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Add a section to the front page probably, with the other static content. The text is below:
A FAMILY CAMP LEGACY, shared by Jim & Carolyn Craig
The very first Family Camp, as it is known today, was started in 1983 at Camp Miami, Germantown, OH. The first Directors were Dave & Karen Tharp and Jim & Carolyn Craig, from Findlay, OH (at that time).
A number of circumstances occurred, that appeared to be God’s divine intervention, to cause this ministry to come to be:
1) an existing Family Camp that the Tharps and Craigs attended in 1981 was struggling, with what appeared to be for obvious reasons;
2) a letter was written in 1982 to Ted Witt, the Director of Camps and Retreats when the former camp was canceled, describing not only the problems, but also a vision and potential for what could be;
3) a face-to-face meeting in late 1982 between Ted Witt, Tharps and Craigs occurred to discuss the future of Family Camp, and when we left that meeting, we discovered we had become the “new” Directors of a West Ohio Conference UM Family Camp for 1983. Sure, we thought “we could try it… for one year!”
But what God had in mind didn’t stop there, and it has obviously lasted longer than one year! Although we didn’t see ourselves as camp directors by any stretch of the imagination, doors began to open. Through sponsorship from the Findlay District (n/k/a Northwest Plains District), as well as from St. Paul’s UMC, in Findlay, OH, and by the grace of God, our every need was met… financial, staffing, ideas, resources, etc! Spiritual leaders over the years have included: Marion Fitch, Rev Maurice Bailey, Rev Daryl Fourman, Rev James Brown, Rev Grayson Atha, Rev Tom Hoover, Rev Jim Freshour, Rev Jeff Harper, and Bruce Perry.
Past Directors have also included Greg & Laura Probst, Mark & Jan Powell, Leah Flory, Amy Perry, and Robin & Lisa Kershner. Typically around 100+ people attend each year. At two different points in time, the camp became so large that families were on waiting lists to register. Two camps were started those years: in 1988, with Directors, Pastor Jim & Mary Kay Freshour; and again in 2003, with Directors, Pastor Bill & Kimberly Thomas. Both of the “second” camps ran for a few years, but are no longer going. Camp Miami was closed in 1994, so starting in 1995 and thereafter this event has been held at Camp Widewater, Liberty Center, OH.
2015 will be the 33rd year of this Family Camp. Even though Directors through the years have changed, the ministry’s purpose and mission has not changed: “To grow families in Christ through Bible study, fellowship and fun, at a camp setting.” Amazingly, Family Camp themes have never been repeated. Here’s the list:
1983 – "Families Are Fun"
1984 – "The Family Connection"
1985 – "The Family Scene"
1986 – "The Family Link"
1987 – "A Family Adventure"
1988 – "Family Encounters, The Closest Kind"
1989 – "Family Foundations"
1990 – "Family Focus"
1991 – "Family Lifestyles"
1992 – "Families Under Construction"
1993 – "God’s Family Garden"
1994 – "Seasons of the Family"
1995 - "God’s Family of Champions"
1996 – "Family Harmony"
1997 – "Family Treasures"
1998 – "The House That God Built"
1999 – "Anchors A+Way"
2000 – "It’s A Jungle Out There"
2001 – "Family Recipe"
2002 – "Family Legacy"
2003 – "Family Windows"
2004 – "Super Families"
2005 – "Family Frontier, Back to the Basics"
2006 – "Games Families Play"
2007 – "Family Fiesta"
2008 – "De-Clutter De-Family"
2009 – "Gearing Up The Family"
2010 – "GPS for the Family"
2011 – "Family Luau"
2012 – "Families Rock"
2013 – "Family Fitness: Spirit, Mind, Body"
2014 – "CHRISTmas in July, it all began with a Family"
2015 – "Down On The Family Farm"
For more information ask about the book see http://reconnectingtime.com for more information about the book “Reconnecting Time, Planning Church Family Camps”, written by Carolyn Craig, and published in 2005 by Discipleship Resources.
Add a section to the front page probably, with the other static content. The text is below:
A FAMILY CAMP LEGACY, shared by Jim & Carolyn Craig The very first Family Camp, as it is known today, was started in 1983 at Camp Miami, Germantown, OH. The first Directors were Dave & Karen Tharp and Jim & Carolyn Craig, from Findlay, OH (at that time).
A number of circumstances occurred, that appeared to be God’s divine intervention, to cause this ministry to come to be: 1) an existing Family Camp that the Tharps and Craigs attended in 1981 was struggling, with what appeared to be for obvious reasons; 2) a letter was written in 1982 to Ted Witt, the Director of Camps and Retreats when the former camp was canceled, describing not only the problems, but also a vision and potential for what could be; 3) a face-to-face meeting in late 1982 between Ted Witt, Tharps and Craigs occurred to discuss the future of Family Camp, and when we left that meeting, we discovered we had become the “new” Directors of a West Ohio Conference UM Family Camp for 1983. Sure, we thought “we could try it… for one year!”
But what God had in mind didn’t stop there, and it has obviously lasted longer than one year! Although we didn’t see ourselves as camp directors by any stretch of the imagination, doors began to open. Through sponsorship from the Findlay District (n/k/a Northwest Plains District), as well as from St. Paul’s UMC, in Findlay, OH, and by the grace of God, our every need was met… financial, staffing, ideas, resources, etc! Spiritual leaders over the years have included: Marion Fitch, Rev Maurice Bailey, Rev Daryl Fourman, Rev James Brown, Rev Grayson Atha, Rev Tom Hoover, Rev Jim Freshour, Rev Jeff Harper, and Bruce Perry.
Past Directors have also included Greg & Laura Probst, Mark & Jan Powell, Leah Flory, Amy Perry, and Robin & Lisa Kershner. Typically around 100+ people attend each year. At two different points in time, the camp became so large that families were on waiting lists to register. Two camps were started those years: in 1988, with Directors, Pastor Jim & Mary Kay Freshour; and again in 2003, with Directors, Pastor Bill & Kimberly Thomas. Both of the “second” camps ran for a few years, but are no longer going. Camp Miami was closed in 1994, so starting in 1995 and thereafter this event has been held at Camp Widewater, Liberty Center, OH.
2015 will be the 33rd year of this Family Camp. Even though Directors through the years have changed, the ministry’s purpose and mission has not changed: “To grow families in Christ through Bible study, fellowship and fun, at a camp setting.” Amazingly, Family Camp themes have never been repeated. Here’s the list:
For more information ask about the book see http://reconnectingtime.com for more information about the book “Reconnecting Time, Planning Church Family Camps”, written by Carolyn Craig, and published in 2005 by Discipleship Resources.