Report of the
Board of Victory Valley Camp
Victory Valley Camp completed its 50th year of Christian children’s camp ministry in 2006, looking back to our bold and faithful founders for inspiration and forward with hope to the generation that will take up the mantle of those spiritual giants.
Sno-Valley participation continues to increase on the strength of BFC churches bringing children together in groups. Our three weekends saw a total of 165 children come to the wintry woods to grow in Christ.
Summer 2006 was the second year for our Summer Missionary program, and again, hundreds of adults committed to pray for our young servants of Christ and supported them financially as they ministered the gospel to children and trained them to follow Jesus. Once again, the Lord used the Summer Missionary process to strengthen the faith of many as they learned to rely on God’s provision, seeking first the kingdom of God.
Summer Camp and Outpost participation numbers decreased again, as they have each year since the 1999 peak of about 1,000 campers. Summer 2006 saw Victory Valley minister to 669 children in Camp, Outpost and Day Camp – 89 of those in Day Camp.
Bible Fellowship Church pastors again took time from active schedules to proclaim God’s word to our campers. During Summer 2006, campers and Summer Missionaries alike heard from Pastors Randy Grossman (Reading), Danny Williams (Wallingford), Mark Evans (Coopersburg), Elliot Ramos (Allentown), David Gundrum (Church Extension), Al Dommel (Saucon Valley), Mark Morrison (Church Extension) and former BFC Pastor Dennis Lawrence.
Our Mother-Daughter and Father-Son retreats in the fall were lightly attended yet heartily enjoyed by those who came. We took a new approach to the Father-Son event, with a focus on developing the Dads as spiritual mentors for their boys. Throughout the weekend, the fathers took the leadership role in each activity. In addition to Bible study, we lived out several elements of the story of Gideon – including literally tearing down a “pagan” altar and cutting up the Asherah pole, building shelters in the hills to hide from the enemy, kneeling by the stream to demonstrate how God winnowed Gideon’s army, making real torches and ultimately blowing the horns, shattering the clay jars and shouting “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon.”
As it has for a number of years, Victory Valley faces the challenge of aging facilities (many of which were built as temporary structures more than four decades ago) as well as sparse capital funds and the normal challenges of finding skilled volunteers to do what work we can afford to do. Nevertheless, the Lord provided a new roof for the Stone House at a substantially reduced price, as well as caps for window frames and other exterior features to protect the wood from weather damage. BFC Missionary Chris Merrick, and several volunteers, assisted Victory Valley Facilities Manager John Masters with this particular project. Many other volunteers helped in ways large and small. Of particular note, Sue Weller continued to beautify the property by planting and maintaining all the flower beds, with plants donated by Diddens Greenhouse, Hatfield.
The cost of maintaining the property, and the ever-escalating cost of insurance, fuel and supplies continually challenges us to rely on the Lord, and on the people of His church.
The staff and Board of Directors are taking steps to not only maintain the ministry but to re-imagine it for a new generation. This will require deep faith and bold action by the Bible Fellowship Church.
Our renewed focus on the local BFC led to the Board’s approval of discounted pricing for church groups starting in summer 2007, as well as a small discount for individual campers coming alone from a BFC church.
At the end of 2006, the Board of Directors decided to pursue construction of a new Upper Elements Challenge Course for Children. The camp’s existing course is suitable only for teens and adults, so it doesn’t get used most of the summer. In 2007, boys and girls as young as five years will enjoy the thrill and faith-bolstering challenge of this new apparatus. The roughly $38,000 course, including 400′ zipline ride, is made possible by a major pledge from a faithful friend of Victory Valley, as well as proceeds from our Fall Golf Challenge and other gifts from churches and other individuals.
The Board would like to recognize Donna Bauer’s quarter century of service as assistant director. Her ministry has touched many lives. As this report went to print in early 2007, “Aunt Donna” had just retired from Victory Valley Camp, but not from ministry. Next year’s report will include more about this faithful servant of Christ.
Our bookkeeper/registrar, JoAnna Walker, and her husband Mike, received an answer to persistent prayer during the summer when JoAnna gave birth to Emma Joy Walker. JoAnna decided in October to focus her time and efforts on Emma, and so left the camp staff with our blessing.
As part of our overall efforts to reduce the costs that we can control, we have not filled that position, but have contracted with a “freelance” bookkeeper and have volunteers who enter paper registrations into our online system. The transition was made easier by the cheerful, energetic assistance of Stephanie Ott, the director’s wife.
The Board of Directors and staff of Victory Valley Camp continue to believe in the transformative power of bringing kids out into God’s creation and filling them with God’s word.
This summer, your future pastor or perhaps a missionary who will give his own life to preach the gospel to an unreached people group…these people may very well be splashing about in Victory Valley’s pool, singing by our campfire and being led by God’s spirit to make decisions that will transform them forever.
That’s the legacy and the future of Victory Valley Camp.
2007-08 Schedule of Events
March 30-April 1 45 Hour Core Challenge Weekend (Biblical Training for Youth)
April 20-22 Father-Daughter Weekend w/Children 7-12 years
May 18-20 Mom-Son Weekend w/Children 7-12 years
June 1-3 Lifeguard Training/Certification Retreat
June 9 Friends of Victory Valley Picnic, 2 p.m.
June 10 Summer Missionary Leadership Corps Arrives
June 13 Summer Missionary Senior Leaders Arrive
June 15 All Summer Missionaries arrive
June 24 First Day of children’s Summer Camp & Outpost
June 25 First Day of Valley Day Camp
Summer Camp & Outpost Weeks for Ages 8-13 (Sun. 4 p.m. – Sat. 8:30 a.m.)
June 24-June 30 | July 1- 7 | July 8-14 | July 22-28 | July 29-Aug. 4 | August 5- 11
Summer Camp & Outpost for Ages 12-14 [Middle School] (Sun. 4 p.m. – Sat. 8:30 a.m.)
July 15-21
Valley Day Camp Ages 5-11 (Mon.-Fri. 8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
June 25-29 | July 2-6 | July 9-13 | July 16-20 | July 23-27 | July 30-Aug. 3 | Aug. 6-10
Sept. 14-16 Mom-Daughter Weekend w/Children ages 7-12 years
Sept. 21-23 Father-Son Weekend w/Children ages 7-12 years
October 19 Victory Valley Golf Challenge (now on Friday)
Wedgewood Course, Coopersburg, Shotgun start at 1 p.m.
December 8 Friends of Victory Valley picnic, 5 p.m.
January 18-20 Sno-Valley Weekend I (Ages 7-12)
January 25-27 Sno-Valley Weekend II (Ages 11-12)
February 1-3 Sno-Valley Weekend III (Ages 7-12)
Board of Victory Valley Camp: Douglas J. Manwiller, Chairman; Bruce A. Ellingson, Vice Chairman, Timothy D. Weaber, Secretary; Dennis W. Spinney, Treasurer; Jason J. Englehart, Alan G. Miller, Timothy J. Bertolet, Rachel E. Norris, Rodney P. Plows
Scott Ott, Director
Financial Report
Statement of Financial Position
As of December 31, 2006
[not included here]