We currently have an urgent need for Summer Staff this summer. Read a note from our Program Director, Natalie Swanson below about what staff can expect this summer, as well as why a young adult should consider joining us!
It’s starting to feel like summer around here in McGregor—the ice is off of both Davis and Round lakes, buds are appearing on trees, and there is lots of buzz about the summer registrations coming in. You can feel the excitement of our year-round staff as we pray for our summer season each week; campers are ready to come back to camp this summer and we’re creatively dreaming about all the fun and safe experience we get to make for them. But alongside that excitement in our year round staff is growing anxiety—we have lots of campers who are pumped to be back at camp and not nearly enough summer staff to be with them. Camp is such a fun experience in large part because of our young adults who carry out our mission all summer long. And we need more of those young adults!
I know that camp will feel different in ways this summer—we’ll still be greeting each other indoors smiling under masks. Cabin sizes will be smaller. We’ll be spending a lot more time outside. Summer will feel different for our summer staff team as well—we know that. And while I also feel a sense of loss for the things that will look different this summer, I feel far more excitement and hope. Camp is happening and camp will feel like camp. We’ll still have chapel, we’ll still play our favorite big games, and we’ll still make lifelong friends and grow closer to Christ all summer long. Let’s focus on the hope we feel as summer nears—hope for the good work God will absolutely do in the lives in campers and staff this summer. And you’re a young adult reading this—or you’ve got a young adult in your life that you love—we need you. We need staff that love Jesus and love campers. We need staff that gets excited about playing outside all day and hanging out with people. We’re eager for all that God is going to do this summer, and we need young adults to join us in carrying that out. Will you consider joining our team? Check out our website for more info and applications: https://covenantpines.org/
In the past year, families have likely spent A LOT of time together at home. After being cooped up together at home for a year with lots of screen time between distance learning, working from home and extra downtime…maybe it is time for a family wilderness adventure! We talked with Jeanie Everson, who took her family on an Adventurous Christians Canoe Trip for a family trip in 2018. She is happy to share her experience and why you should consider it this summer!
Jeanie and her family went on a canoe trip as a family vacation in 2018. At the time, her children were ages 15 and 12.
What made your family decide to take a canoe trip at Adventurous Christians?
We decided to take the canoe trip with AC because I (Jeanie) had had such significantly good experiences in the BWCA as a college student, and I really wanted the family to share this kind of experience together at least once. When we found out AC does trips like this, especially for the price, we were thankful and excited. Finally, knowing we’d all be without cell phones the entire time was a big plus – knowing we’d be “fully present.”
What was it like having an AC guide with your family on your canoe trip?
Having the AC guide was super helpful. With the guide, we knew we would get help with navigation plus help with knowing exactly what stuff to bring, etc. Thus, all of us could “enjoy” more and leave some of those critical details to the guide. We loved having the morning and evening devotions, too.
What was the highlight of your family’s trip to AC?
The highlight of our trip was the double night at Lake Esther when we swam around for fun, hiked up to a lookout and found a HUGE amount of blueberries which we ate then and added to the next morning’s pancakes. My daughter’s highlight was portaging a canoe for an entire portage. The whole experience was a highlight of our kids’ growing up years – they’ve told us!
Would you feel comfortable going on a canoe trip as a family in the midst of COVID-19?
We would definitely feel comfortable going on a canoe trip as a family in the midst of COVID-19. In fact, I’d say with so many opportunities that are not safe, this is one that can be done with full confidence and no worries. It might even be a better time to do it because kids won’t miss out on other opportunities that are not running due to COVID.
What would you say to encourage families to consider this as a family vacation experience?
I’d say, “Do it!” There are very few family experiences during which each person contributes to help make it happen, each person can enjoy different parts (which helps each other person notice something new), you can all be fully “present” (without phones/internet) AND NOT MISS THAT, while enjoying extraordinary beauty and fun (swimming, hiking, etc).
Anything else you want to add?
I’m willing to bet most families will come through this with a better/stronger bond as a family.
If your family is interested in going on a canoe trip this summer, contact Lina Swanson at AC. We have openings June 20-July 3 and August 8-21 with flexible arrival and departure dates, depending on the schedule.
As summer registration opened this week, some of you may be wondering – what is camp like for students during COVID-19?
Youth camp certainly looks different in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but after hosting families over the summer and offering church retreats as well as a youth retreat this fall, we are confident we can run camp in a safe and healthy way. But what is it like for the students? We talked with Plymouth Covenant Youth Pastor, Craig Sanborn about his students’ experience at our Senior High Fall Retreat.
How many of your students attended the fall youth retreat?
We had approximately 80 students and leaders attend.
What was their experience like?
It was different but it was still “camp.” So much has been taken from students this past year. Consequently, students have developed a new and greater appreciation for organizations or ministries offering opportunities for them even if it isn’t exactly what they had previously experienced. During my informal exit polls before we left camp on Sunday students gave the weekend experience rave reviews!
How did your students feel about wearing a mask?
Nobody loves wearing masks but students have grown accustomed to doing so. Wearing masks is not a hard sell for what they get to experience overall.
Did you feel like camp was safe?
CPBC has 100% done their part to keep campers safe.
Did the students from your church who attended the retreat have fun, despite the differences in programming?
My students had a blast! Nobody was blindsided by changes or the differences in programming. They accept the changes and are thankful to be together at a place that means so much to them. Just being there is special! Everything else that happens is a bonus!
How did you coordinate transportation?
I thought transportation would be a tricky one but families were more than willing and able to do the pick up and drop off. Some families allowed their children to carpool and a couple students received rides from my adult leaders.
Any final thoughts or anything you would like to share about your camp experience during COVID?
Covenant Pines Bible Camp means the world to my students. It’s where they surrendered their life to Jesus. It’s where they make monumental decisions about their future. It’s where they make and build friendships that will last throughout their lifetime. Covenant Pines Bible Camp is the place where they feel free to be who God has created them to be without the worldly pressure to conform and fit it. Therefore, just being on the property is a win and feels like home no matter what the changes are or slight risks that may exist.
To read more about what changes, as well and health and safety measure are taking place in Summer 2021, check out our Summer FAQ page.
Winter Retreat Calendar Changes
We have made some significant changes to our 2021 Winter Retreat Calendar. Below are calendar changes that include new retreat options.
January 22-24: Parent/Grandparent + Child Retreat
January 29-31: Winter Getaway
February 19-21: Winter Getaway
February 26-28: OneLife Retreat
March 12-14: Craft Camp
March 19-21: Women’s Retreat
All of these retreats will follow COVID-19 guidelines, as it is our number one priority to provide a safe and healthy retreat experience.
Registration and details for these retreats will be available in mid December. We will post updates on our website and social media pages.
If your church is interested in hosting a retreat at Covenant Pines Bible Camp, we would still love to have you! Start by reading this article on how we are able to do retreats during COVID-19, and contact Angie to discuss availability and details.
Camp has looked different in Fall 2020 but God has still been a work. Emmanuel and Excelsior Covenant both had plans to do a Confirmation Retreat and a Youth Retreat. The ‘how’ to do a retreat at camp has been complicated by COVID- but it is not impossible. Covenant Pines has worked hard to do all we can to make camp as safe as possible and we are thankful to Emmanuel and Excelsior Covenant for their desire to work together and get their families and students to camp. Here is what they both had to say about the retreat experience, both churches had this fall at Covenant Pines.
Chris Studenski, Founding and Senior Pastor
Emmanuel Covenant Church
We were created for community. What better place to foster it than CPBC’s beautiful, four-season setting?
Yes. It CAN be done! We just brought 100+ to camp and would do it again in a heartbeat!
If planning a COVID-conscious Fall Retreat wasn’t challenging enough, we got hit with record cold and snow! It would have been tempting to throw in the towel, but we’re SO glad we didn’t. With the help of the remarkable team at Covenant Pines, we were able to give our church family memories that will last a lifetime. We found ways to safely sing outdoors around multiple campfires. We found ways to safely enjoy games. We were able to conduct physically-distanced sessions and services that brought us together.
And…. the food was just as amazing as always!
The Covenant Pines facility is like a Swiss Army Knife. The CPBC staff can help you make the most out of it. If you have ideas, they can help you bring them to life in safe and responsible ways. If you could use some creative help, they can draw from their own wealth of experience along with best practices from all around the country. Regardless of your sense of readiness, the team at Covenant Pines can help you prepare for, and guide you through, an event that people will thank you for.
It could be a long time before things return to normal. There are a number of wise voices saying they never will.
In a time when so much has been taken away, an event at Covenant Pines is a gift that you can give your family, friends, or church.
Kris Causton, Creative Resource Pastor
Excelsior Covenant Church
Our fall confirmation retreat is a significant time for our students to connect with each other and to dive deeper into the focus of teaching for the year. We really did not want to miss out on the impact of the retreat but knew with Covid that we had to make some changes. So, instead of piling 20+ kids into two vans and rooming together in a few cabins, we asked for parents to come along with their child and room together. The retreat center gave us enough room for each parent and student to have their own living space/bathroom, and the south side of the dining hall had enough room to distance for our teaching times. The beautiful outdoor space at Covenant Pines was part of our learning and connecting space in so many ways. We had teaching time on the beach, played games outside, shared a bonfire, and outdoor free time gave kids time to be together in ways they cannot indoors.
It turned out to be a wonderful weekend! Parents and students who were skeptical about the presence of so many adults were either pleasantly surprised or at least glad to have a retreat rather than not!
Lindsay said, “I felt like we ran 4 retreats: a student retreat, a parent/child retreat, a men’s retreat and a women’s retreat all in one as we watched different groups interact.”
Thank you Covenant Pines, for welcoming us, working with us, and investing in our ministry!
If you are interested in discussing what your church retreat could look like, start by reaching out to our Guest Service Director, Angie.