Summer 2018 information is now available for Covenant Pines Bible Camp, Adventurous Christians, and Silver Beach Family Camp.
COVENANT PINES BIBLE CAMP
Click below to see Dates & Prices for Youth Camps, Family Camps, and Junior Staff sessions.
ADVENTUROUS CHRISTIANS
Click below for Canoe Trips Rates and Availability for groups and families .
SILVER BEACH FAMILY CAMP
Click below for Cabin Rental Rates and Availability.
In September, we hosted our women’s retreat where just over 100 ladies from all over the Twin Cities area came up to CPBC to enjoy fellowship in God’s creation. This year our speaker was Kyliah Villa from Crosstown Covenant church. Kyliah took games and stories from her children as analogies for our walks with Jesus. She was engaging, creative, and invited good conversations for small group discussions following each worship session. The warm September weekend lent for some quiet paddle-boarding on Round Lake as well as a guided canoe trip on Davis Lake with some of our staff. For me, this weekend fully encompassed some of the best things we do at camp—there were times of quiet reflection outside to be with God, times of fun and laughter, doing childlike things like our Giant Swing and Climbing tower, and many times of good conversation over a cup of coffee or around a fire. And God was so present in all of those places. So thanks to all who chose to take a weekend away from the craziness of fall to slow down at camp with us. Check out some pictures below. We hope to see many of you again next fall!
As a newcomer to Covenant Pines Bible Camp, I’ve heard a lot of talk about our MEA retreat. A lot of people—campers and former summer staff alike—look forward to it as a weekend to enjoy camp once more before winter hits. Many who love CPBC described MEA to me as one of the best retreats we do here at camp. So naturally, there was a lot of anticipation built up for this new program director in her first MEA retreat. And man, it didn’t disappoint.
As just over 100 junior high campers made their way off the busses here in McGregor, my heart was full of a lot of things.
Full of excitement as I so love fall retreats and youth retreats together. These retreats provide an awesome opportunity for youth groups to build community and deepen relationships as they begin their journey through a new year together.
Full of nerves as this was my first experience as the program director at a CPBC youth retreat.
But mostly, full of anticipation for all that I knew God had in store for these two retreats over the extended MEA weekend. Both Junior and Senior High MEA were filled with much laughter, warm hot chocolate and coffee beverages, good conversations, and many games. A highlight of our programming revolved around pumpkins—we launched some full sized pumpkins with a giant trebuchet that some of the staff built and we also played a classic Covenant Pines favorite “whip n’ strip” with pumpkins. The unseasonably warm October weather lent itself to lots of hanging out in the sunshine and enjoying the beautiful creation that God provided. Our speaker for the long weekend was Rebekah Strobel, a youth pastor at Selah Covenant Church in Washington state. She told many stories and spoke about following God “Into the Wild” of our lives. She called campers to live into their identity as images of God, and to have enough faith to “get out of the boat” as Peter did with Jesus.
The MEA retreat is really all things summer camp rolled into a couple of days for each age group. And as I was standing on the steps leading up to Oak Ridge while the Senior High campers played pumpkin whip n’ strip, my heart was so full. I was reminded in that moment that God shows up in every aspect of camp. He shows up in games, worship, conversations, everything. I was reminded of what a privilege it is to get to watch campers love camp and experience God in this place month after month and, hopefully, year after year.
I’m grateful for our youth pastors who chose to take their MEA weekend and partner with us as counselors with their students. I’m grateful for our former summer staffers who jumped in to help out camp and the new program director they hadn’t even met yet. I’m grateful for the people who pray for us often. We can feel those prayers. And I’m grateful for camp; a place where kids and adults alike can experience God in so many different ways. I look forward to many more MEA retreats to come—join us next year!
On October 28th, over 100 folks came to our annual fundraiser for Adventurous Christians. We got to hear personal testimonies from AC guests and ministry updates from Brad Shannon and Dave Cairns. It was a wonderful celebration of what God is doing at AC!
The guests in attendance raised $25,220 for the ministry of AC. We are incredibly thankful for the generous hearts of those who gave. These gifts make it possible for us to carry out our vision to change lives. Thank you for supporting camp – with your prayers, time & gifts.
We are also thankful to everyone who donated auction items and those who volunteered at the banquet. We couldn’t pull this off without you! Blessings from the Trail.
We are excited to announce the name of AC’s new retreat building – Portage Haus! Each room will be named after a unique portage in our area of the Boundary Waters. The building is all trimmed out and we will have carpeting and bunk beds set up in a few weeks ready for the Winter Retreat Season. This coming year we will focus on some of the finishing details in the main area – such as fire place, entryway tile, mudroom, fixtures & furnishings. Thank you for your prayers and support. Check out some pictures of our progress below!
