PCCCA Bulletin Board for April/May 2007

Presbyterian Conservation Corps
The Presbyterian Conservation Corps (or PCC) is our organization's partnership with the Presbyterians for Restoring Creation.  This new group will be holding their first event, an Eco-Stewards Program, at Westminster Woods (Occidental, CA) on August 9th-13th.  Participants (aged 18-24) will learn eco-theology as well as participate in a hands-on environmental improvement project.  This is a great opportunity for those interested in practical eco-stewardship to learn skills and interact with known leaders in the field.  Spaces are still available for participants and adult mentors.  PCC is currently accepting invitations to host “Eco-Steward Training Programs” for the summer of 2008.  For more information on this program and this important partnership, please visit their new website at www.presbyterianconservationcorps.org.

PCCCA Members Gather at the ACA Tri-States Conference
Representatives from Kirkwood (PA), Johnsonburg, Skyline, Vanderkamp, and Holmes were in attendance at the Tri-State Conference of the American Camp Association (including ACA President Elect, Peter Surgenor).  The event was held in Atlantic City on March 28th-31st.  This conference, which claims to be the largest gathering of camp professionals in the world (nearly 4000 attendees!), included three keynote addresses, 200 workshop programs, and an exhibit hall with 250 booths.

Free Resources from Teamwork and Teamplay

Dr. Jim Cain, the owner and creative force behind Teamwork and Teamplay, was a presenter during the ACA Tri-State Conference.  He shared that his website offers free articles, activities, and information.  These can be found at www.teamworkandteamplay.com/resources.html.

 

New PCCCA Online Membership System

The PCCCA website now has a special membership section at www.pccca.net/membership for those who wish to join the organization.  If you are already a member of PCCCA, you will soon receive a temporary password that will allow you to login and review/change your account information.  If you should ever lose this password, you can contact our Membership Secretary, Cheryl Miller, at abcandm@bluestonecamp.com.  To renew your membership or to add an additional staff member, you simply log in, make adjustments, and pay through PayPal with a credit card.  If you prefer to write a check, the website will allow you to do that as well.

 

In Memory of Don Hostetter

During his lifetime, Don Hostetter touched the ministry of almost every camp and conference center in our denomination.  In tribute to his work among us, we are asking each site to plant a tree in his honor.  Perhaps the tree at your camp or conference center could be planted by your staff, your board/committee, or your summer campers.  We ask that you accomplish this project before the PCCCA Annual Conference in November and that you send a picture of "Don's Tree" at your site to Joel Winchip at joel@pccca.net.  These will be collected for a special slideshow during the conference.

 

NCCC Seeks Writers for the 2009 New Earth Curriculum
New Earth: Christian Resources for the Outdoors is a joint project of the Committee on Outdoor Ministries of the National Council of Churches and New Earth Publishers.  They are seeking writers for the 2009 summer camp curriculum.  If you are interested in applying, please send in a completed form (along with writing samples) by May 10th.  Please note that this deadline has been extended from April 20th.

 

"Principles of Sustainable Fundraising" Event at Pyoca
Pyoca Camp, Conference, and Retreat Center (Brownstown, IN) was the gracious host for this event on April 1st-4th.  Representatives from John Knox Ranch, Hanover, NaCoMe, Meadowkirk, Mound Ridge, Stronghold, Joseph Badger Meadows, Fellowship/Buc, John Knox Center, Crestfield, Donegal, and Kirkmont learned the foundations, best practices, and strategies for long- term support through fundraising.  The primary speaker was Jamie Levy, who is a fund development consultant and a faculty member at the Indiana University School on Philanthropy.  He has contributed a chapter from his upcoming book as a part of this eNewsletter.  His program was well received and many participants are hoping it will become an annual event.

Wood Mosaic for the 100th Anniversary
Bill Lankton has agreed to create a presentation in wood using the logo of PCCCA to be displayed at General Assembly for the 100th anniversary celebration of Presbyterian camp and conference ministry, and beyond that at other celebratory events. The theme is "100 Years of Sacred Space: Called by Name to Reflect God's Grace." We need your help!  To make this work, please send a wood sample from YOUR SITE.  Any type of wood will do; just use these dimensions: 2 ½” long x 1 ¼” wide x ¼” thick.  Stick the piece of wood in a padded envelope and send it along with your site's name and address to: Bill Lankton, 204 Kentucky, Park Forest, IL 60966.

Our Executive Director
Joel Winchip of Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center (York, SC) has started his work as the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association.  He is working on a number of different projects and is looking forward to visiting some of our sites this summer.  If you should ever need to contact Joel, he can be reached at joel@pccca.net or 803.322.0232.  If you are unable to reach him at that number, you can also call the Bethelwoods office at 803.366.3722.  Joel is our resource person, so please contact him if you should ever need help or if you have any questions about PCCCA and its services.

"Members Only" Pricing from the American Bible Society
Once again, PCCCA members are receiving special pricing on products from the American Bible Society.  If you login at the Resource Repository and click on the "Discounts and Savings Resources" folder, you will find the special PCCCA order form.  This form simply shows the most popular items, but all of their products can be viewed at www.bibles.org.  The prices have been significantly reduced for the benefit of your ministry, so please take advantage of our partnership with the American Bible Society.

BlueTreeResources Announces Its 2007 Staff Devotional
Provide your summer staff with the resources they need to strengthen their faith and deepen their own spiritual growth.  Designed specifically for the use of Christian camps staff, each daily devotional includes a scripture reading, reflection, and prayer.  Eight weeks of devotional material are included.  The devotionals are written by PCCCA member, Nancy Ferguson, a Presbyterian minister with over 25 years of experience working in camp and retreat ministries.  She is the day camp director at Camp Hanover in Richmond, Virginia and edits the New Earth camp curriculum.  The devotionals are available at www.BlueTreeResources.org as a CD or download for $35.  You purchase the electronic master and make as many copies as you need for the use at your camp for the summer of 2007.

If you have announcements or questions you would like to share on the PCCCA Bulletin Board, please send them to Joel Winchip.  The deadline for the August/September issue of Branches Online is August 15th.