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Keep the Campfires Burning

Three years ago in 2020, we were wrestling with the impact and burden that COVID brought unexpectedly to camp, both programmatically and financially. We lost 75% of our retreat ministry and were unable to run summer overnight camp.  Day camps ran successfully and for that we are extremely grateful.

Advance three years to 2023 and we ran all our summer camp programs and 80% of pre-pandemic retreats. Weekend camps over the 2023 are definitely smaller in numbers than previous years, but we were blessed to fill most of our weekends this fall.

The summer camping season was a true blessing. Over 1200 campers participated in all our summer programs from June through August. This includes day camps, overnight camps, family camp, grandparent/grandchild weekend camp and our mission’s trip weeks. The mission’s program includes our staff working with church youth groups providing a free week of day camp to trailer parks in Rochester. But the real blessing is that we were able to find staff. Many camps across the country found it difficult like we did to find all the staff they needed. If Camp Victory had been able to hire 20 more staff like normal, we would not have been forced to close sessions in order to maintain camper to counselor ratios. Therefore, we registered about 300 fewer campers than last year. We are working hard to recruit all the staff needed for 2024.

Some important milestones from this year:

• 70 campers made a decision to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Savior
• $44,964 was raised in scholarship funding, helping 157 children experience camp
• 1 new full-time staff was hired in 2023; a new Multimedia Specialist John Ross.
• We had over 200 volunteers this year. Volunteers play a critical role in keeping this ministry alive and functioning.

Memorial Giving:

• In Name of (a loved one or friend)
  • Camp Victory accepts gifts in memory of a loved one or friend. Gifts are acknowledged when the receipt family is identified.   Memorial gifts help keep the campfires going either through donating for a camper scholarship or to the greatest need.  To make a gift, simply click the link below and complete the donation form.
• Bosshardt Honor Park Campaign
  • Camp Victory is honoring the memory of Earl Bosshardt with the addition of a pavilion within the Honor Park. Earl Bosshardt passed away on October 18, 2022.  Earl has been serving the Lord faithfully for 25 years at Camp Victory helping to reach thousands of campers with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The total project cost is $35,000.  To contribute simply click the link below in honor of Earl.

Camper Scholarships:

• Many families cannot afford the cost of summer camp. With help from people like you, camp raises scholarship support for these campers. Gifts to the camper scholarship campaign and three special events each year raise approximately $70,000 providing 200 campers some form of financial assistance.   If you would like to send a child to camp, or become an event sponsor, simply click the link below to make a donation to the camper scholarship campaign or complete the sponsorship form.   Thank you for making a difference in the life of a camper.

Capital Needs:

• Camp Victory’s physical plant is beautiful. God has certainly blessed the camp through the incredible support of so many people.  Taking care of the camp takes planning, coordination, and constant maintenance.  Each year specific projects are identified that needs to be updated and replaced so the camp operates smoothly.
  • In 2024 there are four projects for consideration.  If you would like to donate toward either of these needs, please click the link below or contact David Nelson to get more information.
    • Completion of the program closet (winterization and shelving project) – $5,000
    • Replace 20-year-old kitchen tile flooring that lived through the 2010 flood in the directors’ house – $10,000
    • Awning cover on the backside of the recreation hall for the pedal carts to keep them safe and protected – $3,000
    • Remodel the health center and craft hall – $20,000