Inter-Camp Night-O-Fun!

Last night HoneyRock hosted the second annual Northwoods Inter-Camp Broomball tournament.  You'll be happy to know that HoneyRock defended its title and remains undefeated in tournament competition.  Our dear friends from Camp Luther and Fort Wilderness (two Christian camps here in the Northwoods) came over for dinner and a night of intense broomball action.

It was enjoyable to spend time with other people who are working in camp ministry.  It was great to eat together, laugh together, fellowship together and have fun together.

Below are some pictures taken by Heather Ledbetter.

 

Excitement

John Vandervelde - Program Director   

"Summer is just around the corner" is a phrase you often hear at HoneyRock.  I realize it seems sort of odd to be thinking and writing about summer on February 25th.  It was zero degrees this morning and we got a nice dusting of snow last night.  At this point in the winter, summer seems like something that will never come, but believe it or not it will be here before we know it.

This past weekend the 50+ college students who make our our SLS program were here at camp on a retreat.  This summer SLS students will go through 5 weeks of training and course work and will then serve as counselors for our Residential Camp and Advance Camp programs.  For me this past weekend was a major excitement builder and a signal that summer truly is "just around the corner." 

These college students truly are the core of the HoneyRock ministry.  We invest significant time and resources in them.  We watch them learn and grow as we challenge them, encourage them, teach them, and empower them.  We witness their transformation into leaders who in turn have a transformational impact in the lives of campers.  It is an amazing process.

So as I put on my winter hat, gloves, 16 layers of clothing, and jacket this morning, I was excited about summer!  I am confident God is going to do an amazing work in and through our college students this summer.

SLS Retreat at HoneyRock

Craig Miller--Southwoods Office

Dreams of summer were in the air as 50 eager Wheaton students got off the bus at HoneyRock last Friday
night for the Summer
Leadership School
February retreat. This weekend excursion has proved a crucial part of training
for many years by providing students with a wonderful opportunity to begin
developing their friendships as well as for the leadership team to begin small
group development.  

Saturday morning started off with small group initiatives,
led by some of our unit leaders who will be working with the students this
summer, and included some larger group vision-casting by Dan and Craig.  Before lunch, the students helped Dan
celebrate his 30^th birthday with a delicious cake made by the
kitchen staff.  The afternoon was spent
with an epic broomball tournament and tubing out at Ski Hill.  It is my pleasure to report no major injuries
were sustained!  Saturday evening, we
rounded out the day with a bonfire at Does Acres and our traditional Polar
Plunge.  The next morning, we rubbed the
sleep out of our eyes and departed again for Wheaton shortly after breakfast.

Although short, the SLS retreat was a wonderful way to allow
students to begin building relationships and to think a little more deeply
about the ministry that the summer holds. 
Dan summed it up very well when he pointed to our foundation for
ministry resting on the condition of our hearts: may we be people who are
“humble and contrite of heart” and who tremble at the word of God (Isaiah
66:2).  So, as you continue to keep
HoneyRock in your prayers, think about these SLS students who will be on the
forefront of the ministry this summer. 
Blessings today!

(Pictured below are some happy students tubing down the hill)

(Pictured below is the location of the Polar Plunge on the lake off of Does Acres!)

 (Pictured below are some students playing in the broomball tournament.)

A HoneyRock Olympian

In 2007 Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr. was a HoneyRock SLS student and served as a Residential Camp counselor.  Known for her bright smile and gift of encouraging others, Nancy was loved by everyone.  Nancy wrote hundreds of encouraging notes to staff and students throughout that summer.  I can remember her coming into the HoneyRock mail room nearly every day and sticking notes in people's mailboxes.

Now Nancy is in Vancouver representing the United States - she is an Olympic Speed Skater!  We are so proud of Nancy and her accomplishments.  We know that she is not only representing the United States but that she is representing Christ.  She is an agent of the Kingdom of God in Vancouver! 

Join us in praying for Nancy as she continues to compete in the week ahead.  You can follow her through her blog at http://nancyskates.com/

Wheaton College's New President

This weekend, Wheaton College announced the selection of Dr. Philip Ryken, current pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA, as Wheaton College's eighth president.  We would like to congratulate Phil and his wife, Lisa.  Phil and Lisa are both HoneyRockers, and they have sent their kids
to camp.  We are very excited to have a HoneyRock camper parent serve
as President of Wheaton College.

Dr. Ryken has an impressive resume and you can read more about him by clicking here.  Please join us in praying for the Ryken family as they prepare to move to Wheaton this summer and as Phil takes on this new role. 

Wonderful Winter Weather Gear: The Final Installment

Becki Henderson--Administrative Assistant

This brings us to our last article regarding outdoor
clothing appropriate for a Wisconsin
winter.  I’ve noticed as I write these
that each article gets shorter, and I think that is because, for some reason, I
had a lot to say about snow pants.  Not
so much about the other things. 

So today we will take an incredibly brief look at the last
necessary piece of winter weather gear: the jacket.

 Jackets can range in price, style, size, color, shape, and
function.  But here at HoneyRock the most
highly prized ones are the HoneyRock jackets. 

 Each winter the GPA staff gets sweet Marmot jackets.  Much thought and energy goes into the color
choice, since we want the GPAs to be easily recognizable in a crowd without
standing out TOO much.  This year Rick
picked out this slate grey color and the GPAs look fabulous!  Also, when out in public (like skiing at Powderhorn Mountain) you could spot a HoneyRock GPA
from the chair lift!  Very handy!

So, here's a picture of the GPAs sporting their new jackets upon their arrival at HoneyRock.  They are pictured on the Cathedral Pines Bridge. 

 And, thank you for accompanying me on my journey through Wonderful Winter Weather Gear here at HoneyRock!