Scrapbook Retreat Feedback

This past scrapbook retreat was our biggest, yet. 57 participants came to scrapbook, fellowship, and recharge their batteries. The gym was bursting with activity and creativity all hours of the day and night. Here are a few comments from the what participants found most meaningful:

Peace

Being able to have lots of room to scrapbook with all my friends. A nice place to rest, and meals provided. The staff is always so warm, welcoming and helpful! Thank you so much!!!

I loved the whole weekend. I can't wait to do it again.

The cropping space is great. So much room to spread out, with good lighting and good heating/cooling. The snacks were great too.

Time to scrapbook and time to enjoy nature and friends.

 found that the ability to be with people that you love and cherish was very important. It gave me the chance to spend time with my family in something that we all love to do.

The time and space to work, walk the trails, and catch up with friends.

The gym was much fuller than this old photo, things just keep growing!

6 years ago, these retreats started with a small group, they keep growing by word of mouth and great participants!

Why Come to Camp-another reason!

I saw the following blurb in the "Thursday Mail", a weekly update from Christian Camps and Conference Association, CCCA. I agree and wanted to pass it on.  It is important to keep educating and developing whole people.


Camp recognized as key to emotional intelligence
Why should kids go to camp? According to a March 15 report on Stltoday.com (the Web site of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch), the friendships, new experiences and character-building activities develop emotional intelligence, a factor that is a more important indicator of adult happiness and success than IQ scores. Camp gives young people the opportunity to learn about themselves, develop confidence, discover strengths and meet challenges in an environment of loving guidance where academics aren’t the focus. Research shows that skills such as listening, cooperation, empathy, sharing and self-control — all emphasized at camp — are key to kids’ school success and healthy relationships, and later, positive contributions to their community and fulfilling careers. 

A new Season!

Amigo Centre Announces new Executive Director

  After a six month search process Amigo Centre announced the hiring of Cliff Brubaker as their new Executive Director at their annual Friends of Amigo banquet.  Over the past 25 years Cliff has served in ministry roles within multiple congregations, most recently specializing in transitional ministry.  He has studied at Associated Biblical Seminary and is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite College and Bethany Christian Schools. 

  "The board and staff of Amigo are very happy to welcome Cliff as Executive Director.  His passion for Amigo and it's ministry are apparent and we believe he is uniquely equiped to serve Amigo at this particular point in time."  (David Gautsche, Board Chair)

  Amigo Centre is located in Sturgis, Michigan and is a ministry of the Indiana-Michigan Conference of Mennonite Church USA.

Some more pictures from the banquet:

Norm and Kathy give us ways to support camp-#1 way-Come to Camp!

Faith and Jason talk about new things and unique groups we serve-the joy of working at camp. 

Dave announcing our new Director

Cliff taking the stage.

Cliff telling us why he is excited to be at Amigo even if he can't play ping pong!

Some of the many friends who support camp.  We thank each of you!

Remember come to Camp!

Farewells and the changing of the seasons

this is a week of farewells at Amigo, On Monday, we said good bye to Robin Culver, who after 10 years of cooking meals for camp is off to travel and explore the world.  On Friday, we say good bye to Ben Semple who has been a part of the Amigo community for almost a year as a volunteer.  These farewells along with saying good bye to Kent Miller in December have made us more aware of transition and change in life.

It seems appropriate that while the days get longer and the snow melts, we start looking for green shoots and buds on trees. Seasons come and go, providing a rhythm to life, so it seems that we leave one season of staff and look with anticipation to the next one. With new leadership and energy, we will continue to provide a place for people to gather and learn more about themselves, each other and creation.