Forest Park 1st Grade 2012
Forest Park First graders were part of an active day of learning on May 11th. The young explorers were divided into four groups and rotated through active, hands-on lessons. The children learned about the life cycle of a tree and then investigated a log ecosystem. They talked about the life cycle of a butterfly and demonstrated actual motions representing each phase to reinforce learning. They watched as Freddy the Fish lost his clean water to various pollutants. After observing real-life salamanders in different stages and learning about toad/frog life cycle, they found places to put toad houses in the forest. The children also played a big group game of tree tag, wolf find, and learned a song about trees. It was quite a different day than being in the classroom but the tired, but happy faces of students showed how grand a day it truly was for each one.
Forest Park 7th Grade 2012
Forty-one 7th graders took to the woods and the high ropes for a day of challenge and learning outside the classroom. The students rotated through three sessions: GPS, Compass, and print art. After lunch, big group initiatives and low rope elements were completed by half the group while the other half experienced the high ropes and zip line. They then switched so that everyone could enjoy the fun.
Rockin Robins 2012
Rockin Robins 2012 has begun! Our Rockin’ Robins program runs for three weeks every spring as part of our Agents of the Earth Outdoor Education program. The program pairs “little buddies” with “big buddies” from the community and teaches them about nature in fun and exciting ways. Check back to see weekly picture updates, and other photos from Outdoor Education Visitors
Week 1 Log – It was a lovely spring day in the woods with nineteen little buddies and 22 big buddies and staff ready for action. Highlights of the time were The Hunt–looking for signs of spring, Dustin and his salmander eggs, Wendy’s purple finch, identification of bird calls and actual bird calls by the children, Sunflower seed planting to take home, a game of seasons, and a guest reader with the story The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. A great time was had by all. Thanks for sending your children and thanks to the big buddies.
Week 2 Log – It was another great day and full to the brim. Twenty little buddies were present. Bird calls were reviewed. How to use a pair of binoculars and then going out to look for birds was next. A few birds were seen and lots of wildflowers were noticed. The group went to the main camp and planted annual flowers in 19 big pots. While there, white pine cones were collected and then bird feeders were make to bring home, slathering the cone with shortening and sunflowers seeds, attaching a string to hang in a tree.
Week 3 Log: One Rockin Robin child was heard to say, “Hey, I wish we could do this every day.” What a great thought!!!–though maybe the big buddies would get a little tired. The bird calls were a big hit once again as children tried to identify the bird by just hearing the call and not seeing the actual bird. Some of them knew exactly what bird it was!!! Now that is learning. The big and little buddies went on an exploration to find non-living and living items as well as signs of animals and signs of humans. Little buddies planted flowers in a cup to give to big buddies in appreciated for their time. Finally the major project was a bug box which was constructed by both buddies and greatly enjoyed by the children when they went home. Guest reader, Bill Fish, ended our time with a grand story about The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle.
Parents: Thank for sharing your children with us. We enjoyed them so much. It was a special group. If your child is in kindergarten, she or he can come back next year. The first graders have graduated but just maybe a program especially for them will be coming our way. Stay posted.
Big Buddies: YOU are wonderful. This program is what it is because of you. I still am touched deeply when I see you doing so many activities and projects with these young ones with such grace and enthusiasm. Many many thanks from the staff at CPBC. See you next year.
Here’s to each of you:
Jinny Larson, Betty Lindahl, Don and Mona Sarder, Andrea Oestman, Marilyn Malmquist, Nancy Schauwecker, Tom Emerson, Ed and Jan Chantiny, Kathy Campain, Bob and Lorena Evans, Karen Friestrom, Phil and Pearl Carlson, Linnea Johnson, Deb Olson, Wendy Benkley, Linda Mgolas , Hannah Kneen, Megan Moberly, Johanna Sparrman, Trevor Mayo, Dave Lindahl, Erik Strom, and Bill Fish (as well as numerous staff who helped behind the scenes and with transport of little buddies each week.)
Spring is Springing & Outdoor Ed Groups are Coming
We have been taking advantage of Spring’s early arrival this year. With the ground fully thawed, trees in bloom, and the grass growing greener by the day, we’re eager to share our lake and surrounding forest with Purdue University, whose forestry, fisheries, and wildlife students arrive this Saturday for five weeks of field education. We’re also excited to be welcoming a number of area school groups who will be coming to learn about nature through Rockin’ Robins, a part of our Agents of the Earth outdoor education program.
Below is a picture from the Foster City Covenant Church confirmation class that came for low and high ropes team-building activities last weekend.
“The confirmands totally loved Saturday at CP. All of them were tired, and I’ve heard back that one of the girls who is not going to camp this year already told one of her cousins that BOTH of them [will be] going next year. . . Thank you to the staff [Trevor, Kevin, and Paul especially] for a great experience. We hope that they can continue to make gains in their faith for a long time to come from this.” – Pastor Carl Hammer
Look closely at the photo of the new directors home below. Do you notice something strange? Right now, flooring/carpet is in, shelves are up, and cabinets should be installed by the end of the week. The Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign is nearly 75% of the way to its $600,000 goal! Check out the website link to learn more about the goals of the campaign and how you can join this special effort.
Lastly, we had our latest donation from our Wish List Page to purchase extra backpacking medical kits for our growing trips program! A long time Friend of Covenant Point got excited about donating the funds to purchase these new medical kits, and we are very thankful for God’s provision, and the partnership that we have with so many friends in ministry. The medical kits will serve us well in keeping campers safe while out on our summer wilderness trips!
Purdue Office Renovation, and Wish List Fulfillments
Despite the light dusting of snow we received two days ago, spring is in the air at camp, and summer camp is right around the corner! We recently received a new Jetboil camp stove, yet another need fulfilled from our Wish List page. Check out the various needs that our staff have compiled and please give as you are led; it brings us great joy to see gifts arrive in the mail as you can tell by our excited staff members!
Preparations for summer camp are underway, and over 70 Forestry, Wildlife, and Fishery students from Purdue University will be arriving in just over two weeks for their 5 week practical course. This year we have been hard at work preparing a brand new office space in the basement of our infirmary, complete with new wireless internet access, and private office space for the Teachers Aides and Professors to do grading, and tutoring. Mike Johnson from Grace Covenant Church in Iron River volunteered many hours in helping us with this project. We are very grateful for his help and expertise!
Hardwood flooring has been laid on the first floor of the new directors home, doors have been hung, and appliances have been ordered. The home is being built as one part of our current Next Step of Faith Campaign, which seeks to endow our internship program with $300,000, and raise another $300,000 to build an onsite directors home to continue the legacy and commitment to long term leadership of former director Chuck Frasier, who passed away suddenly in November of 2010. Learn more about the campaign, and get involved today.
Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign Update
The new directors house is coming along nicely. Drywall is up, and painting should be done before next week thanks to Al Louria, a painter friend of Covenant Point who has donated his time this week to paint the entire house! We are so thankful for the generous gifts of the many friends and supporters in the Chuck Frasier Memorial Campaign. Thanks to generous donations we have raised $435,318 of the $600,000 we are looking to raise for the building of a directors home, and the endowing of our internship program.
Here is an excerpt from a testimony of one of our previous interns. Download the full testimony here
“Covenant Point nurtured my faith, specifically my calling toward full-time ministry, by giving me a place to serve God’s people and better develop my gifts for ministry. It was also the perfect place for God to speak into my life. Life at camp was hectic at times, but there was plenty of space for conversations with staff as well as with campers that helped to shape my life. While serving, God used the camp staff to nurture my calling, and eventually lead me to seminary. He also used my time at Covenant Point to develop a passion to minister to God’s people in a camp setting.”
-Matt Braun | Associate Director, Portage Lake Bible Camp
We are humbled by the sacrificial giving that we have received from supporters of Covenant Point. If you have not yet joined us, please watch this video to learn more and pray about a way you can become involved. If you have already given there are still ways that you can get involved: share the vision of the campaign with a friend, host an optional giving dinner, or consider giving monthly to the campaign.
Camp is . . .
Here is our newest video showing what camp is. It highlights the impact camp has had on campers in their life, and the reflections they shared with Colby, our resident videographer, during their week of camp.
Register Online today for camp this summer, or Download a registration form for Family Camp now. March 15th is the last day to receive the Early Registration Discount.
Potluck, Broomball Tournament, and New Building Pictures!
We have had an exciting week of community involvement and outreach! We had two exciting first-time events this past week; the very first Hagerman Lake Community Potluck, and the first annual “Yooper Cup” a free broomball tournament for U.P youth groups and churches.
The Yooper Cup was a success with over 60 people gathering from the three participating churches(Iron Mountain, Iron River and Norway) for the Yooper Cup to compete for the traveling trophy. Iron River won both games and took the trophy home this year, and will return next year to defend their title. Thanks to all who came out to enjoy the day. If your church would like to participate next year, contact colby@cpbc.com
The Hagerman Community Potluck was Jane Frasier, and Courtney Strom’s idea, and they went about coordinating the evening. About 40 people from around the lake gathered in the Dining Hall on Tuesday, February 7th for a delicious potluck meal and fellowship. Laughter was in the air as people from around the lake swapped stories around the tables, and got to know each other a little better.
Christmas Camp 2012
Christmas camp was once again a beautiful time to relax, re-energize, and play with each other. Highlights from the week include the: coffee shop talent show, fire on the ice, broom ball tournament(won by the Wieloch team “Serenity Now!”) chapel times led by Eric Filkin, and the group knitting project to make scarves and mittens for children from the school in town who don’t have adequate winter clothing.
Here are some pictures so you can see a little more what the week was like. Make sure to leave comments in the comment section!
Porcupine Mountains Winter Camping
This past week a group of our full time staff headed out into the Porcupine Mountains for a winter camping trip. We ventured out with two objectives 1) to enjoy an adventure in this beautiful place we live, and 2) to scout the area for future winter camping retreats that we hope to develop in the next year. We skied in about four miles and stayed overnight in a simple one-room log cabin owned by the park. From there we were able to take off on a fun off-trail snow-shoe hike by map and compass. We were treated by Dustin’s excellent cooking skills and shared many laughs and a few games by candlelight. We ended our trip with an exciting, mostly down-hill, ski back to our van. Even though it was just one night, being further out in the wilderness to rest and enjoy God’s creation was a wonderful and refreshing gift. So, stay tuned for details on forthcoming winter camping trips next winter. For now, enjoy the pictures!
Our Next Step of Faith Update
$425,893 – Updated Campaign Total
We are incredibly excited by the new number of donations. What a blessing to see the support of Our Next Step of Faith! We’ve now passed the two-thirds mark for total pledges, and looking ahead to the finish line. If you haven’t joined the Covenant Point community in this campaign, learn more by clicking here.
Here are few pictures from the building site. Today, our builders put up the trusses for the garage with the welcome help of a crew of volunteers from our Christmas Family Camp!
Snow Shoveling at the Building Site
The whole full time staff had to head over to the building site today to shovel because we got 8 inches of snow last night! Below are also some pictures of the site currently.
Columbus Day Junior High Retreat
October 8-10, 2011
With autumn sunshine, 70 degree temperatures and 95+ people attending, there was no lack of energy or activity for this retreat. The photos below show the variety of happenings. Singing and chapel times doted the weekend fun. Mike Stelle, from Harbor Covenant Church in Gig Harbor, WA, was speaker. His talks focused on Abundant Life and the importance of jumping into what God wants us to do. Many adult and summer staff volunteers added to the mix of interaction and fun. A pontoon boat trip was taken to the Island to do the mountain dew swing, and the Back 40 for the zip line and low elements
Trailblazer Retreat
October 15-16, 2011
It’s amazing how much can happen in 24 hours. Just ask any of the children and adults who attended this Trailblazer Retreat. From start to finish there was plenty of action and energy, singing and talks, outdoor time, and games, goofing around and being together in a healthy environment. Don’t forget the good food as well!! A special thanks to Dustin Johnson and his lively yet Bible centered talks, Johanna for the unique programming, and many volunteers from far and wide who added to it all. Enjoy the photos below of all the fun and excitement.
Covenant Womens Retreat 2011
September 23-25, 2011
What happens when a 150 women gather for a weekend? They draw closer to God and grow in their faith. They share in building relationships. They are serious, lively, active, and joyful. They encourage each other and enjoy each other. They talk about personal and life issues. They enjoy good food, laughter, and discussion at meals. They spend time in quiet and reflection, observing the change and beauty of autumn. They see the Creator’s touch in nature and in each other. They take delight in family moments with daughters and moms. They pray to a God who hears, a Savior who loves them, and a Spirit who sustains them. They listen and process the meaning of shalom. They appreciate Judy Howard Peterson and the powerful message and challenge she presented in her talks. They go away changed, renewed, encouraged, loved, and ready to once more take on the many joys and demands of their lives in the U.P. of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Vermont.
Download Judy’s Sermons by clicking on the links below
Friday Night Download
Saturday Morning Download
Saturday Evening Download
Sunday Morning Download
