Thankful

When I think about this summer, the word that continually comes to mind is "thankful." Thankful for a God who loves us unconditionally and blessed us in so many ways this summer. Thankful for His protection and provision throughout the summer. Thankful for the wonderful summer staff who poured into the lives of our campers. Thankful for the families who blessed us by sending their children to camp this summer. Thankful for the children who came with lots of enthusiasm, energy and excitement for their time at camp. Thankful for the many individuals who volunteered their time to help us in summer camp and preparing for and serving retreat groups. And, thankful that we had the privilege of sharing the Good News with hundreds of campers who learned more about a loving God who has chosen us as his holy people and calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Finally, thank you for your prayer and financial support of the ministry of Kenbrook Bible Camp. As always, if you have any questions or would like to stop up and visit or learn more about all that is happening at camp, please feel free to contact me at jmcfarland@kenbrook.org

Blessings,

Joe McFarland

1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Each week a guest speaker would unpack different aspects of our theme verse and help the campers truly understand more about who they are, the value they have and in God's sight and the love offered through Jesus Christ

Over 350 campers had the chance to come to Kenbrook this summer over our five weeks of camp. We also had the privilege to again partner for two weeks with Inspire Sports in sharing the love of Christ to over 450 campers!

Here are just a few highlights from our campers and parents:

• When we asked her if it was the best part of her summer vacation so far, she replied with “it was the best time of my whole life!”
• It goes too fast. It was a very good experience.
• Thank you for what you do! This is a week my son has a blast while learning about Jesus; as a parent, there's not much more I can ask for!
• Just that he says he wants to work at Kenbrook! "Mom, get ready for me to not be home over summers!"
• BIG thanks for all that you do impacting kids for Christ through the camping experience!

We are already missing our campers and excitedly planning for Summer Camp 2024!

Here are the 2024 dates:

• June 9-14: Pilgrims (ages 10-14)
• June 16-21: Trailblazers (ages 8-12)
• June 23-28: Edge (ages 10-14)
• June 30-July 3: Explorers (ages 6-11) Shortened week for first time/younger campers!
• July 21-26: Revolution (ages 12-16)
• July 28-Aug. 2: Hitchhikers (ages 8-12)

Registration will open in January 2024! Be watching for more information and details.

IMPACT OF CAMPER SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are an amazing way to share summer camp with the next generation. More than 70% of our campers receive financial assistance to attend Kenbrook. Without this help, many would miss out on this memorable experience. Here are a few highlights from this year’s scholarship recipients:

-A camper heard the gospel for the first time and was excited to learn about how to find verses in her Bible.

-A cabin discussed the meaning of baptism and afterward decided the dunk their stuffed animals in the creek. One girl said she was going to talk to mom when she got home so that she could be baptized soon.

-An older camper worked with his counselor to lead his cabin in a discussion on living differently in the world. The group talked about how they could be a ‘marvelous light’ in the darkness.

It is inspiring to see the impact that a week of summer camp can make. If you would like to help future campers make memories, mark your donation for the Camper Scholarship Fund.

Kayle and Terik Thacker aren't completely new to Kenbrook! They actually were with us last Fall until the end of March when the embarked on a journey of a lifetime...hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine!

Originally, their plan was to stay and work at Kenbrook as they prepared for their trip, but in early December, they approached us about staying on at Kenbrook after their trip. They felt God's calling, love Kenbrook's vision and mission and love the central PA area.

They are both originally from Georgia and went to school at Wheaton College and worked at HoneyRock, a Christian camp and leadership development center in Wisconsin.

Terik will be full-time with us working part of his time as the assistant cook and part of his time as a maintenance assistant. Kayle will be part-time as an office assistant helping mostly with guest services.

We are so happy to have Terik and Kayle as part of our Kenbrook team! Make sure you say hello to them and ask them about their trip. They have lots of stories to tell!

45th ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GOLF OUTING

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PARTICIPATE!

There's still time to be a part of this year's scholarship golf outing! Whether you golf, know a golfer or just are passionate about ensuring ALL kids have an opportunity to come to camp, there is a place for you at the annual golf outing! All funds raised go to provide scholarships and financial assistance to families so that every child that wants to come to camp can do so! This year we were able to provide almost $24,000 in financial assistance to families thanks to the generous support of our golf outing sponsors and golfers. Please consider how you might be a part of ensuring all kids can come to camp, regardless of finances.

To learn more about how you can participate as a golfer, event sponsor or camper sponsor, go to our website for details!

Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023

Location: Pine Meadow Golf Course, 319 Pine Meadow Road, Lebanon, PA 17046 *

* Buffet lunch served at golf course prior to start; full dinner afterwards at Kenbrook Bible Camp, Woodland Lodge Dining Room

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR THE FATHERS AND CHILDREN WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THIS YEAR'S DADCAMP!

"Building Stronger Dads who Build Stronger Families"

Date: Friday, September 1 through Sunday, September 3

We are super excited to have over 30 dad/child pairs taking part in this year's DadCamp for elementary age children and their fathers.

Dads will spend an epic weekend experience designed to equip THE DAD; so he can lead his family in the footsteps of Christ.

WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!!

YOUR GENEROSITY IS MAKING THE GYM REPAIR A REALITY!

Thank you to so many of you that helped to provide the finances to repair the gym! Thanks to all of our generous donors, we raised $158,025 which exceeded our goal and will allow us to fully repair and renovate the ceiling and walls of the gym!

While there will be temporary disruptions to the use of the gym during the time of repair, we are excited to have this work begin in mid-August and look forward to completion the end of September. Be watching our facebook page for updates! And again, thank you so very much!

Prayer Support

Jesus said in Matthew 18:19 "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." Will you join us in prayer for Kenbrook Bible Camp and for all who come to camp that they may experience the love, grace and joy that can only be found in a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Will you pray for the staff and Board of Kenbrook as we continue our strategic planning and vision casting that we have the wisdom to make decisions for camp that will bring honor to God and allow Kenbrook to continue to be a place where campers and guests can find rest, restoration, recreation and rejuvenation for generations to come?

Would you consider becoming a Campfire Circle Member as a regular financial donor?

Donors are a significant part of Kenbrook's ministry. In fact, approximately 25% of our annual budget (approximately $250,000) is dependent upon the faithful giving of our donors. We are so thankful for all who give of their finances to support the mission and vision of Kenbrook Bible Camp!

Have you heard about our Campfire Circle? Campfire Circle friends are our monthly financial supporters of Kenbrook Bible Camp. Through your monthly donation, you ensure a consistent source of funding that helps maintain and sustain the ministries of Kenbrook for generations to come! Will you consider supporting Kenbrook in this way as we strive to create an environment where campers and guests can grow in relationship with God, self, others and nature? For more information or to sign-up to be a Campfire Circle donor, click here.

Kenbrook's mission is to be like Christ in all relationships in order to facilitate a closer connection to God, self, others and nature. The staff (both year-round and seasonal) are integral to helping fulfill that mission. We encourage you to pray for the staff and hope that by introducing you to us through this spotlight, that even if you don't get to camp often, you know who we are and can be praying for us as we serve our campers, guests and all who come to Kenbrook. 

This issue's staff spotlight is on Matt Garber

Matt has worked as the Food Service Director at Kenbrook since April of 2021. He previously had been a weekend host at Kenbrook as well. Matt grew up in the area, attending Manheim Central High School and Lebanon Valley College where he received a degree in Business Administration in 2011. He started his working career doing production planning and logistics planning at 2 different companies before deciding that the corporate world was not for him. He then spent about a year as a cook at Paxton Street Ministries in Harrisburg, before ultimately arriving at Kenbrook.

He and his wife Bethany, their 2 girls, Sydney (5) and Celeste (3) live in Palmyra. They love to work in the garden, travel to the mountains or the beach, and read books together. They have loved being a part of the Kenbrook family and supporting the ministry together. Personally, Matt loves the opportunity to minister to people's most basic needs. As he states, "It is a blessing to support retreat groups and summer camp, through the ministry of food. Taking the worries of meal prep and clean up away from people who are looking to get away and refresh is a way that God works through me and the kitchen staff here at Kenbrook." 

Matt is excited to see what God has in store for the next couple years at Kenbrook and thrilled that God has called him to be a part of it.