From the Camp Director,

Happy New Year! 

We all need a fresh start every year. It’s important that we go into the New Year with an open mind and a new way of thinking.

You’re supposed to let go of the past and start off new. You’re supposed to forgive all those who have hurt you and be open to new relationships, with open arms. 

The New Year symbolizes the ending of one year and the beginning of yet another. We celebrate this event, yet it is only a moment in time, like any other day. But it is also considered a time when new beginnings can happen. 

Here at Hanging Rock, we pray you make it a priority to set some time in your life and in your kids life to disconnect from life and all its craziness and reconnect with Christ and others. That's what makes Hanging Rock special. Its a place to retreat. 

We have some great retreats for you and your kids to attend. We pray you would be a part of these retreats. Then as summer comes around make plans to attend as well.

Last year was the biggest summer in the history of Hanging Rock. Lets see if we can get even more people to camp for a time of refreshing. We have a great theme planned taken from Romans 8:28 that I cannot wait to see how the many camps will teach through this passage.  

There are definitely going to be topics within this verse that are considered ‘hard’ topics. But above all else, this year as we study this verse, the purpose of this verse isn’t to cause division between us but to try to unite together as we journey together trying to discover God’s truths and the meaning that was intended in the scriptures!

So let’s dive deep into Romans 8:28 and Be Ready For The Great Expectation. Let God Define the Good for you this year in 2023.

New beginnings are in order, and you are bound to feel some level of excitement as new chances come your way on this New Year.

Happy New Year from Camp,

Gary Baker, Executive Director

garybaker@hangingrock.org

2023 Camp Updates

The camp committee and the board have been working on some changes for Summer Camp 2023 and wanted to start preparing you for these changes and updates: 

1.  Camp Fees: We will be increasing our camp fees. With all of the increases in staffing, food, fuel, electricity, waste treatment plant and much more, we have no choice but  to raise the cost of camp. We are raising fees $30.00 for camp sessions that are 4 days or more and $10.00 for camps of 3 days or less. 

2.  Check-Out Time: We are going to a 4:00 p.m. check out time. With having more camp sessions back to back the staff needs more time to make sure facilites are prepared for the new campers. This means that if your child is getting baptized we will invite you and your family to come at 3:00 p.m. so that all campers can be a part of that celebration then we will have all of the campers return to the gym for check out. 

3.  More staff: We will be hiring more staff this year. We increased our summer program staff to 12 last year to give camp sessions some of the staff for faculty. This was good, but then left our staff short for recreation and cleaning. So the plan for this year, is for every dorm to have 2 dorm RA's giving us 16 summer program staff. We still need volunteers to help as faculty and for kitchen and facilities. 

4.  Theme: The Great Expectation, Romans 8:28 - Let God Define the Good.

We are really excited about this theme. We know our kids are coming to camp with more burdens and anxiety about life. We want to help them see that because we love God, He will work all things for the good of those who love him. Some key words/phrases: weakness, search our hearts, called, conformed, God works for the good. 
We will look at: Moses, Joseph, Job, Paul, Peter, Jesus - guys who had to wait to see Romans 8:28
We will try to answer some of the “Why?”
- Why should I believe?
- Why bother with the church?
- Why did Jesus do it?
- Why should I serve?
- Why should I trust the Bible?
- Why pray?
- Why should I love my enemies?
- Why should I trust you? 

From the Maintenance Director,

Now & When?

See, I am doing a new thing, do you not perceive it? - GOD
As we start 2023 (that just seems strange to write), I wonder what “New Things” could there be at a camp that’s turning 77 years old?

Well, in the physical realm, the Hanging Rock Hilton is now under construction and there are other improvements on the cusp as our Executive Director has mentioned in this newsletter.

Beyond the physical but still in the obvious category, I still fit the role of the “new guy at camp” and there are new friendships to forge and then there is the excitement of finding ways to strengthen those friendships.

Then also, there is this abstract…Its winter and there are a lot of dead things around, leaves,.. sticks,.. my plants! Those are things that die on the outside. In my perspective, what matters the most are the things that we let die on the inside.

We get seasoned,.. jaded,.. dried out,.. indifferent,.. maybe even exhausted or overwhelmed.

Let me just say, how awesome it is when God falls fresh! When He restores or bestows with new perspective! When He starts a new thing!

Camp is a place where He does all that! In a small way we can all be part of what God is doing.

If we are willing to say & mean, “ Here I am Lord, send me.” He will! Hanging Rock has well over 200 acres and is in excess of 3 dozen structures. All of which needs to be maintained for this expressed purpose; To establish and strengthen relationships with Christ.

New things… Do you not perceive it?  We need your Help. Please join us for our next 413ers day and lets tackle these new things together.

Jon Collins, Maintenance Director

joncollins@hangingrock.org

For 2023 we are going to concentrate on two projects for fundraising. One, will be the Terry Evans Memorial. We are wanting to put a roof over one of the arenas. The second project is new flooring in the gym. We are working on getting estimates and will be annoucing the cost of those 2 projects soon. 

Here is an update of what positions we need for summer camp 2023. 
3 dishwashers - Must be at least 14 and have transportation to and from camp. 

1- Girl Program Staff - Must beat least 18- $300 per week
3 - Guy Program staff - Must beat least 18- $300 per week
2- Maintenance Assistant - Must have a driver's license- $275 a week. Monday - Thursday. 8:30-4:30pm and Friday 8-Noon.

We need 2 cooks - Pay is $15.00 per hour. 

1 First Aid Attendant. 

All of these positions have job descriptions on our website. Click the application button and it will take you to the job descriptions and application.