The summer has been challenging in some ways and rewarding in others, but then, that could be said of every summer camp season. This year we struggled with equipment breakdowns and not so good weather. Even so, we came through okay and the campers probably didn’t mind the wet or even notice the behind the scenes equipment failures. Of course, the rewards are about 950 excited and joyful campers, money raised for worthy missions, tons of spiritual growth, and several life-time commitments made to loving and serving Jesus Christ.

It is now that I begin to miss the summer staff even though they are here for a few more days. These kids have been my closest friends over the past few summers and most all will be moving on to other commitments. I am confident though, that the experiences we shared together at LaMoine Christian Service Camp will serve to keep us strong in our faith until we all “Escape to Paradise”.

Even though the summer camp season ends soon, our ministry work here does not. On August 10th and 11th, we will host 160 Resident Assistants from Western Illinois University. Then over the weekend, we will host a youth retreat from Clover Road Christian Church in Hannibal, MO. I thank you again for your gift and ask that you pray for us year round as we serve God in the same way.  

 “Doug, my visit back to LaMoine was very fulfilling for me. It turned out to be emotional as well. I saw the chapel where I gave my life to Christ when I was 12 years old; I visited the campfire area where I kissed my first girl; and I stood on the pitchers mound where I used to pitch as a camper. I cried in all 3 places. I am 56 now and have not been back since my last time at Senior High Camp in 1969. I am so grateful that the saints in the area have continued to support Camp LaMoine all these years and continue to have a positive effect on our young people today.” (Me Too!)
 
I thank you for helping to make the blessings of this camp possible not only for this season but for all the seasons before as well. I know God produces the growth of His Kingdom, but you are one of many who, through your gifts and prayers, help to keep this ministry alive and well. I ask that you continue to pray for our campers, staff, and faculty as we all work together to glorify God this summer at LaMoine Christian Service Camp.

Please pray that God’s people will come along side the camp during these next few months so that we might accomplish all that needs to be done to have another awesome summer camp season. Please also pray for our Summer Staff, Deans, and Faculty as they prepare to serve God and our campers at LaMoine this summer.

I thank you for all you do as supporters of our ministry. We can’t do it without you! May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless LaMoine Christian Service Camp!

Happy New Year everyone!

I know it is only January, but I am already starting to get excited about what is planned for 2010. This year’s schedule of events is posted on our website www.lamoinecamp.org. Seniors, you won’t want to miss our Musical Lollapalooza on May 21st. The summer staff is also coming together nicely with, hopefully and prayerfully, all experienced staff returning for another year. The theme for this year is “Escaping to Paradise”. We want our campers to know that for a few days this coming summer they can escape the doldrums of the everyday to the paradise of LaMoine Christian Service Camp. And even more than that, they just might claim the promise of the everlasting paradise in heaven while they are here, read Luke 23:39-43.

As I share with you some of what we are working on here at the camp, it is because of God’s grace and your giving that we have this ministry to share in.  Please continue to give so that LaMoine might continue to impact youth and adults for Christ. I pray that 2010 will be the best of years for you, your family, your church, and your camp.

Serving Our Savior Together,
           Doug
Doug Hamer/Director

Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) on hand - $35,319.84

Upcoming Events
January 11th – South Area Men’s Fellowship/Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, IL
January 18th – East Area Fellowship/Table Grove Community Church, Table Grove, IL
January 22nd – Camp Team Meeting at the Camp for Ministers and Camp Deans
January 25th – North Area Men’s Fellowship/Stronghurst Christian Church, Stronghurst, IL
January 25th – 28th – National Christian Camp Leader’s Conference in Lexington, KY

Wow, can you believe it’s already November? This year has really flown by. The majority of the leaves have already fallen around the camp and winter is just around the corner. I do love this time of year though; the cooler weather, seeing the deer on the property, hosting many retreats of various types, and of course Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The activity around the camp will keep right on going through the fall and winter months. We will host our annual Junior High Fall Retreat in November as well as 4 rental retreats. Do you realize that over the past 5 years the camp has hosted an average of 40 retreats per year? The income from these retreats totals more than $110,000.00. That’s compared with total rental income of less than $25,000.00 for the prior 5 year period. What a blessing it is to be a part of so many retreats. I really enjoy serving the needs of our rental groups and getting the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them. Your camp Board of Directors will also meet in November to, among other things, discuss our next step for replacing our bath domes.

There is much to do here at LaMoine that will help us draw even more youth and adults to this blessed place. I want you to know that we are committed to making plans that will maximize our ministry opportunities and then waiting on God’s people for the funds to continue our growing ways. This holiday season, please celebrate with me everything that God is allowing us to be a part of at LaMoine; the summer camps, the rental retreats, and the changed lives. While it is God that brings about the increase to His Kingdom, it is you who are faithful in your giving to this ministry. Your gifts of prayer, money, and volunteer help, are what allow the camp to continue to provide a place where people of all ages can come to experience God in a personal and meaningful way. May God be ever glorified by what we do together at LaMoine Christian Service Camp.

Dear Friends of the Camp,

It is hard to believe that we are already half way through this summer camp season. So far, we have seen a countless number of smiles, heard endless screams of joy, shared in loud and enthusiastic singing of praises to God, have had many unique and interesting interactions with the campers, and have witnessed several baptisms in our pool. Nothing can compare to the blessings of summer camp at LaMoine.

Right now we have 62 soon to be 4th graders and their faculty volunteers at the camp. As I write this letter, our campers are enjoying an 82-degree day swimming in the pool and taking part in other organized water gamer. After dinner they will be getting their group photo taken and then worshipping in the open air chapel. This Dean really likes to utilize the outdoors as much as possible. Later in the evening, I'm sure they will wrap up the day with snacks from the canteen and a time of singing and devotions around the campfire.

I am so thankful that our kids have a place like this camp to spend a few short days of their summer. Recently, a parent told me how thankful he was that his girls have been able to come to this camp for the past few years. He said that this year especially, he really noticed a change for the better in them when they returned home. I thank you for being a devoted and faithful prayer partner, volunteer, and partner in giving and I ask you to continue to pray for our campers, staff, and faculty as we all work together to glorify God this summer at LaMoine Christian Service Camp.

Click HERE to see more photos!

Serving Our Savior Together,

Doug

Doug Hamer/Director