Northern Pines Camp
An Ideal Setting to Experience God
20033 County 1, Park Rapids, MN 56470
218-732-4713
www.northernpinescamp.org
Christmas is fast approaching! Wrong size, wrong color, what toy is the right toy. Don’t you wor-
ry. Northern Pines has the solution. Grab a Christmas certificate and send your loved ones to camp! Camp is
a wonderful place to meet new friends, explore new things, experience nature, and learn about God our Lord
and Savior! Children of all ages will unplug and immerse themselves in God’s beautiful creation.
Winter Clergy Family Retreat. January 26-29. Clergy families-experience a weekend where your
family will gather with fiends both new and old, take time to renew your spirit and enjoy the beautiful setting
at Northern Pines. We will offer planned activities for your family with plenty of free time for you to choose
your own activities such as sledding, skating, ice fishing, snowshoeing.
UFO Retreat. February 2-4. UFO Stands for the UnFinished Object. UFO weekend offers both the time
and space and so much more to work on those projects. All meals prepared for you, clean and comfortable
accommodations, a beautiful setting in which to relax and renew, the chance to experience a massage or just
some solitude among the towering pines of camp.
Knitting our Lives Together. February 8-10 at Northern Pines Camp, is a time-flexible knitting
camp with a focus on refreshing the spirit, building community, and enjoying knitting. Anyone who likes to
knit, wants to learn to knit, or enjoys being around knitting is invited. Prices include lodging, food, and pro-
gram costs and allow for stays of one day through the entire weekend.
Winter 2017
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S PEN- Deaconess Leslie Hobson
Greetings,
Another summer season has ended! It was a full summer in many ways—our cabins and
lodge were full with campers and guests almost every day of the summer, 635 infants
through adults. Our days were full of great experiences, worships and campfires; our
heads were full of tasks to do and ideas for the coming years; and our hearts were full
watching our campers and guests grow during their experiences of Christ, creation and
community here at camp among the tall pines.
We had a wonderful group of cabin leaders this last summer. We are now in the recruiting stage for 2018. If
you know a young person with the gifts and graces to be a summer staff person, please invite them to apply.
We are looking for at least 8 cabin staff and an experienced food service cook.
One of the exciting things that happened is we are “Solar-Wise” here at camp. That is, thanks to a gift to the
camp, we are able to participate in the solar energy campaign through our electrical company, Itasca-
Mantrap Co-op. They have an array of solar panels at their office. Customers purchase a panel in that ar-
ray, and then they receive a credit each billing cycle based on the amount of energy produced by the array.
There are no costs to set up a panel or change wiring since the array is at the electric company. It is a won-
derful way for Northern Pines to practice good stewardship and care for our environment. We are also work-
ing on changing all of our lighting to LED lights. It is a bit more expensive, but the bulbs last longer and are
energy-efficient. This is one of our fundraising areas this fall. I would love to receive your donation to this
project as we work to be more environmentally friendly and save money on our electrical bills.
Please look for more information in this newsletter about ways you can donate to projects that will improve
and enhance our camp facilities and programs.
I continue to be touched by the generosity of those who love Northern Pines. Because of your gifts we were
able to expand our Hammock Heaven, create a new archery range, purchase new programming items and
add to our new cabin fund. Your gifts help us provide a wonderful, hospitable site and expand our program-
ming so we continue to offer the best camp ministry we can. Please consider Northern Pines Camp and Re-
treat Center as you plan your end of year giving. Your donations can be sent directly to Northern Pines or
through the conference camping office. I thank you for your past support and
your continued support as we provide experiences of Christ, creation and com-
munity here among the tall pines.
Blessings and prayers for a wonderful Advent and Christmas season for you.
Blessings,
Deaconess Leslie Hobson
 PROGRAM POINTS 2018 Program Preview
stayed home and continued to work with his father. The son that Next year our summer program will be going Beyond Belief!, our new curriculum for the year. Wish List
We will be answering a bunch of questions about going beyond belief, what it means to go be-
by Zach Brandt, Program Director left for adventure eventually came back having spent all that he had.
yond belief and what it might look like. Many of us can say that we believe but how do we live
The father welcomed him back with open arms. We learn that God May donate items or funds to
it, walk it, talk it? This is what we will be answering. Every day will revolve around a new ques-
always has open arms for us and that sometime we might leave the tion that will take us beyond our belief. For example - What if we help purchase the following:
SUMMER 2017 Branching Out path that He has for each of us but He is always waiting for us when belong to God? What if God Was Bigger? What if Hope is Real?
Flat screen television
we decide to come back. We also learned that God has Spoken to What if there was more than enough? What if we speak up? What if
The trees and spring flowers reach their we Change the World? And What if we Go Beyond? By answering Wall mounts for a television
You. We don’t always hear God through loud or obvious communi-
full bloom and the water temperature these questions we will learn that God already knows and loves us,
cation. We may experience God in the powerful aspects of nature. In Canoe paddles
rises. The fish spawn in their beds and that God is bigger than what has been and what we imagine will be,
the quiet and calm is where we can hear and experience His pres-
the birds fill their nest with young. The that hope is a necessary force in our faith lives, that God provides 4ft. LED tube lights (fluorescent
ence the most. Then on the last day we learned that God Abides in us tools to be who we need to be, discern God’s way for the world, replacements)
loons carry their newly hatched on their back and a summer starts at
You. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. God cares for us no that responding to God’s call can make a difference, and to believe
Northern Pines Camp and Retreat Center. Shortly after staff training LED lightbulbs
matter what. So go from camp and share everything that you have in God’s power to work through us. We send our campers out into
starts and ends and Lifeguards prepare the waterfront, we receive the world, reminding them that they do not go alone; there is no- New carpet for the dining room
learned here for God is with you always.
our first campers and what a moment that is for new and old staff where they can go that God doesn’t go with them.
T.E.E.N.S. Camp Ramp and deck replacement for
alike. We strive every year to provide a wonderful God-filled experi-
Red Pine
ence for our visitors. But we also try to impact our visitors so they, Teaching, Equipping, Em-
Couches, loveseats, recliners for
too, can go out and affect change in their worlds at home and in powering, and Nurturing New Cabin Update! By Leslie Hobson
cabins-contact camp before donat-
their own community. This year’s theme was Branching Out! John Servants is just the start of We are moving slowly on the new cabin project. We needed to have all of
ing these items
15:1-11 –“Jesus said to his disciples: I am the true vine, and my Fa- our septic systems and tanks in compliance before moving forward with our
what T.E.E.N.S. camp is for
ther is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t youth looking for a leader- conditional use permit. We had the last system installed in September. With
produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce that project completed, we are working on the next steps to complete the Have an item or items to donate
ship camp experience. We
fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean
permit application. Once the permit is approved, we can get a building per- that is not on the list? Call North-
had a wonderful response mit and begin the cabin build. I thank you for your patience and your prayers ern Pines to confirm the need. All
because of what I have said to you. Stay joined to me and I will stay to the inauguration of our as this project continues to unfold. It is because of all of you we will be able donations are tax deductible with-
joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays new T.E.E.N.S. camp program. We found many campers turning 13 in the law.
to build as soon as all of the paperwork is complete.
joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to and looking to continue having a camp experience but with some-
me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to thing new added. T.E.E.N.S. camp provides our youth with a place to
me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But A heartfelt thank you to all of the people who gave of their time and energy in some way from May-October and to those
experience and practice what it means to be in service to others. We who have donated during 2017. Your love of camp and desire to serve are greatly appreciated!
you cannot do anything without me. If you don’t stay joined to me, offered them the opportunity to serve the camp and the community
you will be thrown away. You will be alike dry branches that are of campers that stayed here, with a great response! They really en-
gathered up and burned in a fire. Stay joined to me and let my teach- joyed giving a part of their day to help others and the camp. It was
OUR DONORS OUR VOLUNTEERS
Sam & Betty Porter Joyce Olson Carl, Cassie, Zane, Bram Jacobi Judy Doyel
ing become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, fun to work around camp knowing that the work that they did Karen Rose Peggy Kraemer Don Arnold, Ramsey Northern Light Marilyn Billings
and your prayer will be answered. would better the camp and would last for years to come. Helping Michael Waldt Wayne & Susan Koland Church crew Sheila Moe
When you become fruitful disciples of the younger kids was also a great bit of fun. They were able to apply James & Sylvia Farrells Arnold & Gladys Narverud Little Lemon crew-Riverside UMC, Deanna Johnson
mine, my Father will be honored. I the many skills and talents that they had learned from their experi- Michelle & Scott Piepkorn Jeffrey & Rosemary Gustafson Park Rapids Mary Jane Keller
have loved you, just as my Father has Marilyn Billings Verne & Catherine Spengler
ence at camp with the younger campers, helping with archery, fish- Bob Ford Peg Mosbo
Perham UMC Paul & Laura Christianson
loved me. So remain faithful to my ing, knee boarding and so much more. One of the most rewarding Ron Stahl Jean Koons
Jeanne & Ken Gooden Emily Rufer
love for you. If you obey me, I will Rev. Chip Nielsen Jan Rumpza
experiences from this program is seeing them form their own faith Tom & Lois Wang Kirsten & Philip Daniel
keep loving you, just as my Father Breanne Blomquist
and developing a style they like to worship Christ, and then using Sharline Hess United Methodist Women Sauk Centre
Michelle Ford Our volunteer camp deans:
keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him. I have told you this to that knowledge to prepare and conduct a worship experience for Norris & Marlene Melander Hillcrest UMC-Caroly Dahl
Jerald & Arlys Hendrickson Beth Artmann
Carter and Florence Hedeen Michael Solberg
make you as completely happy as I am.” We learned together about the younger campers. They learned so much more about who they
Mark & Deanna Melander Ruth Ganglehoff Garry Nelson Rev. Tony Fink
The Place Where We Camp and all the special places that God gave were as Christian people when they got to apply and practice their Cal Moe Bonnie Boots
Cal & Sheila Moe Kathryn Hefti
to us, where God is with us and where we can share Him with oth- own faith they developed at camp. As a bonus the younger kids did Howard & Carol Schulz Mary Jo & Troy Zweerink Derek Brandt Rev. Nate Melcher
ers. We remembered that – I am the Vine. We make sacred a bond always love the opportunity to interact with the “big kids!” Also the Duane & Diane Wallace United Methodist Church DL Abbey Anderoff Jaymee Kjelland
with one another and with God with a covenant. Holy Communion Patrick & Carol Munt Hubbard Methodist Women Lydia Kantonen Ann Friesen
whole day wasn’t spent in service, they still participated in some fun
embodies a covenant relationship with God and one another, LeRoy & Carol Erickson Laura Jamison Duane Gebhard Keith and Georgia Docherty
camp activities of their own like archery, water sports, evening swim Ardis Foster Janet Wilke Darlene Swanson Desmond Hicks
through the life and death of Jesus Christ. We celebrated this with a time and had access to the teens only lounge. They had time in the Mrs G.A. Beito Carter & Florence Hedeen Bruce Johnson
love feast. We practiced Love One Another,. in the Old Testament, evenings to spend with just each other in free time, Bible study, and Robert or Maureen Giffen Don & Helen Eslinger Fred Madsen
the command to love God with all our being and to love our neigh- discussion. We anticipate a larger showing of participation for Larry & Cheryl Lee Richard & Karen Dykoski Mike Boetscher
bors as ourselves is the standard for the Christian life. We remem- T.E.E.N.S camp next year. I feel we have the best place for our youth Richard or Shari Holmes Jennifer Therkilsen
bered that God said, “ I Chose You.” The Bible tells a story from Luke to practice service and Christian living, the best place to teach them CK or JL Christenson Crown College basketball and soccer
Linda Hess players
about a father that has two sons. The father split his inheritance and how serve others and the best place for them to feel safe, loved,
Marilyn Weir
one son chose to leave and spend his on adventure and the other and free to be the wonderful children of God. John & Karen Reedy