The end of the year is always a very natural time to reflect on all that has happened in the past twelve months. For us here at CPM, we find ourselves extremely grateful for 2024. This was a very significant year for our ministry and we are so thankful to all our campers, staff, volunteers, donors and friends who made it possible. As 2024 comes to a close, we find ourselves full of thanks and anticipation for what is to come in 2025.
In our last staff meeting of the year, our staff was chatting about what we are looking forward to in the new year. For some, it is their first time experiencing year round camp ministry, and they are looking forward to seeing what the rest of the retreat season holds and establishing relationships with campers and volunteers. Others are looking forward to summer ministry – meeting the summer staff, more next steps nights and seeing campers grow in their faith and feeling more settled in the Worship Center.
Our friends at AC are looking forward to completing some projects and seeing how that impacts how we do ministry, our new and upcoming Clergy Canoe Trip, and also fixing up our canoe fleet and preparing for summer trips thanks to our generous Portage Partners. In the Twin Cities, Holly is looking forward to kicking off some new projects and fun events that will hopefully continue to allow growth and sustainability for CPM.
The thing people were most excited for in 2025? SNOW! After a brown winter in 2024 our staff on both properties are ready for some serious winter fun. This was such a good reminder about what we do at camp – and that one of our pillars of ministry is FUN! We hope to see many of you at camp this winter to check out the new and improved broom ball rink at CPBC or take a cross country ski at AC – and so we can provide you with a safe, fun, gospel experience.
Our applications for Summer 2025 are OPEN! If you or someone you know is thinking about working at camp this summer – take a look at these Summer Staff Application FAQs that our Program Directors Jared and Lexi Covenant Pines Bible Camp and Trisha at Adventurous Christians have put together.
Are Summer Staff Applications Open?
CPBC: YES
AC: YES!
When do you start doing interviews for summer staff?
CPBC: We will start doing interviews in December. Jared or Lexi will reach out to set one up with you!
AC: We already have! We try to set up an interview within a couple weeks of receiving an application.
I am interested in working at camp, but can’t commit to working the whole summer. Should I still apply?
CPBC: Yes. We hire staff each year with varying availability. We will work with you and your schedule.
AC: Sure! Our guide staff need to be around for the entirety of staff training, but we can be flexible with the rest of the summer. Other positions like kitchen and in-base are even more flexible. We appreciate knowing your availability as far ahead as possible.
What is the value of spending one of my summers as a young adult at camp?
CPBC: Building lifelong friendships. Spiritual and personal growth. Opportunity to serve others.
AC: Many people consider Boundary Waters trips to be a once in a lifetime experience. Working at AC, you get to not only experience it, but become proficient and enable other peoples experiences while living in Christian community. There are endless opportunities to grow physically, mentally, relationally, and spiritually against the backdrop of service in God’s creation.
When does staff training start?
CPBC: June 3rd
AC: May 26th
I’d love to work at camp for the summer, but I need an internship for school. What are my options?
CPBC: We offer several different internship opportunities that fit most majors. If you mention it during your interview we will work out the details.
AC: We don’t have specific positions set up for internships, but we’re open to exploring possibilities based on your school’s requirements.
I’d love to work at camp for the summer, but don’t feel like I can afford it as I’ve heard you don’t get paid very much. Is that true?
CPBC: We pay competitively amongst camps, and meals and housing are part of your compensation. You also spend a lot less money working at camp for the summer. We can talk more about this in your interview!
AC: Compared to other christian guiding organizations, AC pays competitively, though if money is your primary motivation, you may be dissatisfied. Room and board is provided, and guide staff receive Advanced Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness Water Safety certifications.
What other thoughts or advice do you have for someone who is thinking about applying to work on summer staff?
CPBC: Pray about it and talk to a trusted person about it. Bonus if that person has worked at camp before!
AC: Prayerfully consider if serving at camp would be a good next step for you. Also, reach out and ask questions. We’d love to talk with you about what working at camp is like.
If you are interested in working on Summer Staff at Covenant Pines or Adventurous Christians this summer, start by checking out our website here. If you have questions, email Jared or Lexi at Covenant Pines or Trisha at AC!
After a summer full of ministry, we have transitioned into our retreat ministry here at Covenant Pines Bible Camp. This summer was the first time we experienced worship in our New Worship Center. It was, of course, an adjustment – but it was amazing to see the Spirit of God so present in campers as they worshipped and had fun in this new space. Campers continued to take next Steps in Christian faith – it was a great introduction to what the future holds here for us at CPBC.
Now that retreat season has began, we have begun to see even more what the effect of the New Worship Center will be on our ministry. We have had a busy fall – hosting multiple midweek groups and large groups on weekends. The busyness is tiring, but the impact of ministry is worth it. Here are just a few examples of ways the new Worship Center has made a difference in our retreat groups this fall:
- We hosted the Minnehaha Academy Middle School Retreat which included almost 250 people. They were able to comfortably worship together in the Worship Center altogether.
- Emmanuel Covenant Church was able to open their Middle School Retreat to other Twin Cities Covenant Churches, allowing for more participation across youth groups of our owner churches.
- CPBC was able to host 160 Christian Camping Leaders from across the state to gather for worship and lunch at the beginning of October.
A year ago, we would have had to make major adjustments to accommodate groups like this. While raising money for the Next Steps Campaign, one of our goals shared for the New Worship Center was to increase our retreat ministry. Even in the short time we have been able to utilize this building, we’ve been able to begin to accomplish this goal. It is just a glimpse of what we hope is a flourishing retreat ministry for years to come.
One faculty member from Minnehaha, who is a former staff and board member, shared,
“Covenant Pines has an amazing new Worship Center but I was worried the singing wouldn’t feel the same. Nope…still impactful. I love CPBC.”
We are looking forward to continuing through our retreat season, and many more retreat seasons like this in the future. It is truly remarkable to see the plans and hopes of this space come to fruition, both in summer and retreat season. We can’t wait to see what God has in store next for us…including this weekend with 150 Senior Highers at our MEA Retreat!
Summer ministry has concluded, and we have transitioned to our retreat season here at CPM. The fall is a lovely time to be up at camp, and we are reminded about how instrumental retreats are as we engage with our campers. As a camping ministry, we believe in the importance and value of retreating – both as individuals and in community. We talked with Associate Superintendent of the Northwest Conference, Scott Nelson and Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Covenant Church, Chris Studentski about this topic.
Retreats are important as they allow people to get a break from routine. Often retreats are at a slower pace with a focus on relationships or individual growth. But what is the impact following retreats? What difference does it make in the life of a church and an individual?
Emmanuel Covenant Church in Shoreview has made retreats a part of their church rhythm. This church joins us at Covenant Pines sometimes 5 times/year for different retreats, including multiple for their students. When asked why Emmanuel began to make retreats a part of their church rhythm, Lead Pastor Chris Studenski answered, “I was first introduced to retreats as a junior high student. I had never experienced anything like them before. I’m passionate about extending the invitation to others that changed my life! When done well, nothing has the potential to draw people closer to God and one another like getting away and immersing ourselves in a distinctly Christian community.”
What is the impact when the church returns from the retreat? Studenski says, “On a corporate level, friendships are made, existing relationships are deepened, and people come back with memories that they’re excited to share. On an individual level, personal walks with Christ are energized, strengthened, and more evident in their daily decisions.”
We love church retreats at CPBC and encourage as many churches as possible to host one. However, not every church is able to host their own, but retreating as an individual is still important. Scott Nelson, Associate Superintendent for the Northwest Conference chimes in about the value of a retreat for an individual, “Blaise Pascal, who was a Christian mathematician and philosopher, wrote that his world was full of “diversions.” People filled their lives with diversions to distract themselves from the broken state of their souls. Without distractions, people quickly comprehend their need for a Savior. I am not sure how many diversions there were in the 1600’s, but I know there are more now! Retreats gift people with distance from their diversions and distractions, giving space to soak up creation and opening up hearts to hear from the Creator.”
As you can see, the idea of taking a break from the busyness of life and focusing on connecting – with God and with others is an overarching theme of retreats. Nelson mentions this when asked about the role camps play in providing retreats for churches and individuals in our conference, “One of our most important values is connection. This is also one of our greatest needs. Ironically, the more digitally connected our world has become, the less personally connected we are. Loneliness is at dangerously high levels. Retreats allow us to connect face to face and side by side, making memories and deepening our connection. This also grows our connection as Covenant people who are committed to living the mission of Jesus together.”
Covenant Pines invites churches to host their own retreats while also offering CPBC programmed retreats for individuals to participate in – we hope you can join us sometime this year!
Our mission at Covenant Pines Ministries is to encourage campers to take a next step in Christian faith. Each summer we look forward to a full season of ministry and opportunities to see our mission in action. After another great summer, we are excited to share some next steps taken around our four ministry centers.
Adventurous Christians: A canoe trip experience at AC is powerful for a multitude of reasons. While on trail, you challenge yourself, learn new skills, collaborate with your trail group and overcome whatever endeavors are thrown your way; all while hopefully enriching yourself spiritually and connecting with God. One high school student this summer shared that coming into his canoe trip with his youth group, he wasn’t very religious. After the week on trail, he connected with God now has a better understanding of his relationship with Him. What an awesome next step!
Covenant Pines Bible Camp: Each week at Covenant Pines we have what we call a “Next Steps Night” where we present the gospel message and ask campers if they have any next steps they can take in their life. We offer staff support through prayer and conversation. During Junior High 2, MANY of the almost 200 students stayed after chapel to talk or pray with a staff member. From these conversations, there were many next steps shared by these campers that included serving in church, getting baptized once they got home and reading the Bible more. One camper who struggles with anxiety and panic attacks shared that praying really helped her, and that she is planning to talk with her parents about her anxiety once she gets home to get better help she needs. Praise God for the next steps of this camper taking care of her mental health!
Covenant Pines Off Site: After the Worship Center Dedication in April, there were many individuals, families and businesses that decided to take a next step in generosity and contribute to the Next Steps Campaign. One individual who attended the dedication is a former staff member who had not been to Covenant Pines in a few years. After feeling inspired after the dedication, this former staff member even decided to start a monthly donation to Covenant Pines!
Silver Beach Family Camp: One family has been coming to Silver Beach for many years, since their children were young. Their oldest son has always loved coming to Silver Beach and also having the experience at the Bible Camp as a camper. This summer, their oldest son took a next step by joining the staff at Covenant Pines! He spent the summer as a lifeguard and working in the kitchen. This is one of our favorite next steps campers take – to join us on staff someday!