What’s in this newsletter?  

1) A Letter from Our Founder 2) Our Mission 3) Camp Agape Memorial Run 2015 4) The Amazing Team Cody 5) Memorial Run Testimonial 6) Camp Agape 2016 Announced

 7) Sporting Clays Shoot 2016 8) In Loving Memory of Carol Hoff 9) Buddy Testimonial 10) What is Agape? 11) Our Sponsors 12) Thank you!

A Letter from Our Founder As the season of Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded to reflect on all that God has provided for us. This is also the perfect time to acknowledge others who have blessed us! On behalf of Camp Agape I want to express our sincere gratitude for our volunteers and donors! In Galatians 6:2, it asks us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ.” Through your gifts of time, talents, and treasure we are able to continue our mission to provide support to little hurting hearts and share about God’s love and promises, even in our times of despair! I look forward to watching how God will grow and use this ministry to continue to serve grieving children here in Texas and beyond. Thank you again for your gifts of support.

May God bless you as you have blessed Camp Agape! Kim Turk, Camp Agape Founder

Our Mission Camp Agape offers a unique and innovative summer camp program designed specifically for children who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The losses from which our children have suffered are great and range from cancer and illness, car wrecks, suicide, accidents and even murder. Our service is available to ALL children between 7 and 12 years of age who are grieving and need support. Our Christian-based service offers all the fun of a typical summer camp, along with group-therapy activities to assist the children with their bereavement process. These activities incorporate the use of art, music, games and play therapies. The children learn they are not alone in their grief while making life long friendships giving them true HOPE for their future.

                                                                       

Camp Agape’s Second Annual Memorial Run 5k and Kid’s Walk was especially memorable this year because of the amazing family and friends that walked and ran together to celebrate the life of their beloved son, brother, and friend, Cody. Camp Agape’s Memorial Run was held on August 29th this year, which was the day Cody would have turned 19 years old. During the 3.1-mile course, there was an endless stream of blue shirts crossing the finish line and the love for Cody was abundant. Following the race, a balloon release ceremony was held where hundreds of balloons were released to our loved one’s in Heaven. It was an honor to wish Cody a Happy Birthday with you all!

The Amazing Team Cody

This year, Camp Agape’s Second Annual Memorial Run and Kids Walk was a huge success with over 150 race participants! Awesome job to our top 3 male and female racers with quite remarkable paces! Top Males Pace Top Females Pace 1) Dan Arnold 6:31 1) Johnna Beene 8:04 2) Martin Sanchez 6:32 2) Shanna Garrett 8:21 3) Morgan Berry 7:30 3) Marie Blanton 8:33 Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Camp Agape Memorial Run 2015

Memorial Run Testimonial This summer Camp Agape served a little 10-year-old boy named Cooper, whose brother committed suicide in May. His brother, Cody, would have turned 19 years old on August 29th. When the family found out that our run event was planned for that same day, they organized a group of family & friends to create a special t-shirt and attend as "Team Cody". It was a special way to honor his life and celebrate his birthday. It made our balloon release ceremony even more profound for all of us this year! -- Kim Turk, Founder of Camp Agape

                                                                                             

Camp Agape is excited to announce the home of our 16th year serving children in need! We will be holding Camp Agape 2016 at Camp Buckner located in Central Texas. This is the very first camp site Camp Agape was ever held at, and we are ecstatic to return to the location that offers the perfect setting for both children and adults to take time to worship and grow closer to our Lord, all while having a blast! Camp Agape is run through the loving support of both volunteers and sponsors, and the date is finally set! We would love for both returning and new volunteers to come out and help support our mission of offering grief support to children.

JULY 17TH – 21ST (Sunday through Thursday) VOLUNTEERS AND CAMPERS NEEDED!

Apply at www.campagapetexas.org Volunteer roles include: Buddy, Assistant Buddy, Counselor, Chaplain, Musical Entertainer, Comedian, High

School Helper, Photographer, as well as a whole Prayer Warrior team.

Activities include: Archery, Memory Lane Game, Fishing, Candle Lighting Ceremony, Swim Time, Volcano Bottles, Arts and Crafts, Footprints in the Sand, Keith Coast Comedy Show, Daily Devotionals, Music and Dance, Chalk Drawings, Memory Boxes, a special Luau Night, and much more!

Camp Agape 2016 Announced

Sporting Clays Shoot 2016

                                                                                           

Campers and volunteers join together year after year with a joint burden of carrying within their hearts the loss of their loved one. This year was especially difficult for us because earlier this year, Camp Agape’s past Executive Director, Carol Hoff, was laid to rest after a courageous battle against cancer. Carol left behind her loving husband, children, and grandchild. Carol touched the lives of so many and made it part of her life’s mission to teach children that by turning to God during our times of trial, we can make it through our toughest days. This year at Camp Agape, all of the children released a balloon to Heaven in memory and honor of our dear friend, Carol. May you forever rest in sweet peace.

In loving memory of Carol Hoff

“God works in mysterious ways. If you open your heart to Him, He will gladly enter. Tears came down my cheek as the Holy Spirit entered my temple during worship on the first day. As soon as I had opened my eyes, I noticed the same had happened on a young boy's face. He was my little buddy at Camp Agape. His older brother had taken his life just four weeks before camp started. Two weeks prior, his uncle did the same. He'd lost his sister to cancer last Christmas, Jesus' birthday; so much for a young boy to handle, so much weight on his shoulders. Camp Agape helps relieve that stress and anxiety through a support system of volunteers and other children with similar experiences. Most importantly, Camp Agape brings us closer to God. Through bible studies and open discussion, I allowed the Holy Spirit to fill my mind and body with peace. Peace that we all need when we have lost a loved one. One day we will all be reunited with our loved ones and God. It's important that we all help each other get to Heaven. For me, the support system of Camp Agape took me a few steps higher on the ladder to the pearly gates of Heaven. – Keegan, First Year Adult Buddy

Buddy Testimonial

                                                                                           

What is a·ga·pe? Definition: Agape is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible. This Greek word and variations of it are found throughout the New Testament. Agape perfectly describes the kind of love Jesus Christ has for his Father and for his followers.

Our Sponsors

 

THANK YOU! I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

The Board of Directors of Camp Agape would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support and service to this ministry. Grief is a very difficult process to go through at any age, but it’s truly hard to watch these precious children question the death of their loved one. Through your gift of prayer, time, donations, and sponsorships, we have been able to offer grief support to these children free of charge! GOD IS GOOD! Founder: Kim Turk President: Joe Vogel Vice President: JD Hansard Secretary: Serena Patterson Treasurer: Matt Cochran Volunteer Coordinator: Christen McVaney Bookkeeper: Gay Bergman Webmaster: Dustin Warncke Board of Directors: Matt Cochran Jason Coleman Tony Collins JD Hansard Amanda Janecek Christen McVaney Kim Turk Joe Vogel Advisory Board: Elmer Friedrich Neva Friedrich Cory Hanneman Gretchen McCoy Siera Sproul Bridget Thien 2015 Camp Volunteers: Sue Allis Marlie Austin Cali Armstrong Julia Armstrong Julie Biggs Kaitlyn Braeutigam Desiree Collins Geri Collins Shelby Curry Erica Dirba Ellen Fanelli Neva Friedrich Kim Hansard Banae Hickman Alex Ingram Amanda Janecek Romi Lessig MaKenna Ludwig Inez McGee Christen McVaney Jaelyn Nelson Rachel Nelson

Karen Nicola Esther Oliver Serena Patterson Jamie Ribera Abby Kate Spears Abi Seymour Siera Sproul Shannon Stout Loren Sweat Bridgen Thien Kaysen Turk Kim Turk Aspen Woerner Kay Woerner Galyn Woerner Brenda Wooldridge Sean Armstrong Matthew BlackBurn

Matthew Blackburn Jay Blackburn Levi Blackburn Matt Cochran Jason Coleman Tony Collins Johnny Cuellar John Dirba Thom Feather Keis Fletcher Grant Fletcher

Elmer Frierich Jace Girod Cory Hanneman JD Hansard Mike Hickman Gil Jones Thomas McGee Clifton Meyer Jacob Oberrender Cody Oliver Eric Salinas

Eric Salinas Keegan Sandman Dustin Warncke Clyde Woerner Kameron Wright *Special Performance By: Keith Coast *Presentation By: Brandon Arrington

Donors: Susana Aleman Alexis Granite Design Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Baumbach Beneficial Consolidated Management, Inc. Richard & Gay Bergman Blue Bonnet Café Jennifer Boleman Robert Boyce Mary Breckenridge Burnet Rotary Bluc Burnet Trophies and Awards Linda Christ Christ Lutheran Church William and Charolette Collie Thomas Corner David Eikenburg Memorial Bike Ride Ximena Davila Brian & Gina Dieringer Jessica Dornak Deborah Dunlap Jane Egan David & Donna Eidsmoe Larry Eliff Elwartowski Chiropractic Family Christian Stores First Lakeview Church Lorraine Klim-Drew Brent Kratky Lambda Nu Chapter Hailey Marcinek Brenda Wooldridge Bryan McNeill A.L. Mills MOPS Georgetown Nunnally & Freeman, D.D.S Catherine Sealy Share Your Wine

First United Methodist Church Pamela Gentry Darrell & Barbara Gilbertson Donna Gindrup Mr. & Mrs. Graham Kami Barron Carmen Gruesen Cory & Shelly Hanneman Janis Harris-Smith Linda Haworth Art & Roma Heath Helen Boyle Estate Highland Lakes Service League Hill Country Fellowship Hill Country Singles Sandra Houston Jeanne Jacob Jacqueline Tons McCall Foundation Mike Jimenez Serena Patterson David & Debra Johnson Gil & Jennifer Jones Cindy Jorgensen Allison Kidwell Kingsland Lions Charities, Inc. Kim Kinippa Kiwanis of Sun City LCRA United Charities Linus Connection Theresa Loyd Dwyann Macklin John Maidlow Jr. Al Mowdy Kendall Mueller Lakisha Nash New York Life Northwind Farms Tommy & Kirsten Prud-homme Preston Rosamond

Ed & Jennifer Shaw Shannon Sszymcak St. Peter Lutheran Church Marla Stuart Charles & Marjorie Swearin Lorna Symank Michael Telles The Church at Horseshoe Bay The James Fund Randall & Bonnie Thoma Threads of Love Dewayne Todd United Methodist Men Joe & Candace Vogel Robert & Suzanne Weed Whiteside Insurance Agency, LLC Thomas & Betty Wilkens Thelma Gore Clyde & Kay Woerner Kingsland Community Church Alisa Woods Jerral Wyer Allen Yee Gary & Danna Zreet David & Carol Oberreder Alesha Parkes Dan & Sheri Pearson Lucius Phillips III Joseph Pollock Sheila Potts Dr. Bohdan & Judith Prehar Barney Schulz Bonnita Robertson Bianca Saldana