Camper Quotes and Summer Snapshots!

News
Q u a r t e r l y
www.covevalleycamp.com
Fall 2015 Volume 12 Issue 3
N e w s l e t t e r
Camper Quotes and
Summer Snapshots!
Note the
new dates for
the Winter
Retreats
In this issue
He Works!
"Showed us that
nothing is more
important than
God's love."
"We saw God through
His creation."
"As we were singing Days of
Elijah on the last evening, the
fire exploded right after we
sang "Behold He comes" for
the very last time."
"We learned what our
treasure is and that we are
God's treasure."
Summer Reflections
NEW EVENT!
Young Adult Retreat
"God brought our
cabin close together."
Capital Campaign
Report
Family Camp and
Empty Nest Retreat
Some Favorite Camper Activities:
- Gaga ball
- 9 Square
- Creek walking
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Waterslide
- Canoeing/Kayaking - Group Games
- Streamside chapel
- Dodgeball
- Singing praise songs - Crafts
"God changed
people's lives."
2015 Summer Staff
Ham &
Oyster Supper
Oct. 24, 2015
2:30 - 6:00 pm
All You Can Eat
Adults $25
Children $8
Take Outs $20
"The Speaker
and devotions
were real life
applicable."
Like Cove Valley
Christian Youth Camp
on Facebook to see
more Summer Camp
Pictures & Videos.
Help replenish the
Scholarship Fund
The scholarship fund helped 30
campers come to camp this summer
providing $4,066.70. 10 of those
campers were fully funded. You can
help us replenish those funds and keep
it going.
To contribute to the Shank Scholarship Fund
call the camp and talk to Allen.
717-328-3055
Page 2
Cove Valley News
He Works!
Ham & Oyster
Supper
Oct. 24, 2015
2:30 - 6:00 pm
All You Can Eat
Adults $25
Children $8
Take Outs $20
Membership
Banquet
October 31
Fall Work Day
November 7
Scrapbooking
Retreat
December 4-6
Young Adult
Retreat
December 28-30
Sr. High Retreat
January 8-10
Grades 9-12
Jr. High Retreat
January 15-17
Grades 6-8
Primary Retreat
January 22-24
Grade 3-5
This summer I have seen God work here at
Cove Valley in many different ways. The first way
that I saw God work was with an increase of campers.
In 2014, we had 299 total camper registrations. This
summer, we had 337 total registrations. It is amazing
to see our summer camps growing.
The second way that I saw God work was
related to the increase of campers. Since we had more
campers I needed more staff. There were a couple of
late Saturday nights where I was making phone calls
trying to track down one more counselor for a cabin. I
thank the Lord for those counselors that were willing
to quickly come out of “retirement” for a week or two.
A third way that I saw God work was when I
needed a camp nurse. The nurse for the week went into
labor early Monday morning and then had the baby that
morning. I spent a large part of that morning looking
for nurses to fill in that week. It was a blessing seeing
the many nurses that were willing to jump in for a day
or two where they were needed.
A fourth way that I saw God work was through
the staff. They gave everything that they had to make
each camper’s experience the best possible. When
we were tired and exhausted, God gave each of us the
strength that we needed.
The most important way that I saw God working
was through Camper Commitments. I am constantly
amazed at how God works in the lives of the young
people that attend our camp. Below are some of the
numbers from this summer.
Camper Commitments:
- 17 gave their life to Jesus for the first time
- 18 campers rededicated their lives to Christ
- 25 prayed for assurance of their salvation.
- 27 others made individual specific commitments
(i.e. to be the church, pray daily, read the Bible daily,
and many other personal commitments)
Thank you for your prayers for me, my
family, and all of the summer staff. Our labor is in
vain without the power
of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for trusting
us with your children
and grandchildren this
summer. It is a huge
responsibility that is not
taken lightly. -Eric Roth,
Program Director
Each Monday evening, when the dinner bell rang, the campers and counselors trooped up the hill to
their fire rings. There awaited tubs of ingredients for campfire meals. The first hurdle on the path to melted cheese
and pepperoni sealed between slices of toasty bread was this: turning a bucket of newspaper and kindling and a
stack of firewood into a fire.
Consequently, Nathanael and I would head up the hill in our trusty gator about 15 minutes later to
“rescue” the counselors from hopelessly smoking wood and the wrath of hungry campers. We used paper plates
and Frisbees to fan tiny flames, re-stacked toppled log cabins, and explained once again
that it is not in fact possible to light an entire log with only a match.
As I look back on this summer at Cove Valley, I realize that this is in fact what we
did all summer – not just on mountain pie dinner nights. We fanned the spark of faith lit in
evening chapel. We built up solid foundations of love. We did our best to answer questions
about the mysterious, wonderful God we know.
We spent the summer starting fires. I hope and pray that they continue to burn, spreading
light wherever they go.
- Mariah Martin, 2015 Program Director's Assistant
This summer I worked as a Program Director's Assistant at Cove Valley. By far the biggest takeaway
was seeing how our Lord Jesus brought together our staff this summer. Staff orientation was my pet project
for the summer. I wanted the staff to come together as a unit, and, by the grace of God, we did. By the first full
day, the staff was comfortable, working together, and being themselves unreservedly. Seeing the staff like this
brought me much joy, confidence, and hope for the coming weeks of camp. As orientation week progressed,
the staff continued to bond into a solid unit. The highlight of orientation was Thursday
night, when the staff made their way over to the meadow for a worship session and some
s’mores. While we ate and reflected on the week, there was worship music being played.
Soon the whole staff was engaged in worship to our Lord, and what was supposed to be
maybe an hour of worship soon turned into a much longer stretch. Over two hours later
we started to make our way back to the main camp. I have never worshiped like that at
camp before, and it was amazing to see and experience.
- Nathanael Skroban, 2015 Program Director's Assistant
For Event Info & MoreVisit: www.covevalleycamp.com.
Page 3
Cove Valley News
Empty Nest Retreat
This summer Cove Valley had
the honor of hosting 56 Empty Nest
Retreat "campers". The speaker for the
week was Harold Yeager. Everyone that
attended this retreat left feeling blessed
in some way. Below is a quote from an
Empty Nest Retreat "Camper":
"This retreat is a time for me to relax, connect with
friends, and hear the testimony of the journey of others in
a very relaxed atmosphere. The schedule is not tight and
there is a lot of time for fellowship. The messages are
very inspirational and anointed. It is always special to
connect with and pray for the summer camp staff."
Family Camp
This summer Cove Valley also had the privilege of serving forty four
families at our Family Camp. Our speaker, Tom Harmon, brought very challenging
messages and was an encouragement to all those that heard his messages. The 5th
annual Holey Canoe Race was a huge success. The participants and spectators had
a blast watching the competition. Below is a quote from a Family Camp "Camper":
"I had devotions on
the side deck of the
dining room this
morning. I was in awe
of the beauty and felt
a touch of Heaven as I
overlooked the lake."
Page 4
Cove Valley News
2015 Summer Staff
Speakers
Janine Frey
Matthew Geary
Delton Lehman
Linnea Martin
Michael Miller
"I saw God
when I helped
to lead a
camper to
Christ."
Nurses
Megan Buisch
Mary Ellen Eshleman
Mary Horst
Kristen Lehman
Dianne Maust
Darla Mellott
Deb Sarvis
Hope Strite
Sr Counselors
Levi Appenzellar
Sophia Charuhas
Tyler Eby
Brittany Grove
C.J. Harrison
Kelsey Lougheed
Kyle Martin
Jesse Miller
Chris Nauman
Kiara Scarbrough
Emily Stone
AV Tech
Christina Fleming
Nate Mckee
Lifeguard
Clayton Cordell
Katie Ommert
Cooks
Sarah Eshleman
Amy Frey
Scott Kane
Jerri Martin
Becky Sauder
Program Director's Assistants
Mariah Martin
Nathanael Skroban
"God brought
our campers
really close
together."
Maintenance Helpers
Dylan Grove
Connor Martin
Braxton Matthews
Ian Skroban
Daniel Utermoehlen
Kitchen Hostess/Sr. Counselor
Sheila Eshleman
Bridget Finniff
"Our girls actually prayed out loud
when they had not before. Our
campers also enjoyed praying for
each other the following day."
"I saw my campers
spiritually grow."
Trading Post Manager
Valerie Roth
Elective Instructor
(not listed elsewhere)
Paul Frey
Jerry Roth
Heather Scarbrough
"I saw God change my
campers' attitudes, and my
own heart was lifted."
Jr. Counselors/Kitchen Aides
David Akers
Bethany Blank
Shelby Carbaugh
Evan Dean
Taylor Eby
Angela Eshleman
Sarah Eshleman
Gertie Heavner
Hayley Hemphill
Kaitlyn Hoffman
Brett Horst
"God gave me
Faith Horst
love for my
Stephanie Kniss
campers when
Tara Lynch
I thought I had
Kylei Martin
none to give."
Sean Martin
Jacob Miller
Rachel Myers
Lily Shank
"God gave just enough
Petra Showalter
patience when needed and
James Stone
words to say at the right time."
Moriah Story
Page 5
Cove Valley News
Renewal Awaits!
Phase one is well under way and the new shop will be usable in no time.
The following people and businesses have helped to make it possible.
There is still a long way to go to reach our goal of $350,000. Ask the Lord
what He would want you to do to help out.
Bitikofer, Kurt & Dori
Bitikofer, Phares
Blank, Marcus H.
Bollinger, Elwood
Burt, Jeffrey S
David H Martin Excavating
Diller, A. Eugene
Dixon, Wiley
Ebersole, Marlin
Frey, Clifford L
Frey, Dale A
Frey, Gary L
Frey, Kurtis L
Frey, Paul L.
Frey, Peter
Geary, Paul D.
Geigley, Ray M
Goliwas, Paul E.
Grove, Marlin E
Herr, Roy
Higley, James
Horst, Dale L.
Horst, Daryl E.
Horst, Dustin
Horst, Edgar H.
J.A. Horst & Sons
Kurt's Pond Creation
Lehman, Aldus M.
Lehman, Cora
Lehman, Dean
Lehman, Duane A.
Lehman, Eldon J
Lehman, Eric D.
Lehman, Hans D.
Lehman, J. Allen
Lehman, Ralph D.
Martin, Allison
Martin, Benjamin L
Martin, Chester D.
Martin, Daria
Martin, Del
Martin, Gregory L.
Martin, Larry
Miller, Clair M.
NA Kuhns Plumbing
Nolt, Paul R
Puckett, John B.
Ravesloot, Ida
Ray Miller
Reeder, Daniel C.
Rodney's Masonry
Rogers, Donna
Roth, Cedric C
Rotz, John
Rotz, Jon
Sarvis, Eugene R.
Sherman, Anthony
Showalter Family II
Showalter, Austin
Showalter, Harold
Showalter, Linden A.
Skroban, Frederick III
Wadel, Betty
Wadel, Chad
Wadel, Ray
Witmer, Gerald E.
Witmer, Richard E.
Yeager, Wayne E.
Yoder, Gordon W.
$350,000
$300,000
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
$25,000
$0
Heckman, Mark M
Martin's Pastry
Mercersburg Printing, Inc
Spichers Appliance
Services Unlimited
YB Welding, Inc
Send your gift earmarked for the Shank
Fund or talk to Allen at the camp.
717-328-3055
June 3-Sept 18, 2015
Summer Staff Support
Martz, Donald L
McCarl, Paul H
McCracken, Jeffrey B
Stenger, Michael W
Cedar Grove Women
Cedar Street Mennonite Church
Church of Philippi
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
First Christian Church
Frey, Christian H.
David Rittger
Geary, Paul D.
Heebner, Christopher
Horst, John
Layton Family
Martin, Del
Martin, Mary L.
Rine, Denise
Roth, Jerald A.
Shady Pine Mennonite Church
United Way of Chambersburg
Walmart – gift
Kevin Baer (18)
Charles Dean (18)
Open (16)
Kurtis Frey (15)
Brian Horst (15)
Hans Lehman (17)
Open (18)
Deb Sarvis (15)
Camp Director
Allen Eshleman
These businesses and people helped to replenish the
scholarship fund during this period. Thank you so much!
Generous donors
President
Kurt Bitikofer (17)
Vice President
Peter Frey (17)
Secretary
Cedric Roth (16)
Treasurer
Jonathan Rotz (16)
Staff
Shank Scholarship Fund
Choice Collision Center
E.L.M. Department Store
Fast Signs
First Community Bank
Gingrich, Dr. J, Andrew
Haldeman Family
Heckman, Laura
Board of Directors
Food Service Director
Karen Kane
Food Service Assistant
Stephanie Skroban
Housekeeping
Cindy Phenicie
Maintenance Director
Paul Frey
Program Director
Eric Roth
Program Assistant
Emily Utermoehlen
Cove Valley News is a
quarterly publication of
Cove Valley Christian
Youth Camp
Summer Camp
Missions Project
$862 was sent to
Pregnancy Ministries
as the summer missions
project to help them
with their mission.
Editors: Allen Eshleman,
Emily Utermoehlen, and
Eric Roth
www.covevalleycamp.com
Cove Valley News
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Mercersburg PA 17236
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Pray for:
* Summer Staff as they head back to school
or work
* Strength for campers that made
commitments
* Replenished funds for the Scholarship
Program
* Our future planning endeavors
* The 17 first time commitments for Christ
this summer
* The 70 campers that rededicated their
lives, prayed for assurance, and made
other commitments
for:
* An excellent Summer Staff that made the
campers feel loved
Open Rental Dates
Weekends Open
X = Dates open
Summer Weekdays available
(call for open dates)
Dates
Nov 30-Nov 1
Nov 6-8
Nov 13-15
Dec 4-6
Dec 11-13
Dec 18-20
Feb 5-7
Feb 12-14
Feb 19-21
Feb 26-28
Mar 4-6
Mar 18-20
Mar 25-27
Apr 1-3
Apr 8-10
Apr 22-24
Apr 29-May 1
May 6-8
May 13-15
May 27-29
Jun 3-5
Jun 17-19
Jul 1-3
Jul 8-10
Jul 29-31
Sky
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
LVM LVRC Cabins
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
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x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
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6
* God's provision for the multiple programs
this summer.
Cove Valley Christian Youth Camp exists to provide a place and the
opportunity for Christian teaching and fellowship along with wholesome
and guided recreation in a Christ-like atmosphere.
Key:
Sky = Skyline Family Retreat Center
LVM = Lake View Motel
LVRC = Lake View Retreat Center (Dining Hall)
Cabins = 8 cabins available
*Smaller groups may be able to fit in on other dates