Many people don’t realize it but the winter season is actually the busiest season of the year at Camp Forest Springs.  Depending on how turnout is at Community Days (Sunday Afternoons in January/February when camp is open to the public for recreational purposes), camp could see between 4,000 and 6,000 people.  Each weekend we will see between 250-300 youth at camp for a retreat.  Also there are winter outdoor education groups through the week and local schools will come in for the day to do a fun day.  Those fun day groups can range from 80 kids to 200 kids in camp for the day to ski or go tubing on the big hill. 

The winter season presents many difficulties and needs for prayer.  First, that staff stay healthy, both physically and spiritually.  It makes for very long days and nights with back to back groups being in camp.  Snow is also a challenge this year.  Camp had all the snow it needed made before Christmas and these last couple of days it has been unseasonably warm and we are losing snow.  Lord willing we will get some colder temperatures soons and maybe even some more snow to add to the hill.  Patience is another big prayer request.  The down hill ski and snowboard instructors will complete several hundred lessons this winter on the hill.  Each year camp offers free lessons to anyone who has either rented ski’s/snowboards or to ones who brought their own.  It is a great place to learn and the price is right. 

October 26-28 was the weekend set aside to have the Annual Board Retreat and Board Meeting.  Each year, a weekend is set aside in the fall for the Camp Forest Springs Board of Directors to meet at camp.  They have their meeting in the morning on Saturday, followed by a relaxing afternoon and fellowship time in the evening. 

Saturday night is dedicated to a dinner, summer recap and honoring those board and staff members with their notable years of service.  This year held a special mark with many board members and staff being honored for their 5, 10,  and 20 years of dedicated service. 

This year was marked with the special anniversary of John and Diane Windle.  30 years ago, the Windle’s joined the ministry of Camp Forest Springs and have been faithfully serving Him.  They spend the summer at camp, ministering to young and old alike.  During the rest of the year, they travel as an outreach team throughout the Midwest and beyond.  They present a variety of programs including amazing programs with puppets and music and are both, truly amazing. 

Check them out at http://www.hairyandcompany.com 

June 30th, 2007 Marked the 5th Annual Camp Forest Springs Golf Classic at SentryWorld in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Matt had the opportunity to golf (middle picture) with the President Dick Angelo (second from right) , and his two trusty side kicks, John Windle (far right) and Matt Hoffland (second from left).  Golfing this year was definitely a new experience for me (second time ever) but the weather was tremendous, the company even better. 

Thanks for the pointers gentlemen!