The UMCRM Association had the joy of distributing $1.7 million in Ministry Impact Grants last year, funding 68 United Methodist camp/retreat ministry projects across the U.S. with a focus on future sustainability.

Learn more about the 2023 Ministry Impact Grants

UMCRM will be celebrating completed projects in this ongoing series until all of the 2023 grant recipients have been featured. Join us in giving thanks for the vision, hope, and expanded ministry reach represented in these stories. The projects featured this week are all in support of program needs. Innovation in programming keeps camp experiences fresh and exciting, and is also an attractive feature for prospective retreat groups, keeping these ministries sustainable year-round.

Camp Adventure (IN) - Activity Shelters

At Camp Adventure, the only indoor spaces are the cabins and dining hall. They dreamed for years of having roofed shelters at the remote ends of Kiser Lake to provide a shaded gathering space for campers in case of inclement weather. The grant, along with volunteer labor, made possible two new, metal-roofed, pavilion-style shelters which expand program options and increase the safety and quality of experience for campers, staff and guests.

Camp Mechuwana (ME) - Art Center

The first round of Ministry Impact Grants in 2022 funded Phase 1 of the new Art Center at Camp Mechuwana, including engineering, permits, earth work, electrical, and the base floor. The hope was that additional donors would get excited and be motivated to help complete the rest of the project, and the response was exactly that answer to prayer. The grant generated lots of new interest and energy and inspired an additional $60K in giving to the project. This Phase 2 grant helped to complete the septic, plumbing, siding, ramps, landscaping, and more, to make the building fully ready for use. The Art Center has enabled Mechuwana to offer expanded art programming. It has brought joy to campers and staff and has helped to attract new guest groups to the camp. The new space also fills a critical community need for a year-round gathering spot for art and meetings. It has felt like a rekindling of ownership and enthusiasm after the hard seasons of the Covid pandemic, helping the camp and community look forward to a bright future.

Ceta Canyon (TX) - Zipline Replacement

Thanks to a great outpouring of support from foundations and individuals, the camp replaced its previous 150’ single gravity zipline with a 750’ double canopy zipline. The Ministry Impact Grant provided the first 25% of the total cost of the project and helped to galvanize matching funds and other gifts to complete the work. The new setup allows more than double the number of guests to be able to enjoy the zipline experience at a time. The previous zipline access was difficult for campers trying to climb the 30-foot wall to the starting platform. Dismounting could also be unnerving and inefficient both for the guests and for the facilitators. The new zipline has easier access, more efficient and comfortable dismounting procedures, and provides a scenic “zipping experience” over the natural canyon landscape. This program upgrade is an exciting addition to camp for summer campers, and will revitalize the retreat season by attracting new guest groups.

Cross Point (OK) - Waterfront and Adventure Equipment

Through this grant, Cross Point was able to move from a state of decline to a strong, well-equipped program with a variety of safe and exciting options to offer campers and guest groups. The funding enabled the purchase of new lily pads and lifejackets for waterfront activity, several new tubes for towing behind the boat, towing tube connectors and ropes, repairs to the boat trailer, a new light for the boat, new harnesses and three auto-belay devices for the climbing tower, a gazebo for weather protection in the adventure area, and new picnic tables for the adventure gazebo area. Cross Point received a real facelift and started the new camp season with good equipment and refreshed enthusiasm for the ministry’s outdoor programs.

Lake Michigan Family Campground (MI) - Disc Golf Course

The grant supported building an 18-hole family disc golf course and 9-hole youth course named “Fairway To Heaven,” and it was truly a collaborative community project. The local Pentwater service club, individuals, and youth groups donated funds and volunteer power to help build the course. Eagles Wings Disc Golf, an international Christian organization that designed the course, helped with the build and will facilitate future disc golf workshops, tournaments, and camps. The design was approved by Mason County Disc Golf Association and the courses will be part of the annual Amateur Michigan State tournament every September. The course provides a fun new way for families to encounter the outdoors in a leisure activity that is easy to learn for all ages. Inspirational Christian messages are placed throughout the course pathways. Completion of the project included tee areas, chain baskets, public parking lot, benches, walkways, sponsorship campaign, and signage. The course opened in August of 2023, and saw over 1,395 hours of play in its first season, including visitors from 20 different states!

Read about previously-featured Ministry Impact projects linked here