As the leaves begin to change color and the days get shorter, we are looking back at a summer over flowing with God’s blessings.

For two years our camp family has been praying that God would bring 700 summer campers to The Springs. We try not to focus on numbers around here, but we do desire to reach as many young people as possible and we want to see our facilities used to their full potential.

In mid-May when pre-registrations began to pour in, we found ourselves overwhelmed with more than 300 early registrations. By the time campers
began to arrive we had more than 500 pre-registrations.  On July 22^nd, at a church presentation at First Baptist Church of Clare, Dan Kohns announced that we had more than 700 campers who had already attended or who were pre-registered for our last weeks. The auditorium exploded with applause and a few tears. Our God is so amazing. We had more than 150 new campers who learned about God through relationships with our staff and fellow campers.

If you have ever been around here while we have a counselor meeting, you might know that when a counselor shares that a camper accepted Christ, there is a collective shout and wild hand clapping. Other staff members all over camp hear this and we know that another camper has started a forever friendship with Jesus. We’d like to think that the angels do the same thing in heaven. This summer we celebrated 42 salvation decisions.

There are a few other tidbits you might like to know:

Josh (JD) Decker married Braida Ellenwood on June 30^th. Josh and Braida now live here at the camp. Josh continues his ministry here in the media department (when he isn’t flipping pancakes, setting up the crafting rooms or cleaning toilets). Braida is continuing her education in at Central Michigan University.

We have been able to refinance the mortgage on the camp property. The reduction in interest will save the camp thousands of dollars every month, while we are still paying down the principle at the same rate.

While driving the camp’s Chevy Traverse Dan and Martha Kohns were rear ended in Gladwin. While they both walked away with just a few aches and pains, the vehicle was totaled. The camp was able to buy a Dodge Grand Caravan with fewer miles and a lower payment. We are praising God for his protection of the Kohns and also another cost saving situation.

Three interns have joined our staff for the year. All of them were counselors during the summer. Dylan is from New Mexico and has just graduated from Calvary Bible College. Zach is from the state of Washington and has also attended Bible College in Maui, Hawaii. Joel is from Idaho and attended Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (He says he made a wrong turn somewhere.)

We are geared up for a busy fall as the quilting groups have already started coming. We are also looking forward to the Golf Marathon on October 6^th and the Purity and Holiness Retreat on October 19-20.

October 19-20, 2012

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2012 Summer Staff Graduation

Young people willing to give their summer: 25

Support letters mailed: 750

Staff manuel pages covered: 161

Preparation days completed: 20

A staff that knows it is all about God: Priceless

On the heels of the Memorial Day Work Weekend, 25 summer staff members gathered together to play getting to know you games—games they will teach their campers. Later they sat down to open their staff manuals and get to work.

In only 20 days, The Springs summer staff learned about camping philosophy, water safety, CPR and first aid, facilitating the challenge course, and identifying unique plant life. Of course, that was between learning how to shoot .22s, throw knives, play nine square, canoe, start a fire and sing silly songs.

On Saturday, June 16^th, friends and family gathered with the staff to celebrate the completion of staff training. After dinner, guests were treated to a taste of our counselor skits, a video of training highlights, and our graduation ceremony where graduates received staff shirts.

All of this preparation is important to our summer camp ministry. However, the most important lesson learned is that at the end of the day it is all about our God. The Springs exists because God wills it to exist. Campers will come to Christ because the Spirit will draw them. Our staff gives all that they are to God, and then will do their best to trust Him for results.

Our first campers arrived June 18^th!  We are all watching and praying with anticipation.

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Memorial Day Work Weekend a Success

At 7:00 AM on Saturday, May 26, 140 volunteers rubbed the sleep from their eyes and enjoyed a hearty breakfast as they heard about all the projects they could work on here at The Springs. Some were dispatched to large jobs that needed specific skills, others were given rakes and shovels, or cleaning clothes and vacuums to do menial, but needful, work.

On Sunday, volunteers enjoyed a day of rest and fun. Chapel included a great time of singing, an introduction to the newly arrived summer staff and a challenging message from Director Dan Kohns. Thunderstorms made for a lazy afternoon, but the sun came out in time to enjoy canoeing, climbing tower, zip-line and many other outdoor activities.

On Monday, work continued on projects in process. The morning was steamy hot, so the afternoon was perfect for a swim before volunteers headed home.

Here is just a little of what was accomplished. New sand was spread on the pond beach. A shed for archery and rifle equipment was built. Children picked up branches all over the grounds. A new deck and carport were added at the dining hall apartment. Trim was scraped and painted on several campside buildings. The decks on the retreat center were power washed and sealed. Windows all over camp were washed. The flower beds were weeded. All of the campside toilets were replaced. Forms were built for the cement pillars needed to set the double wide. Deep cleaning was done in much of the retreat center.  Trees were cut and removed where needed. Areas were raked and seeded as needed. And so much more was done.

Just in case we start to think this work weekend was about what we could accomplish, God showed up in a way we have never seen before on a work weekend. A boy who came along with another family was lead to the Lord by one of our volunteers. What an amazing God we serve.

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