FALL NEWSLETTER 2013

IN THIS ISSUE+ Letter from the President ......... 1+ Retreats ...................................... 2+ Overnight Camps ...................... 3+ Day Camps ................................. 5+ Giving ......................................... 6

kids need adventure.challenges. direction. faith.

SOCIAL MEDIAWant to keep up with what’s going on at SpringHill all year round? Stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and our Instagram social networks. Learn about upcoming events, read camper testimonies, review Scripture, and see photographs of things ongoing at camp! Been to camp recently? We would love for you to share your stories and/or pictures, and tag SpringHill Camps!

FALL NEWSLETTER:

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

NO “CHEAP GRACE”BY MICHAEL PERRY PRESIDENT OF SPRINGHILL CAMPS

Often, when thinking about ministries, people create a dichotomy between numerical growth and spiritual depth as if the two are opposed.

The thinking goes like this—if a ministry grows numerically it must be at the cost of challenging people spiritually. I understand this thinking because too often this is reality. It’s easy to be a bit cynical when a ministry is experiencing signifi cant growth and wonder if the increase in numbers is the result of what Dietrich Bonheoffer called “cheap grace”.

But cheap grace hasn’t, and isn’t, always behind exponential growth. 2,000 years ago a small group of Jewish people from a dusty, out of the way place saw the movement they were put in charge of explode and become a global movement. How did that happen? How did the Church become global and include hundreds of millions of people? It didn’t happen because the leaders of the Church watered down the message of Jesus. It happened because these leaders and their followers lived out the Gospel fully, including being willing to give their life for Christ and His Church, and then challenged others to do the same. The Church today continues to explode in some of the most repressive countries in the world, where being a follower of Christ is a life-threatening proposition. There is no “cheap grace” in places like these, yet there is incredible growth.

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At SpringHill we are continuously challenging ourselves to reach more kids in the same way the early Church and the Church in many places today are reaching more people—by being faithful to the Gospel and by being bold in sharing it with others. We want no numerical growth through cheap grace. Instead, we desire to only reach more kids through an uncompromising expression of Christ. To assure that young people have the opportunity to clearly hear the Good News of Jesus, see it lived out in the lives of our staff, and to experience Him in every part of every one of our programs. This is the foundation of the numerical growth we’re experiencing today and it’s the foundation we’re committed to assuring is in place as we move into the future.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO STARTLooking for direction? Come alongside friends of SpringHill as we read through the Old and New Testaments in one year.

Start your journey by visiting www.michaelperry1.wordpress.comand click ”Refl ections”. Devotional is compatible with your electronic reader.

VOLUNTEER TODAY! COME MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Come make a difference! SpringHill’s volunteers are an integral part of camp. Our volunteers span from young to old, and depending on interests and expertise, perform a variety of work including activities, medical staff, maintenance and administration.

For more information on what volunteer projects you can be a part of, visit:

Michigan: springhillcamps.com/support Contact: Joel Hamilton at 231.836.1039 or jhamilton@springhillcamps.com

Indiana: springhillcamps.com/supportContact: Amanda Wolf at 812.497.0008 x.111 or awolf@springhillcamps.com

instagram.com/springhillcamps

facebook.com/springhillcamps

twitter.com/springhillcamps

youtube.com/springhillvideos

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We had an amazing time. So many memories made for me, my two daughters and my niece. We had so many adventures together as a family. My favorite memory was during the main session, where we were turned to our kids and told them what trait about themselves we appreciated and what challenge they overcame that we were proud of. I tell my kids daily how proud I am, and how much I love them, but to look my 11 year old in the eyes, with my hand on her shoulder and intentionally tell her how she makes me feel, and what she means to me, brought me to tears. I saw in her eyes that she knows how much she means to me, and it was a very touching moment between us. We can’t wait to come back!

– Kristi, Labor Day Family Camp Parent

Book a family experience at SpringHill in your 2014 calendar! At SpringHill, we’ve made it easy for you to build unity, have fun and experience God... as a family.

FIRST WINTER FAMILY CAMPDECEMBER 27–29, 2013RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

Family Camp is an opportunity to spend quality time as a family and take part in activities that encompass the SpringHill Experience. For the fi rst time ever, we have specially designed a Winter Family Camp for you. With speaker Ben Hardman, author of devotional book Thrive—Doing More than Surviving Your Faith, dive into the spiritual truth he will bring to your family during this adventure-packed weekend.

Relax with your family after the holiday season and be reminded of what is truly important—growing in your relationship with God and your family.

For more information or to register today, visit: springhillcamps.com/MI/retreats.

2014 FAMILY CAMPSMEMORIAL DAY FAMILY CAMP (IN AND MI)May 23–26

SUMMER FAMILY CAMP (MI)July 11–13

LABOR DAY FAMILY CAMP (IN AND MI)August 29–September 1

“I’m so excited about the chance to bring together families again, this time in the winter. The context is one of the most powerful ways we minister to kids, because we know the shared experience can have a lasting impact, not just on an individual, but on an entire family.”

– Eric Woods, Retreats Director

INDIANA LABOR DAYFAMILY CAMP

FALL NEWSLETTER:

RETREATS

INDIANACHECK OUT OUR RETREATS IN 2014!Visit springhillcamps.com/IN/retreats.

MICHIGANFALL PRE-TEEN RETREATNOVEMBER 1–3NOVEMBER 8–10NOVEMBER 15–17

WINTER FAMILY CAMPDECEMBER 27–29

For more information, visit springhillcamps.com/MI/retreats.

UPCOMING RETREATSCHECK OUT ALL THE DIFFERENT EVENTS HAPPENING AT SPRINGHILL!

CAMPERS COMMITTED OR RECOMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST.10,800

OVERNIGHT CAMP:

MICHIGAN

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WHAT SPRINGHILL DID FOR MESEVENTEEN YEARS AFTER HER FIRST SPRINGHILL EXPERIENCE

SpringHill Camps has played a role in my walk with the Lord, and where I am now.

My fi rst experience with SpringHill was the weekend of my 13th Birthday, in January of 1996. I had been encouraged by a girl from church to attend a weekend retreat. The girl said it was a lot of fun and mentioned the tubing hill. I thought, “why not?”

I remember really enjoying group times with the speaker and musician. On Saturday night, the speaker said something I had never heard before. He said that we could have a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. I had never felt so compelled to make a decision in my life. I knew that God was beckoning me to put my faith in Jesus Christ. That night began my walk with the Lord.

I wish I could say my life was different after that, but in reality, going home from that retreat felt like waking up from a dream. But God provided a way for me to stay connected with Him through my best friend, who had bought me a Teen Study Bible for my birthday. That Bible would become a major tool in God changing my heart and life.

Over the next several years, I struggled to integrate my faith with my life. I only really felt connected to God when I was at camp, which was once a year for a weekend! Once I got into high school, I became connected with a youth group at a friend’s church and my faith became more and more a part of my daily life.

Fast forward to now... I am 30 years old, married, and have a wonderful baby girl. I have a degree in Religious Studies, and my husband is graduating with a degree in Applied Linguistics from Moody Bible Institute. God is such a huge part of our lives, both as individuals and as a family. I will always be thankful for the ministry of SpringHill, which led me to my Lord and Savior.

Blessings, Ann

Ann’s family plans to go overseas in the next few years as Missionary Bible Translators. Their passion is for everyone to have the opportunity to read the Bible for themselves in a language that speaks to their heart.

KID FUNDRAISING: CAN & BOTTLE DRIVE FOR SCHOLARSHIPSKIDS IMPACTING KIDS

Five kids came together with a vision to send all kids to camp. With this in mind, they raised $500 for camper scholarships through a can and bottle drive in their neighborhood.

“ It’s hard to see that others can’t go to camp because of fi nancial situations. I can’t imagine life without SpringHill… it changes my life every single year. The relationships you make at camp improve your life; they give you purpose and bring you closer to God.”

– Sam, summer camper

Sam and her friends—Kailyn, Jack, Joseph and Kate—are gearing up for the next fun opportunity to raise dollars for camper scholarships. Their goal is to expand their reach and get more youth involved with helping fund other kids to come to camp.

Come alongside these fi ve kids and donate today. Visit www.springhillcamps.com/donate.

There are a lot of people out there that need to see the light… I want to help make a difference.– Kailyn, summer camper

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OF CAMPERS ARE MORE COMFORTABLE SHARING THEIR FAITH.75%

STAFF ALUM SPOTLIGHT

NEXT STEPS IN MY JOURNEYDANI WOLOWEC

I volunteered at Indiana Overnight from 2003 until I was hired as a counselor in 2009. During those years I really fell in love with SpringHill!

My fi rst year on staff was the summer after my freshman year of college. It was simultaneously diffi cult and amazing. Serving as an InPursuit counselor my second summer and on leadership my third—both summers were as brilliant as the fi rst. At SpringHill I discovered that I wanted to work with young people and possibly in a teaching environment.

It took eighteen months after college, working and searching, to fi gure out what God wanted for me. Then, at the end of the summer of 2013, I received information about a teaching opportunity in Honduras. It was a leap I was ready for. Now, I fi nd myself in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, teaching English and I praise God for the path He led me on.

EMBRACING ALL KIDSFROM A MOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE

“ I remember being asked, ‘How will you know how Natalie felt about her experience at camp?’ Well, I can tell you that she had a BLAST according to all her counselors. She didn’t cry at all or seem to exhibit any homesickness while she was there. When camp ended, Natalie cried huge tears while vigorously waving goodbye! She clearly felt like most kids do when they leave after a great week a camp—sad to say goodbye and leave her friends! It was such a great experience—for her and for us—and we can’t wait for her to go to SpringHill again next year.”

– Camille, Natalie’s mother

In 2013, SpringHill served over 250 campers with special needs. With your support, we want to bring more than 300 campers to camp to have a SpringHill Experience. Help us in our mission to embrace all young people and to grow in their relationship with Christ.

To donate, visit www.springhillcamps.com/donate and designate “Special Needs Program”.

The Inclusion Program at SpringHill aims to go above and beyond to help kids grow in ways that other campers may not even have to think about—offering life skills that last longer than a week at camp. God has blessed SpringHill over the past few years with an increasing number of campers with special needs, and we continue to pray for the growth of this program and God’s blessing.

– Hannah, Special Needs Coordinator

STAFF ALUM PROGRAMThe December launch of the StaffAlum program is fast approaching. Your chance to connect with past co-workers through reunions and community events is as simple as liking the page or sending an email.

Let’s get connected again! facebook.com/staffalum or zaument@springhillcamps.com

OVERNIGHT CAMP:

INDIANA

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KIDS RAISE $2,000 FOR DAY CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

SpringHill supporters can be any age. Jackie, eight years old, rallied her friends and family to raise money for kids to come to SpringHill Day Camps in the Chicago Area. Holding a lemonade stand and creating handmade gifts—key chains, lanyards, bracelets out of rubber bands, and duct tape bags, pens and wallets—they raised $1,750.00.

Due to a scheduling confl ict, Jackie was unable to attend camp this summer, but her friends did, sparking inspiration for more projects.

FALL NEWSLETTER:

DAY CAMPSThis past summer, we served over 15,000 Day Campers within four states!

“I WAS NERVOUS...”A PARENT’S LETTER TO SPRINGHILL

My son Xavier just completed his fi rst ever Day Camp at Northridge Church, and it was AWESOME! Xavier is six years old; he is sweet, joyful, fearless and full of life, but autism and sensory processing disorder have kept him from being able to participate in Day Camp on his own. I was so excited to learn about SpringHill and the Inclusion Program; I knew it was exactly what we had been looking for. As excited as I was, I was still a little bit nervous dropping him off the fi rst day.

I had absolutely nothing to worry about! His one-on-one counselor, Natalie, was truly amazing! She was so in tune with what Xavier needed and did everything she could to make the experience great for him. Natalie took the time to talk about Xavier’s day with us and ask if we had any questions, which was so nice, and so many of the other counselors greeted Xavier by name when he walked by. Little things like that mean so much, and speak volumes to the character of the staff.

The highlight came on the last day of camp when parents were invited to attend. We were standing outside the gym waiting to go in. Music blaring, bass thumping, and we could see lights fl ashing in the dark gym every time a staff member opened the door. Add 350 kids plus all the counselors and parents to the mix, and that just didn’t seem like an environment my little guy could tolerate. I was so nervous walking in. I looked over to the sea of kids and saw Xavier singing and dancing right in the middle of it all, having a great time! I couldn’t hold back the tears; my heart was fi lled with joy! It was such a proud moment for me to see him participating with all the other children.

Thank you SpringHill for the wonderful experience you gave to Xavier! He is already registered for next year, too!

– Tracey, summer camper parent

Help more kids, like Xavier, experience camp. Donate today towards our Special Needs Program. To donate, visit www.springhillcamps.com/donate and designate “Special Needs Program”.

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FALL NEWSLETTER:

GIVING

“ACCOUNT ON FILE”DONATING IS NOW EASIER THAN EVER

Have you or your child attended SpringHill? Then you have an account on fi le. Simplify the process and use your “account on fi le” for your next ministry donation.

1. VISIT www.springhillcamps.com/donate.

2. SIGN-IN to your account.

3. SELECT “Account on File”.

3. DONATE to your favorite program.

4. SMILE because you just impacted a child’s life.

Thank you of your support! You make it possible for kids to experience camp.

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GIVING APPRECIATED STOCK VS. CASH HELPING YOU AND SPRINGHILL

It’s been a good year in the stock market. Because of it however, you might be facing signifi cant tax ramifi cations for capital gains. Consider contributing to SpringHill as a part of your fall fi nancial planning. You could save money on taxes, not impact your cash fl ow, bless some kids in need and grow the Kingdom in the process!

BY GIVING APPRECIATED STOCK YOU WILL:

• Pay less in taxes. By donating non-cash assets fi rst (rather than selling them fi rst, paying taxes, and giving the net proceeds) you typically receive a tax deduction for the full fair-market value of your gift, as well as avoid capital gains taxes.

• Be able to give more to ministry. The capital gains taxes you save from giving the asset directly to charity means more goes to support the work of God’s Kingdom.

• Save money. Because you receive the full tax deduction for the fair-market value of the asset, you’ll see great savings on your personal income tax returns. This means more money stays in your pocket for your lifestyle expenses or additional giving.

Take action today. Contact your broker/fi nancial advisor and get a stock transfer to SpringHill started. Contact Missy Beggs in our Development Offi ce for our brokerage account information and IRS tax ID number (mbeggs@springhillcamps.com or call her at 231.836.1025).

For more information on asset-based giving, or to get free personal help with other assets such as real estate, please visit the website of our partner in philanthropy, the National Christian Foundation at www.nationalchristian.com. We can also put you in touch with our representatives there if needed.

DONATING TO SPRINGHILL IS EASY AND SECURE! TEXT-TO-GIVE

Partner with us and help send a child to camp!

1. TEXT 45777 with a donation amount and designate to “SpringHill”. Example: “$50 SpringHill”

2. FOLLOW THE LINK to the safe and secure registration—one time only!

3. SAVE THE NUMBER to your contacts for easy, one-text giving!

SpringHill has been great. I’ve made such good friends, and learned so much about God. I’ve had a lot of confi rmation that He has a plan for me and that I was made individually for a purpose. I’ve learned that you just have to be yourself, have a lot of faith, and not fear.– Karris, summer camper

SpringHill Camps | P.O. Box 100 | Evart, MI 49631 | 231.734.2616

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