2017 Camp Catalogue
2017 Ohio Conference UCC Camp Season
The Ohio Conference UCC provides these faith formation experiences to give you an authentic
experience of loving, accepting Christian community in the beauty of God’s creation. We create a
safe space with others to explore your faith — no matter where you find yourself on your journey.
All are welcome here!
Discounted, early registration deadline is March 31. Final registration for ALL June and July camps
is May 15. Deadlines for other retreats and training events are noted. Full payment is due 2 weeks
before your camp begins. Scholarships for campers of all ages are available by completing a
simple application found on our website, ohioucc.org/outdoor-ministries, and through the online
registration process.
Love is Love Retreat - Feb. 11-12, 2017
Jesus created “non-traditional” faith families. So do we. Experienced retreat leaders from North
Congregational Church UCC, Columbus, create a safe space for your LGBT families, individuals and
allies to share stories of both the challenges and joys of forming LGBT faith.
Kim Heimlich and Chris Isaacs are passionate about providing church camp experiences by planning
retreats for North Congregational UCC in Columbus, where they have been members since 1995.
In 2016, Kim and Chris took this passion conference-wide by offering this retreat LGBT-friendly
experience at Pilgrim Hills. When they aren’t hiking, traveling, reading and spending time with
friends, they are visiting their son, Nicholas, who is a senior in college. Both of them have served in
many leadership roles at North Congregational. Chris serves as a member of the Ohio Conference
Division of Outdoor Ministries.
Pilgrim Hills
All ages, families (parents must provide
supervision for minor children)
Capacity: 100
Cost: $50 (Adult), $30 (Student 6-11),
FREE (Children 5 and under)
Junior High Youth Event - Feb. 25-26, 2017
This annual gathering for junior high youth will explore just
what it means to “Be the Church” of today!
Leadership for this event is a team effort including youth
leaders from across the state!
Pilgrim Hills
6th, 7th and 8th Grade Youth and their chaperones
Capacity: 100
Cost: $70
Floating with the Spirit - June 1-4,
2017
God wants us to take Sabbath, and we take that seriously on this long weekend getaway. Float on
the river, commune with nature, cook fantastic meals together and contemplate your faith in this
nurturing women’s retreat. You’ll return home with renewed energy and an altered perspective on
life!
Their love for camp and the river led Lori Wick and Lisa LaDu to direct for the past three years.
Before directing, they were seasoned campers at this restful and rejuvenating experience. When not
directing, Lisa has been a member of David’s UCC, Canal Winchester, for over 20 years. Lori is the
Youth Director and Church Secretary at Congregational UCC, Canton.
Pilgrim Hills
Adult women
Capacity: 14
Cost: $235 (by 3/31), $250 (4/1 - 5/15)
Love the Pool - June 11-17, 2017
You cannot get any more swimming: daily swim lessons, open
swims and a night swim or Polar bear swim each day give you
an exciting backdrop for making new friends, enjoying the
outdoors and diving into your faith.
Elli Kallas leads the Love the Pool team. She is a second-generation camper and former camp
staffer. She is proud to say that her children make the third generation in her family to attend Love
the Pool! In her non-camp life, she is a special education teacher.
Pilgrim Hills
Grades 3-8
Capacity: 80
Cost: $446 (by 3/31), $461 (4/1 - 5/15)
Grandparent-Grandchild Camp 1 - June 11-14, 2017
Grandparent-Grandchild Camp gives you and your grandchild some extra time to explore your
faith in Christian community in the natural beauty of our camp. Share your faith through Bible
lessons, songs, games, easy nature explorations, swimming, campfires and even a giant slip ’n slide.
We discover God’s power and wonder and our own unique place in God’s creation. Ensure that a
passionate faith continues in your family for generations to come!
Rev. Mark Frey is a local church pastor and enjoys coming to camp! He likes to share the stories of
the Bible and to sing camp songs. Having directed camp the last 15 years, he is ready to answer
your questions and offer a meaningful and fun camp experience. Rev. Mark is married to Margee
and is a grandfather.
Pilgrim Hills
Grandparents and their grandchildren ages 4-12
Capacity: 60
Cost: Age 12+ - $223 (by 3/31), $238 (4/1 5/15)
Age 4-11 - $153 (by 3/31), $168 (4/1 - 5/15)
MMADD ((Music, Mime, Arts, Dance and Drama) - June 18-24, 2017
Whether you like to CLOWN around, make joyful noise, or praise God with dance, here at MMADD
Camp we praise the Lord with everything we’ve got. Yeah! No talent will go unnoticed, and no
ounce of fun will be left out. So get your paints, grab your instrument and get ready because here
everyone is MMADD!!
Sarah Ambrose-Sypolt and Bobby Burtt are the lead
duo for MMADD camp again this summer. Sarah is
a member of St. Paul UCC, Navare and has been
teaching music for 14 years. This is her 10th year of
teaching Pre-K-5 general music at South Elementary
in Dover City Schools. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music
Education Degree from Heidelberg and Master’s of
Music Education Degree from VanderCook College
of Music. Bobby brings his lifetime of involvement as
camper, site staff member, volunteer counselor, and
camp director. He also serves as Chair of the Ohio
Conference Division of Outdoor Ministries.
Pilgrim Hills
Grades 2 - 12
Capacity: 60
Cost: $460 (by 3/31), $475 (4/1 - 5/15)
Finding YoU: A College Experience - June 18-24, 2017
Explore who you are and your higher purpose. Spend the week on a college campus naming your
passions and putting them to use in the world. Build a community with teens from around the states
in workshops, discussions, play and service. Immerse yourself in a spiritual community like you’ve
never seen before!
Leadership is truly a team effort for Finding YoU. These adventurous high schoolers, college
students and adults (who know how to stay out of the way of their creativity) have been planning,
dreaming, scheming and researching for more than a year to create ... The. Best. Week. Ever.
Heidelberg University
High Schoolers who are rising freshmen - graduating seniors
Capacity: 100
Cost: $350 (by 3/31), $365 (4/1 - 5/15)
Grandparent-Grandchild Camp 2 - June 18-21, 2017
Grandparent-Grandchild Camp gives you and your grandchild some extra time to explore your
faith in Christian community in the natural beauty of our camp. Share your faith through Bible
lessons, songs, games, easy nature explorations, swimming, campfires and even a giant slip ’n slide.
We discover God’s power and wonder and our own unique place in God’s creation. Ensure that a
passionate faith continues in your family for generations to come!
Terry Williams, an imaginative, pastoral and playful
person, returns as Grands Camp Director. He also
serves also as Pastor at Orchard Hill UCC in Chillicothe,
OH. Jo Anne Nay, a creative, connecting, nurturing
grandparent and returning Grands Camp Director,
serves also as Minister for Equipping the Saints at
North Congregational UCC, Columbus, OH.
Pilgrim Hills
Grandparents and their grandchildren ages 4-12
Capacity: 60
Cost: Age 12+ - $223 (by 3/31), $238 (4/1 - 5/15)
Age 4-11 - $153 (by 3/31), $168 (4/1 - 5/15)
Sports Camp - June 25-July 1, 2017
On your mark. Get set. Go and enjoy one of the most exciting weeks of your life! Learn more about
yourself, your faith, and the fundamentals of sports and teamwork during this memorable week.
You don’t have to be a super gal or guy athlete; you just have to try. We’ll experience Christian
attitudes about competition, make new friends and learn a lot about yourself. We’ll spend some
time discussing ideas and growing in faith, as well as having free time in the outdoors. Help others
grow by sharing your athletic experience and skills.
Tommy Hart and Renee Neuron have been the directors
of Sportscamp for the past 20 years. As sports campers
themselves, they saw the awesome work of God shine through
others in sport and have chosen to return as counselors and
now lead this incredible experience. Their staff are veteran
counselors who understand the needs of campers of all ages
and want to share their faith with all who attend.
Pilgrim Hills
Grades 1-12
Capacity: 155
Cost: $446 (by 3/31), $461 (4/1 - 5/15)
Hand in Hand - July 2-6, 2017
All God’s children are welcome at camp. No exceptions! In this life-changing experience, junior and
senior high youth join developmentally disabled youth and adults living ‘hand in hand’ as equal
children of God. Our developmentally delayed campers take the lead as the group enjoys classic
camp activities from hiking to campfire vespers at their own pace. This unforgettable experience for
campers also provides a great time for parents and caregivers to get some much-needed Sabbath
time at home.
Rev. Randy Gehres and Lisa Studenmund are returning Hand in Hand directors. Randy is the Senior
Pastor of Christ UCC, Orrville and Lisa is a member of First Congregational UCC, Marysville.
Grades 7 - Adult
Capacity: 24
Cost: $319 (by 3/31), $334 (4/1 - 5/15)
Circle of Friends - July 2-8, 2017
Welcome to a week of true friendship! Take new adventures like swimming, crafts, canoe trips and
an all-out talent show that helps develop your leadership and friendship skills. God makes all of us
with special gifts, so come ready to discover your hidden talents empowered by your faith and a
safe and supportive community. At the end of the week, we will come together to lead worship as
we share our experiences from the week with our friends and families. Won’t you join us at Circle of
Friends Camp?
Robin Stanley is the director of Christian
Education at First Congregational Church
in Claridon and also attends First Church in
Eastlake and Hartsgrove Community Church.
By day, she is an attorney, and by night, she
coaches high school and youth cheerleading.
Robin is joined by her leadership team headed
by Leah Hunter and Megan Klausing and the
rest of their counselors in planning the week.
They bring their own unique interests and
blend them into the best week of the summer!
Pilgrim Hills
Grades: 1-12
Capacity: 80
Cost: $425 (by 3/31), $440 (4/1 - 5/15)
Choir Camp - July 9-15, 2017
If music helps your voice and soul sing, you’ll love this AMAZING camp experience! You can make
music, hike, play games, practice your photography skills, create art, and have a campfire cookout,
all while making new friends and reuniting with old ones. A concert for friends and family cap off the
joy-filled week!
Lori Betz holds a degree in early childhood education and currently works as a tutor for children
who are traveling in Broadway shows. In the summers, she resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. Aaron Miner
holds a degree in music education and a Master’s degree in public administration. His passion for
and experience in Ohio UCC camping leads
him to travel back home all the way from
New York City each summer to direct this
camp. Both Aaron and Lori have been choir
campers, counselors, site staff and long-time
directors.
Pilgrim Hills
Grades 1-12
Capacity: 80
Cost: $460 (by 3/31), $475 (4/1 - 5/15)
Grandparent-Grandchild Camp 3 - July 9-12, 2017
Grandparent-Grandchild Camp gives you and your grandchild some extra time to explore your faith
in Christian community in natural beauty of our camp. Share your faith through Bible lessons, songs,
games, easy nature explorations, swimming, campfires and even a giant slip ’n slide. We discover
God’s power and wonder and our own unique place in God’s creation. Ensure that a passionate faith
continues in your family for generations to come!
The Rev. Brian Burke served as co-director of the Senior
Choir Camp for seven years and will be in his fourth year of
directing Grandparent-Grandchild camp sessions. He is the
Interim Minister at Amherst Congregational United Church of
Christ.
Pilgrim Hills
Grandparents and their grandchildren ages 4-12
Capacity: 60
Cost: Age 12+ - $223 (by 3/31), $238 (4/1 - 5/15)
Age 4-11 - $153 (by 3/31), $168 (4/1 - 5/15)
Our Whole Lives/Sexuality and Our Faith Secondary Training
Aug. 10-12, 2017
This three-day intensive training will prepare you to facilitate a values-based, justice-oriented
comprehensive sexuality education curriculum for youth (grades 7-9) and teens (grades 10-12). You
will learn how to put sexuality into the context of UCC faith values though the use of Sexuality and
Our Faith, A Companion to Our Whole Lives. This training is important in the life of the modern
church, as sexuality raises personal, communal, and theological issues for every religious community.
Rev. Michelle Wilkey has been ordained since 2014, and has been serving at David’s UCC since
Sept. 2014. She is passionate about the OWL program, and recently coordinated an Elementary
OWL training at David’s. She has a strong desire to promote OWL by providing more opportunities
for training. Amy Johnson is the national UCC OWL Coordinator. She routinely promotes OWL and
helps coordinate trainings nationwide.
Adults who are seeking to be trained OWL facilitators
Capacity: 20
Cost: $250 (by 5/15), $275 (5/16 - 7/24). Cost assumes double occupancy.
Labor Day Family Camp - Sept. 2-4, 2017
Take a fun, faith-filled long weekend! Like a mini-family vacation, this camp offers a relaxed pace,
flexible schedule, and sharing time with other families. Take walks, make crafts, play, sing songs,
worship in the outdoors and experience lots of amazing good times!
Brent & Jennifer Westover live in Vermilion, Ohio with
their dog and cat. They have been hosting foreign
exchange students for many years and often bring
them to camp. Brent and Jennifer have experiences
with many camps including Love the Pool, Things that
Go Bump in the Night, and Labor Day Family Camp.
Brent enjoys Scuba diving when not working. Jennifer
keeps busy as a 4-H adviser for the oldest 4-H club in
the state.
Families
Capacity: 60
Cost: Age 12+ - $148 (by 5/15), $163 (5/16 - 8/14)
Age 2 -11 - $80 (by 5/15), $95 (5/16 - 8/14)
Under age 2 - Free
Environmental Justice for All
- Oct. 18-20, 2017
The natural beauty of our camp provides a perfect backdrop for a three-day workshop exploring
the faithful environmental justice movement. Gain resources, develop connections and create a
plan for doing environmental justice in your local church and community. Do all of that “work”
while exploring nature, reflecting on poetry,
reading engaging articles and having small- and
large-group discussions. You will be inspired,
equipped, and ready to take action!
The Rev. Meighan Pritchard is the
environmental justice curriculum trainer for the
United Church of Christ. She has been involved
in these workshops around the country since
2012. She lives in Seattle, WA, where she serves
as pastor of Prospect UCC.
Pilgrim Hills
Capacity: 24
Cost: $140 (by 9/6) $155 (9/7 - 10/2)
Prices assume double occupancy.
Jewels of the Bible - Nov. 10, 11, 12, 2017
This women’s retreat is for all women who want to explore the often untold stories of 12 women
of the Bible. This multi-generational, multi-disciplinary retreat creates a safe environment in which
you can explore your faith through Bible study, hands-on activities and praise and worship. Join us
and increase your knowledge of some of the women of the Bible and how they shine God’s light in
our lives today! Retreat leaders offered this program for their local church and were encouraged by
participants to offer it more widely!
Rev. Torie Front and Haven Reardon are some “jewels” from St. John UCC, Reading, OH who enjoy
working together to help retreat participants praise God, grow in faith, reach out to home-bound
members, and fellowship heartily!
Adult Women
Higher Ground and Retreat Center, West Harrison, IN
Capacity: 40
Cost: $140 (double occupancy)
CAMPSITE INFORMATION
The Ohio Conference owns Pilgrim Hills located near Brinkhaven, Ohio. The camp is operated by United Camps, Conferences and
Retreats (UCCR) under a contract with the Ohio Conference. Pilgrim Hills is situated on beautiful grounds with many trails and special
nature sites. It offers comfortable lodging facilities, fully-equipped dining hall and swimming pool. A campsite manager and health
caregiver are always on site during church camp season. Our campers’ safety is our number one priority.
REGISTRATION
Online Registration
• Go to www.ohioucc.org/outdoor-ministries and click on the registration button for Summer Camp.
• Enter log in information for your account or, if this is your first time in the system, create your Parent/Guardian household account and add members of your household as campers.
• Start a new application for the current Summer Camp year.
• Select or add campers for your household. Be sure to enter the camper’s correct grade completed the April before camp starts.
Please do not enter incorrect data for your camper. Once you have entered the camper’s birthdate and grade, you will see only
the camps appropriate for a camper of that grade/age.
• Continue through the 6 steps of the registration process following the instructions on each page.
• Please enter at least one Parent/Guardian e-mail address for the family. Our primary method for communicating with you about
your registrations is via email.
• If you are eligible for the family discounts (10% per event if there are 3 or more campers/ events in your immediate household),
you will need to enter the registration code into the appropriate box for each camper.
• Select the appropriate payment option. Do not submit a registration without at least a minimum deposit. A spot for your camper
is not reserved without payment.
• Once we process the registrations for your household, confirmation information and necessary forms will be emailed to you. If
you do not have email access, we will send via US Postal Service.
To Register By Mail
If you cannot register online, we still gladly accept paper registration forms sent in the mail. Use the form in this catalog, or download
one from our website. Make copies as needed; a form is needed for each camper event. You may also contact the Outdoor Ministries
office and we will send one to you.
• We process registrations in the order received. We must receive your deposit and registration form to continue processing your
registration.
• Registrations must be postmarked by March 31, 2016 in order to pay the early registration camp fee. Registration deadline for
all June and July camps is May 15. All fees are due 2 weeks before the date your camp begins.
• We do not reserve spaces at camp before processing your registration.
• Once we have received and processed your registration and deposit, each camper will receive a confirmation packet. They will
be emailed unless we do not have a valid email address for you.
Send your completed form with deposit to: Outdoor Ministries, Ohio Conference UCC,
6161 Busch Blvd, Suite 100, Columbus OH 43229
PAYMENT FOR CAMP
We accept Master Card, VISA and Discover.
A minimum, non-refundable camp deposit of $75 is required at the time of registration for each full week camp, and $35 is required
for each half week camp.
There are 2 payment options when you register by mail:
• Payment in full by credit card or check
• Pay deposit now, with the balance due no later than 2 weeks before the date your camp begins.
If you register online, you have additional options:
• Pay the deposit at registration and the balance in three installments on April 1, May 1, June 1. Be aware that if you choose this
option, you are authorizing us to charge the installments to your credit card on the dates given without any further action on
your part. If you want to have more control over the timing of your payments, please choose the option below.
• Pay deposit now. The balance will be due no later than 2 weeks before the camp start date. You may return to your account at
any time to make one or more payments.
PAYMENT FOR CAMP (-Con’t.-)
Make checks payable to: Ohio Conference UCC
Please write the camper’s name on the memo line of your check and send with registration form (and campership application if you
are requesting this assistance).
Returned checks will incur a $20 service charge.
Mail to: Outdoor Ministries
Ohio Conference UCC
6161 Busch Blvd., Suite 100
Columbus OH 43229-2547
Summer Camp Family Discount
If there are three or more summer camp event registrations from the same immediate family household (or for grandparents/grandchildren attending Grandparent Grandchild Camp), each will receive a 10% discount. To receive the Family Discount online, you will
need to enter the discount code (3ORMORE) for each camper in the box provided at the top of the list of available camps. Discounts
will be reviewed by our staff. For paper registrations, calculate the 10% discount and enter it in the appropriate space on your form.
Campership/Scholarship Assistance
Camperships
• Many congregations provide assistance to their campers. Check with your church concerning their policy.
• You also may seek assistance from the Outdoor Ministries Campership Fund. An application form for the Outdoor Ministries
Campership Fund is available as part of the online registration process, it can be downloaded from our website, or it can be
requested from the Conference office. The form must be completed and submitted with the registration and deposit. The maximum amount available to each individual is 60% of the early registration camp fee. Campership amounts are determined by the
availability of adequate funds.
Jean Winegardner Family Camp Scholarship
Families going to Labor Day Family Camp may receive an application for the Jean Winegardner Family Camp Scholarship by contacting the Ohio Conference office, by visiting our website, or through the online registration process.
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION
We process registrations in the order received. You will be notified if the camp you chose has filled to capacity. Once your registration
has been processed, you will receive a confirmation packet by email.
Each camper needs to complete the three forms listed below. They are included as part of the online registration process. If you
have not registered online, they will be included with your confirmation packet:
› Medical (including a copy of your insurance card front and back)
› Photo/Audio/Video Release
› Transportation Release
If you are completing paper forms, bring them with you on the first day of camp. You will need them to check in for camp. Do not
send to the Conference office.
REFUND POLICY
For you to receive a refund, we must receive notification of a cancellation at least 10 days before the beginning of the event unless
there is a medical emergency or family crisis. The $75 deposit is nonrefundable. Once a camper is on site, no refund is available if the
camper leaves early.
CAMPER INSURANCE
In the event of an accident requiring a doctor’s care or hospitalization, the camper or camper’s family is responsible for treatment
cost. The Outdoor Ministries’ insurance covers treatment costs in excess of the camper’s insurance up to $15,000 per claim. Treatment cost for illness is the responsibility of the camper or the camper’s family.
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