Shepherd’s Spring Summer Camp Schedule Sneak Peek

by Office Manager | Dec 12, 2014 | 2014, Newsletter Articles

Now you can plan ahead. Remember that there are scholarships and discounts available. Please contact Jerry Anne Kines, our camp ambassador, or Shepherd’s Spring if you have any questions.

Traditional Camps

Mini Camp:        Grades 2-3
June 17-19              Cost $205
Designed for campers with little or no camping experience, Mini Camp serves as a stepping stone to our week long camps.

Junior Camp:     Grades 3-5
June 21-26                    Cost $375
In addition to the traditional camp activities like swimming, nature exploration, and crafts, choose from several different special adventures which are all part of the fun that helps young campers discover God’s beautiful creation.

Middler Camp:   Grades 6-8
July 5-10Cost $395
Traditional camp activities, plus campers choose from a variety of special activities like canoeing and caving, as well as new choices like photography and painting.

Youth Camp:      Grades 9-12            July 12-17               Cost $415
This week will energize you to build upon God’s word and take the Christian community of camp into your daily life. The joys of camp are here in friendship, variety show antics and camper’s choice activities.

Adventure & Specialty Camps

NEW! All Star-Eclectic Sports:      Grades 4-5
June 28-July 1         Cost $280
This is not your normal sports camp! Co-ed sports skill training in multiple non-traditional sports of your choice, such as four-square, nine-square, bocce ball or kickball. Come exercise your mind, body and faith.

Junior Wild:       Grades 5-6
July 19-24               Cost $385
Here is a camp to put your survival skills to the test. Learn how to live off the land, build a shelter and maneuver a canoe. Camp out under the stars one night and join us for the camp where we encourage you to get in touch with both God and your “wild” side.

Outdoor Adventure:        Grades 7-12                            (age divided)
August 2-7              Cost $415
Sharpen your outdoor skills while surrounding yourself in God’s beauty. For the beginner outdoorsman, you will start in a cabin and spend a couple nights in a tent as your skills progress. For the more advanced scout, you will have a survival night where you will collect and gather material to build a shelter. Adventures are waiting for you!

Down on the Farm:        Grades 6-8              July 26-31               Cost $405
Learn what it’s like to live a day in the life of a farmer. Spend a day at the Carroll County Fair where we will get to experience tractor pulls, pig racing and see many of God’s creatures. Learn how to weave fibers from an Alpaca, make pickles from a cucumber and much more!

NEW! Creative Arts:          Grades 4-8
August 9-11              Cost $230
It’s all about expressing your creative side. If you like to sing, act, or create artwork, then this camp is for you! Come grow in your faith while having the chance to experience your inner artist.

Intergenerational Camps

Big & Small Camp:        K-2 w/adult 18+
June 28-29              Cost $150 per pair
30 full hours of camp! A great overnight camp for our youngest campers. Bring your favorite adult to enjoy arts & crafts, pool time, Bible stories, games, and campfires. “Small” campers will stay with their “Bigs” during camp.

Grand Camp: Ages 6-10 w/grandparent
July 5-7or July 19-21              Cost $250 per pair
Spend some quality time with your grandkids. Make connections through a variety of activities such as swimming, hiking, games, campfires, Bible studies, and much more. Enjoy a two night stay in the Lodge and an opportunity to share your faith experience.

Family Camp:   Any Age!
August 14-15          $100 for family up to 4
Families and Individuals of all ages are invited to come and have a relaxing time away from the busyness of everyday life. Have the choice of camping out or staying in a cabin. You can also be a part of our Celebrate Summer Festival.

Celebrate Summer Festival:       August 15                Everybody
Make plans to join us for another glorious end to the summer camp season. Come enjoy the pool, the trails, craft projects and garden produce! More details will be available as plans progress.

Service and Training Camps

Harvest Hands: Adult Service Camp 18+
June 9-12 and August 10-15  Cost $260
Work with staff as we make preparations for the summer season or come later in the summer to help with our Summer Festival. In the evenings enjoy the camping experience with campfires, worship, singing and meeting new friends.

LIT: Leaders in Training 16+
June 14-19              Cost $150
Are you ready for a challenge in servant leadership? Don’t worry, it will be fun too! You will spend a few days training and then get to shadow a counselor. After completing the L.I.T. session, participants may be invited back as volunteers for an additional week of camp.

Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministries Center
PO Box 369
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
301-223-8193
www.shepherdsspring.org

The Tradition Continues…21 Years and Counting

by Office Manager | Dec 10, 2014 | 2014, Newsletter Articles

The smells of fresh baked apple and pumpkin pies are no stranger to the Fellowship Hall at Oakton Church of the Brethren. Now with the 21st consecutive year behind us, we can sit back and marvel at all that actually goes into putting the craft show together. Lunch was served each day to those from the local community who came to browse through items from the approximately 30 vendors who participated this year. Hundreds of sandwiches were made (can you imagine all of those hard-boiled eggs?!) and many bowls of soup and chili were consumed! Vendors filled the tables in Fellowship Hall with jewelry, wreaths, ornaments, bows, blankets, quilts, dolls, aprons and so many more beautiful items! Many thanks go to the ladies of the Women’s Fellowship Committee who were able to pull off a fabulous event, yet again … and to the many volunteers who helped set-up, cook, serve lunch, take money, package items and clean-up – this wouldn’t have been a success without you all!

Women’s Fellowship Christmas Party – December 14th

by Office Manager | Dec 2, 2014 | 2014, Newsletter Articles

All ladies are invited to the Women’s Fellowship Christmas Party on Sunday, December 14, immediately following church at the home of Kim Ferrari.  We will have a mediation, reveal our Secret Pal, have a cookie exchange, and of course, eat!  Bring an appetizer or dessert to share for the meal and if you wish to participate, three dozen cookies (no store bought please!) for the cookie exchange.  If you don’t have a Secret Pal, you may bring a present for a gift exchange.  As we have done in previous years, there will be a collection for small toiletry items (travel size) that will be given to a local Women’s shelter.

Recipe of the Month – Snow Day Ham and Potato Soup

by Office Manager | Nov 26, 2014 | 2014, Newsletter Articles

This was always a favorite “snow day” supper when my kids were young. For an accompaniment, I baked “cornsticks” (cornbread in pans shaped like individual ears of corn).

Serves 4
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup dried green split peas
1 medium onion, chopped
1 to 2 cups chopped ham
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 medium potatoes, diced
2 medium carrots, sliced

* Combine chicken broth, peas, onion, ham, salt, and pepper in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

* Add the potatoes and carrots and continue simmering for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are soft.

~Sylvia M. Hess
Xenia, Ohio

Food Collection for BNP

by Office Manager | Nov 26, 2014 | 2014, Newsletter Articles

Through the month of December, the Action Reflection Committee will be holding a non-perishable foods collection for the Brethren Nutrition Program (the soup kitchen) at the Washington City Church of the Brethren. These non-perishable items include: peanut butter, pasta sauce, rice, fruits, vegetables, beans and meat. Please do not accidentally donate any expired items. Legally, the soup kitchen cannot use anything that is beyond the expiration date. Donations can be placed in the large blue bin in the Narthex. Thank you for your support.

OCoB Women’s Support Group – December 10th 

by Office Manager | Nov 26, 2014 | 2014, Newsletter Articles

Our new Women’s Support Group had their first meeting on October 28.^. We decided that the group will continue for at least 6 months, with meetings once a month on the second Wednesday, from 7:30-8:45 PM. The group consists of women from ages 25 to 95 and was formed to foster a time to come together in a safe place to share our joys and our challenges. Together we will continue to brainstorm about future topics for the monthly meetings.  Interest has been expressed for continuing a time of sharing, with possible future topics on women’s health issues, family relationships, parenting challenges, stress management, and spiritual development. Future meetings will be held on Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11, and Apr 8. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Shirley Roth (240-461-2235; ) or Gretchen Zience (703-244-7190; .).