We are so excited about who God has brought to AC this summer.

On the first day of training, the AC staff did something called an acclimatization hike. This hike brings them on the road less traveled. These pictures were taken right when they got back.

Kristin Theilen has been hired as the 2017 Day Camp Director. Kristin has been a familiar face at CPBC Summer Camps since 2014. She just finished up her Education degree at North Park University. We are incredibly excited for her to bring bother her camp experience and Education expertise to this job. She is also excited to lead the Day Camp team. Kristin wrote a quick note to introduce herself and express her excitement for the summer:

“Hello! My name is Kristin Theilen and I am the Day Camp Director this summer! In December I graduated from North Park University in Chicago with a degree in history and secondary education and a minor in math. A lover of England and baking, the quickest way to my heart is through tea and cupcakes. The past three summers I have had the privilege of counseling at Covenant Pines Bible Camp and now I am excited to transition into this new role! This summer I am eager for many more games of whip ‘n strip and perfecting the process of tie dye, but I am most looking forward to the opportunity to partner with churches each week and work with the rest of the day camp team.”

Every year we try to build upon the success of previous summers. One of the ways we are doing that this summer is by increasing our Day Camp staff from 2 to 4 people. We have tremendous faith that Kristin is the right person to lead this bigger team and give each camper a quality experience.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Day Camp program, 2017 Dates & Locations, please click here.

We are very excited about our new website. The new site is mobile responsive, intuitive, attractive to new visitors, and full of information for returning visitors. But more than that, our new site reflects a significant change in what it means to be “Covenant Pines.”

Over the past few years, God has led us to ask some big questions. Who are we? What is Covenant Pines Bible Camp? What is Adventurous Christians? Silver Beach? Day Camp? What does it mean to be Covenant Pines Ministries? What is our purpose? What is our mission? Our new website is one way that we are communicating the answers to those questions.

Why we exist

Camp Changes Lives.

That’s what you see when you land on our homepage. Those three simple words. We believe it’s true and that’s what drives us. That’s why the McGregor property was purchased in 1954. That’s why Adventurous Christians was founded. That’s why we bring Day Camp to the Cities. We have seen God grab hold of people at camp countless times. At camp, God gets our attention. He tells us He loves us. He convicts us. He saves us. He gives us direction. He gives us strength for the next step in our journey with Him. Of course, God is doing this at all times and in all places, not just at camp. When your life is changed, it’s the Holy Spirit speaking and it’s you making the choice to listen and respond. Camp helps with this process by removing obstacles, creating a loving community, and pointing you toward Christ. All you have to do is take a step.

our mission

The staff and board, under the leadership of our Executive Director, Dave, spent some time reevaluating our mission statement last year. Through some prayer and discussion, the board decided on this:

The mission of CPM is to encourage campers to take a next step in Christian faith.

We have a shortened version of this: “Encouraging campers to take a next step in Christian Faith.” This is the mission of everything we do in all of our ministries. Anyone who participates in anything we do is considered a camper. Whether you’re 3 or 103, you’re a camper. Whether you’re at Women’s Retreat or on a Canoe Trip, you’re a camper. Every camper will be encouraged to take a next step while they are participating in our programs. We don’t know exactly what that step is for everyone. Only God knows that. But our loving staff, the beautiful environment, and our intentional programming will gently encourage you and help you discern what that next step is. Our goal is that this happens for all ages at all of our ministries.

covenant pines ministries

Covenant Pines Ministries (CPM) is 4 different camping experiences: CPBC, Adventurous Christians, Silver Beach, and Day Camp. However, we have noticed that many people aren’t aware of that. For the past few years, we have sought to unify these 4 Experiences.

You may have noticed that we have changed the way we present Covenant Pines in our communications. Our newsletters are no longer separated into one from CPBC and another from Adventurous Christians. The emails you get from us are now from Covenant Pines Ministries and contain news stories from all 4 ministry centers. You may have seen some of our banners, pamphlets, videos, and web graphics that include all 4 ministries.

If you’ve been paying really close attention, you may have noticed that we change the way we talk about Covenant Pines. We have been intentional to say “Covenant Pines Bible Camp” when referring to CPBC instead of just “Covenant Pines.” You may have heard our staff say that we are a “Family of Christian Camping Experiences.” Maybe you’ve heard Dave say that we are “1 Ministry, with 2 properties, and 4 ministry centers.”

The new website seeks to solidify this even further. The design, to the organization of pages, and even the web address all work to convey the fact that we are 1 ministry.

new site structure

One site for all 4 ministries

Previously we had 5 separate websites; one for each ministry and one for Covenant Pines Ministries. Now we’ve condensed it all into one website. We tried to design the site so that it is still very easy to navigate to a specific program or ministry.

condensing what we offer

Everything we offer has been condensed into 5 categories. Previously, you would have to first determine what ministry your desired event would fall under, navigate to that ministry site, and then find the program. Now it’s all accessible from our homepage. The 5 categories are below:

1. Camps
   • You’ll find summer camps, day camps, and family camps information.
2. Retreats
   • Here you’ll see Adult Retreats, Youth Retreats, Family Retreats, and planning/hosting your own retreat with us.
3. Rentals
   • This is where you would go if you’re interested in renting a cabin for your family or friends. You’ll be directed to Silver Beach and Adventurous Christians
4. Outdoor Adventures
   • This category is for all of AC’s programming: Wilderness Retreats, Canoe Trips, and The Crossover.
5. Events
   • Any standalone event: Golf Tournament, Annual Meeting, AC Banquet, Parent Coffees, etc.

“For Parents” Page

Something else we’re excited about is our “For Parents” section. This falls under “Camps” and can also be found on the sidebar of all individual camps such as “Trailblazers.” This page functions as your one-stop shop for answers to your questions. If you’re looking for a packing list, bus departure information, scholarship information, etc. it’s on there.

for both new and returning visitors

We took a look at our website analytics and found that around 52% of the people who come to our website are new visitors; meaning they are visiting our website for the first time. We want these new visitors to feel welcomed into our unique community. We want them to know who we are and what we do almost instantly. We also want to guide them seamlessly toward whatever program they might be interested in.

However, we also know that many people who use our site are coming back because they want to quickly find some important information, read our latest news, or find a link to send to a friend. We believe that this website is helpful for both new visitors and returning users. If you have no idea what you’re looking for, the website will guide you. If you know exactly what you’re looking for, it should be very easy to find.

malley design

This new site was designed and developed by Malley Design. We enjoy working with this company immensely and not just because the owners used to work on summer staff at CPBC. They have been instrumental in helping us convey the message of who we are and what God is doing through Covenant Pines. We highly recommend them to anyone needing design work.

During January and February, I had the chance to attend 3 Recharge Conferences throughout the midwest. I talked with a lot of Youth Pastors and shared about what AC has to offer.

Recharge is a one-day conference for youth pastors and youth volunteers. They hold these winter events all over the Midwest. I had the privilege to be an Exhibitor for Adventurous Christians at 3 of these locations: The Twin Cities, Cedar Rapids, and Duluth.

I had the chance to speak to over 100 youth pastors and leaders about AC. One of the things I like to emphasize is how AC takes care of all the details of planning a camping trip. I always say something like this:

“Youth Pastors spend countless hours planning the details of every Wed night, every Sun morning, every program. Many youth leaders might want to do a camping trip with their youth group, but the task of planning such a trip is too daunting. That’s where AC comes in. Let us worry about the camping. You just have to get them up there. Once you’re there, just focus on developing relationships with your students.”

I was very encouraged by the conversations that I had. This was our second year attending these Recharge conferences. One thing that stood out to me this year, was that people knew who we were. Many of those in attendance remembered us from last year. On more than a few occasions, someone would say something like “oh yes I was hoping you’d be here because I want to talk to you about a trip!” This was very encouraging.

God is doing great things at Adventurous Christians. They had an amazing winter season. Continue to pray for the staff and pray that God would bring new groups up this summer.

I recently asked a few people a simple question:  “Why do you give monthly to Covenant Pines Ministries?”  Their answers were succinct, meaningful and personal.

“Why do we give monthly to CPM?  We give monthly because we believe in the power of camping ministry and in Covenant Pines.  By giving each month – it is a discipline for us that helps us keep Covenant Pines in our thoughts and prayers on a regular basis.  Covenant Pines was instrumental in our own faith journeys as kids and as staff members.  Now it is an important part of our own children’s faith foundation.  By giving each month we feel like we stay connected to this important place.”

“As a young boy I attend a camp that was affiliated with the Lutheran church I grew up in. The foundation for my decision to become a Christ follower was largely formed from those early experiences.  As a parent and now a grandparent, about the best we can do for our kids and grandkids is to model Christ-like behavior. CPM knows how to reach kids in a way that family and even church does not.”

“We give to Covenant Pines because we love the ministry it provides along with all the fun.  We grew up going to Covenant Pines in the 60’s, our boys went there, worked summers there and married girls that worked there.  Covenant Pines has changed so many lives and we love giving so it can continue to be a place our grandkids and others can learn about the love of Jesus.”

“We give monthly to CPM to show our commitment to the year round ministries offered.  The hope is that our giving, along with others who give monthly, allows CPM to operate knowing there is a level of consistent and dependable monthly financial support. In our personal lives, it is beneficial to know what income we will have on a monthly basis so that we can best plan for the future, it’s reasonable to believe that an CPM would benefit from knowing the same.”

Becky and I are monthly donors and if asked why, I would respond because I want to help CPM achieve its vision to “Change A Life.”  My life was changed by God through Covenant Pines Ministries.  I want that to be true for others.

In addition to receiving individual financial, product and equipment donations, CPM has two monthly giving groups that each serve a different purpose:

Friends of Covenant Pines Ministries

This giving group was established with the purpose of providing financial resources to support capital improvement needs. Donors give on a monthly basis to ensure our facilities and equipment are maintained and updated.

Foundation Builders

New in 2017, this giving group was established with the purpose of providing financial support for CPM’s operational needs.  Donors give monthly to provide a healthy financial foundation for ministry to be built on.

I encourage you to consider participating in one of these two giving groups.  Your donations provide resources that enable our ministry to thrive.  It is a 2017 goal of mine to strengthen Covenant Pines Ministries by increasing the number of donors who give monthly to CPM.  You are able to give on-line or through the mail.  Please indicate if you gift is part of a giving group.

I look forward to having you partner with us.