Report of the
Board of Victory Valley Camp
We continue to praise the Lord for His goodness to the ministry at Victory Valley Camp! As we mentioned in our report to the previous Annual Conference, we saw God working this past summer as record numbers of campers came to Victory Valley and there were many who made decisions to follow Jesus or to get “back on track” and follow Him once again. Phil Atkins, Director, and Donna Bauer, Assistant Director, have continued to lead the ministry throughout the fall and winter months. Be in prayer for the Atkins family as Jill has recently experienced some setbacks in her physical health. We, the Board of Victory Valley, covet your prayers for both Phil and Donna and their families as they continue to minister.
What are some of the things which have been happening at VVC this winter? The camp sponsored its Annual VIP Christmas Dinner on December 3, 1994. Along with the excellent food prepared by Dana Weller and Gerald Schlonecker, Phil also unveiled a plan to raise funds for the “All-Purpose For God’s Purpose” campaign. We thank God that we can say that $12,000 of the $80,000 needed for the completion of the capital fund drive has come in. Total cost of the “All-Purpose for God’s Purpose” project is $180,000. We continue to pray and ask you to continue to pray that God’s Will be done. Work on the building of the All-purpose facility is scheduled to begin by April 1. Along with the other retreat groups who have used our facilities over the fall and winter months, we have been excited to see 205 campers come to the Sno-Valley and Ski-Spree weekends throughout January and February. As many of you know, we are still looking for a maintenance person who will be taking on most of the light maintenance/housekeeping responsibilities so that Phil and Donna can focus more in the development and administrative areas of ministry.
Now is the time that we are looking for the 1995 Summer staff. Again, be in prayer that God will guide Donna as she looks for staff members who desire to follow Jesus and teach children and teens to do so as well.
The “Valley Interested Person” program continues to be a vital part of camp ministry and support throughout the year. There are many who give of their time and money to help keep “the Valley” operating. We thank all those who faithfully continue to give of their time and talents for the glory of the Lord.
Realizing that costs to run camp continue to increase, the Board decided to increase the 1991-based cost of $160 per camper per week at VVC to $169 for the 1995 summer camping season. Also, in light of the fact that this increase still does not cover the actual cost of a week per camper, we cordially request each church to prayerfully evaluate its giving to the camp again this year. We want to remind the churches that those who contribute 1% of their total budget are eligible to receive a 10% discount for all campers/groups which come to Victory Valley.
We would also like to ask each church to prayerfully consider what it can do to help its camp meet its goal of payment for the new All-Purpose facility. As was mentioned above, the capital fund drive for the “All-Purpose for God’s Purpose” facility is progressing slowly. We respectfully request each church to conduct a campaign for the “All-Purpose for God’s Purpose” drive and to send its monies collected from this campaign to Victory Valley Camp as soon as possible. We say “thank you” to those churches who have already conducted their campaign and contributed towards the capital fund drive.
The Board of Victory Valley Camp held two regularly scheduled meetings since the 111th Annual Conference. In addition to the meetings of the full Board, many additional hours were spent by individuals of the Board in service on committees and in fulfillment of other camp-related responsibilities. The Board continues to be divided into three sub-committees: Program and Staff, Buildings and Grounds, and Development and Finance.
Schedule of Future Dates
The dates for spring and summer program 1995 are as follows:
May 13 VVC Workday
June 11 VIP Picnic
September 9 VVC Workday
September 16 40th Anniversary Celebration
September 29-30 BFC Regional Youth Event
December 2 VIP Christmas Banquet
Camp Outpost Village
June 25 – July 1 ages 8-12 Children 8-10
July 2 – 8 ages 8-12 Children 10-12
July 9 – 15 ages 8-12 Children 10-12
July 16 – 22 ages 8-12 Children 10-12
July 23 – 29 ages 8-12 Children 8-10
July 30 – Aug.5 Jr. High 12-14 Jr. High 12-14
Aug. 6 – 12 Jr. High 12-14 Jr. High 12-14
Aug. 13 – 19 Sr. High 14-18
Resolutions for Victory Valley Camp
WHEREAS, the Lord continues to use the ministry of Victory Valley Camp to bear eternal fruit in the lives of children and young people, and
WHEREAS, the expanding opportunities of ministry necessitate the addition of an all-purpose building for continued effective ministry, and
WHEREAS, the physical condition of Jill necessitates a change in the Atkins’ housing situation, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Annual Conference approve the Victory Valley Development Program which includes housing for the Director and the construction of the “All-Purpose for God’s Purpose” building as proposed, and further
RESOLVED, that each church endeavor to support the Victory Valley Development Program through prayer for the ministry and contributions both to this special effort and to the general fund of Victory Valley Camp.
WHEREAS, all property and assets are held by the Bible Fellowship Church, and
WHEREAS, all collateral for borrowing is controlled by the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church monitor and approve the Victory Valley Development Program, and further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors authorize the officers of the Board of Victory Valley Camp to sign all mortgages and notes given to lenders.
Board of Victory Valley: William G. Schlonecker, Chairman; Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr., Secretary; Bryan B. Bray, Sr., Treasurer; Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Bright N. Heist, Jonathan D. Reynolds, John G. Vandegriff, Jr., Dana E. Weller, David L. Weller