Virginia Ecumenical Camp & Retreat Leaders'

Gathering, December 2-4, 2008:

Come for a renewing and relaxing spiritual gathering for fellowship, food, information and fun with sessions and hands on workshops for Christian Camp Leaders including Directors, Maintenance Managers, Program Leaders, Board Members, Food Service Managers, Administrators, Volunteers, Counselors and Summer Staff.

Green Living at our camps; Living Faith at our camps:

Lives are changed at our camps and retreat centers, often by simply what we do and where we are. We expose our campers and guests to more intentional ways of Living Faithfully and more practical ideas for Green Living. Our camps/centers are places where green living is simply a part of living faithfully in communion with God.  Join us for new, practical experiences and insights into HOW we do WHAT we do.

Bring some local treats for our “Taste-of-Home” snack table, and e-mail your camp photos of the “incredible, wacky, weird, beautiful” by Dec 1 to wvblanton@hughes.net for Believe-It-Or-Not slides at meals.

Confirmed Workshop & Session Leaders:

Dr. Barry Garst:

“Can camps cure Nature Deficit Disorder?”

Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., is the Director of Research Application on ACA's national staff. Before joining ACA, Barry was an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in 4-H youth development at Virginia Tech. Barry has worked in residential camp settings in administrative and programmatic positions, and is a Standards Visitor and Instructor for ACA Virginas. Barry's research interests include the multiple meanings of nature-based experiences and the youth development outcomes of the camp experience. Barry previously shared with our Gathering in 2003.

Rev. Gary E. Heaton:

Spiritual Director for our event; “NDD & God-disconnect”

Gary is the Senior Pastor of Front Royal United Methodist Church, and he is a fixture in Christian Camping in Virginia with ties to camps Highroad, Alta Mons, Bethel, Westview, Occohannock, Overlook and Horizons. Gary is an instructor for Wesley Seminary’s Equipping Lay Ministry program. Gary will serve as our Spiritual Director during our Gathering, and he will be available to you throughout the event.

Nancy Maurelli:

“Eating Green: Local Foods & Slow Foods Movement”

Nancy is a well-known caterer and local foods activist in the Roanoke, VA area. Her growing business, “Good-to-Go Foods” makes intentional use of locally grown and in-season foods. Nancy has led several popular workshops on local foods and cooking in-season, and she served as Camp Bethel’s Summer Food Services Director in 2003. We still call on Nancy each September to help feed 200 all-vegan Seventh-Day Adventists.

Carol Mason:

“Stages of Faith Formation”

Carol is the Congregational Life Team Area 3 Coordinator for the Church of the Brethren General Board. CLT exists to help congregations discern God's leading and to make possible a stronger response to God's call. Carol brings experience in leadership development, worship planning, spiritual formation, evangelism, stewardship education, small membership churches, and urban/ethnic ministries. Carol teaches “Stages of Faith Formation” in the Church of the Brethren’s Christian Growth Institute.

speakers     schedule     registration/fee     facilities     site map     print brochure

GREEN LIVING: LIVING FAITH Other Workshops & Highlights:

Þ * Alternative Revenues Roundtable - Cat Holbert Rudys, Westview Asst. Director.

Þ * Forest Management - Tim Clemons, Camp Bethel Maint. Mgr.

Þ * Camp Bethel Tour & Master Site Plan - Barry LeNoir, Camp Bethel Director.

Þ 

     * SAWMILLING experience with Tim Clemons and Camp Bethel’s new TimberKing B-20 portable sawmill!  http://www.timberking.com/b.htm 

Þ * Table Themes at meals:  Meal times are where we’ve probably learned more from other camp leaders than at any other sessions offered at these workshops, so we’ll have Table Themes at two meals: Intentional mixing and grouping of camp interests: Administrative; Food Services; Program; Maintenance.

Þ * “Believe It Or Not!” slides at meals of camps’ weird, wacky, incredible and beautiful photos.  Submit by December 1 to wvblanton@hughes.net.

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, December 2, 2008:

3:30:    Plan Team arrives to prepare.

4:00:    Denominational meetings (if called).

4:30:    Participant Arrival & Registration at Ark

5:30:    Introductions/Name Games at Ark

6:00:    Dinner

7:00:    Key Note Session:“NDD: Nature Deficit Disorder”

            Pt 1: Can camps cure NDD? - B. Garst

                  10-minute break

            Pt 2: NDD & God-Disconnect - G. Heaton

8:45:    Worship

9:30:    Snacks (Taste-of-Home) & Games in Ark

Wednesday, December 3, 2008:

7:45:    Morning Watch

8:00:    Breakfast: Table Themes

8:45:    Workshops:

           A: Alternative Revenue Roundtable - C. Rudys

           B: Eating Green - N. Maurelli (participants will help prepare lunch)

           C: Forest Management - T. Clemons

10:30:  Tour Camp Bethel –or- “Green” Lunch Prep w/ Nancy

12:30:  Lunch

1:15:    Workshops:

           A: Visit Bethel’s Adventure Village

           B: Sawmilling Experience, part 1: http://www.timberking.com/b.htm

3:15:  Workshops:

           A: Camp Bethel’s Master Site Plan

           B: Sawmilling, part 2

5:30:    Break (dare we say “Free Time?”)

6:00:    Dinner with Table Themes

7:00:    Key Note Session: “Stages of Faith Formation” - C. Mason

8:30:    Worship

9:30:    Snacks & Games in Ark

Thursday, December 4, 2008:

7:45:     Morning Watch

8:00:     Breakfast

9:00:     Closing Worship

10:00:    Depart

speakers     schedule     registration/fee     facilities     site map     print brochure

* * * * * * *

REGISTRATION FORM:

Virginia Camp & Retreat Leaders’ Gathering at CAMP BETHEL, FINCASTLE, VA

Name(s): ________________________________________________ Sex: M / F

Mail: street/PO: _____________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________ st: _____ zip: ___________

Home/Office phone: (____) _____________ Cell phone: (____) _____________

E-mail: _____________________________________ Camp: ________________

Requested roommate(s): _____________________________________________

Accessibility/dietary needs: ____________________________________________

Select one: __ 2 per room/cottage = $95/person

                __ 4 per room/cottage = $85/person

                __ day participant & meals only = $45/person

ENCLOSE FULL PAYMENT (check payable to CAMP BETHEL; call (540) 992-2940 to pay via credit card) and return with completed information to:

CAMP BETHEL: VECRLG, 328 BETHEL ROAD, FINCASTLE, VA 24090

or e-mail info to camp.bethel@juno.com.

speakers     schedule     registration/fee     facilities     site map     print brochure

site updated 09.03.08