Winter Camp Dates:

Junior Sno- Camp- January 1-2

Couples Retreat- January 14-16, 2010, Thursday-Saturday. Kent and Becky Wallace, speakers.

Teen Sno-Camp- January 22-24, 2010, Friday-Sunday

Couples Retreat-  January 29-31, 2010, Friday-Sunday.

 2009 Summer Staff 

 Dan Kohns: Camp Director

Martha Kohns: Office

Dan and Martha Kohns have been on staff at The Springs since February 2005. They also worked the summer of 2004 as summer camp program director. Dan and Martha have been on staff at Lake Ann Baptist Camp and Skyview Ranch. With over 18 years of experience in the camping ministry, Dan finds The Springs a blessing to be a part of. There is a rich heritage here of many years of God’s blessings. Since taking over in 2005, Dan has faced tremendous challenges in rebuilding a ministry that was all but ready to shut the doors. Along with the faithfulness of so many supporters, The Springs is today a thriving ministry. The Springs serves over 400 summer campers, 1500 Retreat Center guests and year round over 5000 guests. Dan has a passion for ministry and a passion to see people come to know Christ. God has blessed Dan with a vision of to see this ministry move forward. Dan, along with his wife Martha love the camping ministry. He has experience in Maintenance, Fund Raising, Programming, High Adventure, Construction and Consulting to other camps. Martha has worked in the areas of Food Service and Office Management.

Dan and Martha have 4 children. Their son Aaron is married to Brittany. They live in North Carolina. Aaron and Brittany have both served on summer staff at The Springs. Aaron is a professional photographer and Brittany works as a social worker. Joshua graduated from Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids and has served on summer staff also. He often leads worship for our retreats and Sr High weeks of camp. Rebekah is done with high school and also serves on summer staff.  Elizabeth is finishing high school and also gives her summer as a staff member. Both Rebekah and Elizabeth help out as needed year round.

Staff:

James and Elisheba Petersen, Zach, Nate and Ethan

The Petersens joined the staff in April 2009. God’s direction was clear as the Petersen’s left the family farm to spend the summer here. During the summer it was evident that their gifts could be fully used in this ministry. James worked as the program director through the summer and will continue to develop and run the many programs we provide. He also works with guest groups; helping them accomplish their goals during the retreat. Elisheba worked this summer in the craft hop. This fall she began as the 3rd and 4th grade teacher at Skeels Christian School. James and EJ have three boys.

Meredith Geselman, Food Service

Meredith has been on staff since February 2007. She was also a summer counselor in 2005. Meredith is our food service Manager. Guests love Meredith’s cooking. She is known for home made breads, great soups and putting together a healthly menu. Meredith loves coffee and enjoys visiting with guests in the dining room. Recently she took up quilting! She also enjoys the outdoors. In the summer, Meredith works with our girls summer staff as their supervisor.

Jeremiah Parks, Maintenance

Jeremiah has been a part of the staff since 2005. He came for a summer as the maintenace director and stayed for a 2 year short term internship. He left to finish his Associates Degree and recently returned to again take over the maintenance department. Jeremiah can fix almost anything and loves to serve our guests. Jeremiah loves the outdoors, and enjoys the many activities at camp.

Joshua Decker (JD)

JD has been at The Springs for a long time. He was a camper and then volunteer staff and now short term intern. He has been a full time student along with working here. His plans are to look for a job in law enforcement. JD does alot of maintenance and also works on most of our media productions. He has been a true asset to the ministry and keeps us all laughing along the way.

Tasha Loomis

Tasha began this fall as a short-term intern. Lakeview MI is home for Tasha. She is taking classes at MMCC and works in the office and the kitchen. She has worked on summer staff for the past few summers.

Ricky Brooks

Ricky Brooks is from Stanton MI. He has been a counselor for the last 3 summers. Ricky helps out in the retreat center keeping the place ready for guests. During retreats he can be found helping Meredith in the kitchen.

Summer Staff 2008

There will be more weeks of camp for all ages. Watch for dates to be posted and look for a registration form in the mail after the first of the year. We are excited to look to summer of 2010!

Please contact us for any further registration information.

What to Bring: Each camper should bring a sleeping bag, (or two heavy blankets and sheets), a pillow, play clothes, clothes for cool days, (no tank tops, all shirts must have sleeves), modest shorts, rain gear, a washcloth, towel, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, warm pajamas, plastic bag for dirty clothes, swimsuit (modest, one-piece), two pair of shoes, camera, insect repellent, flashlight, money for the Camp Store ($5-$10), [T-shirts $10-$15 and Sweatshirts $20], Bible, pen, notebook. Mark all belongings for identification. Please no electronic devices like mp3 players, hand held video games and cell phones. Instead, bring your friend.

Arrival time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Monday (Senior High is Sunday at 3:00 p.m, except for new week)., lunch is at 12:30. Camp is over at 10:00 AM Saturday (Wed. for Mini camp). Please pick up campers at this time. Closing program begins at 9:30 AM (your camper would love for you to be here for this).

Mail: Campers love to receive letters and packages from home. You must send them early in the week or the last part of the week before in order for the camper to receive them. The address is: (Camper’s Name) The Springs 1950 N. M-30 Gladwin, MI 48624. Campers do not have access to a phone. Contact the camp office at (989) 426-7604 to get a message to your camper.

Email: New this year is camper emails. Look for more information in the camper confirmation. Follow the directions from Bunk1 and enjoy the benefits of this new service. There will be a small charge for sending emails. Look for a link on our website.

Registration: You may register all of the campers from your church by gathering the registration forms or they may register individually using a registration form. When completing the individual form, please be sure to fill out both parts of the form completely. The form must be signed by the parent or guardian before the camper may come to camp! Registration is on a first come first served basis. We have some weeks that fill up very quickly so be sure to register early!

Golf Marathon- October 3, 2009

Men’s Retreat- October 8-10, 2009

Senior Saints (overnight retreat)- October 12-13, 2009

Purity and Holiness Teen Retreat- October 23-24, 2009

2010 Winter Retreats

Junior Snow Camp- January 1-2, 2010, Friday- Saturday

Couples Retreat- January 14-16, 2010, Thursday- Saturday

Teen Snow Camp- January 22-24, 2010, Friday – Sunday

Couples Retreat- January 29-31, 2010, Friday – Sunday

Attendance: 540 total  summer campers (up over 15 % from last year) 166 were Senior Highers, 162 Junior Highers and 212 Juniors. God continues to bless the summer program. Many campers continue to tell us of the decisions that were made. We love to hear their stories. Our theme this summer challenged the campers to get into God’s Word. WORD ALIVE- Everyday in chapel, the speakers challenged the campers with truths from the Bible. Each day was filled with activites and games that pointed us back to the theme. Friday for Juniors was Bible Days. They went from station to station where a Bible Story was brought to life. From Jonah and the big fish to Jesus walking on water, campers saw how God’s Word is an important part of their everyday life.

24 Salvation decisions during our summer program. Many other decisions were made in the area of Bible reading, baptism, witnessing and deeper committment to Christ. Obedience and kindness are also a common decision of the Juniors.

Family Camp Attendance: 130 campers. This weekend was a blessing as many families came together to enjoy various activities as well as great chapels. Kent and Becky Wallace were here again with their family to challenge us from God’s Word.

Men’s Retreat- Thursday-Saturday, October 8-10. Call the office for more info.

Purity and Holiness Teen Retreat-Friday-Saturday, October 23-24. This is retreat is focused on a biblical look at relationships. Watch for a brochure and registration form.

Winter Retreat Dates-

Junior Sno-Camp- January 1-2, 2010

Couples Retreat- January 14-16, 2010(Thursday-Saturday) (Speaker- Kent and Becky Wallace)

Teen Sno-Camp- January 22-24, 2010

Couples Retreat- January 29-31, 2010 (Friday-Sunday)