Thursday, June 24, 2010

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime!

Summer is in full swing, and for many churches, summer means not only camp, but Vacation Bible School too. First Baptist Church of Page decided to make the Prescott Pines Camp Dining Hall their missions project this year, and the kids raised money to help defray the cost of the construction. Last Sunday, four boys from FBC Page came to Prescott Pines to attend Frontier Village and presented the camp with a check for $153.84! Way to go, kids! Moreover, a big “thank you” goes to FBC Page for giving your kids the opportunity to participate in the Dining Hall project.

Last week we had a huge number of campers in Main Camp. In all, 265 people were here for the week! While this would be a big number for the camp to host normally, with the Dining Hall under construction, it is even more of a challenge. Half of the group ate in the tent, while the other half ate in the Ramada and on the Patio. Happily, it turns out that less than ideal dining conditions are not enough to stop kids from having a good time at camp and hearing the message of God. While we (and our groups) will certainly enjoy the new Dining Hall when it is completed, it is good to know that God’s word is still going out, despite the challenges we face.

In all of the talk about the Dining Hall construction, you may not know about the latest addition to Prescott Pines’ recreation offerings. Each year, we try to add a new activity to the campus such as Human Foosball or a Zip line. This year, we are adding a BMX racing track near Gould Chapel.
In case you are not familiar with this sport, BMX racing started when a group of kids in California modified their bicycles to navigate jumps, sharp curves and drop-offs. According to the American Bicycle Association (http://www.ababmx.com/), BMX racing is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States and Canada and even debuted at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing!

The Prescott Pines track is designed with the novice rider in mind. With our track, kids can sample this extreme sport in a very safe environment, riding one of our six 20” bicycles over berms, off drop-offs, and around hairpin turns, racing their friends to the finish line. You will want to check out this exciting sport the next time you visit Prescott Pines!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Partnering Together

Imagine… sitting on the patio sipping a cold drink from the Hungry Bear Cafe, looking out at the beautiful forest and having a great conversation with new friends. Your kids are in the gym playing Foosball or basketball having the time of their lives! You’re at camp!

This is exactly what we want to bring you – purposeful, multi-generational spaces where you can build relationships throughout Prescott Pines. We want to create places where ministry can happen and lives are can be changed so you will leave this place with a sense of renewed purpose and deep commitment to grow as followers of Christ.

We look forward to offering you these things at Prescott Pines, but we need you to partner with us to make it happen. Would you consider joining us in creating a unique, purposeful and powerful camp experience that will last a lifetime? Would you consider partnering with us in ministry by becoming a monthly Giving Partner! God can use any amount, By giving $5, $25, $50 or more a month, together we will see things begin to happen at a much faster pace at camp. It’s easy. Join us today by calling the camp office at 928-445-5225.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Let the Good Times Roll!

It has been a very good week here at Prescott Pines!


Frontier Village had a very successful weekend of Primary Camp. Forty-one campers attended, and ten of those campers made first-time decisions for Christ! Katie Hanus, a Primary Camp attendee, wrote to tell us, “Hi Prescott Pines Camp, I had fun at camp. I had fun swimming, hiking and at chapel. Please tell (staff member) Pearl Heart that I liked when she sang silent night. Please tell (staff member) Kit Karson I liked when she ate with us.” Her younger sister, Anna, also wrote, saying, “Hi Prescott Pines Camp, I am looking forward to coming to camp next year. My sister has been telling me all about camp and it sounds like fun.” It is clear that the summer staff is doing a great job building relationships with their campers. We are looking forward to having both girls here at camp next year!

Please consider joining us in praying for the ministry in Frontier Village on Sundays and Thursdays. Sundays are a big day, as the campers arrive and make those critical first impressions. A smooth arrival sets the stage for a good week of camp. Thursdays are also very important, as that is the day that we present campers with the gospel message and give them an opportunity to make a decision in response to the message. Pray that nothing gets in the way of a clear gospel presentation on this day.

The other big news around here is that there are shingles on the dining hall! Several sections of the roof are now completed. Pray for favorable weather while the builders are working on the exterior of the building. Rain would really slow down the work, and monsoon season is just around the corner.



Friday, June 11, 2010

Spring Has Sprung!

The snow has melted. Birds are singing. Animals are running through the woods. Trees are coming to life. You can see and smell the newness of spring at Prescott Pines. It’s beautiful!

Alongside the changing weather comes a new season of guests, energy and programs here at camp – Summer! The excitement is mounting as we continue to prepare for the busiest season of our year. No matter the season, the purpose of Prescott Pines remains: to see men & women of all ages come to know the Lord. What a huge privilege for each of us to be a part of this!

Whether you are a staff member, guest, donor, volunteer, prayer partner or church leader you are a valuable member of the Prescott Pines team. Without you we could not carry out the call God has given to help men, women, boys and girls to truly encounter Christ.

I pray that the arrival of spring reminds you of your newness of life found in Christ and that you are able to go forth and further the Kingdom of God for the good of this world.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 1 Corinthians 5:17

Friday, June 4, 2010

And it Begins!

The first of the summer campers have arrived at Prescott Pines Camp! Each year we kick off the summer with a very special weekend camp just for our littlest campers. Primary Camp is for second and third graders only, and this year we have 41 of these little ones joining us for the fun. It is so much fun to introduce the little ones to camp. The excitement in their eyes when they see the teepees for the first time is contagious, and it is the perfect way to launch our busy summer season.

Up on the Main Campus, the staff is looking forward to hosting some big groups this summer. Many of the groups are 225 people or more! It will be quite a challenge to feed such large groups with the Dining Hall still under construction. Our food service professionals will need to use every ounce of creativity and flexibility they have to make sure that every guest has hot, fresh, delicious food each meal. We are up for the challenge, knowing that we can do it by using both the tent and the Hungry Bear Depot seating areas.

Speaking of the Dining Hall, construction is progressing rapidly. The builders have put the trusses on, and it is starting to look like a building again. Generous donors have already contributed about 45% of the money needed for this project, praise God! If you have not yet donated to this exciting project, you may do so by clicking here. Gifts of $500, $1000, and $5000 will receive special recognition on a plaque inside the Dining Hall once the building is complete.