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The Musser Family Returns to Bethany Birches

By: Aldine Musser

In July 1984 we (Jim & Aldine) moved to Vermont with our two young daughters. Crystal was not quite 3 and Sheri was 11 months old. Our third daughter, Melody, arrived 4 years later. Bethany Birches Camp was a special place for our family for 17 years. We eagerly looked forward to spending the summer at BBC with staff and campers, many who were our friends and neighbors.

For Jim’s 76th birthday we decided to return with our children, their spouses and children.

We walked around the grounds to every shelter and shared the memories of staff we knew who had been counselors in that shelter or memories of our daughters being a camper in one of the shelters. The paths from one shelter to another were much the same as 40 years ago.

We have memories of cooking over the fire and also singing at firesides with the words written on a posterboard. Reconnecting with folks from Taftsville Chapel, Bethany Mennonite and friends from the village over a picnic lunch was a great way to end our memory visit.

James and Aldine Musser were the executive and program directors. Learn more about their tenure, and other camp happenings with The First Fifty Years sold here: www.bethanybirches.org/50

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!

Local High School “Unplugs” at BBC

Amber “Cheeks” Bergey & Hartford High Teachers and Students

In March of 2024, 27 Hartford High schoolers and 3 teachers arrived at the BBC Cabin and planned to stay for 3 nights. Dropping their phones in a basket was the first event of their stay. The devices would stay in the basket for the duration of the 3 days and the group was officially unplugged. Students, teachers and parents of students on the trip shared reflections that demonstrate the value of inviting young people to disconnect from technology and focus on making other connections. BBC is happy to provide that space for young people to connect with God, creation and each other.

Following the trip a lovely thank you note came to the BBC mailbox and included some of the following reflections.

“Our goal was to take a contingent of our students out into the wilderness to remove the demands of their digitally connected lives with the hope that they would connect deeper with themselves, each other, and nature… We could not be more excited for how this endeavor positively impacted our students on so many levels. We feel incredibly grateful for your willingness to allow us this opportunity to “Unplug.”

One of the teachers in the group shared “In my observations the students who participated in the HHS Unplugged retreat at BBC had a transformative experience. I feel that the trip opened the scholars’ eyes to how much fun and how impactful life can be when we can “figure it out” without the distraction of the internet/cell phones. Shortly after arriving in nature, it did not take long for the students’ creativity and sociability to kick in.”

A student from the senior class noted that “The most beneficial part was learning how to cook and taking a risk and being out of my comfort zone.” Another senior commented, “For me, this trip revealed the difference between real personal connection and the ways I try to connect through my phone.” The thank you note abounded with similar comments from students.

Parents even noticed the difference. A mom sent a note of thanks including, “When I picked him up after the retreat, he was more at ease, more communicative, and more himself than I’ve seen him in a long time. He almost immediately expressed relief from not having to tend his phone all the time and shared that he’d like to curb his use of it moving forward.”

Another senior felt the “experience gave us the chance to grow and learn how we can communicate and build bonds outside of the technological ways we normally would. On behalf of the students of Hartford High-School, I want to thank BBC for allowing us to build those bonds.”

Bethany Birches continues to be a place to connect with God, nature, and have fun while living in community.

Book space at BBC to host your own gathering

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.

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

Mission Success

It is challenging to gauge success when trying to accomplish a mission like Bethany Birches’. We do some surveys after summer and winter seasons to see how we did in a couple different areas. I just LOVE what came from the surveys this past summer.

33% of survey respondents (parents) rated their child’s experience a 10 or “the best time imaginable.” 33% more rated their child’s experience as a 9. And 24% an 8. Half of all survey respondents said their children “seem more loving or kind” after their week at camp. As I read through survey’s from camper parents post summer I saw this report from a mother about her two campers:

“They both came home singing great pre-dinner songs like, “thank you God, for giving us food!!!!” We loved learning these songs and still sing them before meals! They also learned about how to be a good friend, and how to work well with others. They learned how to do their own dishes which made me very happy!”

I think that part of the reason most campers loved it here last summer (ratings of 8, 9, 10) is because they felt loved, accepted and cared for (fun, great people and great activities didn’t hurt either!). “Proof” that we are creating the type of atmosphere required to accomplish our mission. I also take great encouragement knowing that half of the parents surveyed said their children “seem more loving or kind.” This reminds me of Jesus’ teaching to love God and to love people. We must become a person filled with God’s love and love for those around us to accomplish this. If parents are noticing their children becoming “more loving or kind” I bet it’s because what happens at camp is helping people live out this teaching of Jesus and develop a relationship with God.

Mission Success!

Brandon “Tuna” Bergey

The Power of Camp: Friendships

Why Camp Has To Be Challenging

This is an excellent article from American Camp Association!

In summary, it promotes the fact that at the heart of camp are the things that build up people. Hardships. Failures. Homesickness. I would add, fun, relationships and the outdoors go a long way in this building of a person.

You simply must read this article:

https://www.acacamps.org/campmag/1311/tried-true

Tuna

Giving Creates Happiness (and more money)

This post is about money and time. These are two scarce resources. By the end of the post, I hope to have made a great case for why you might like to accept my invitation to come and give time to camp, or give money, or both. In the giving of these two scarce resources, you will be happier!

I stumbled upon two blog posts this past week, both dealing with the data that shows giving things away (especially money and time) make people happier.

One post was sent to me by my brother (thanks Bryce). It’s here. In it, author Arthur Brooks writes:

In 2003, while working on a book about charitable giving, I stumbled across a strange pattern in my data. Paradoxically, I was finding that donors ended up with more income after making their gifts. This was more than correlation; I found solid evidence that giving stimulated prosperity.

He’s not talking about tax loop holes… he’s talking about the way that giving stimulates us. He goes on to explain:

Psychologists, I learned, have long found that donating and volunteering bring a host of benefits to those who give. In one typical study, researchers from Harvard and the University of British Columbia confirmed that, in terms of quantifying “happiness,” spending money on oneself barely moves the needle, but spending on others causes a significant increase.

I have seen this over and over again. I’ve been working for Bethany Birches for 10 years now. One of my primary responsibilities is to reach out to supporters and would-be supporters and share the power of camp with them. It’s amazing. When people are here, at camp, they meet and impact young people. Often they catch a vision of a better world. They are inspired to adjust aspects of their own lives, encourage young people and give to the camp. It’s magical… or perhaps a better word is mystical. Mystical is a better word, I think, because it makes room for the possibility that in this process of relationships and service (giving of ourselves and our resources), God enters.

The second post is from a blog I subscribe to called Generous Matters. In her post, Rebekah Basinger references Brooks’ post and adds some of her own words.

Here’s the problem with all this. It sounds suspicious. Until you experience the joy that comes from giving your time and money away, especially to those who need it (like young people at camp), you can’t quite believe that it can provide meaning and happiness.

Won’t you give it a try?

Give Money Give Time

Tuna

(aka Brandon Bergey)

Summer 2013: #WithGod All Things Are Possible

Mission Possible All Around: #WithGod all things are possible…

…#WithGod BBC used Mission Possible as the summer-long theme based on Matthew 19:26. Campers were challenged to be #WithGod both at camp and at home. The Mission Possible theme also explored how we can be #WithGod and why it matters. Shepherds invited campers to be #WithGod in all aspects of life.

…#WithGod BBC created a new week of camp this summer: Mission Possible week. Campers were invited on a week-long mission to prove BBC is achieving its mission. Campers participated in the traditional version of their favorite game multiple times and were surprised with MI versions adapted especially for this first time BBC program…

…#WithGod BBC created a new program this summer dedicated to teen campers who want to be at camp more than one week of the summer. Mission Possible Crew week allowed 14-18 yr old campers to come to camp to help with clean up and program while continuing to enjoying the perks of camper life. BBC Crew campers enjoyed setting up and guarding for Mission Impossible games. One crew member enjoyed it because “we got to help make the campers time at camp better while having fun at the same time!” (Erianna, ’13 Crew Member)

…#WithGod BBC is working towards a new pavilion. Each Friday night campers shared with their parents various reasons why camp needs a new pavilion. Mission Possible: The Pavilion Project is building momentum with 1.2 million of the 1.8 million dollar goal committed.