE: MIRROR
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- Old Pavi Siding transformed into a mirror: Black with gray inside border. Varnish sealer. CODE: MIRROR
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- Old Pavi Siding transformed into a mirror: Black borders with gray wash. Varnish sealer. CODE: MIRROR
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- Old Pavi Siding transformed into a mirror: Gray paint and varnish sealer. CODE: MIRROR
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- Old Pavi Siding transformed into a mirror: Gray wash over black. Varnish sealer. CODE: MIRROR
Annual Sunday Service and BBQ (Church at Camp)
It’s that time of year – time for the camp staff to share about their experiences at camp, including how they’re experiencing God. And a Chicken BBQ!
You’re invited. If you can, come up to camp this coming Sunday, July 13, 2014 a little before 10am. Service starts at 10am. AND, there’s a Chicken BBQ directly following. The BBQ is on us (free of charge – however we will take an offering for the Pavilion Project during the service).
As you probably know, the work of Bethany Birches is to create a camp atmosphere where young people can learn, grow and come to faith in Jesus. This Sunday is about how that work is progressing and how we’ve evidenced God working and moving among us.
This post includes some of the folks who shared last summer.
See you here July 13?
August 9: Pavilion Teardown Hoedown Celebration
It’s a sad day and a glad day. As you probably already know, our plan, in faith (and assuming all the necessary permits are finalized), is to tear the pavilion down starting in August. To commemorate the building and the many memories, experiences, transformations, weddings, meals, (fill in the blank – seriously, which memories do you have from the pavi?) that happened under the original pavi roof, a party is being thrown! And you’re invited.
Come one, come all.
Where: Bethany Birches Camp’s Pavilion
When: August 9, 2014 @ 2pm
What: First, work. We’ll haul a bunch of stuff out of the building. Second, party. BBQ and square dance
See you there?
Tuna
Your Birthday Party at Camp
The first campers at camp this summer were birthday campers! On 2 different occasions campers got to celebrate their birthday at Bethany Birches. Sparkles led their favorite camp activities while parents, family and friends brought food and supplies for the party. Everyone enjoyed BBC’s beautiful view and loads of fun. One camper mom commented, “Are you planning to do this next year? I hope so; my daughter is already planning her next birthday!” Check with BBC in the fall for the possibility of hosting your birthday party here at no cost!
– Amber “Cheeks” Bergey
UBuildIt: A special summer camp 2014 week at Bethany Birches
Camp is packed full of so many fun activities. While part of my job is to think of new and exciting activities to bring to camp, we have often looked to campers for inspiration as well. From interviews, to camper’s evaluations, to conversations, we want campers to have a voice. If a camper has a creative vision, we’ll run with it. I imagine this is how the pillow log came to be, and it’s exactly why we installed an archery range. Kids after all have the best imaginations!
This year we are putting on our second consecutive special theme week that looks different from the usual Vermont summer camp program. We chose the title UbuildIt. We are harnessing the imaginations of 50 or so campers to create a very fun and interactive week. Campers will be able to pick their favorite activities when they register. We will plan the week based on these choices. Campers will even have the chance to modify existing activities for each other. Some of the favorites up for modification include Mission Impossible, Pig Trough, Slip N’ Slide, Camp Cinema, Group Games.
So often in this day and age we see young people relying on social media, screens and apps to entertain. This favorites UbuildIt week is going to turn this model upside down and challenge campers to get involved in making the fun! We couldn’t be more excited to see what they come up with.
Are you joining us this summer?
Sparkles
Free Camp and Portable Gaga
Free Camps are finished for the the 2014 spring season. Here is a quick video summary from Woodstock’s. Thanks to all who came out to try out the new portable Gaga Pit!
Tuna
Winter Camp: Cure for the Common Winter
At camp, we tend not to do commercials. We aren’t a commercial place and we try hard to remain rustic. We cook meals over the fire, use wood to heat buildings, use cast iron to cook food, light our way at night with gas lanterns and all sorts of other old-time stuff. This lack of technology at camp helps keep distractions at bay (although, let’s be honest, cast iron and gas lanterns are awesome technologies!).
As we learn how to communicate with the outside world, we try to demonstrate camp as best we can so those who haven’t yet been to camp, can gain a sense for how fun it really is. Each winter camp session, campers just can’t seem to get enough tubing!
We used video to demonstrate how much campers LOVE to tube in this 30 second commercial.
See you at winter camp?
Tuna
Mission Possible: Giving Presence
BBC has chosen a theme for summer 2014! There has been a pattern developing the past few years. A theme for the upcoming summer is chosen and at the same time the prior summer’s theme is STUCK in my mind. For the past 6 weeks we’ve contemplated the summer theme for 2014 and I’ve had Mission Possible (summer 2013) on the brain!
Over the next few weeks perhaps I’ll share some of the ways I’ve seen Mission Possible come alive outside the realm of summer camp. I could share how Mission Possible has morphed into a relevant way to experience God everyday. For now, here’s one example:
I love presents! Some people know this about me. Some people may not. I love to OPEN presents and I love to GIVE presents. The look on someone’s face when they first view the present they didn’t even know they wanted but are so glad to have is priceless! Giving someone joy makes me near giddy. The anticipation of uncovering what is underneath the wrapping paper is the best suspense I’m aware of! I love presents.
This year is different. I can’t decide what to wrap for the people I love most. What do they want? What do they need?
This year is different. Both sides of my family have decided to exchange names which means less giving/receiving of presents.
This year giving presents has felt nearly impossible. And then I received the following in an email:
“This time of year, I’m particularly aware of the importance of presence. Not presents, but presence… The gift of their (family) presence has been truly the most rewarding gift I have ever received. Just knowing that they are there for me gives me confidence to do whatever my heart desires. And that is a great gift.
In this season of presents, it’s easy to get bogged down in the commercialism and gift buying. I would like to encourage you to give someone your presence this holiday season. It will mean a great deal to the giver and the receiver. ” (Michelle Cummings, Training Wheels CEO)
Suddenly both giving and receiving seems possible. And exciting. I will give my presence. I will enjoy the presence of others. Together we will experience God’s presence.
#WithGod.
Celebrating Christmas at Camp with Presents – Summer 2013