CAMP CHALLENGE Annual Report

Transcription

1 CAMP CHALLENGE 2018 Annual Report

2 Overview Busyness, distractions, and worries of this world can choke our relationship with God. Every person needs the physical and mental space in their lives to hear God, make eternal decisions for Christ, grow in faith, be refreshed and renewed, and recognize their calling. Camp Challenge develops followers of and leaders for Jesus Christ by encouraging disconnection from everyday distraction and reconnection to God through His creation. We partner with congregations and organizations to provide both summer camp adventures for 1st-12th graders and retreat facilities for similarly-purposed groups to use in their own discipleship efforts. Our efforts are focused on offering high-quality programming, excellently-equipped staff and volunteers, and well-cared-for spaces. We prioritize relationship and community over activity and entertainment. We use our core values Godhonoring, camper experience, camper safety, all-in, respect, and community to further guide our planning, implementation, and evaluation. The following report, respectfully submitted by the Camp Challenge Board of Directors, summarizes our 2018 activities. Brian Austin Trent Freed Valerie Kehlmeier Steve Martin Jeff Maidlow Brad Schulz Jenny Schwieger Craig Taylor Kelli Willman Kevin Wilson Scott Wilson January 2019

3 High Quality Programming Summer camp enrollment continues to trend upward. Over 95% of campers responding said their time at camp improved their relationship with God, and 114 told us they committed to following Jesus while at camp. When asked how their relationship with God changed during camp, campers said Summer Camp Enrollment I gave my life to God this week It really strengthened and made me want to spread the word I can go home and still feel the completeness I get at camp I didn't really know him, but now I see everything he does I started to believe I m less afraid to pray % of campers making commitments 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 9 Senior High First Time Commitments 18 6th, 7th, & 8th 46 3rd, 4th, & 5th 8 5th, 6th, & 7th 33 4th, 5th, & 6th 114 All campers I'm beginning to learn how to love others I decided to begin loving my imperfections I grew through those around me and was able to see God in others I was uncertain before, but now I'm sure I have a special place in his body I felt my first connection to God I heard him talk to me for the first time I've been inspired to pursue and seek Him more Of the 584 summer campers we served this year, 238 received financial assistance from their home churches. The camp provided additional scholarship assistance to 47 campers, ensuring that any student that wants to attend Camp Challenge is able to. I realized I can make an influence in other people I decided to start living out my faith so that I can be an example for the people around me I have seen God like never before I got a "recharge" and I feel so much closer & I know what steps I need to take now. Thank you.

4 Excellently-Equipped Staff and Volunteers In 2018, 12 seasonal staff and 120 volunteers assisted our full-time executive director and parttime engagement director, food service manager, and housekeeper in staffing our six weeks of summer camp. Camp seasonal staff and volunteers attended our staff and volunteer training retreat in mid-may to review camp policies, procedures, and best practices related to camp ministry, and our seasonal staff received additional training the first week of June, including CPR and lifeguarding certification. Year-round staff professional development included attending the American Camping Association Mid-States Camp Conference in April. In the fall, we expanded two of our seasonal spots to year-round part-time positions, hiring Alec Kern and Kaitie Ferrell as our physical operations manager and program manager, respectively. Also, our food service manager, Kim Duncan, retired after 5 years of dedicated service, and Jay Thomas has been hired as her replacement. Alec Kern Kaitie Ferrell Jay Thomas

5 Well-Cared-For Spaces We are thankful for the work that was done to maintain and improve our buildings and grounds! Some highlights from 2018: New playground area with slides New shed at the paintball field New deck at kitchen service entry New countertops in kitchen Updates to Vincennes cabin New mattress covers in all cabins through #GivingTuesday donations Thank you to the 100+ volunteers donating labor, including individuals from: Indiana Campers on Mission Christ s Community Church, Fishers Church at the Crossing, Indianapolis Crosspoint Church, Fishers First Church of God, New Albany First Church of God, Bedford We are also grateful for the professional contractors that have done work at Camp, some at reduced cost! We especially appreciate Flynn and Sons Excavating and Paving for the many hours of work they have put in at Camp during 2018.

6 Retreat Use An important component of Camp Challenge s ministry is offering space to like-minded groups to assist in their own discipleship and communitybuilding efforts. Not only does this keep kingdom work moving outside of our own programming, it is good stewardship as it moves us toward balancing rental and registration income with operating costs. In 2018, we hosted twenty retreat groups from churches, families, and community-based organizations, serving over 400 guests. Thank you so much for the hospitality! We loved it and we ll definitely be back! Keith S I was at a retreat with my youth group at Camp Challenge and felt a stirring in my soul. The Lord's presence was clear. A leader came and prayed with me and I vowed to give Jesus my whole life. My life was altered drastically that day. - Logan B

7 Financial Report We are so thankful that the financial stability of the camp continues to improve. Our facility use and camper numbers continue to increase and that helps tremendously. Our donations, especially to specific projects, continue to be strong. When considering a donation, please remember that operating funds to pay things like gas and electric bills as just as critical as designated funds for new and big projects Summer Camp Registrations 75,526 89,373 97, , , ,407 Facility Use 8,106 15,688 20,623 25,025 35,907 37,721 Unrestricted Donations 81,918 84,708 82,563 88,155 80,718 84,254 Designated Donations 44,579 73,994 39,342 72, , ,652 Other 51,653 3,103 2,207 4,836 4,094 16,103 Total Income 261, , , , , ,137 Donations By Category From Above Individuals 69, ,006 76, , , ,999 Churches 57,306 56,696 44,942 54,244 66,781 71, , , , , , ,906 Dec 2013 Dec 2014 Dec 2015 Dec 2016 Dec 2017 Dec 2018 Total Cash 93, , , , , ,685 Bills To Be Paid 9,780 14,069 12,621 16,193 20,033 3,385 Short Term Designated 16,800 17,571 15,666 42,183 30,492 23,470 Transformational Fund 32,823 64,683 69,822 96, , ,085 Board Designated Reserve 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 25,500 46,000 Total Designated Funds 74, , , , , ,940 Unrestricted Cash 19,483 22,199 22,502 15,039 22,201 19,745

8 Recent Progress and Future Plans Over the last five years, strategic goals identified by the executive director and the board of directors have begun to come to fruition. These include: dedicated staff to improve the quality of camp programming and facilities with the hiring of a program manager and a physical operations manager expanding staff housing to accommodate these hires a dining hall addition so that our dining hall capacity equals our bed capacity infrastructure repair including septic work and our current water line project to improve water pressure camp-wide In fact, only one of those initial goals remains on the list: additional lodging and restroom facilities. Our existing facilities have become inadequate for our growing numbers each summer. As you may remember, we started down the path of a year-round lodge, but found that state requirements were going to significantly delay it, including its critically-needed bathrooms. So, we have changed tacks and are approaching our need by replacing our current bathhouse to incorporate more showers, sinks, and toilets. We are currently working with an engineer to get the final draft of the bathhouse completed. We will then submit the drawings to obtain a permit. Our hope is that this can all move quickly enough to break ground yet this winter and have the bathhouse completed before summer camp season. Please join us in praying that everything falls into place and the bathhouse can become a reality this year. As you consider your future support of Camp Challenge, be assured it is so appreciated and needed to continue ministering well to our campers and guests! We look forward to continuing to partner with you in developing followers of and leaders for Jesus Christ!