What a difference a year can make! Last year at this time, I was writing to you about the “winter blues” as I looked out my office window at 18” of snow. I must say, I prefer this year over last.

Looking back at last year’s February thank you receipt letter made me think to look back even further to see what other recent Februarys looked like in the ministry of our camp.

•  2006 – We were consistently coming up short on our loan payment. We now have no debt.
•  2007 – We just needed $1,500 more to purchase all new mattresses for our cabins.
•  2008 – We first adopted the concept of LaMoine as a place “Where Friends Meet Jesus”.
•  2009 – We started to raise money to renovate our cabins with the “Seed Money for a Kingdom   Harvest” campaign.
•  2010 – We committed to excellence in all the camp has to offer; buildings, grounds, programs, staff, etc., and more than $35,000 was on hand for our cabin renovations.
•  2011 – Of course, all the snow as well as my excitement for a new upcoming summer camp season.

I will say it again, “What a difference a year can make”. Just look at what God has blessed our camp with year after year. Soon, the difference will once again be in the changed lives of our volunteers and campers.

I thank you so much for your recent gift to the ministry of God’s camp here at LaMoine. I want to remind you that your financial support does so much more than enable us to build buildings, hire staff, and pay bills. Your faithful support is what provides us with the opportunities to share the gospel message of Jesus Christ with others. And that is truly exciting! 

March 8th is the date of our annual Summer Camp Kick-off Meeting at the camp. This year we will be having a chili and potato soup dinner prior to the start of the meeting. I hope you can come and join us as the excitement begins to build for another summer camp season.

Money for Phase 2 (Cabin Renovations) on hand – $52,398.22
Approximate amount needed for finish mower – $4,500.00

Upcoming Events
February 13th – South Area Men’s Fellowship/First Christian Church, Camp Point, IL
February 20th – East Area Fellowship/Summum Christian Church, Summum, IL
February 27th – North Area Men’s Fellowship/Sciota Christian Church, Sciota, IL
March 8th – Summer Camp Kick-off Meeting & Dinner at the Camp (6-8 pm)

Happy New Year everyone! Did you know that since the beginning of the new millennium, over 500 youth have accepted Christ at LaMoine? Isn’t that some great news to start off your new year with?! I am so very grateful that you have decided to join us again in 2012 for the exciting, effective, and “Kingdom Building” ministry of Christian camping.

>January 22-26, Jon, Mathew, Board President Gordon Blankenship, camp supporter Dave Roate, and I will be at the Christian Camp Leader’s Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Here we will fellowship and network with other Christian camp leaders as well as receive additional training and education in various areas of Christian camping. Learning how our camp can be more effective in ministry is always a high priority for us. Wendy will be in the camp office each day if you do need something.

The 2012 summer camp dates are set with registration opening on March 8th. You can go to our web site www.lamoinecamp.org for all your summer camp information. I ask each of you to make plans now to encourage the youth of your church to come to summer camp. You can do this through your words, your prayers, and your financial help. Another goal of the camp is to be continually growing in camper registration. Much of what we do with staff growth and facilities improvements is with this goal in mind.

Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank you for your financial gift. Your giving provides us with the encouragement and support we need to press on toward achieving the camp’s goals. Please continue to pray and give so that LaMoine Christian Service Camp can continue to impact the lives of youth and adults for Christ in a big way for many years to come. I pray that 2012 is the best of years for you, your family, your Church, and our camp.

Money for Phase 2 (Cabin Renovations) on hand – $51,873.22
Approximate amount needed for finish mower – $5,000.00

Upcoming Events
January 9th – South Area Men’s Fellowship/Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, IL
January 16th – East Area Fellowship/Table Grove Community Church, Table Grove, IL
January 23rd – North Area Men’s Fellowship/Stronghurst Christian Church, Stronghurst, IL
January 23rd-26th – 2012 National Christian Camp Leader’s Conference in Gatlinburg, TN February 2nd – Camp Team Meeting for Area Ministers and Deans at the Camp

I hope this letter finds you enjoying all the good things that this time of the year brings. During the Holiday Season, it is easy to be reminded of how much I love and appreciate my Christian camp family and all that we share together: a bond of love for the baby Jesus, who came to live, to die, and to live again, that we might share a peace with God and a hope for an eternal home together in heaven; a heart felt love and appreciation for our families, churches, and country; and a commitment to providing a place where people of all ages can come to experience the love of Jesus in a Christian camping environment.

We at LaMoine Christian Service Camp have much to be thankful for. For nearly 65 years, God has protected and blessed our camp. Through these many years, your prayers for our camp have been lifted up and you have given of your money and your time faithfully and sacrificially to meet the needs of our camp and through LaMoine God has increased His Kingdom in countless ways. At LaMoine, hundreds of youth have committed to serving God in full-time Christian ministry, more than a thousand youth have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and countless more youth and adults have had their lives changed forever by spending time at this blessed place. Certainly, our job is not yet done and there is still much we can do to make LaMoine Christian Service Camp the best summer youth camp and year-round retreat destination it can be. I thank God for all our camp partners that believe in the need for a growing and effective Christian youth camp in our area and who are committed to that end.

As always, I thank you for your financial gift to the camp. Your gift is a blessing to our ministry. The camp staff also wishes you a Merry Christmas and a blessed Holiday Season with your family and friends; and may we all pray for God’s hand of grace and care to be continually over our children.

Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) on hand - $49,057.75
Approximate amount needed for finish mower - $5,000.00

Upcoming Events
January 9th – South Area Men’s Fellowship/Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, IL
January 16th – East Area Fellowship/Table Grove Community Church, Table Grove, IL
January 23rd – North Area Men’s Fellowship/Stronghurst Christian Church, Stronghurst, IL
January 23rd-26th – 2012 National Christian Camp Leader’s Conference in Gatlinburg, TN

The fall season is so beautiful at LaMoine. 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. There is still so 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, asking God for His blessing, and then waiting on God’s people for the funds to continue our growing ways.

One such blessing was realized just recently. With funds raised over the past 6 months, a new tractor with end-loader was purchased for the camp from our local Kubota dealer. This new tractor is a 50hp, turbo diesel, front-wheel assist, hydrostatic transmission, driving machine. The Kubota was the best choice for the camp based on price, tractor specifications, and dealer proximity to the camp. Currently, we have our older tractor up for sale and are looking to raise the remaining money needed to purchase an 11ft finish mower (approximately $6,000.00 still needed). Dave, Jon, and I thank, you, our camp partners again for how you got behind this need of the camp.

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. From all of us at the camp, have a blessed Thanksgiving time with family and friends and “thank you” again for partnering with us in the work of LaMoine Christian Service Camp.

Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) given to date - $57,880.62
Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) on hand - $48,880.62
Tractor and end-loader purchased! Approximate need for finish mower - $6,000.00

Upcoming Events
November 11th & 12th – Junior High Fall Retreat at Camp
November 14th - South Area Men’s Fellowship/New Testament Christian Church, Keokuk, IA
November 21st – East Area Fellowship/Rushville Church of Christ, Rushville, IL
November 28th – North Area Men’s Fellowship/W. Burlington Christian Church, W. Burlington, IA

The 2010-11 Fiscal Year was another year of remarkable blessing at LaMoine. In May, Matthew Churchill joined the camp staff as full-time Program Manager and moved into the camp residence with his wife, Sarah, and their newborn, Jada. Our summer camp programs saw us host a record number of 1,125 campers. While this number includes a youth rental to start and end our summer camp season, it does accurately reflect attendance in our calendar of summer youth events. Our summer camp programs produced a harvest of 74 decisions made for the Lord and nearly $6,000.00 given to missions. Breakdowns seemed to be the norm this year. We were forced to replace a septic tank and line, a pump and other parts for our swimming pool, as well as a golf cart. Despite these unexpected expenses, budgeted income exceeded budgeted expenses by nearly $25,000.00.  A tractor fund was started and is currently nearly fully funded. We also ended this fiscal year with more than $48,000.00 in our capital improvement fund designated toward cabin and bath renovations. I thank God and I thank you for another year of blessing at LaMoine.

Together, we have laid the groundwork for continued growth at LaMoine. We have eliminated our debt and have made a commitment to remain debt free. We have added staff to better adapt to the changing trends in Christian camping. We have a plan to modernize facilities which will result in greater ministry opportunities. We have established lasting relationships with groups outside our area to supplement our program offerings. Our base of supporting churches and individuals are more committed to our mission than ever, and we have every reason to believe that God will move us forward in accordance with His will. What a fantastic time to be a part of this ministry. Thank you so much for being a highly valued LaMoine Christian Service Camp partner in ministry.

Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) given to date - $57,636.60
Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) on hand - $48,636.60
New Tractor Fund (including guarantee of existing tractor) - $23,222.80

Upcoming Events
October 10th - South Area Men’s Fellowship/First Christian Church, Hamilton, IL
October 17th – East Area Fellowship/Vermont Christian Church, Vermont, IL
October 20th – Pancake & Sausage Dinner and Annual Meeting at Camp
October 24th – North Area Men’s Fellowship/Maple Avenue Christian Church, Macomb, IL

Our summer camp season has finished, the final numbers are in, and what a great summer it was! LaMoine Christian Service Camp served 1125 campers this summer, with 74 (that we know of) of those attending our camp sessions making life changing decisions for the Lord. Our campers also gave a total of nearly $6,000.00 to local and worldwide missions.

While numbers help us to track trends in Christian camping and the effectiveness of our ministry, the joys of serving at LaMoine are endless. Everyone who contributes to the success of this ministry knows what a blessing it is to be involved in something that is so much bigger than ourselves. For nearly 65 years, God has led staff, volunteers, supporters, S.A.H.’s, Deans and their faculty, Board Members, and people like you to LaMoine in order to meet the needs of our camp. Know for certain that we appreciate “You” so very much. Your faithful financial support is needed to keep our ministry growing and effective while your prayers going up to God continue to rain down His blessings on this property and all who visit it.

As we head into our busy fall rental season, the work of the Lord continues here at LaMoine. We have several retreats and camp programs scheduled through the end of the year. Please mark your calendar for Thursday night, October 20th when we will be having our Pancake Supper and Annual Meeting. All you can eat pancakes and sausage will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Annual Meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and will last one hour. Come to hear about all the blessings of the past year and our plans for the future. Hope to see you here!

Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) given to date - $57,457.23
Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) on hand - $48,457.23
New Tractor Fund (including guarantee of existing tractor) - $21,522.80

Upcoming Events
September 12th - South Area Men’s Fellowship/Faith Christian Church, Quincy, IL
September 19th – East Area Fellowship/Berean Christian Church, Ipava, IL
September 24th – 20th Annual Golf Benefit for CSC & LCSC
September 26th – North Area Men’s Fellowship/First Christian Church, Blandinsville, IL
October 20th – Pancake & Sausage Dinner and Annual Meeting at Camp

As I sit in my office looking back over my first summer at LaMoine Christian Service Camp, I want to thank you for your financial gift. What was accomplished this summer would not be possible without your gifts and prayers. This summer at LaMoine many young people made decisions to follow Christ for the first time, as well as several rededications and commitments for specialized service. God is truly using your gifts and answering your prayers!

This past Friday marked the end of our camp season. During the summer we saw many baptisms in our pool, money given to missions, and several children hearing of Christ for the first time. While we thank God for the work that was accomplished this summer through our camp programs we continue preparations for the retreat season. When summer camp ends, the ministry of LaMoine continues and the Word of God continues to be spread and taught at our facilities.

I have truly been blessed this summer to witness the work done by many volunteers. Their, and your, dedication to LaMoine has been inspiring. I want to thank you for helping to make this camp season possible. The seeds that are sown throughout this summer will one day come to fruition; none of which would be possible without the sacrifices that you make in giving so that we may further God’s Kingdom in the lives of students. Please join us as we continue to pray for upcoming retreats, campers that have been here this summer, for the staff that continues to work, and for the volunteers that continually give of their time to see that the ministry of LaMoine Christian Service Camp glorifies God in all that we do.

Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) given to date - $57,224.64
Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) on hand - $48,224.64
New Tractor Fund (including guarantee of existing tractor) - $19,388.80

Upcoming Events
August 8th - South Area Men’s Fellowship/Denver Christian Church, Denver, IL
August 15th – East Area Fellowship/Cornerstone Christian Church, Mt. Sterling, IL
August 22nd – North Area Men’s Fellowship/Burnside Christian Church, Burnside, IL
August 26th - 27th – Family Retreat at LaMoine
September 24th - 20th Annual Golf Benefit for CSC & LCSC

Thank you for your financial gift. The blessings of this year’s camp season would not be possible without your gifts and prayers. Many young people’s lives are being touched with the love of Jesus and are making decisions to accept Him as their Lord and Savior. There is no doubt that God is blessing your gifts and answering your prayers.

What a beautiful day it is today! We have clear skies, a cool morning breeze, and a forecast of temperatures in the mid 80’s. Today we are also blessed with 85 soon to be 4th graders, and the volunteer Dean and faculty needed to teach our campers about Jesus and His love for them.

Summer youth camp is continuing to go great. We are right at the half-way point of our summer camp season and we have already witnessed many blessings: several baptisms in our swimming pool, spectacular Missions offerings, kids receiving their first Bible ever and others hearing of Jesus for the very first time. With our youth camp programs and our summer youth camp rentals, we will have nearly 1,100 campers here at LaMoine this summer camping season.

I thank you for helping to make the blessings of this camp season possible. I know God produces the growth of His Kingdom, but you are one of many who help to provide this place where He does so much work each and every summer. I also 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.

Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) given to date - $57,049.64
Money for Phase 2 (New Bathroom/Storm Shelters) on hand - $48,049.64
New Tractor Fund (including guarantee of existing tractor) - $18,138.12

Upcoming Events
July 11th - South Area Men’s Fellowship/The Crossing, Quincy, IL
July 18th – East Area Fellowship/First Christian Church, Beardstown, IL
July 25th – North Area Men’s Fellowship/LaHarpe Christian Church, LaHarpe, IL
August 26th - 27th – Family Retreat at LaMoine

I thank you for your financial gift to this ministry. Your faithful giving is instrumental in allowing the LaMoine Christian Service Camp staff and volunteers the opportunity to serve God at this special place every summer.

We are off and running with our summer camp programs. We kicked things off with a terrific Open House & Auction, Saturday, June 4th, attended by nearly 400 people of all ages. It was just a beautiful day of fun & fellowship. Additionally, over $6,000.00 of income was brought in for the camp. Soon our first campers will arrive and we are so looking forward to providing a Christian camping environment for all the children that God sends our way this summer. What a privilege and joy it is to see them introduced to Jesus; the One who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. In this day and age, I just don’t know how anyone, let alone our youth, can make it through a day without knowing of Jesus and His love and forgiveness.

Right now we ask for your prayers more than ever; pray for camper safety, pray for wisdom for our Deans and their faculty as they share Jesus with the campers, pray for the staff to have good attitudes, energy, patience, and a servant’s heart, and pray that Satan will stay far away as the Spirit of God reigns here all summer long.
 
I just want to say again “Thank you.”  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, for supporting this ministry with your prayers, money, encouragement, and volunteer efforts. I believe God smiles when He thinks of LaMoine Christian Service Camp; a special place blessed by Him, protected by His Spirit, and loved and cared for by His people. May God bless you and I hope to see you at the camp this summer!

I thank you again for your continued financial support of the camp. At this time of the year, we start to spend a lot of time and money in preparation for the beginning of the summer camp season. Your gift is very much appreciated and will be utilized to help offset this seasonal increase in expenses. I am anticipating another exciting and rewarding summer here at the camp and your support and prayers are instrumental in helping to make everything we do possible.

Help us to kick-off our summer camp season by joining us on Saturday, June 4th, for the camp’s 9th ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE & AUCTION. The theme this year is, “Be Here, Be Happy!” Once again, there will be so many fun things to do for all ages that if you are here, you will certainly be happy you came. The day will begin at 11:00 am and conclude at 4:00 pm. Feel free to come out any time during those hours, but remember some things will be only available at certain times. Of course, we will have our silent auction, live auction, and garage sale area again this year. The adults really enjoy these activities. There is plenty for the kids too; pony rides (11 am – 1:00 pm), inflatables (all day), dunk tank, games, climbing wall (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm), and swimming pool (1:00 pm – 3:00 p.m.). Everyone likes to ride on the wagon pulled by a tractor as they tour the camp grounds. And then there is the FREE FOOD (noon – 2:00 pm); hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, and soda.

We want to use this day to show off all the camp has to offer and to promote the camp to the area communities. We also want to draw new people out to the camp with the hopes that they might send their kids to our summer camp programs, so invite your friends and neighbors. Lastly and most importantly, please pray for this big day at the camp and I hope to see you here.