2012 Venture Out Trip
Eight women ventured out for 17miles, backpacking the Lake Superior
Trail of the Porcupine State Park in the Upper Peninsula. Though
challenging, the whole adventure was great!!. The group gelled well
and enjoyed each others company especially sharing times around the
camp fire. The sunsets were terrific, Lake Superior cool and
refreshing, and few mosquitoes and no biting flies. A bear was seen
running away from the group-a good way to see one. Lots of laughter
was generated by hanging food on the bear pole but the technique was
perfected and a feeling of accomplishment achieved. Hats off to
Rebecca Bitting, Kristine Brandel-Tanis, Lynn Mecher, and Courtney
Strom for their first time Venture Out success, and to Julie Bladel,
Linda Johnson, and Sarah Snow for their knowledgable contribution to
the whole experience. Though it has been said before, this saying
applies once again: A GREAT time was had by all.
Northland Pines 5th Grade May 25
The 5th graders from Northland Pines School in Eagle River, WI, came for a day of outdoor education. Sixty-seven students, along with three teachers and staff, rotated through five discovery sessions, several big groups games, and performed the Tree Dance song. (thanks for Julia Moon who passed it onto Johanna Sparrman) The lessons were on aquatic life, needs of animals with a bear simulation activity, GPS, tree identification, and compass. Lori Weber, a teacher who has been setting up this field trip for many years now, sums up the experience for her students, “Thank you so much for a great day. Our kids had a wonderful time and all of the adults who accompanied were very impressed. Kudos to you and your staff for putting on a first class field trip.”
North Central 6th Grade May 24
Another great day sums up the time with North Central 6th graders from Powers, MI. Along with teacher, Jon Lorenzoni and adult volunteers, these 32 students spent the day doing GPS , big group initiatives, low elements, and high ropes course challenge.
An email after the event conveys how special the time was for them. “Just wanted to say thank you again for the nice experience. Please pass it along to all of your young workers, also. Everyone was so positive and helpful. The activities were well planned and very beneficial to these 6th graders. My kids had a blast. They talked about it the whole bus ride home. It was a memorable day for them.”
Woodland Elementary 5th Grade May 22
The second day of Woodland Elementary 5th grade visit on May 22nd went very well for one and all. The students were busy and having great fun, the staff enjoyed the time with them, and the weather was great to be outside. Activities on the mainland were archery, canoeing, zip line, and candle/print making. The island experience was the Tarzan swing and climbing the wall. Big group games were also a highlight of the time.
Thanks Woodland 5th graders for a great two days with us. We enjoyed you a lot. Special thanks to our volunteers, Shawn Dotson, Nick Ralston, Tony Menucci, and Anders Ahlberg as well as Point staff.
Woodland Elementary 5th Grade May 21
An active, fun filled time was enjoyed by two classes of 5th graders on May 21st. Along with their teachers and principal, 57 students celebrated the end of the school year by spending time at Point. Students selected from the following mainland activities: archery, candle making and print making, canoeing, and zip line. On the island they could either do the Tarzan swing or climb the wall. Other events of the day were eating in the camp dining hall, playing small and big group games, and riding on the pontoon boat. There was no complaining during this day, just lots of smiles and happy chatter. Thanks to the many staff who came to assist.
Iron Mountain 2nd Graders 2012
Never a dull moment made up this day for 45 second grade students from North Elementary. Besides a big game of predator and prey, each group of 9 students went to five different discovery groups. These were: owl pellets, tree needs, furs and pelts, camouflage, and producers, consumers, and decomposers. It was a great day for students, parent volunteers, teachers, and staff. Special thanks to Scott Pearson from the U. S. Forest Service shared his expertise with us.
Forest Park 1st Grade 2012
Forest Park First graders were part of an active day of learning on May 11th. The young explorers were divided into four groups and rotated through active, hands-on lessons. The children learned about the life cycle of a tree and then investigated a log ecosystem. They talked about the life cycle of a butterfly and demonstrated actual motions representing each phase to reinforce learning. They watched as Freddy the Fish lost his clean water to various pollutants. After observing real-life salamanders in different stages and learning about toad/frog life cycle, they found places to put toad houses in the forest. The children also played a big group game of tree tag, wolf find, and learned a song about trees. It was quite a different day than being in the classroom but the tired, but happy faces of students showed how grand a day it truly was for each one.
Forest Park 7th Grade 2012
Forty-one 7th graders took to the woods and the high ropes for a day of challenge and learning outside the classroom. The students rotated through three sessions: GPS, Compass, and print art. After lunch, big group initiatives and low rope elements were completed by half the group while the other half experienced the high ropes and zip line. They then switched so that everyone could enjoy the fun.
Rockin Robins 2012
Rockin Robins 2012 has begun! Our Rockin’ Robins program runs for three weeks every spring as part of our Agents of the Earth Outdoor Education program. The program pairs “little buddies” with “big buddies” from the community and teaches them about nature in fun and exciting ways. Check back to see weekly picture updates, and other photos from Outdoor Education Visitors
Week 1 Log – It was a lovely spring day in the woods with nineteen little buddies and 22 big buddies and staff ready for action. Highlights of the time were The Hunt–looking for signs of spring, Dustin and his salmander eggs, Wendy’s purple finch, identification of bird calls and actual bird calls by the children, Sunflower seed planting to take home, a game of seasons, and a guest reader with the story The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. A great time was had by all. Thanks for sending your children and thanks to the big buddies.
Week 2 Log – It was another great day and full to the brim. Twenty little buddies were present. Bird calls were reviewed. How to use a pair of binoculars and then going out to look for birds was next. A few birds were seen and lots of wildflowers were noticed. The group went to the main camp and planted annual flowers in 19 big pots. While there, white pine cones were collected and then bird feeders were make to bring home, slathering the cone with shortening and sunflowers seeds, attaching a string to hang in a tree.
Week 3 Log: One Rockin Robin child was heard to say, “Hey, I wish we could do this every day.” What a great thought!!!–though maybe the big buddies would get a little tired. The bird calls were a big hit once again as children tried to identify the bird by just hearing the call and not seeing the actual bird. Some of them knew exactly what bird it was!!! Now that is learning. The big and little buddies went on an exploration to find non-living and living items as well as signs of animals and signs of humans. Little buddies planted flowers in a cup to give to big buddies in appreciated for their time. Finally the major project was a bug box which was constructed by both buddies and greatly enjoyed by the children when they went home. Guest reader, Bill Fish, ended our time with a grand story about The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle.
Parents: Thank for sharing your children with us. We enjoyed them so much. It was a special group. If your child is in kindergarten, she or he can come back next year. The first graders have graduated but just maybe a program especially for them will be coming our way. Stay posted.
Big Buddies: YOU are wonderful. This program is what it is because of you. I still am touched deeply when I see you doing so many activities and projects with these young ones with such grace and enthusiasm. Many many thanks from the staff at CPBC. See you next year.
Here’s to each of you:
Jinny Larson, Betty Lindahl, Don and Mona Sarder, Andrea Oestman, Marilyn Malmquist, Nancy Schauwecker, Tom Emerson, Ed and Jan Chantiny, Kathy Campain, Bob and Lorena Evans, Karen Friestrom, Phil and Pearl Carlson, Linnea Johnson, Deb Olson, Wendy Benkley, Linda Mgolas , Hannah Kneen, Megan Moberly, Johanna Sparrman, Trevor Mayo, Dave Lindahl, Erik Strom, and Bill Fish (as well as numerous staff who helped behind the scenes and with transport of little buddies each week.)
Spring is Springing & Outdoor Ed Groups are Coming
We have been taking advantage of Spring’s early arrival this year. With the ground fully thawed, trees in bloom, and the grass growing greener by the day, we’re eager to share our lake and surrounding forest with Purdue University, whose forestry, fisheries, and wildlife students arrive this Saturday for five weeks of field education. We’re also excited to be welcoming a number of area school groups who will be coming to learn about nature through Rockin’ Robins, a part of our Agents of the Earth outdoor education program.
Below is a picture from the Foster City Covenant Church confirmation class that came for low and high ropes team-building activities last weekend.
“The confirmands totally loved Saturday at CP. All of them were tired, and I’ve heard back that one of the girls who is not going to camp this year already told one of her cousins that BOTH of them [will be] going next year. . . Thank you to the staff [Trevor, Kevin, and Paul especially] for a great experience. We hope that they can continue to make gains in their faith for a long time to come from this.” – Pastor Carl Hammer
Look closely at the photo of the new directors home below. Do you notice something strange? Right now, flooring/carpet is in, shelves are up, and cabinets should be installed by the end of the week. The Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign is nearly 75% of the way to its $600,000 goal! Check out the website link to learn more about the goals of the campaign and how you can join this special effort.
Lastly, we had our latest donation from our Wish List Page to purchase extra backpacking medical kits for our growing trips program! A long time Friend of Covenant Point got excited about donating the funds to purchase these new medical kits, and we are very thankful for God’s provision, and the partnership that we have with so many friends in ministry. The medical kits will serve us well in keeping campers safe while out on our summer wilderness trips!
Purdue Office Renovation, and Wish List Fulfillments
Despite the light dusting of snow we received two days ago, spring is in the air at camp, and summer camp is right around the corner! We recently received a new Jetboil camp stove, yet another need fulfilled from our Wish List page. Check out the various needs that our staff have compiled and please give as you are led; it brings us great joy to see gifts arrive in the mail as you can tell by our excited staff members!
Preparations for summer camp are underway, and over 70 Forestry, Wildlife, and Fishery students from Purdue University will be arriving in just over two weeks for their 5 week practical course. This year we have been hard at work preparing a brand new office space in the basement of our infirmary, complete with new wireless internet access, and private office space for the Teachers Aides and Professors to do grading, and tutoring. Mike Johnson from Grace Covenant Church in Iron River volunteered many hours in helping us with this project. We are very grateful for his help and expertise!
Hardwood flooring has been laid on the first floor of the new directors home, doors have been hung, and appliances have been ordered. The home is being built as one part of our current Next Step of Faith Campaign, which seeks to endow our internship program with $300,000, and raise another $300,000 to build an onsite directors home to continue the legacy and commitment to long term leadership of former director Chuck Frasier, who passed away suddenly in November of 2010. Learn more about the campaign, and get involved today.
Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign Update
The new directors house is coming along nicely. Drywall is up, and painting should be done before next week thanks to Al Louria, a painter friend of Covenant Point who has donated his time this week to paint the entire house! We are so thankful for the generous gifts of the many friends and supporters in the Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign. Thanks to generous donations we have raised $435,318 of the $600,000 we are looking to raise for the building of a directors home, and the endowing of our internship program.
Here is an excerpt from a testimony of one of our previous interns. Download the full testimony here
“Covenant Point nurtured my faith, specifically my calling toward full-time ministry, by giving me a place to serve God’s people and better develop my gifts for ministry. It was also the perfect place for God to speak into my life. Life at camp was hectic at times, but there was plenty of space for conversations with staff as well as with campers that helped to shape my life. While serving, God used the camp staff to nurture my calling, and eventually lead me to seminary. He also used my time at Covenant Point to develop a passion to minister to God’s people in a camp setting.”
-Matt Braun | Associate Director, Portage Lake Bible Camp
We are humbled by the sacrificial giving that we have received from supporters of Covenant Point. If you have not yet joined us, please watch this video to learn more and pray about a way you can become involved. If you have already given there are still ways that you can get involved: share the vision of the campaign with a friend, host an optional giving dinner, or consider giving monthly to the campaign.
