This spring, the UMCRM Association had the joy of distributing $2.5 million in Ministry Impact Grants, funding 86 different United Methodist camp/retreat ministry projects with a focus on future sustainability. 

Learn more about the 2022 Ministry Impact Grants 

We will be regularly featuring celebrations of completed projects as the reports come in. Congratulations to these centers that successfully accomplished their grant-funded improvements. New opportunities have opened for each of these sites to meet the needs of new generations of campers and guests.

West River Center in Maryland was able to purchase shelter tents and supplies to support doubling their day camp capacity. They experimented with a pilot week of expanded-capacity day camp this season and sold out in 2 hours with a long waitlist. With the week's theme,"On the Water," more campers were introduced to sailing and the unique features of the camp environment. Reaching new campers allowed connecting with more families, reaching more people with the love of Christ and the beauty of creation. The site is now equipped for further expansion of day camp programs in 2023 and beyond. 

Beersheba Springs Assembly (TN) is a pre-civil war hotel that was transformed into a conference and retreat center by Methodists in 1941. Their ministry impact grant project upgraded 8 vintage lodging spaces to provide comfortable, safe, and affordable facilities for youth groups and families. The improvements included updated wiring and electrical panels and installed new HVAC units in the historic buildings. Year-round lodging options were increased by 10% overall, allowing more guests to experience opportunities to connect with God, community, and enjoy the

renewal of retreat experiences.

 

Westview on the James (VA) has long operated robust high- and low-adventure programming, but the climbing wall had outlived its usefulness and safety. Enter a ministry impact grant that enabled them to envision future ministry with quality high adventure programs, enabled by an updated climbing wall and equipment shed. Memorable experiences in this key program area provide guests and campers with a sense of accomplishment, facilitate trust-building, and build confidence. It is a joy to see campers conquer fears, trust in God, and cheer on their friends to complete the task.