Page –1– May 2008

caring for a majesticpart of god’s creation

During a recent staff meeting, Highlands’ staff spent time discussing the many ways that

Highlands is committed to environmental friendliness and how we can continue to improve in this area. With 285 acres, over 40 buildings, six on-site staff houses, and 15,408 guest days last year, this is an important consideration for us.

Highlands provides all of its water through springs and wells. All water is filtered and treated in our fresh water treatment plant, providing high quality water for the use of our guests and staff. This spring the pump was placed in the new well developed in honor of Dave Strom’s 25th anniversary. This 800 foot well is

producing approximately seven gallons per minute and has been tied into our water system. Our waste water treatment plant provides high quality management of our waste water.

Highlands does extensive recycling of:Cardboard boxes from all food and product • deliveriesCans, bottles, pie tins, foil from the kitchen• Oil, batteries, scrap metal, and antifreeze• Kleenex boxes and • fluorescent bulbsOffice paper/cardboard• Cans and bottles used by staff• Printer cartridges•

new this summer at highlands

See “Caring” — Continued on Page 4

HorsesHorseback riding will be available to guest groups beginning mid-May

through the first weekend of September. Whether riding through a meadow filled with wildflowers or up into the hills for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, one or two-hour rides are sure to be a favorite activity.

Activity Center

Our new Activity Center (across from our Chapel in the for-mer Old Dining Hall) offers Air Hockey, Foosball, Basketball Bankshot, and Ping Pong all ready for guest groups' use.

Let us know if you'll have time during your retreat to use these new games!

See “New This Summer” — Continued on Page 3

Page –2– May 2008

Dear Friends,

As I write this letter it is mid-April and we have just had another snowfall of 6+ inches. As I

left home this morning, I saw Dave Strom shoveling off the roof of Point of Pines in anticipation of a weekend workgroup that hopes to re-roof this historic building. We hope the weather cooperates! Such is life at Highlands!

Our annual Mount Meeker Society Dinner always gives us an opportunity to look back over the past year and reflect on where we have been and where we are go-ing. I’d like to share a few of those thoughts with you.

Highlands has become a multi-dimensional ministry. . .

Summer Camp is still our heart and we all look forward to those summer days filled with summer staff, campers, horses and hikes! Last year we saw significant changes under Kevin Starcher’s leadership, and regis-tration for this summer includes 119 new campers so far. We know that campers have unique experiences of growing in faith here, as they spend a week living in a community of faith, grounded in Bible Study, celebrated in worship and surrounded with fun!

Guest usage is truly year-round and is another life-changing aspect of our ministry. Kathy Griffee, Director of Sales and Marketing, and our Marketing Committee continue to seek new markets, especially for mid-week business. We anticipate over $525,000 in revenue from guest groups this year. These groups include congregations—of many denominations, school groups, family reunions and other non-profit groups. Each week groups come here for rest, renewal, worship, leadership development, study and recreation. Each week these groups carry the good news of the Gospel to different places, and that story will have been enriched by their time spent here.

We are working to develop Second Season Programming for youth and adults. Both Kevin Starcher and Katie Palmer are working to develop pro-grams with Elderhostel and we are excited to be offering our first programs through Elderhostel this fall. Our Program Sub-Committee continues to be in conversa-tion with congregations and congregational leaders to explore new ways to partner together in ministry.

Highlands is also explor-ing new avenues of minis-try. Highlands has joined with 13 other Presbyterian sites to provide nation-

wide cooperative advertising for mid-week and adult programming at our sites. This new program is called Way-Points and will be launched in the summer of 2008 with programs beginning in 2009. Highlands will of-fer three programs in 2009. Watch for upcoming news

about Way-Points on our website. In addition Lewis Beach, Office Coordinator, is exploring school-based en-vironmental education programming for us and seeking partners for this ministry.

At a recent Development Committee meeting Stan Adamson prayed: “May our experiences at Highlands help us to see life as a great adventure.” Highlands has a great deal to be grateful for in this life of adventure:

• In 2008 we reduce our mortgage balance by almost $480,000 using designated gifts from donors.

• We provided nearly $9,000 in scholarships to make sure that no child is denied the oppor-tunity to come to camp. Local congregations provided an additional $11,600 in scholarships for their children, youth and families.

• Chuck Sparks and Brad Rohwer have agreed to co-moderate our Capital Campaign which will have three goals to celebrate along the way:m The reduction of our debt by one million

dollarsm The complete elimination of our debtm Completion of the area under the existing

dining rooms to provide additional meeting space.

• Our Staff and Volunteers! Highlands is blessed with more than our fair share of hardworking, creative, intelligent, overachieving and detail oriented people who share in the ministry of Highlands! We have a great deal to be grateful for!

If you have not taken a look at our new website recently, I hope you’ll take a look today! Each week we continue to add new information. If you don’t yet have plans to come to Highlands this summer, I hope you make those plans today! Highlands is your place in the mountains and we look forward to seeing you this summer!

Grace and Peace,Maria Shupe, Executive Director

n April 11th, representatives of Highlands and the Presbytery of

Plains and Peaks met with our banker to refinance our mortgage. Our mortgage rate has been fixed at 5.70% for five years, allowing us to save over $23,000 per year in interest. At the same time, we also converted our Line of Credit to a Draw Note. Under the new terms, this rate is also fixed at 5.70%. Our current balance on the Line of Credit is $279,000.

Page –3– May 2008

Look to the Mountain this Summer with Youth Re-Creation

Plans are coming together for this exciting new retreat. Youth Re-Creation is a conference style event where youth groups can come together, or where youth can come individually and be placed in a small group with others who have come individually, and experience Highlands on a level different than that of a traditional summer camp. After months of prayer and prepara-tion, it is exciting to watch as churches, not only from Colorado but from further away in Utah and central Nebraska, register their Senior High youth for a week focused on growing in faith and relationship with Christ by focusing on mountain images found throughout scripture using our theme “look to the mountain.”

The Rev. Gayle Parker, a transformative Presbyterian pastor from Phoenix who has done much work in her career focused on reaching out to inner city people, will serve as the conference’s keynote speaker.

The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, an inspiring and energetic Presbyterian pastor who has done much work for the church by ministering to the poor of Memphis, TN, will serve as the conference’s worship leader. Jeremy Phifer, a youth leader from Covenant Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, will be leading a small band to offer musical worship experiences while the Rev. Jon Heeringa, Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church - Ft. Collins, will lead the conference’s recreation activities.

Geo-Caching at HighlandsGet ready to use your GPS unit and begin exploring the 285 acres of

Highlands using longitude, latitude, and elevation! Geo-Caching is a popular outdoor activity where people use Global Positioning Devices to find a specific location using a predetermined numeric location using longitude and lati-tude.

Our staff has been working on new, exciting and fun ways for our camp-ers and guests to explore the natural beauty of our property. Through the generosity of four supportive donors, Highlands has obtained 10 Garmin GPS units to help us accurately navigate our beautiful property. Plans in-clude different geo-caching routes (such as Highlands historical locations, a property boundary tour, and popular destinations tour) for those with different interests, time, and hiking abilities.

When on retreat, you are welcome to bring your own GPS unit, or rent our new units. Just stop by the front office for more informa-tion on how to begin navigating Highlands using this exciting new method called geo-caching!

Highlands Goes to Nebraska!Highlands is attempting to live out this summer’s Bible Study

theme – “On the Edge” by trying a new initiative and taking its summer program on the road. Through a partnership with the Parish of the Plains, including the United Presbyterian Church in Dalton, NE, Highlands will offer a Day Camp.

From June 30th – July 3rd, Highlands will send seven staff members to partner with the local churches in Dalton, and will offer a three-hour per day opportunity for children and youth to play games, create art, learn from the scriptures, and worship together. We expect approximately 50 children and youth to come out for the event. Highlands’ staff will provide program and curriculum, while our congregational partners in Dalton will provide facilities, volunteers, resources, and snacks. Daily Bible Studies for Day Camp will follow our summer theme of “On the Edge.”

We invite you to pray with us for this new venture! We especially invite you to pray for God’s spirit to move in this experience and lead the children, the Parish of the Plains and Highlands into an exciting future of new possibili-ties and faithfulness in Jesus Christ.

“New This Summer” — Continued from Page 1

See “New This Summer” — Continued on Page 4

Page –4– May 2008

Conference planners hope that youth and their leaders will be able to have fun and re-create in God’s beautiful creation at Highlands, while growing in faith in Christ and Christian leadership. Opportunities for mission projects will be given throughout the week, as well as an afternoon for youth groups to explore the beauty of the local area.

Daily Themes will be:l Gathered at the Mountain (Sunday)l Challenged on the Mountain (Monday)l Mountain of Transformation (Tuesday)l Mountain of Resurrection (Wednesday)l Sent Down the Mountain (Thursday and Friday)

If your church has not yet confirmed summer plans, there are still some spots available for Youth Re-Creation. If you are coming individually you can register on-line, or get your group registration form, at www.youthre-creation.org, or call us at the Highlands office (303-747-2888) for more information.

“New This Summer” — Continued from Page 3

Our Guest Recycling Program invites guests to help us by recycling bottles and cans they bring to Highlands. A brochure provides guests with directions to two area recycling stations (one of which is open 24 hours) where they can recycle items on their way home. No matter what direction guests leave from Highlands, they pass a recycling station. We provide bags for recycling and ask all guests to help in this initiative. In addition, we provide recycling trash cans in all Retreat Center guest rooms.

To reduce our energy consumption, members of the Highlands staff:

Use golf carts instead of gas vehicles onsite• Optimize trips to town• Do internet research and shopping to reduce • trips to townUse recycled paper and two-sided printing in • our officeKeep databases up to date to reduce mailing• Use email for camper materials and guest • contracts

Highlands budgets $100,000 annually for utilities. Our maintenance staff has developed systems in our cabins so that they can be completely shut down when not in use. Water is drained, and heat and lights are turned off to save energy. Some of our buildings have energy efficient hydronic heat, while all of our fireplaces have inserts to increase efficiency.

In addition, Highlands uses environmentally con-scious cleaning products for cleaning rooms, reuses building materials, buys in bulk when appropriate and buys recycled and recyclable products. This winter, Buddy Jones has been rebuilding a number of pews we received from St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Boulder. Cut to new lengths and with new finishes,

these pews will provide guest seating areas throughout camp.

In the kitchen, buying in bulk and recycling are regular practices. In addition, our kitchen staff has worked to dramatically reduce our use of disposable plates and cups. We have also moved away from family-style meal service to buffet service, thus greatly reducing our food waste. Our kitchen staff also works with people and groups who recycle many materials and donate the money to mission projects.

Programmatically, Highlands is committed to teaching care for creation. Summer Camp Bible Studies promote environmental awareness and campers are encouraged to take good care of our beautiful site. Our Naturalist, Terri Anderson, has developed Wild Flower Camps for Adults and the next time you’re in the Retreat Center, be sure to check out our Wildflower and Butterfly books. These easy to use albums help guests identify the rich diversity of flowers and butterflies that can be seen on our site. Adult Program Facilitator, Katie Palmer, is developing a number of Elderhostel and Adult studies which focus on our beautiful setting in the Rocky Mountains. Volunteers regularly participate in trail maintenance in the National Forest as a part of our commitment in using these trails. Campers are encouraged to pick up litter whenever they see it; and our weekly Hike Day with all campers promotes healthy use of Rocky Mountain National Park. Horse Camps participate in composting of our horse manure as part of mucking our stables.

Highlands is committed to the stewardship of our beautiful site and facilities; the education of our campers and guests and exploring new ways of caring for God’s creation. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions as we continue these initiatives.

“Caring” — Continued from Page 1

Page –5– May 2008

EARLY SUMMERMay 23 - 26 Memorial Day Camp All

May 30 - June 1 Father/Son Ages 8 & olderWeek 1

June 15 - 20 Mid High Camp 6th - 8thJune 15 - 20 Senior High

Adventure9th - 12th

June 15 - 18 Rough Riders 1A 6th - 8thJune 18 - 20 Rough Riders 1B 6th - 8thJune 15 -18 Mother Daughter Ages 8 and older June 18 - 20 Special Needs Camp Age 15-Young

AdultJune 15 - 20 Counselor in Training 12th-12th+

June 21 Wildflower Day Camp

Adults

Week 2June 22 - 27 Youth Re-Creation 9th - 12th+June 22 - 27 Trailbusters 7th - 9thJune 22 - 27 Mid High Adventure 6th - 8th

Week 3June 29 - July 2 Rough Riders 3A 6th - 8thJune 29 - July 2 Intro to Backpacking 9th - 12thJune 30 - July 2 Wildflower Camp Adult Women

July 3 - 5 4th of July Camp AllWeek 4

July 6 - 11 Senior High Camp 9th - 12thJuly 6 - 11 Saddle Soars 9th - 12thJuly 6 - 11 Mid High Adventure 6th - 8thJuly 6 - 9 GPGC Ages 6 - 8July 9 - 11 3rd/4th Grade Camp 3rd - 4th

July 9 Wildflower Day Camp

Adults

Highlands is proud to offer a summer full of exciting and engaging programs for people of all ages. While the schedule may seem full, our programs often have the tendency to fill quickly as well. Be sure to register today to ensure your space in Summer Camp 2008. You can register online at www.highlandscamp.org!

Scholarships are provided through the generous donations of congregations, presbyteries and individuals so that any camper (child or adult) who would like to attend camp at Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center can do so. For more information on scholarships, please call Laura in the Highlands office at (303) 747-2888, or check on-line at www.highlandscamp.org.

2008 summer camp schedule

All grade levels are for those the student will be entering in the fall of 2008.

“2008 Summer Camp Schedule” - Continued on Page 6

Page –6– May 2008

Week 5July 13 - 18 Night Owl Camp 5th - 6thJuly 13 - 18 Senior High

Adventure9th - 12th

July 13 - 18 Leaders in Training 10th - 11thJuly 13 - 18 Trailbusters 7th - 9thJuly 13 - 16 3rd Grade Camp 3rdJuly 16 - 18 GPGC Ages 5 - 7

Week 6July 20 - 25 Highlands Mission 9th - 12thJuly 20 - 25 Mid High Adventure 6th - 8thJuly 20 - 25 Trailbusters 7th - 9thJuly 20 - 23 GPGC Retreat center Ages 4 - 6July 20 - 25 Senior High MAD 9th - 12thJuly 20 - 25 4th/5th Grade Camp 4th - 5th

Week 7July 27 - Aug. 1 5th/6th Grade Camp 5th - 6thJuly 27 - Aug. 1 Trailbusters 7th - 9thJuly 27 - Aug. 1 Mid High MAD 6th - 8thJuly 27 - Aug. 1 Mid High Adventure 6th - 8thJuly 27 - July 30 GPGC Ages 8 - 10

LATE SUMMERAugust 3 - 8 Saddle Soars 9th - 12thAugust 7 - 10 Women’s Faith &

FitnessAdult Women

“2008 Summer Camp Schedule” - Continued from Page 5

now is the time to guarantee thatevery child can come to camp!

In 2007, through the generous gifts of donors, Highlands provided nearly $9,000 in scholarships to make sure that no child was denied the opportunity to come to camp. Now is the time to make sure that can

happen in 2008. We currently have approximately $4,500 in our scholarship fund. We know that requests will exceed this amount, and want to be sure that we can meet the requests we receive! To make a gift, please use the enclosed envelope and indicate that the gift is designated for scholarships! Thank you for making sure that cost never keeps a child from coming to camp!

Page –7– May 2008

gifts of love

Where do I find that perfect gift? Where do I find that anniversary, birthday or special events gift? Everywhere I look the item

is made in China, Korea, Indonesia, or outsourced to Pakistan, India or Malaysia. I torment myself endlessly trying to find a gift that will be meaningful, useful and not become a dust collector or something that winds up on the next trip to Good Will. I have gifts stashed away and pull them out some years later and can’t remember where they came from. Perhaps I’m not the only one that struggles with this dilemma. Cards are nice and show respect and greetings. Hallmark cards are not cheap. They all have great messages. Some are funny and uplifting.

As I look around my collection of gifts, the ones that really are memo-rable are those that someone made, a hand knitted sweater, a hand knitted

wool scarf, a beautiful hand tooled leather album with memorable photographs, or a painting signed by the artist. The other gifts that are so precious are the ones where someone made a contribution to a charitable organization

in my name. A few that come to mind are the Nebraska Boy’s Home, Heifer International and Highlands, and the list goes on.

Betty and I have resolved that from now forward we are going to carry on with this very special type of giving. Except for the grand kids, we will make a gift to Highlands for all birthdays, anniversaries and other special events. This gift will last for perpetuity and is tax deductible. You have given someone you love the honor of a gift from your heart.

Please consider adopting this philosophy in you gifting and encourage your friends and members of your church to do the same.

by Cleon and Betty Kimberling

a note from annely noble,

joint highlands camp committee

chairperson

Is your glass half-full or half-empty? My cup runneth over, half full or not!

This newsletter is packed with great articles, everything is looking up at Highlands, and what better place to look than up…to the heavens? Quilters are busily sewing their fabrics into works of art, Highlands is “green,” rocking chairs “appear” at camp, lenders have faith in our financials and lower our interest rates, the Mount Meeker Society Dinner bursts at the seams and the dining hall rocks with songs of joy and thanksgiving and the food is fabulous and filling, a herd of horses heads to Highlands, games are given for fun, summer camp enrollment is up compared to last year, and Dave’s well springs forth with fresh water! The Lord’s blessings are abundant and my heart overflows with joy! Thanks to all who delight in serving Highlands in oh, so many ways.

quilt auction

We have received the first quilt for our Quilt Auction. This quilt was made by Rita Greenburg, and donated by Kris

and Delaney Bensler. The quilt is currently hanging in the Retreat Center as an inspiration to both quilters and buyers! The Quilt Auction will be held during the 2008 Christmas Party on Saturday December 6, 2008. The proceeds from the auction will go directly to reducing the principal of our mortgage. If you, or someone you know, would like to make a

quilt to donate to this cause, please contact Chrissy Starcher, event coordinator, at 303-747-2339 or chrissy.starcher@gmail.com Quilts of all sizes and designs are welcome!

Page –8– May 2008

thank youmark kenning

A BIG “Thank You!” to Mark Kenning for making these new rockers for Highlands!

Be sure to sit a bit, on the porch off of the main lobby facing Mt. Meeker, the next time you are in the Retreat Center. It will be time well spent!!

summer cabin special

The comforts of home and comfortable on your wallet, too! This summer, our

cabins are available for guest use at a special flat rate. These cabins can each accommodate from as few as 8 to as many as 25 people and are ideal for family gatherings, church groups, and college retreats. All cabins are furnished and also include a kitchen for you to prepare your own meals. At the end of a long day hiking, fishing, horseback riding, or shopping nearby, relax on the front porch of your cabin and enjoy the amazing views of Mt. Meeker and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. An amazing value for an amazing time! To make reservations, please call Kathy Griffee or email her at sales@highlandscamp.org.

• highlandswillbeginofferingelderhostelprograms in the fall of 2008!

October 29 - November 1, 2008Rocky Mountain Halloween: The Stanley Hotel and Other Things That Go Bump in the Night

Explore our fascination with spine-tingling stories, spooky movies, and the supernatural! Lectures/discussion will focus on horror as a literary and film genre. This event includes a tour of the historic Stanley Hotel, which is the backdrop for Stephen King's novel The Shining, and lunch at the hotel as well. We encourage you to read (or re-read!) The Shining as well as Sigmund Freud's essay "The Uncanny."

December 26 – December 30, 2008Rocky Mountain Holiday: Re-Discover Old Time Traditions During a Getaway With Your Grandchild

During this four night program, participants will experience the holiday traditions of people living in the Rocky Mountains. While enjoying beautiful winter views of Rocky Mountain National Park, participants will spend a day learning about and experiencing the winter climate of the mountains, and how it affects all of life! Next, participants will discover the local holiday traditions of mountain folks and use hands-on activities to create their own mountain holiday experience. Participants will also discover the joy of winter sports in the mountains, from ice skating to snowshoeing!

Be sure to go to www.elderhostel.org today to register!

wish list

3 Mercury free compact fluorescent bulbs to replace regular bulbs around

camp.

3 In addition to quilts for our quilt auction, we need 4-6 quilts for

use on guest beds in the Retreat Center (extra long

twins or queens).

3 Funds designated for the projects to be done by the Mariners in Mission in August, 2008. We have a great group of skilled volunteers coming for a week. Your designated gift can help to purchase the materials for the projects they will be working on while they are here. Please indicate that your gift is for “Mariners In Mission Project.”

Page –9– May 2008

Kent & Mary Pridey

Mac & Jean Macferran

First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins

mount meeker society dinner

On Sunday, March 9th, Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center was pleased to honor

the unique contributions of:

Kent and Mary PrideyMac and Jean Macferran

First Presbyterian Church of Fort CollinsShepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Lakewood

The Presbytery of Plains and PeaksThe Presbytery of Denver

at the 2007 Mount Meeker Society Dinner. Approximately 100 people attended this fun-filled celebration. The Left Hand Gospel Band, from Central Presbyterian Church in Longmont, and the Bellmont Duo provided lively musical entertainment for the evening. Many thanks to Pat Waltermire for planning our entertainment, and Cleon and Betty Kimberling for providing the delicious lamb we enjoyed!

The Presbytery of Denver

The Presbytery of Plains and Peaks

Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Lakewood

Page –10– May 2008

P.O. Box 66Allenspark, CO 80510

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDOmaha, NE

68102Permit No. 1951

Address Service Requested

:Caring for a Majestic Part of God’s Creation ............ 1New This Summer at Highlands ............................... 1Message from the Executive Director ....................... 2Financial Update .......................................................... 22008 Summer Camp Schedule .................................... 5Now is the Time to Guarantee That Every Child Can Come to Camp! ..................................... 6Gifts of Love .................................................................. 7A Note From Annely Noble, Joint Highlands Camp Committee Person.................... 7Quilt Auction ................................................................ 7Thank You Mark Kenning .......................................... 8Summer Cabin Special ................................................ 8Wish List ........................................................................ 8Highlands Will Begin Offering Elderhostel Programs in the Fall of 2008 .................................. 8Mount Meeker Society Dinner ................................... 9

MISSIONThe mission of Highlands is

to provide gracious hospitality and quality Christian programs in a majestic mountain setting

and to nurture spiritual renewal and transformation in a safe and inclusive environment.

For more information about Highlands Presbyterian Camp &

Retreat Center Contact 303-747-2888

info@highlandscamp.org u www.highlandscamp.org