Sojourners: Senior High Week
This last week we had our Senior High mainland camp. Speakers Jaimie Sladkey and Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom talked about what it means to know each other and to know God. We played big games, went to see fireworks, had a dance party in town, worshiped, and had an overall very full week.
[fsg_gallery id=”71″]Week 2: Family Camp, June 22-28
This last week was a great beginning to this summer’s family camps. Families engaged in frog catching, ropes courses, big games (including Braveheart), waterfront activities, and some genuine relaxation.
[fsg_gallery id=”70″]The Island: Week 2, June 22-28
With high ropes, fellowship, community building, and all-around fun, the second week of Island camp was an amazing time.
[fsg_gallery id=”69″]Adventures in Leadership 2014 hits the trail!
This week we have 14 students and 5 Central Conference youth workers on Adventures in Leadership, a Central Conference leadership development wilderness backpacking trip for high school students. The week started out with one full day of leadership training and experiences “in base” at Covenant Point, and the two hiking groups hit the trail Tuesday at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. More photos to come after the trip.
Wilderness Week One
The Wilderness Week campers are having a week of learning and discovery. From tadpoles and archery to games and worship, the campers have had a packed and exciting time at camp. There will be more pictures soon, so keep checking in!
[fsg_gallery id=”68″]The Island: Week One
The Island has kicked off its summer with a small group of amazing kids. The low elements, high ropes, and time spent with God in nature all provided a wonderful start to a great week and extraordinary summer. Be sure to come back later for more pictures.
[fsg_gallery id=”67″]Pathfinders & Explorers: Week One
We’re halfway through the first week of Summer 2014: Explorers and Pathfinders! We played the Despicable Me game, dressed up for our rotations, had an opening campfire and shared lots of laughs! Check back for more great pictures from this wonderful week!
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Early Registration Discount – Sign up by March 15
Sign up now for your summer at Covenant Point!
The Early Registration Discount deadline is fast approaching. Register and pay in full by March 15 to save $35!
Application now available for Adventures in Leadership 2014!
Adventures in Leadership is a small-group, wilderness, leadership and discipleship training experience designed for young people in Covenant Churches who are entering grades 10, 11, and 12. This camp is designed to equip students with a Christian leadership framework to assist them in discovering and developing their own leadership style consistent with their God-given abilities and gifts.
More information and applications are available at http://www.cpbc.com/ail/.
Interested students are encouraged to apply soon. Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 15, 2014.
Letter From the Director
Thank you for your interest in Covenant Point Bible Camp! Located on beautiful Hagerman Lake in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, our accredited program and facility is fully integrated into the surrounding Northwoods environment. Now in our 87th year of ministry, we continue to offer our exceptional programs of Christian camping that incorporate simplicity and wilderness, along with comfortable lodging or trail accommodations, purposeful and fun programming, homemade meals, and a small, safe, nurturing community in which to grow.
Our carefully chosen staff is equipped with two weeks of training in child development, safety, programming, spiritual formation, as well as policies and procedures to handle the current needs of young people. They’re here to serve as caring role models, to bring passion and fun to each day of camp, and to make Christ real to our campers through personal and trustworthy attention.
Every year, I marvel at how campers who come here grow more deeply rooted in Christ! So, I invite you to explore our programs through our website, as well as our brochure, to discover all that Covenant Point has to offer.
Rev. Erik Strom, Executive Director
2013 CPBC Triathlon August 4
Enjoy the photos from the Triathlon 2013, a wonderful success in regard to raising funds for special needs programs at camp and for those who participated and those who cheered them on. There were 17 solo competitors and 7 teams. At the present time $10,000 has been raised with more to come!!!! The winner for the third year in a row was David Haller, who conquered the course in 2:17:08. Jack Hudson became the oldest to complete the full marathon at the age of 63, finishing in 3 hours and 25 minutes. The day began chilly which made for a cold 1/2 mile swim at the beginning but warmed up to comfortable temperatures when the biking and running unfolded. There was also 6 walkers and one baby who participated in the 6.3 mile trek. This annual event has been on tap for 14 years now and is a great way to spend a weekend at Point.
A portion of funding from previous triathlons was used to offset registration fees for the new Autism Spectrum Camp for families who have children with autism. (blog entry to follow). Monies are also used to provide assistance and support for campers with special needs who attend Covenant Point during the summer.
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2013 ASD Camp
The first ever ASD Camp (Autism Spectrum Disorder) , August 6-10, was a great success for families and staff. There were seven families from the Midwest Conference participating along with a health officer family and speaker of the week, Steve Burger, who is director of adult, children, family inter generational ministries with the Department of Christian Formation. Programming mirrored other family camp weeks offering a wide arrange of activities. Time was spent on the island doing the Tarzan Swing, climbing the high ropes course called Track N Trail, playing big group games like BraveHeart, having time in arts n crafts and waterfront, going to interactive chapel time and singing, and having a prayer of blessing with counselors and staff. Expressions of appreciation and thanksgiving for this week were shared by parents, siblings and staff.
Enjoy some of the comments that were spoken or written from time at ASD camp:
This was a wonderful experience for our WHOLE family! I am so glad the counselors, these young people, got to go beyond their fear of special needs/autism and just see these children for who they all are cherished children of God.
ASD Family camp gave many families permission to try camp and also provide an environment where we did not have to explain our families.
By the end of the week, there was just so much joy. Afterward some of the parents said if the camp is held next year, “We are definitely coming back.”
I think the camp gave people an opportunity to experience something that they wouldn’t otherwise have and to celebrate the gifts that we all are.
I know so many families like ours who need this camp experience!!
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Venture Out Women’s Back Pack Trip 2013
Away we went on an 18 mile walk in the woods and along the waters of Lake Superior at majestic and scenic Pictured Rocks National Shoreline near Munising, MI. This year six women participated–yearly returnees were Julie Bladel and Linda Johnson, second time attender, Sarah Hillabrand, first timer, Joan Fisher, and leaders from Point, Jane Frasier and Megan Nyberg. Despite rain trying to dampen the spirits at various times and cold nights which reduced the bug population, everyone enjoyed the time together and delighted in being a part of this back country area. Meeting a variety of folks on the trail added to the adventure–even the group we had to yell at one night for making too much noise after midnight. Each person especially commented on the devotional times with Megan who shared thoughts on spiritual disciplines. The discussion and prayer time that followed was a blessing as was the time of reflection on the trail or at each night’s camp site.The purpose of Venture Out is to experience time away with a group of women and leave behind the clutter of our daily lives. We all did just that!
[fsg_gallery id=”9″]Week 8 Island | August 4 – 10, 2013
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The last week of Island camp is off to an excellent start. It rained on Monday, but Tuesday has been a beautiful, hot day full of fun activities.
Island Week 7 | July 28 – Aug 3, 2013
The islanders are having another great week on the island!
[fsg_gallery id=”6″]Island Week 6 | July 21-27, 2013
Another great week on the Island with 6th and 7th graders! Here are some photos of the week!
[fsg_gallery id=”4″]Pictured Rocks Backpack Trip | July 6-13, 2013
[fsg_gallery id=”2″]Island | Week 3, Grades 8/9
July 7 – 13, 2013
Mainland | Vanguard 6/7/8 Pictures
Jeff Root, youth pastor from Glen Elyn Covenant is here this week as our speaker. We are enjoying all of the beautiful weather and having a ball with kids from all over Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Here are photos from this week!
Sojourners: Senior High Week 2013
As always Senior High week is full of energy, excitement, laughter, and quiet moments connecting with God. Here are some of the awesome moments so far!
Island | Grades 7 + 8, June 16-22
The first week of Island camp is off to a great start! Here are some photos to enjoy from the week so far!
Mainland | Pathfinder/Explorers, June 16-22
The week of the smallest campers has gotten off to an exciting start! Maria Zahasky is giving the morning devotions, and the kids are enjoying all things camp including Braveheart, Rotation Areas, Cabin Group Activities, Singing, and the delicious camp food!
Here are some pictures from the week!
Blessed with a Committed Summer Staff
This summer, we have a staff of 32 fantastic young leaders on board to serve at Covenant Point. Many of these counselors, program directors, waterfront staff, and trips guides are choosing to say “no” to internships or more income at a job back home in order to lead and grow at camp. The value of serving in a camp setting is something that generations of staff members have known for a long time, and it was affirming to read more about this benefit over “summer internships” in the New York Times:
“[In encouraging my daughter to seek a summer internship] I forced myself to parrot conventional wisdom because there was at least a chance that it was true. But the clinching argument came from my daughter’s impassioned defense of camp counselors, and her outrage that someone glancing at résumés would believe that a 20-year-old [intern] who fetches coffee at Google is more impressive than one who spends days and nights nurturing, teaching, organizing, comforting and inspiring.”
– Dan Flescher, New York Times Blog Find the Full Article Here
To be entrusted with the lives of children, to learn how to function as part of a dynamic and complex community, and to improvise as a leader carrying out our mission as each day unfolds: these are experiences that foster immeasurable growth of all kinds! If you’ve chosen to work at camp at some point in your life, I bet you know what I mean. Thank you for prayerfully supporting this summer’s team of staff members, and their choice to participate in the vital work at Covenant Point.
-Erik Strom,
Camp Director
Covenant Point and Autism Awareness Day
The sixth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2013. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.
At Covenant Point we want to celebrate by announcing our very first ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Family Camp Week a Covenant Point family camp week designed to build community and support among families who have children with autism.
The week will take place August 6-10, 2013, and will cost only $150 per family. The remaining funding is raised through our Annual Triathlon Fundraiser, which brings in annual funds to enable ministry to campers with special needs.
Help us spread the word about this exciting new opportunity! Click Here for More Details on A.S.D. Family Camp
