PRICELESS by Karen Cogdill, Omaha

SENDING A KID TO CAMP...

Our family has had the privilege of attending Camp Fontanelle, one of the three United Methodist camp locations, each of the last fi ve years. Camp offers a quiet beauty, tucked away from all the noise of the world.

It is a safe place for your child to grow his or her relationship with God, or to learn about God, for the fi rst time. Each of our four sons began attending camp at age 4 with the Guardian Angel program. My husband and I alternate camping with them each year. As parents, we cherish the experience of spending time alone with them, learning about Jesus and experiencing fi rst hand His beautiful creation.

Camp enables us to take a break from all the demands of life and just focus on our child. Each year we fi nd the camp counselors well prepared with songs, games, crafts and stories of Jesus that keep us all engaged. I love that my 4-year-old still sings some of the songs and prayers he learned while at camp long after the experience ended. Two of our sons are at the age that they attend camp on their own.

Admittedly, I was a bit timid when I dropped my oldest off for his fi rst overnight camp without me. How would he survive without me or his dad? What if he gets lost in the woods, or worse, hurt? What if he gets homesick? I quickly learned that they CAN survive without me and their camping alone is a huge milestone in their development.

Each year when I pick them up, they seem a little more grown up and a little more “sure” of themselves. They always have a fresh, bright attitude that comes directly from being surrounded by good Christian mentors and peers in a loving, safe environment.

Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Camp is one way our family makes an investment in our children. We eagerly

look forward to planning our summer calendar around the United Methodist camp programs. My boys look forward to new friends, new adventures and a renewal in their faith. If you want to see your children radiate the love of Jesus, don’t miss the opportunity to invest in their future by signing them up for an adventure at camp.

TOP 10 REASONS TO SUPPORT AND TO SEND YOUR KIDS TO NEBRASKA UNITED METHODIST CAMPS

(Fontanelle . Comeca. Norwesca)

10. New adventures you can’t wait to

tell your friends about (horseback

riding, petting barn, overnight at

the zoo, tubing, tree climbing on

rope, ponies, outdoor laser tag,

gaga ball, ice blocking, water slide,

pool, crafts, biking, ice skating,

hiking, campfires, water slides, zip

line, climbing wall and more)!

9. Faith in Christ that is up close and on fire!

8. A chance to grow inside and out.

7. Time to soak in God’s amazing creation.

6. A lifelong habit that will serve you well.

5. Young adult Christian role models.

4. ICC: “Intentional Christian Community”

OR a safe place for hard questions.

3. Making forever friends.

2. Hearing God’s call to ministry and service.

1. Jesus Christ—Changing campers’

hearts and lives all year round.

For more information email tmeyer@umcneb.org to request a registration brochure.

If you have site specifi c questions call site directors Ron Gans at Comeca, 308-784-2808, Valerie Rahrs at Norwesca, 308-432-3872 or Trent Meyer at Fontanelle, 402-478-4296.

What’s New!Comeca — Zorbing: two people racing

down a hill in one giant nine-feet-tall

inflatable ball. One ball has straps so two

riders are facing each other, and the other

ball has no straps and is filled with water.

Norwesca — Reaccredited in American

Camp Association. Also introducing the

new Family Camp which will include a

visit to Toadstool Park near Crawford.

Fontanelle — Bussing details to be

announced. Gift cards for the holidays

(contact Fontanelle), zip line, phase one

storm shelter and restrooms for summer

campers and corn maze visitors. Phase

two will include a picnic shelter for

church picnics and family reunions. Half

price for Guardian Angel and Sonshine

registrations if signed up before March 31!

Sign up your kids and grandkids today by registering online (beginning January 15) at www.umcneb.org/register and select the appropriate camp listing.

Each mailed camp registration must be accompanied by a completed health form. Send the registration form(s) and the health form(s) to the selected camp mailing address .

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Experiences

“... I really enjoyed getting to know all of

you! I especially enjoyed getting to know

God better. I’ve been coming to F.R.O.G.

camp for four summers, and I have never

experienced anything this amazing.”

— Fully Relying On God (F.R.O.G.) camper

“Thank you all for your support during all of

our camp experiences this summer. I very

much appreciated the staff counselors who

were with me, Callie, Patrick and Scott. You

were awesome and really brought your

faith and experiences to the group. The kids

enjoyed you so much. Also, I really want to

thank the kitchen cooks who helped me and

my children eat so well at camp with our

dietary challenges. It is nice not to feel left

out, especially the kids. Thanks so much for

your extra consideration.”

— Pastor Karla Sheffy

“... I cried most of the way home because

I was leaving my child all by himself at

camp for the first time (I know, completely

ridiculous), I knew that he would be safe

and have a wonderful time. He was SO

excited about the week when I picked him

up, especially about the devotions that they

had done with each of their projects (which

he wanted me to read as soon as we got

home). He even said that he would someday

want to become a counselor. Thanks again

for all Camp Fontanelle does for families.”

— Roxanne

Sponsor a child with a scholarship. Your contribution of $60 covers a day of camp, $300 provides a week. Send your check to NUMC, 3333 Landmark Cir., Lincoln, NE 68504, write NUMC Scholarship on the memo line.

Be an ambassador! Contact your favorite camping site to volunteer to spread the news to congregations in your area about the exciting experiences at Nebraska United Methodist Camps.