Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks

Foundations

2012-01-14T07:01:00.001-05:00

My daughter and I spent 7 years at mother/daughter weekends...she is now a senior and off to college in the fall..those weekends were foundation building for her and really gave us a special relationship....we are so close!!
thanks for all you do for young girls....

Janis

What Would I Do Without It?

2011-12-15T17:42:00.000-05:00

I have made such wonderful and lasting relationships with people I know will always be there for me. The counselors are so caring and supportive. They just ooze God's love from every inch of their bodies. Overall, I just feel wonderful when I'm at camp. Every year my relationship with God is strengthened even more. I'm so thankful for Camp Cedarbrook, I don't know what I'd do without it.
- Sarah

Why We Love Our Campers

2011-12-04T15:26:00.000-05:00

More parent comments from 2011...

This was her third year, and she loves it there so much. She'd like to go for two weeks next year. We can only afford one and horsemanship if she chooses, but she likes it so much, she's willing to save her allowances and Christmas and birthday money to help cover the second week. I think it speaks for the value she places on her time there.
My daughter was so enthusiastic about her time at camp and was talking about going back to this camp next year. She kept saying how much better it was than the other camp - in every way.
The Instructions, during activities, were amazing and she really felt that she accomplished something very special during her one week.
My daughter loved everything about camp. She has already set up a box for her Camp Cedarbrook fund for next year!
My daughter came home refreshed and happy and wished she could have stayed another week.
My daughter says that camp makes her feel confident and peaceful. She says that the girls at camp are her REAL friends not like the girls at school that she just eats lunch with.My daughter felt that she belonged. This is such a hard age when people she has been friends with since pre-school just ignore her. She is warm, sweet, and wants to have fun. This camp lets her know that it is ok to be yourself and that you do not have to give into peer pressure.
She came off the bus singing songs and letting me know right away that she did not want to come home. She was really happy to see us but would have like to have spent more time at camp. I was so happy.

Emma took the high ropes course to challenge herself even though it scared her, which I was so happy about.  She felt encouraged by the counselors that led her activities.
She wants to meet up with her friends again and continue to grow.  This was a big stepping stone for her.
She looks forward to camp the whole year and as long as we are able financially God willing, we will send her.
My daughter can't wait for camp next year and is even trying to recruit some of her friends to go.  I appreciate all you have done to impact my daughter in such a positive way.

Why We Love Our Staff...

2011-12-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

Here are some parent comments from 2011-

My daughter loved Daisy and all the other staff who led the instructional areas. We felt very comfortable leaving her after meeting Daisy at drop off. She was very sweet. I loved to hear that Daisy sang to them at bedtime--very comforting.
My daughter came home having had a fantastic time. She wanted to stay another week. While she was not put in the cabin with other church kids as we thought she would, it was probably better.. certainly God was in the making of this! She met lots of friends and had nothing but positive things to say. This was her first overnight for more than one night and she was fine. She had wonderful counselors. Thank you all.
My daughter loved her counselor, Piper and felt very connected to her group. We felt comfortable leaving her in good hands for her first camp experience.
My daughter's counselor Daisy was wonderful. She took our concerns about her learning disabilities very seriously. She pulled my daughter aside and would read with her before they read in a group and she helped her compose and read e-mails. Thank you Daisy!!! What a blessing you have been to a camper and her very concerned parents.
She really connected with the staff at the barn. It was a great community to help her with her first camp away from home.
I am impressed by the dedication and commitment of staff, desire of staff to grow spiritually, low staff turnover rates, and the genuine care and concern staff members have for each other as well as the campers. I also appreciate the opportunities my daughter has to grow in her relationship with our precious Lord Jesus and to make new friends.
As soon as we arrived on the camp grounds we were greeted by everyone with a cheerful demeanor. Camp staff really looked like they wanted to be there and with each other. The camp has a great feeling of cameraderie.
Staff in general went above and beyond with information and making us feel welcome.

Don't Send Your Daughter to Camp!

2011-04-01T09:46:00.000-04:00

It’s expensive, a waste of time, and she’ll miss out on other things.

Go ahead, admit it, you were thinking at least one of those things as you considered
whether or not to send her to camp this summer. This may be April Fool’s Day, but those
are valid things to consider in your decision making. So let me briefly answer those
objections…

No, camp isn’t cheap and, depending on what you compare it to, you could certainly
call it expensive. But our fees reflect the reality of what it costs to provide a high quality
camp program. Actually, that’s not exactly true- it costs more than that, but because of
our generous donors we are able to charge less than what it actually costs. And the most
important thing is value for your money, so let me move on.

Is camp fun? Absolutely! Will your daughter sing songs, laugh with friends, roast
marshmallows and play games? Definitely! Is that a waste of time? Not at camp!
All of those things are part of the camp experience where she learns to build healthy
relationships, is challenged to try something new, learns to prioritize her time with God,
gets unplugged from our plugged in world, is encouraged to live for Jesus every day and
sees it modeled by her counselors, and the list goes on. Seriously. I could write a long list
about how going to camp was never a waste of my time.

Could she be doing something else this summer? Probably. But really, what will she miss
for a week or two? With the long list of life skills she can strengthen at camp and the
opportunity to meet with God, there aren’t many more worthwhile ways to spend a week.
Considering all that God does in the heart of a girl through the ministry of camp,

Camp is a growth experience she can’t afford to miss.

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The Best Part of the Summer

2011-02-02T15:35:00.000-05:00

Camp Cedarbrook changed my life! I went there for 5 years. It was the best part of summer. I loved meeting new people and coming back the next year and counselors and old friends remembered me! I learned so much during my walk with God. My favorite part was spending a night in a lean-to. It was scary at first but we knew God was watching over us. My favorite part of meals was once a week, we would get Tigger Surprise after dinner! One summer, I stayed at camp on my birthday! Everyone sang to me and made me dance around the tables.
-Emily

Preparation for Future Ministry

2010-12-21T10:07:00.002-05:00

I wish I could have attended one of the Camp Cedarbrook's 45th anniversary celebrations but living now in the Southwest made it impossible. I was part of the staff the first two summers working in the office as Stumpy's secretary. Those two summers were to be very significant in my life. Years later I worked as the office manager in AIM's office in Kenya and then as the Executive Assistant to the U.S. Director of AIM. Needless to say, I'm very grateful for those two years and know it was part of God's way for preparing me for future ministry.
Lynn "Stork" David

A Habit You Don't Want to Break

2010-10-27T09:39:00.000-04:00

A board member shared last week that she was talking to a friend who had been a camper at CCA as a child and was now in her late sixties. Her friend said that although she grew up in a devout Christian family, it was at camp that she learned the habit of Morning Watch (daily devotions). And she said that she is still doing it today.

Bad Song, Good Memory

2010-10-25T19:23:00.004-04:00

The other day, I was cleaning up in my kitchen and realized that I had a song based on Matthew 6:25 running through my head. The song went:

Do not worry about what you wear
Do not worry about what you eat
Do not worry about what you drink
Do not worry about anything

I started wondering where that song came from. Honestly, it's not very good (be glad you didn't have to listen to it). At first I couldn't figure out where I'd learned a song like that. Then it dawned on me. I had learned it at camp! When I was in seventh grade, my counselor Swift made up that song in Bible Ex. We all sang it proudly. And somehow it had stuck in the deep recesses of my brain.

Thank you, Swift, for helping to hide God's Word in my heart.

-Olli

Yes, this is me as a camper that year.

Faith, Friends, and Following Jesus

2010-10-15T11:02:00.000-04:00

I committed my life to Christ as a camper at Camp Cedarbrook. I had gone to church my whole life and grew up in a loving, Christian home, but I didn't understand that my faith needed to be my own until I went to camp for a few years. There, I got to see staff members and campers who understood the gospel for themselves and who were filled with joy. I got to see Christians who were my own age and who still knew how to have a good time! I made some of the best friends I have ever had at camp. There are women still in my life today to whom my only connection is camp. I am now a staff member at camp and have been for several years. In being a staff member, I have learned so much about what it means to really love sacrificially and to follow Christ even when it seems like it would be easier to give up. I have worked with the most amazing women and I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a counselor to dozens of girls who have changed my life forever.

Summing It Up Part 2

2010-09-20T09:15:00.000-04:00

Here are some more of the comments from parent surveys:

I like that it's disconnected from reality and I feel the camp provides a caring, spiritual foundation for the girls to focus on. Plus it's fun, they learn important skills and get to be outside.
I believe in the value of camp and have been impressed with the growth (spiritual, maturity) seen in my daughter as well as in the dedication of the staff.
She had a great time fellowshipping with others and grew closer to God.
I will send my daughter back to camp to grow spiritually, develop godly habits, build Christian relationships, have positive role models, UNPLUG
What Camp Cedarbrook offers is something that I think is rare these days...a true outdoor, close to nature camp experience, lots of opportunities to learn new things, lots of time just to be a kid and have fun, AND a loving, positive Christian atmosphere.
It is the best camp my children have ever attended. They come home with a better attitude toward each other and toward themselves.
It is such a positive atmosphere for young girls. They get to hear the word of God in a very positive, exciting and fun way. The counselors are wonderful role models in how they dress, act and teach the girls.
It is such a time of growth for her...socially, spiritually, emotionally. We would not want to miss it.
My daughter sensed the Lord telling her to stop field hockey for this year, and she listened... Praise God she's on her way to listening to HIM.

Summing It Up

2010-09-17T09:57:00.001-04:00

Summer is over. School has started. Time has flown by since the last post on this blog. But what's been happening since May? God has been at work in the lives of campers at Camp Cedarbrook. Summing up a whole summer of ministry is difficult so I thought I'd borrow the words of parents. Here are some of the comments they shared with us on parent surveys.

My daughter woke up this morning and said she missed the morning air from her cabin.
My daughter and others we know have loved Camp Cedarbrook. I appreciate the strong Biblical teaching. The cabins are small and personal and the counselors are really invested in their campers.
She loved learning all the songs and is telling everyone how she is going to start reading the Bible every day.
My daughter had a wonderful experience. She loved everything from Bible Ex to songs to swimming. I expect that throughout this next school year, we will be hearing about her time at camp. The staff was kind and I could tell they had a vibrant walk with the Lord.
I will send my daughter to camp next summer because she really loved it and she would like to go back soooo badly. I can see she learned a lot and I think it was an amazing thing that she was able to do.
Wonderful to see things she wrote about God, her relationship with him, and growing as a person. Hearing her sing some of the songs was so neat. Seeing how much she grew in her one week at camp was an answered prayer. Thank you.
If a parent wants their children to experience being in a camp setting, learning about God and just having a great time being in the outdoors, I would definitely recommend Camp Cedarbrook.
She has learned to grow spiritually as well as mentally. Even though it was one week, there was a lot of new experiences and memories she will always treasure.

More to come in the next installment...

Camp Has Changed My Life

2010-05-18T14:29:00.001-04:00

2010 will be my fourth year coming to camp. I can't tell you how much camp has changed my life. I have gotten so much closer to the LORD and to the people around me. The thing that has helped me the most at camp is the all camp devotion. It is a time where you can see the LORD in the gathering of Christians. For me, it was a time for me to be myself and let my heart shine through and really get close to GOD. I hope to continue to attend camp for a very long time!! And a special thanks goes out to everyone who has given thier time up for serving the LORD. Thanks so much!

The Discipline of Prayer

2010-05-15T14:08:00.001-04:00

Undoubtedly, the biggest impact on my life at CCA was the day I was saved, July 31, 1968. From that point on God's grace and wisdom have helped me to do my jobs, be involved in my church and continue to remember and pray for camp. The first verse I memorized after I got saved was Psalm 55:17:

"Morning, and evening and at noon will I pray, I will cry aloud and He shall hear my voice."

Prayer is probably the one discipline of camp that has had the biggest impact on my life. Communication with the Heavenly Father is vital to a close relationship.

Love and Prayers,
Jeannie Henderson a.k.a. Todd

An Example of Godly Living

2010-04-28T14:55:00.001-04:00

I am thankful for every staff member that has served at camp as they have helped raise my daughter into the woman she is today. As a parent, you can be a good example and live by the Word, but young women need the example of godly young women living their life for the Lord. I have never seen this more evident than at camp. God's love is not just talked about but lived!

I hope to have many opportunities to convey to other mothers why time at camp is the best investment that can be made in their daughter's life. Honestly, my daughter has accomplished some wonderful things, but the proudest moment of my life as her parent was the day she graduated CILT. I can't even put into words how that felt!

-Michelle

First Time Camper (and Mom)

2010-04-27T09:54:00.001-04:00

Manuela attended summer camp last year and is still talking about it! She loves it all! It was her first camp experience for her as a camper and for me as a mother of a camper (the harder part). Thank you a lot for every thing!

-Silvia Artia

Close to the Lord

2010-04-23T08:57:00.001-04:00

My daughter is very excited to be going again to camp with her cousin. She expressed a feeling of true daily closeness to our Lord while she was at Cedarbrook, one unlike she had experienced before in her mind! And that is why your camp is so terrific! Thanks!

Self-Confidence and Team Spirit

2010-04-12T13:39:00.000-04:00

The biggest impact that CCA had on me was teaching me confidence in myself and support for others. As a girl who was never very popular in school, I always felt like I could go to camp and be myself and not worry that I "wouldn't fit in" because everybody fits in at camp. The experience taught me to be true to myself and my beliefs and to not feel bad for it. That's something I have carried with me until today and remind myself of on a daily basis.

As for support for others, all of the activities we did at camp were team or group activities - even when it was an individual sport like archery or riflery. You rooted for the girls next to you to succeed, your shared in that success back in your cabin or tent and your supported each other when things didn't work out. It was a summer family that you always feel connected to, even if you haven't seen them in years. When I went back for the 40th Anniversary weekend, I spent time with women that I only knew in passing as girls and it was like finding a new best friend. The team spirit and support has also carried through until today. I use it everyday at work as a professional, even when sometimes people think I'm too much of a "cheerleader". I find that mentoring my employees works far better than managing them - all skills I learned back when I was helping out a drama class as a CILT or singing in the kitchen as a K.A.
I also still sing all of the time. :)
Best,
Lynne E. Schreur

9 Things I Learned At Camp

2010-04-06T15:26:00.001-04:00

How has Cedarbrook impacted my life? Here's a list of random thoughts.
1. Goofy songs to teach to my children
2. A little dust and dirt isn't going to kill anyone, including my 18 month son, here or in Asia
3. Flexibility--how to keep going when things aren't going as you planned
4. Leadership skills (CILT) that can be applied to many situations on the mission field. Part of this is practical--how to plan and carry out activities. Part of this is servant leadership. My daughter, Lauren and I have talked a lot about how this is lived and breathed at Cedarbrook, whereas in other settings it's only talk. And maybe tied in with this, I learned at camp to place high value on the uniqueness and to be sensitive to the needs of individuals and work with them accordingly.
5. To be obedient to God's calling, whether I feel up to the task or not
6. Bible study skills and the vital importance of daily time with God
7. How faith impacts every area of life. Seeing women live out their faith with integrity. Learning to see discipleship not as a "to do" check list but a 'walking along side' and spiritual growth as a lifelong journey.
8. Lasting relationships that continue to encourage me in my faith
9. An appreciation of nature and creation
In Him,
Peggy Owen
Missionary to Taiwan

The Seven Days of Camp

2010-03-05T19:43:00.000-05:00

Our alumni have been gathering at 45th Anniversary Celebrations across the country this year. After spending a weekend with old camp friends, Ellen Matlach had camp on the brain. Enjoy this little song that she wrote:

The Seven Days of Camp

On the first day of camp
My counselor gave to me
A bunk bed waiting just for me.

On the second day of camp
My counselor gave to me
Two buddy checks, and
A bunk bed waiting just for me.

On the third day of camp
My counselor gave to me
Three fun games,
Two buddy checks, and
A bunk bed waiting just for me.

On the fourth day of camp
My counselor gave to me
Four mosquito bites,
Three fun games,
Two buddy checks, and
A bunk bed waiting just for me.

On the fifth day of camp
My counselor gave to me
Five gooey s’mores!
Four mosquito bites,
Three fun games,
Two buddy checks, and
A bunk bed waiting just for me.
On the sixth day of camp
My counselor gave to me
Six chipmunks chewing,
Five gooey s’mores!
Four mosquito bites,
Three fun games,
Two buddy checks, and
A bunk bed waiting just for me.

On the seventh day of camp
My counselor gave to me
Seven friends forever,
Six chipmunks chewing,
Five gooey s’mores!
Four mosquito bites,
Three fun games,
Two buddy checks, and
A bunk bed waiting just for me

The Antidote

2010-03-04T20:37:00.000-05:00

Why Camp?

After each time (7 so far!!), she returns at peace, nicer to her parents (!) & more confident--it's like the lights get turned on again!

This is THE antidote to the rushing & stress of school, cultural pressures, & the need for restoration when they don't necessarily want to hear advice from their mothers! Putting our daughters in "creation" each summer helps them get closer to their creator. Their fleeting childhood is kept alive here, and they benefit from not being glued to an iPod or computer.

– Jennifer, a grateful NYC area mom

Daily Devotions & Confidence

2010-03-04T15:52:00.001-05:00

We asked "What has been a lasting impact of your experience at CCA?" Here is the answer we received from one of our alumna:

The most significant impact camp has had on my life is the importance of daily devotions. Camp was the first place to teach me that it was important for me to read the Bible on my own and not rely on teachers to feed me the information. Camp also equipped me to be able to read the Bible and get over the initial anxiety of "How am I supposed to do this?" I also learned how to sit and be still for a period of time. That is still a skill I struggle with but camp showed me I can still be focused on Him in the presence of others. That is so important now that my days are filled with my children. I rarely get more than 10 minutes at a time to myself.
Going through CILT I was able to get over a fear of being in front of people and teaching scripture. I never felt like I had the qualifications needed to be a Bible teacher. I learned that anyone with a heart for the Lord and a willingness to put your own personal time into Scripture could facilitate discussion and lead people toward a better understanding of God and our relationship with him. I enjoy leading a small group Bible study with my husband and other couples from our church.
One of the most memorable things I learned is how to love nature the way God intended it and the skills I needed to live in nature. We just took our three children tent camping for the first time this summer with another former staff member and her family. It was a blast! We swam, we hiked, we cooked dinner over the fire and ate s’mores. We know how to clean all the dishes in a little pot, how to build and start a fire, and just use the nature skills we were taught. I never would have attempted camping with a 5, 4, and 1 year old if it weren't for the confidence I had been given by camp. Being in the woods still holds a special place in my heart and an even deeper connection to God when I get those opportunities.
I hope to return one day and continue the tradition with my children.
Sincerely,
Janeine Bunagan
Tana

Faith, Friends, and Character

2010-02-23T16:22:00.000-05:00

We asked "What has been a lasting impact of your experience at CCA?" Here is the answer we received from one of our alumna:

In answer to your question, the lasting impact has many facets. First and foremost has been my relationship with the Lord, for my summers at CC built the foundation of my faith. Second has been my best friend Marina, whom I met at CC when we were 12 and now at 36 we are still best friends and often joke about our times at CC. Third are the lessons about myself that I learned - talents, strengths, who I was as a young girl growing into a Christian woman and lastly the unconditional love and acceptance I found each and every year I returned to CC and the wonderful memories of everyone I met that I will treasure always. I still find myself singing camp songs from time to time and cherish the box of mementos I've saved from my trips. I know I am the woman I am today in part because of the time I spent at CC each summer from the age of 10-17. As far as the present - I am a registered dietitian and sales specialist for a home infusion/home care company, living in PA and continuing to grow in my faith thru my church whose services and worship music often remind me of Sun services at CC. CC will always occupy a special place in my heart.
God Bless,
Dana Thornley

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