Uncategorized Archives - Page 2 of 14 - Covenant Pines Ministries

Earlier this week, our full time staff gathered for a zoom meeting. During the retreat season, we do these weekly but in the busyness of summer we try to do them once a month. We started our meeting by sharing ways that we have seen God working this summer and there was a resounding theme across our ministry: Community.

Community is at the core of most camps. At CPM, we see this emerge in the temporary communities that are established for one week of youth camp, Silver Beach, or on a canoe trip; the summer staff community that intentionally exists; or the full time staff who have committed to living a life in community together. But in our meeting this morning, it was apparent that the community of Covenant Pines Ministries reaches beyond what would typically come to mind when you think of “camp community.”

At Adventurous Christians, there is another Wilderness Camp off the Gunflint Trail, and our staff has gotten to know their staff quite well over the years. At the beginning of this summer, when both camps were out on their staff training trip, the two groups crossed paths. Mind you, this was not planned and truthfully shouldn’t have even happened given the routes both groups were taking. This short exchange allowed for some shared laughs, but also an opportunity for our staff to care for some of theirs in a time of need. The timing lined up perfectly enough to care for our friends when some of them really needed it.

Earlier this summer, there was a camper at Covenant Pines who needed a little more one-on-one attention then your typical camper. This happens from time to time, and we do our best to provide that attention when needed. This camper had a desire to still participate at camp, to feel a part of this unique community that is created each week, but also knew she had limitations. Her counselor was attentive, thoughtful and caring for this camper (all while also lifeguarding) to make camp a place where she felt comfortable to participate.

Every first day of camp is a little chaotic, including at the Bus Stop at Salem Covenant Church. We load all the campers on the bus making sure everyone is accounted for, pack the trailers and answer any questions about the week of camp ahead. Once the buses leave, there is a communal exhale as the campers make their way to camp. Some parents choose to stick around and share their excitement for their campers with each other, pray together, and make plans to hear about their campers weeks when they get back. The parents who send their children to camp are creating their own little community themselves, making the impact of the week of camp grow farther.

These stories share the ways that the community of Covenant Pines Ministries reaches beyond our campers each week. Stories were also shared about the personal community staff are finding, volunteers who are coming up and contributing to and bringing life to our community, and the growth we are observing within the people we are serving alongside. It is a humbling reminder that we are all apart of something bigger. A bigger story, and an even bigger community in God’s family.

On Sunday July 3rd, Covenant Pines Bible Camp hosted a Summer Staff Reunion for all former summer staff members. It was a joy to worship, share stories and enjoy being at camp together! We had roughly 50 staff members spanning over 60 years of summer staff! It was a great day of fellowship and connection.

Though the weather was rainy, it did not damper the camp spirit of these former staff members. Former staff enjoyed a chapel service, complete with a message from former staff member Dave Nesburg, which immediately kicked off the walk down memory lane. The smell of the chapel, the walk up to the craft hall, eating burgers outside – these moments instantly bring back the best memories and reminders of years at camp together. Seeing the current summer staff do dishes, lead worship and engage with campers filled these former staffers with a sense of pride and nostalgia – it is so fun to see the “torch passed on.” Families enjoyed participating in all the camp activities, but truly the highlight was all of these staff members being together at a place that has had such a spiritual impact on them. People lingered in conversation around camp reflecting back on the years spent together at this special place.

While staffers were there, they had the opportunity to hear about the plans for the New Worship Center. Former staff were able to do a Q & A with Executive Director, Dave Cairns, while also walking around the site of where the New Worship Center will be. Click here to learn more about this project!

We had summer staffers present from 1960-2019. The generational impact of Covenant Pines Bible Camp is amazing and continues to live on. If you missed the reunion, don’t worry! We will plan to invite all former staff to the dedication of the New Worship Center and hope to do more staff alumni events in the future.

Below are some photos of the summer staff that were at the reunion. What a great day!

Photo 1: All Summer Staff and families in attendance

Photo 2: Summer Staff from 2010s and 2020s

Photo 3: Summer Staff from 1990s and 2000s

Photo 4: Summer Staff From 1960s, 1970s and 1980s

Welcome Annie!

Adventurous Christians is excited to welcome our new Program Director, Annie Huntington. Annie started at AC this week, and comes to us from Waco, Texas after recently graduating from Baylor University. Annie is passionate about outdoor ministry and even more so about Jesus! Below is a quick Q & A for you to get to know Annie a little bit better.

Get to know Annie:

Hometown: Tough question! I grew up in Providence, RI, lived in Atlanta, GA for 6 years and would most recently call Waco, TX home!

What were you doing before moving to Grand Marias?: Attending Baylor University, where I was in an honors interdisciplinary program studying Theology, English and Philosophy. I love to read – book recommendations are welcome!

What camping experiences do you have prior to working at AC?: I was part of the Baylor Outdoor Adventure Living and Learning Program where I participated in climbing, kayaking and backpacking trips through the Southwest. Some of my favorites have been Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountain, and Paria Canyon! I also spent a summer working for Camp Eagle where I guided white water kayaking trips on the Pecos River. The following summer I lead rafting trips on the Chattahooche River in Georgia with the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Most recently, I guided canoe trips in the Boundary Waters with the Coldwater Foundation, a camp just down the Gunflint from AC.

What led you to apply for this position at Adventurous Christians?: This past summer, I came up to AC to help out and guide for a week. I had been asking prayerfully whether I was called to Outdoor Ministry and felt a certainty on that trip that this is exactly where the Lord wanted me.

What are you looking forward to in this new role?: I am excited to host guests and share how wonderful both the challenge and rest of the outdoors are for growing closer to God!

Tell us an interesting fact about you: I’ve paddled 7 of the major rivers in Texas! The Pecos, Brazos, Nueces, Rio Grande, San Marcos, Frio, and Guadalupe.

Favorite Sports Team: BAYLOR BEARS!!! Sic ‘em

Favorite Restaurant: A little food truck in Austin, TX called Veracruz with the best el Pastor tacos you’ll ever have!

A note from Annie to the CPM community: I’m so grateful to be a part of this community and excited to work with y’all!

Please join us in welcoming Annie and praying for her as she transitions and steps into this new role!

After having to cancel much of our traditional programming in summer 2020, we are excited to finally welcome campers back to Covenant Pines Bible Camp and Adventurous Christians! We are looking forward to having some fresh updates around our properties for our campers to help enhance their experience. Below is a list of things we are working on around AC, CPBC and Silver Beach as we prepare for campers this summer!

Adventurous Christians

New Wood Benches for the Outdoor Chapel
Completing our new office and sauna building (see photo!) after the fire in summer 2019.
Getting ready for trail by packing trail food and preparing equipment, which includes our new lifejackets and paddles thanks to our Portage Partners!

Covenant Pines Bible Camp

Ampitheater Upgrades for our Outdoor Worship Space – including lighting and additional seating.
Cabin 19 Renovation
Outdoor Health Center
Regrading and improving roads around camp