Report of the Victory Valley Camp

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.

Give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Victory Valley Camp welcomed a new executive director this year and said “goodbye” to our longest-serving board member, Dave Weller, who preceded us into the manifest presence of the Lord Jesus. Dave not only served as board member for 23 years, but he and his wife, Sue, have invested many hours of selfless service at the camp. Sue continues to serve the Lord by managing our flower beds.

Before the new director arrived, the wheels were already in motion to test some new program concepts in 2004, including a two-night Mini-Camp, BFC Teen Camp and Valley Day Camp. The BFC Teen Camp didn’t attract many campers, so it was canceled. One session of Mini-Camp, which also had few registrants, was converted to an urban outreach, and 38 inner-city children came at no charge. Our summer staff enjoyed the experience and learned a lot.

There’s nothing like the face of a child who has never touched a horse as he mounts the saddle for the first time. One young girl cried uncontrollably when it was time to go home. She didn’t want to leave Victory Valley. We found a way for her and a brother to return for another week.

Valley Day Camp was a success and will be expanded in 2005.

Scott Ott, the new executive director, started March 15. His wife, Stephanie, and children, moved into the director’s house on camp in May. Assistant Director Donna Bauer, Facilities Manager John Masters and Bookkeeper/Registrar JoAnna Walker continued their faithful service, smoothing the transition to a new director.

49 Come to Christ

Victory Valley’s summer ministry reached more children in 2004 — up from 716 in 2003 to 833. Again, the Sovereign Lord demonstrated His grace, with 49 children telling us that Christ saved them during their time at camp. Many more heard the call of Christ to more intense devotion to His way, truth and life. Almost 70 summer missionaries grew in knowledge, faith and dependence upon Christ.

Moms, dads and kids alike again told us they loved our parent-child weekends in the Spring and Fall, and registrants for our Sno-Valley weekends in January 2005 exceeded the previous year’s.

Church support from the 34 contributing BFC churches continued to increase to almost $40,000. Contributions from individuals increased more rapidly, topping $50,000 in 2004. However, the camp does not yet have a budget to deal with the needs of aging facilities and equipment. A list of short-term improvement and repair needs will require $70,000 to $100,000 for which no current funding exists.

Strategy for Renewal

In addition to regular board meetings, the board of directors held two “renewal” weekends to seek the Lord’s direction for the future of the ministry.

Looking forward, the board of directors has approved several strategic initiatives designed to help Victory Valley better fulfill its mission.

• An adult preacher/teacher will lead campers and summer missionaries alike during all sessions starting this summer to enhance their understanding of the Word of God.

• Summer Missionaries (formerly called “staff”) will develop prayer and support networks to undergird the ministry of Victory Valley.

• Victory Valley has begun an intentional outreach to the Hispanic community, starting with the translation of parts of the website into Spanish.

• The Campership Fund is substantially larger in order to ensure that we never have to say “No” to a child who wants to come to camp, but whose family can’t afford it. The Lord still faithfully supplies the funds.

• Children of BFC pastors and missionaries receive a substantial discount.

• Our urban missions Mini-Camp will continue to offer inner-city children the Victory Valley experience at no charge.

• Parents can now register and pay online for all sessions.

• Victory Valley will continue to strengthen ties with BFC churches through a variety of means including the director’s ongoing speaking-preaching tour.

Challenges

For 49 years, the Lord has provided for every need, and has carried us when we dared to dream great dreams. The biggest challenge to the BFC’s only official agency for children’s ministry is to trust God more.

Our children will live forever, and parents have invested in every aspect of their lives – from academics to athletics. Now, it’s time to pour our time, efforts and resources into the only thing that will matter forever – our children’s spiritual development.

In 1956, the Camp Site Planning Committee told the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church of Pennsylvania (precursor to the BFC) that its first two goals were as follows:

1. To seek the salvation of boys and girls

2. To give practical training toward Christian living.

The goals haven’t changed. The challenges have increased. Because we love Christ and children, the calling to the BFC is clear.

www.VictoryValleyCamp.org

610-966-5880

“Something Super Naturally Happens at Victory Valley Camp”

2005-06 Calendar of Events

2005

April 15-17…………………………………………………………………………………… Father/Daughter Weekend

May 20-22………………………………………………………………………………………….. Mother/Son Weekend

May 27-29………………………………………………………………………………………………. Lifeguard Training

June 26-Aug 12……………………………………………………………………………… Summer Camping Season

July 9………………………………………………………………………………….. Friends of Victory Valley Picnic

Sept 9-11……………………………………………………………………………………………… Father/Son Weekend

Sept 23-25…………………………………………………………………………………… Mother/Daughter Weekend

Oct 1…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Golf Challenge

Dec 10……………………………………………………………………………… Friends of Victory Valley Banquet

2006

Jan 13-15……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Sno-Valley 1

Jan 20-22……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Sno-Valley 2

Jan 27-29……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Sno-Valley 3

Apr 21-23…………………………………………………………………………………….. Father/Daughter Weekend

May 19-21………………………………………………………………………………………….. Mother/Son Weekend

May 26-28………………………………………………………………………………………………. Lifeguard Training

Board of Victory Valley Camp: C. Larry Bennett, Jason J. Englehart, Dennis J. Lawrence, Douglas J. Manwiller, Dennis W. Spinney, Timothy D. Weaber, David L. Weller, Howard N. Wells, Gary J. Wolfinger