Director's Corner -- Reflecting on Another Year of God's Goodness
|
|
|
As I reflect back over this year, there were many interesting, wild, big and impactful things that happened at camp. Things like staff transitions, new hires, significant conversations, storm damage, scary moments, insurance woes, power
issues, big answers to prayer, people and churches rallying to help with projects and repair storm damage, epic sunsets, board walk complete, cleaning/organizing/sorting years of camp records, training in lots of new staff and volunteers, huge learning curves
and even a new camp baby! It is always hard to sum up a year in a few words. Instead, let me tell you about a conversation I had with a summer staff towards the beginning of summer. We were at a campfire, watching all the kids sing silly songs and then share
how God changed their lives. The summer staffer and I were talking about how crazy camp is. When I said crazy, I was referring to the long hours, the never-ending activity, the silly things we do, and finally, the life change we see in only a week. He, on
the other hand, thought the whole idea of camp was crazy. He said, “I actually don’t believe in camp.” Well, now he really had my attention! I encouraged him to share more of his shocking thoughts (Why would you give a summer to working at camp and not believe
in what you do?! And how did I not learn this during the interview process?!) He shared how camps have weird rituals and traditions. He thought it was odd that parents would send their kids away for a week to mostly total strangers. He said some other insights,
and I thought, well…he’s not wrong. I have never thought about camp that way. And just as I was starting to make judgements about this staffer and his different thoughts on camp, he said one more thing. “But there is something different at Big Sandy Camp
that makes all the difference. God is here and He changes lives here. He changed my life here at Big Sandy. I am forever grateful. And I will continue to serve and give my summers until I’m done with college to be a part of what God is doing here. There is
something about this place and God’s presence here. I love this place. There’s no other place like it.”
Well said.
No matter what we face, the challenges that arise—the learning curves we must figure out and all the frustrating moments—it is all worth it to see the lives that are significantly changed every year. I wish I knew how many people have made
decisions to follow Jesus at Big Sandy Camp over the 65 years it has been open for campers. Thousands? Tens of thousands? Only God knows for sure. But one thing I know. God still shows up in personal, life-transformative and powerful ways to those who comes
to this place. It truly is a special camp and we are grateful to Him for all He has done!
Rhonda Wynegar
Camp Director
|
|
|
WE ARE SnOw READY FOR WINTER CAMPS THIS YEAR!
After two years of not much snow – camp is READY for some SNOW fun! Tubing hill is READY, the lake is FROZEN, Giant piles of snow are ready to climb and play on, we just need YOU! Register TODAY for Young Adult Retreat, Avalanche, Men’s
Retreat and Women’s Retreat - - See BELOW…
|
|
- Young Adult Retreat – Jan 2-4, 2026 for ages 18-30
- High School Avalanche--Jan 16-18 (grades 9-12)
- Combo 1 Avalanche--Jan 23-25 (grades 6-12)
- Junior Avalanche--Jan 30-Feb1 (grades 3-6)
- C&MA Father/Son & Men's Retreats--Feb 6-8 & March 6-8
- Middle School Avalanche--Feb 20-22 (grades 6-8)
- Combo 2--Feb 27-March 1 (grades 9-12)
- Spring Ladies "Space for God" Retreat – April 17-19, 2026 - For all ladies ages 15 and up!
- Spring Work Day--May 2, 2026 all ages and skills welcome!
|
|
|
|
That’s right YOU! We need volunteers for our winter retreats. If you have ever wanted to be a part of our team to make a weekend retreat a reality – this is your year! If you want to work behind the scenes to do the many tasks (kitchen prep,
dishes, cleaning, running activities, etc) and get a front row seat to seeing God at work – COME JOIN US! We have a need for 35 volunteers over the course of all the winter retreats. Pray and consider if this is a ministry that God would have you do.
|
|
CAMP WISH LIST!
Check out our giving page to see our “Wish List!”
https://bigsandycamp.org/giving/
Several of you have been asking about a wish list to see things that camp needs to function even better. For those of you who like to give a tangible gift, please check out our wish list! We know
some things on it are expensive, consider going in with others to raise the funds!
|
|
Fall Project Update and THANK YOU!
|
|
A BIG thank you to the staff and volunteers who have come to help better camp this fall. It makes a difference. Every small thing matters and God can use it all to point people to Him. We appreciate
you! We could not do it without you – and we have FUN!
- New Craft Shop roof
- Half of the retaining wall repaired
- Masonry on exterior Oak fireplace surround
- Tile repair in Fisher Lobby
- Window replaced in Fisher entry
- Boardwalks COMPLETED!
- Painting complete in Oak and Loon!
- Lakeview bathroom stall update
- Lakeview upstairs painting has begun
- Lakeview water heater repair by a volunteer saved us a lot!!
- Oak HVAC has started the first phase of upgrade!
- and more!
We trust God, His timing, and His work in and through us all. We can’t say thank you enough for the ways many of you have faithfully and generously given to the ministry of Big Sandy Camp. There is still plenty of work to be done. You can
go to our website to give to the building fund or follow the link.
https://bigsandycamp.org/giving/
|
|
|
- Praise God for over 3,500 people coming to camp this year to encounter Jesus. Many lives were changed, seeds were planted, relationships grew and lots of spiritual conversations
- Praise God for all the work that was able to get done at camp this year! Lots of repairs, maintenance, inspections, tree work, painting, and building to keep this place ready for guests.
- Praise God for all the gifts, donations and prayers to help keep this place going. We are grateful to our many partners in this ministry!
- Pray with us for 1,000 campers at our 5 Avalanche Winter retreats. We had around 650 last year and we are trusting God for MORE campers so MORE can hear the great news of God’s love and His plan
for their lives to give this generation HOPE!
- Pray for God’s provision of funds for the projects that we need to complete in order to keep camp in compliance and running well!
- Pray for wisdom for decisions, finances, and future development of spaces and people!
- Pray for volunteers both to help at retreat as well as projects around camp.
Thank YOU for being an integral part of the ministry of camp. We truly cannot do this without
YOU! It takes a large village to make camp a reality!
We LOVE our Big Sandy Camp Family!!
Merry Christmas from all of us at Big Sandy Camp
to YOU and YOURS!
|
|
|
GET IN TOUCH
Big Sandy Camp & Retreat Center
52511 185th Place
McGregor, MN 55760
218-426-3389
|
|
|
| 
