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Camp Bethel News, December 2021 - January 2022, Fincastle, VA
CAMP BETHEL IS OPEN FOR GROUPS, FAMILIES, and PROGAMS
In accordance with Virginia’s Phase 3 guidelines, facilities, food services, and conference rooms are available to reserve. Cyclists, hikers, walkers, and day-visitors are welcome on weekends; hiking and biking trail maps are on our office porch. Information and prices at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/groups.
WELCOME DANIEL NAFF, FOOD SERVICES COORDINATOR!
Daniel is a 2020 Bridgewater College grad, a member of Cloverdale Church of the Brethren, and he served on our Camp Bethel Summer Staff from 2016-2020. He completed a year of AmeriCorps service at Breaks Interstate Park (VA & KY border). An Eagle Scout and amateur birder/naturalist, Daniel also brings a love for cooking to his new role at Camp Bethel. “Camp Bethel is, without exaggeration, my favorite place on earth. I look forward to working again at a place that holds such an important spot in my heart.” Daniel began on October 20.
THANK YOU JENNA STACY MEHALSO for eight years of devoted leadership!
Jenna will depart her role as Program Coordinator on December 31. “As my husband and I think about the next steps for our lives, I need to move into a more ‘normal’ work schedule. I will continue to be involved with Camp Bethel as a dedicated volunteer."
YOU ARE INVITED to a reception celebrating Jenna's service and to welcome Daniel on Friday, January 7, 6:00-7:00pm in the Ark. Cards and gifts are encouraged.
2021 SUMMER CAMPS WERE SAFE AND FUN!
Resident camps, adventures, trips, and day camps were safe and fun in 2021 because of our “Small Group Unit” model and multiple health& safety protocols for 554 campers over 7 weeks, which was 92% of our planned-reduction capacity. (In “normal” summers, we serve between 1,000-1,200 campers.) Campers and Staff remained COVID-free before, during, and after camps. We granted 40 Camperships totaling $12,280, and 87 campers received congregational Good-As-Gold funding. Plans for 2022 Camps are at CampBethelVirginia.org/camps.
CAMP BETHEL SUMMER CAMPS 2022, Theme: "What’s In A Name?"
Together: with God, with each other, and with creation. When we live together in intentional Christian community, even for just one week, we gain person-to-person relationship skills to benefit our families, schools, churches, communities, nation, and world. Registration opens January 10, All information (brochure, forms, and schedule) is at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/camps.
GIVE A CHILD A CAMPERSHIP
We could not hold our in-person 2021 Sow the Seed Scholarship Banquet, so please give instead. We annually grant Camperships to an average of 108 children for an average total of $27,165 (2010-2019). Please give $390, which is the 2022 base cost for a child to attend one week of camp. Mail checks with memo "Camperships" or donate at CampBethelVirginia.org/donate
SUMMER 2022 COUNSELORS & KITCHEN STAFF
We seek hard-working and resilient young adults for our 2022 Summer Camp Staff. Counselors serve May 30 through July 23, pay is $320/week, plus a $325+ end-of-summer bonus, plus recruitment bonuses. Kitchen Staff serve May 30 through August 13, pay is $350-or-$420/week. Position descriptions, videos, and applications are at CampBethelVirginia.org/summer-staff.
2021 SUMMER STAFF ADOPTION PROGRAM WAS A BIG SUCCESS
Families, groups, and congregations adopted our 36 Summer Staff with a commitment of prayer, letters/care, and a $100 “end-of-summer” bonus, (matching funds increased this to $325!) This program helps us recruit and secure the highest quality Counselors for our Campers, and it helps these excellent young adults to accept the call to summer ministry. Info at CampBethelVirginia.org/adopt.
2021 HERITAGE DAY FESTIVAL AGAIN REPLACED BY SUCCESSFUL CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS
Due to continuing COVID-19 concerns, we could not hold our “in-person” Heritage Day Festival at Camp on October 2. Many congregations held individual fund-raisers, meals, or food/craft sales in honor of Camp Bethel’s Heritage Day, and Cedar Bluff CoB made their (our) famous Apple Butter. Funds raised thus far total $32,043 for Camp Bethel! Please participate with an offering in 2021 in support of Camp Bethel. CampBethelVirginia.org/HeritageDay for events, or contact CampBethelOffice@gmail.com or 540-992-2940.
CAMP BETHEL APPLE BUTTER!
Our 2021 Apple Butter was hand-crafted on October 2, 2021 on site at Camp Bethel in honor of our Heritage Day Festival by our friends at Cedar Bluff Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill, VA. Limited supplies! $12/quart & $6/pint.
CAMP BETHEL BLANKETS!
54" x 84" Pro-Weave Sweatshirt Blanket is extra-soft, heavyweight, machine-washable with "Camp Bethel Together" logo in white and gold. Limited supply and colors! $30/blanket.
CAMP BETHEL CHRISTMAS DESSERTS!
In lieu of our annual Christmas Banquet, Food Services Coordinator, Daniel Naff will custom-bake delicious desserts for your family. Choose a single dozen box (12 same desserts for $15) or a 20-piece assortment box of our Staff’s favorite holiday desserts (20 items for $20). All desserts come in a fun holiday gift box. Perfect for gift-giving!
Order & pay and/or see photos of all items at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/TradingPost
WINTER CAMP YOUTH & KIDS’ RETREAT, JANUARY 8-9
Winter Camp is a fun Retreat for kids grades 1-5 and youth grades 6-12 led by our reunited Summer Staff. $75 includes 4 meals, lodging, and program including group games, Glow-in-the-Dark Gym Party, campfire & S’mores, Bible study, crafts, hiking, nature fun, skits, sledding and other snow fun (if it snows), worship, wagon ride, summer photos slide show, 2022 camp preview... and new Camp Bethel stickers! $40 and $75 Camperships are available for any family that has a need, no questions asked. Register ASAP and before January 5 at CampBethelVirginia.org/WinterCamp.
BE REPRESENTED AT THE CAMP SUPPORTER LUNCHEON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 12:00-2:30
All Camp Representatives, pastors, youth leaders, friends and supporters of Camp Bethel are encouraged to attend. Please ensure that at least ONE person from your congregation attends. After a free lunch, we’ll distribute all the tools you need to communicate Camp to your congregation. CampBethelVirginia.org/rep
SPRING VOLUNTEER WORKDAY IS SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022
7:30am free breakfast; 1:00pm free lunch; Rain or shine, we need help with projects for all ages. RSVP meals by March 28 at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/workday.
21ST SOUNDS OF THE MOUNTAINS STORY FESTIVAL APRIL 8-9, 2022
Featuring Bil Lepp, Len Cabral, Lynn Ford, Josh Goforth, and Beth Horner. Be here for another dynamic and fun storytelling event. 2020-2021 videos are still available: www.SoundsoftheMountains.org.
REQUESTING PROPOSALS FOR RV VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION!
We have approval from Botetourt County, and we have initial funding provided by your gifts to the “Seed, Scattered and Sown” campaign, so now we build! Updated site layout and images for our long-planned 15-site “RV Village” area are at VirlinaFuture.org. Plans include water, electric, sewer, picnic table, campfire ring, and parking. Contact Barry for info, Barry@CampBethelVirginia.org
COVID-19 CANCELLATIONS CREATE FUNDING VOID.
Nearly everything we do at Camp Bethel involves being TOGETHER with others: summer camps, retreats, festivals, meals, and family weekends. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge our operations, and 2021 revenue is down from “normal” years. We are inspired and blessed by generous gifts that helped us “survive” 2020 and 2021 thus far. We continue to rely on donations. Please give at CampBethelVirginia.org/donate. Thank you!
FIVE WAYS TO HELP CAMP BETHEL:
1. Order Christmas Desserts, Apple Butter, or Blankets! CampBethelVirginia.orgTradingPost.
2. FALL/WINTER FAMILY VACATION… AT CAMP! Info at CampBethelVirginia.org/groups.
3. SPONSOR our Disc Golf Course holes, our Story Fest, our 5K, or our Golf Tournament.
4. Purchase an item off our Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/5qG5JYq
5. DONATE! Every gift and every item helps! Thank you! CampBethelVirginia.org/donate
CAMP BETHEL WISH LIST
Clorox wipes; road-worthy mini-van or 15-passenger van (2015 or newer); road-worthy pickup truck (2010 or newer); clothes dryer; refrigerator (full or mini); digital cameras; gas grill; LED light bulbs; new (in-the-box) first-aid supplies (Band-Aids, etc); working vacuum cleaners or shop-vacs; brooms & dustpans; 3’x8’ plyboards for under bunk mattresses (any thickness or quality); “Tree Cookies”. Please help our Amazon wish-list at: https://a.co/5qG5JYq or CampBethelVirginia.org/donate. Tax-deductible!
TREE COOKIES NEEDED
Please help supply THOUSANDS of Tree Cookies for our year-round programs. Ideal “cookie” is hard wood, cross-cut showing tree rings, 3”+ diameter and less-than 0.5” thick. 540-992-2940 or CampBethelOffice@gmail.com. THANK YOU!
COMING SOON: DISC GOLF AT CAMP BETHEL!
Thanks to gifts from Stottsberg Engineering (StottsbergEng.com) and from the Roanoke Disc Golf Club, we will soon open 9 holes of our Camp Bethel Disc Golf Course along the fields and forests of our southern acreage. Hole Sponsorship opportunities coming soon! CampBethelVirginia.org/DiscGolf
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS OPEN AT CAMP
Volunteers headed by Rob Odenwelder (Troutville CoB) have built excellent new trails and bridges winding through our “Adventure Forest.” Call or email in advance, and bring your bike and helmet for fun in our beautiful property. Contact Barry at CampBethelOffice@gmail.com or 540-992-2940. Trail Maps are on the Camp Office porch and our website.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MONTHLY E-NEWS at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/subscribe.
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube = CampBethelVirginia Tag/Pin #CampBethelVirginia “Camp Bethel Summer Camp and Event Center”
UPCOMING EVENTS AT CAMP BETHEL, www.CampBethelVirginia.org/events
January 7, 2022, 6:00-7:00pm: Reception for Jenna & Wes, Welcome Daniel.
January 8-9, 2022: Winter Camp Youth & Kids’ Retreat.
January 10, 2022: Summer Camp 2022 Registration OPENS.
February 12, 2022 (Sat), 12:00noon: Camp Supporter Lunch, RSVP.
March 10, 2022 (Thurs), 6:30pm: Sow the Seed Banquet, RSVP.
April 2, 2022 (Sat), 7:30am Spring Volunteer, RSVP free meals.
April 8-9, 2022: Sounds of the Mountains Storytelling Festival at Camp Bethel.
May 27-30, 2022: Memorial Day Family Weekend, RSVP meals.
May 28, 2022 (Sat), Family Day/Summer Camp Open House, 1:00-4:00pm.
May 30-June 10, 2022: Summer Staff Training.
June 4, 2022 (Sat): Parent-Child Day Camp.
June 10, 2022 (Fri) 5:30pm: Summer Staff Commissioning Dinner.
June 12–July 29, 2022: Summer Camps & Family Adventures.
September 2-5, 2022: Labor Day Family Weekend, RSVP meals.
September 3, 2022 (Sat): Camp Bethel PEP! 5K.
September 21, 2022 (Wed): 28th Benefit Golf Tournament.
October 1, 2022 (Sat): 38th annual Heritage Day Festival.
Camp Bethel
328 Bethel Road
Fincastle, VA 24090
540.992.2940
CampBethelOffice@gmail.com
www.CampBethelVirginia.org
CAMP BETHEL IS OPEN FOR GROUPS, FAMILIES, and PROGAMS
In accordance with Virginia’s Phase 3 guidelines, facilities, food services, and conference rooms are available to reserve. Cyclists, hikers, walkers, and day-visitors are welcome on weekends; hiking and biking trail maps are on our office porch. Information and prices at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/groups.
WELCOME DANIEL NAFF, FOOD SERVICES COORDINATOR!
Daniel is a 2020 Bridgewater College grad, a member of Cloverdale Church of the Brethren, and he served on our Camp Bethel Summer Staff from 2016-2020. He completed a year of AmeriCorps service at Breaks Interstate Park (VA & KY border). An Eagle Scout and amateur birder/naturalist, Daniel also brings a love for cooking to his new role at Camp Bethel. “Camp Bethel is, without exaggeration, my favorite place on earth. I look forward to working again at a place that holds such an important spot in my heart.” Daniel began on October 20.
THANK YOU JENNA STACY MEHALSO for eight years of devoted leadership!
Jenna will depart her role as Program Coordinator on December 31. “As my husband and I think about the next steps for our lives, I need to move into a more ‘normal’ work schedule. I will continue to be involved with Camp Bethel as a dedicated volunteer."
YOU ARE INVITED to a reception celebrating Jenna's service and to welcome Daniel on Friday, January 7, 6:00-7:00pm in the Ark. Cards and gifts are encouraged.
2021 SUMMER CAMPS WERE SAFE AND FUN!
Resident camps, adventures, trips, and day camps were safe and fun in 2021 because of our “Small Group Unit” model and multiple health& safety protocols for 554 campers over 7 weeks, which was 92% of our planned-reduction capacity. (In “normal” summers, we serve between 1,000-1,200 campers.) Campers and Staff remained COVID-free before, during, and after camps. We granted 40 Camperships totaling $12,280, and 87 campers received congregational Good-As-Gold funding. Plans for 2022 Camps are at CampBethelVirginia.org/camps.
CAMP BETHEL SUMMER CAMPS 2022, Theme: "What’s In A Name?"
Together: with God, with each other, and with creation. When we live together in intentional Christian community, even for just one week, we gain person-to-person relationship skills to benefit our families, schools, churches, communities, nation, and world. Registration opens January 10, All information (brochure, forms, and schedule) is at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/camps.
GIVE A CHILD A CAMPERSHIP
We could not hold our in-person 2021 Sow the Seed Scholarship Banquet, so please give instead. We annually grant Camperships to an average of 108 children for an average total of $27,165 (2010-2019). Please give $390, which is the 2022 base cost for a child to attend one week of camp. Mail checks with memo "Camperships" or donate at CampBethelVirginia.org/donate
SUMMER 2022 COUNSELORS & KITCHEN STAFF
We seek hard-working and resilient young adults for our 2022 Summer Camp Staff. Counselors serve May 30 through July 23, pay is $320/week, plus a $325+ end-of-summer bonus, plus recruitment bonuses. Kitchen Staff serve May 30 through August 13, pay is $350-or-$420/week. Position descriptions, videos, and applications are at CampBethelVirginia.org/summer-staff.
2021 SUMMER STAFF ADOPTION PROGRAM WAS A BIG SUCCESS
Families, groups, and congregations adopted our 36 Summer Staff with a commitment of prayer, letters/care, and a $100 “end-of-summer” bonus, (matching funds increased this to $325!) This program helps us recruit and secure the highest quality Counselors for our Campers, and it helps these excellent young adults to accept the call to summer ministry. Info at CampBethelVirginia.org/adopt.
2021 HERITAGE DAY FESTIVAL AGAIN REPLACED BY SUCCESSFUL CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS
Due to continuing COVID-19 concerns, we could not hold our “in-person” Heritage Day Festival at Camp on October 2. Many congregations held individual fund-raisers, meals, or food/craft sales in honor of Camp Bethel’s Heritage Day, and Cedar Bluff CoB made their (our) famous Apple Butter. Funds raised thus far total $32,043 for Camp Bethel! Please participate with an offering in 2021 in support of Camp Bethel. CampBethelVirginia.org/HeritageDay for events, or contact CampBethelOffice@gmail.com or 540-992-2940.
CAMP BETHEL APPLE BUTTER!
Our 2021 Apple Butter was hand-crafted on October 2, 2021 on site at Camp Bethel in honor of our Heritage Day Festival by our friends at Cedar Bluff Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill, VA. Limited supplies! $12/quart & $6/pint.
CAMP BETHEL BLANKETS!
54" x 84" Pro-Weave Sweatshirt Blanket is extra-soft, heavyweight, machine-washable with "Camp Bethel Together" logo in white and gold. Limited supply and colors! $30/blanket.
CAMP BETHEL CHRISTMAS DESSERTS!
In lieu of our annual Christmas Banquet, Food Services Coordinator, Daniel Naff will custom-bake delicious desserts for your family. Choose a single dozen box (12 same desserts for $15) or a 20-piece assortment box of our Staff’s favorite holiday desserts (20 items for $20). All desserts come in a fun holiday gift box. Perfect for gift-giving!
Order & pay and/or see photos of all items at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/TradingPost
WINTER CAMP YOUTH & KIDS’ RETREAT, JANUARY 8-9
Winter Camp is a fun Retreat for kids grades 1-5 and youth grades 6-12 led by our reunited Summer Staff. $75 includes 4 meals, lodging, and program including group games, Glow-in-the-Dark Gym Party, campfire & S’mores, Bible study, crafts, hiking, nature fun, skits, sledding and other snow fun (if it snows), worship, wagon ride, summer photos slide show, 2022 camp preview... and new Camp Bethel stickers! $40 and $75 Camperships are available for any family that has a need, no questions asked. Register ASAP and before January 5 at CampBethelVirginia.org/WinterCamp.
BE REPRESENTED AT THE CAMP SUPPORTER LUNCHEON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 12:00-2:30
All Camp Representatives, pastors, youth leaders, friends and supporters of Camp Bethel are encouraged to attend. Please ensure that at least ONE person from your congregation attends. After a free lunch, we’ll distribute all the tools you need to communicate Camp to your congregation. CampBethelVirginia.org/rep
SPRING VOLUNTEER WORKDAY IS SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022
7:30am free breakfast; 1:00pm free lunch; Rain or shine, we need help with projects for all ages. RSVP meals by March 28 at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/workday.
21ST SOUNDS OF THE MOUNTAINS STORY FESTIVAL APRIL 8-9, 2022
Featuring Bil Lepp, Len Cabral, Lynn Ford, Josh Goforth, and Beth Horner. Be here for another dynamic and fun storytelling event. 2020-2021 videos are still available: www.SoundsoftheMountains.org.
REQUESTING PROPOSALS FOR RV VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION!
We have approval from Botetourt County, and we have initial funding provided by your gifts to the “Seed, Scattered and Sown” campaign, so now we build! Updated site layout and images for our long-planned 15-site “RV Village” area are at VirlinaFuture.org. Plans include water, electric, sewer, picnic table, campfire ring, and parking. Contact Barry for info, Barry@CampBethelVirginia.org
COVID-19 CANCELLATIONS CREATE FUNDING VOID.
Nearly everything we do at Camp Bethel involves being TOGETHER with others: summer camps, retreats, festivals, meals, and family weekends. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge our operations, and 2021 revenue is down from “normal” years. We are inspired and blessed by generous gifts that helped us “survive” 2020 and 2021 thus far. We continue to rely on donations. Please give at CampBethelVirginia.org/donate. Thank you!
FIVE WAYS TO HELP CAMP BETHEL:
1. Order Christmas Desserts, Apple Butter, or Blankets! CampBethelVirginia.orgTradingPost.
2. FALL/WINTER FAMILY VACATION… AT CAMP! Info at CampBethelVirginia.org/groups.
3. SPONSOR our Disc Golf Course holes, our Story Fest, our 5K, or our Golf Tournament.
4. Purchase an item off our Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/5qG5JYq
5. DONATE! Every gift and every item helps! Thank you! CampBethelVirginia.org/donate
CAMP BETHEL WISH LIST
Clorox wipes; road-worthy mini-van or 15-passenger van (2015 or newer); road-worthy pickup truck (2010 or newer); clothes dryer; refrigerator (full or mini); digital cameras; gas grill; LED light bulbs; new (in-the-box) first-aid supplies (Band-Aids, etc); working vacuum cleaners or shop-vacs; brooms & dustpans; 3’x8’ plyboards for under bunk mattresses (any thickness or quality); “Tree Cookies”. Please help our Amazon wish-list at: https://a.co/5qG5JYq or CampBethelVirginia.org/donate. Tax-deductible!
TREE COOKIES NEEDED
Please help supply THOUSANDS of Tree Cookies for our year-round programs. Ideal “cookie” is hard wood, cross-cut showing tree rings, 3”+ diameter and less-than 0.5” thick. 540-992-2940 or CampBethelOffice@gmail.com. THANK YOU!
COMING SOON: DISC GOLF AT CAMP BETHEL!
Thanks to gifts from Stottsberg Engineering (StottsbergEng.com) and from the Roanoke Disc Golf Club, we will soon open 9 holes of our Camp Bethel Disc Golf Course along the fields and forests of our southern acreage. Hole Sponsorship opportunities coming soon! CampBethelVirginia.org/DiscGolf
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS OPEN AT CAMP
Volunteers headed by Rob Odenwelder (Troutville CoB) have built excellent new trails and bridges winding through our “Adventure Forest.” Call or email in advance, and bring your bike and helmet for fun in our beautiful property. Contact Barry at CampBethelOffice@gmail.com or 540-992-2940. Trail Maps are on the Camp Office porch and our website.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MONTHLY E-NEWS at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/subscribe.
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube = CampBethelVirginia Tag/Pin #CampBethelVirginia “Camp Bethel Summer Camp and Event Center”
UPCOMING EVENTS AT CAMP BETHEL, www.CampBethelVirginia.org/events
January 7, 2022, 6:00-7:00pm: Reception for Jenna & Wes, Welcome Daniel.
January 8-9, 2022: Winter Camp Youth & Kids’ Retreat.
January 10, 2022: Summer Camp 2022 Registration OPENS.
February 12, 2022 (Sat), 12:00noon: Camp Supporter Lunch, RSVP.
March 10, 2022 (Thurs), 6:30pm: Sow the Seed Banquet, RSVP.
April 2, 2022 (Sat), 7:30am Spring Volunteer, RSVP free meals.
April 8-9, 2022: Sounds of the Mountains Storytelling Festival at Camp Bethel.
May 27-30, 2022: Memorial Day Family Weekend, RSVP meals.
May 28, 2022 (Sat), Family Day/Summer Camp Open House, 1:00-4:00pm.
May 30-June 10, 2022: Summer Staff Training.
June 4, 2022 (Sat): Parent-Child Day Camp.
June 10, 2022 (Fri) 5:30pm: Summer Staff Commissioning Dinner.
June 12–July 29, 2022: Summer Camps & Family Adventures.
September 2-5, 2022: Labor Day Family Weekend, RSVP meals.
September 3, 2022 (Sat): Camp Bethel PEP! 5K.
September 21, 2022 (Wed): 28th Benefit Golf Tournament.
October 1, 2022 (Sat): 38th annual Heritage Day Festival.
Camp Bethel
328 Bethel Road
Fincastle, VA 24090
540.992.2940
CampBethelOffice@gmail.com
www.CampBethelVirginia.org
