Before a big race, as the runners prepare to give it their all to finish first, you will hear "get ready - get set - GO"! 

Each summer brings with it a time of getting ready.  That time includes: creating brochures and flyers, interviewing and then hiring staff, cleaning and preparing buildings, visiting churches to promot the summer camping program and on and on.  To put it simply - there is a lot of preparation work to be done before we really get busy.  The summer camping season is quite often like a long race, you keep running and running and the end is always out in front of you.  Yet while running the race you know that your efforts are not futile or in vain.  Even when you hit the finish line and the race is over your thoughts turn toward the next race.

For me, even though I still have a few more churches to visit, I am moving into the "get set" time of the year.  Runners, during this time, get their bodies and feet into a position to explode into a maximum effort run.  I too am preparing for a maximum effert time of the season.  I am determined to give my all so that each and every camper, staffer and volunteer will receive my very best.  My desire is that each and every moment they are camp they will have the opportunity to learn.  The learning does not stop at the love of a Father as displayed through Jesus Christ, the Son.  My desire is that Camp will teach in every way preparing each and every person to get to the finish line in style! 

So where are you in life?  Are you getting ready, getting set or have you started the race?  Even if the race feels like it will never end I promise you that the race will not be in vain or for nothing.  Our Father has given us the tools of endurance and promised that we will not run this race alone!  We have a helper right there to give us encouragment and strength. 

My prayer is that your race will bring you through Camp Lebanon this summer.  Come run with us and let's get to the finish line together!

Blessings

Smitty

Over the years I have used the words "Camp Changes Lives" fully knowing that camps of all varieties use the same phrase.  Camping programs do change lives because of the very nature and design of the programs and teaching methods used.  Whether it is a sports camp, talent based camp, arts camp, Christian camp or any other type of camp, the experience at camp will change lives!

I believe that Camp Lebanon changes lives in a way that non-Christian camps cannot.  By teaching the Gospel in a simple, non-threatening way we can and still do lead young people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!  Recently, I received an application for summer employment at Camp Lebanon.  The person, who's name I will not share, wrote a very touching letter and attached it to the application.  I am sharing a portion of this letter, with the person's permission, with you.

"Camp Lebanon is a special place for me because my older brother and I received Christ there.  In 2005, after you gave a lesson at the evening chapel service, my counselor helped me to understand better and to experience the forgiveness that salvation brings.  One year after that camp session I was baptized at my home church.  My two younger brothers received Christ the week they got back from their first trip to camp.  Camp Lebanon has been a blessing for my family!"

Remember, 2010 is the year that we will celebrate 60 years of the camping ministry and we are still changing lives as we continue to share the love of Jesus with each and every camper, staffer and anyone that comes to this wondeful place called Baptist Camp Lebanon.

The sky begins to darken.  The cold air bites the tips of my ears.  I observe that all the trees and shrubs are motionless when the small flakes start to fall.  A blanket of white crystals soon marks the ground, roof tops, fields and roads.  The scene sent by nature is one of beauty.

As I walk across the clover stubble, I absorb the quietness; then reach my destination at a frozen lake.  My hair is wet with snow and flakes flaot lightly onto my face.  The air is colder now, but the experience of such peacefulness warms my heart.

 Snow forms patterns on the ground, on the iced lake, and I notice the naked trees are now dressed with a cloak of fresh snowfall, too.  In my view, the scene is an illustrious creation of the wonderful works of God.

Anonymous - Written in the winter of 1961 at Camp Lebanon.  Revised in the winter of 2010

During the week of August 1, 2010, Baptist Camp Lebanon is conducting a Fishing Camp for Junior High age campers.  Along with their own programming the fishing campers will have opportunities to interact with the Senior High group at selected activities.

As fishers of men, we will discuss Christian life skills and the session leader, Jack Betchick, will present a full program about fishing designed to improve the fisher's knowledge and skills of the sport.

There will be oof-site fishing excursions where the group will fish for bluegills, bass and trout, take a field trip to a Fly& Tackle Shop, and visit the Pequest Fish Hatchery where trout are raised before introduction into New Jersey waters.

Every fishing camper will be gifted with a starter rod and reel set, a Baptist Camp Lebanon "Fishers of Men" tee shirt and a Fishing Booklet to take home for their future reference and use.

Sign up early as the class size will be limited.  Camp Lebanon Summer of 2010 brochures are due out within the next two weeks.

Soon we will have a link on the Camp Lebanon web-site for any prospective fishing campers to check out the schedule for the week.