Summer Theme 2011

Campers! We miss you!

We miss you so much, that we've already started to plan for next summer! We can't wait to have you back!

So here's the deal... we want all of your help to decide next summer's theme! What are your ideas?!

Here are a few things to keep in mind...

1. It's our 90th year at Beulah Beach.
2. We want to do something we've never done before.

What do you think?! Either post your ideas as comments on here or on Facebook and after we get a few great ideas, maybe we'll even have a vote!

Let's hear it!

Joel Trainer

Programs Director

P.S. I'll give the winner a free mustache from the Dock!

Opening Day of Extreme and Edge Camp!

Parents,

Your kids have an obnoxious amount of energy... and we love it. It's driving us to new heights here at Beulah Beach and we're so excited about this week.

After a safari, hayride, dinner, and SUNSET, we headed down the MIX. You'll have to ask your campers about Poomba and his journey on becoming a man in his tribe!

Joel Trainer spoke tonight at the MIX and challenged campers to toss out any expectations they have coming into camp. Expectations of what they'll be doing and even expectations of what they think God will do in their life. At Beulah Beach, we don't want what we want to happen at camp - we want what God wants to happen at camp!

Following the service, we all went down the beach and prayed together. Each counselor prayed over all of their campers individually and as a group - that God would unite them in love and that they'd leave here on Friday a different person!

Here we go.... this is going to be a great week!

Parents - please pray for our staff this week as we have a few who are pretty sick.

Thanks so much!

Sr. High Camp Starts today....

Hello Sr. High Campers and Parents,

We are so excited to have you here this week!

This week's speaker, Bart McKelvey, is fired up to be sharing God's word with you all this week, and honestly, the schedule this week is absolutely amazing. We are going to have SO MUCH FUN together!

See you all very soon!

Joel Trainer

Summer Camp Director

Camp is amazing...

The Ministry Explosion campers are in Cleveland right now, but they'll be back soon for their Pool Party tonight. Missionary in residence Ryan Durbin will be sharing with them tonight about being "Live Receivers and Life Givers" and sharing the light of Christ to the world!

Backcountry Camp is BACK! We've been hearing that their trip was amazing and memory-filled and they're actually up at the pool right now enjoying some beautiful weather and chilly water!

I also heard that we had a BELL RINGER in Backcountry Camp! That puts us at 111 people this summer giving their lives to Jesus Christ for the first time!

Can't wait to see all you Parents tomorrow! Ministry Explosion Closing Service will be in the HUT (Youth Tab) and the Backcountry Service will be in Shoreview and both of them will start at 11:30, followed immediately by lunch!

See you tomorrow!

ME and Backcountry!

Ministry Explosion and Backcountry Camps are off to a great start!

After some low ropes and team building events last night, Ministry Explosion beat the Backcountry Camp in a brand new edition of the Serengeti Game Show! It was awesome!

After a worship set from Beulah Beach's own "David and David," Summer Camp Director Joel Trainer gave a message on Matthew 14 and asked the campers the most important question they'll face this week... "Are you going to leave here Friday the same person, or a changed person?"

Many campers came forward and expressed to the Lord that they want to be transformed and I can't wait to see what happens!

Backcountry is on the road and Ministry Explosion is training downstairs!

Beulah Beach

Splash Camp CrossWalk

Hello Splash Parents!

June 13th at Beulah Beach was a very special day that we will all remember for a very long time...

We all woke up and watched our second ReaLife video and had counselor devotions following that. From what I have heard, these videos that are our staff makes have been very effective in bringing up real issues that kids are facing in schools today...

After that, the lake was smooooooth so we enjoyed another amazing morning in all of our Splash Classes. The kneeboarders and waterskiers are doing fantastic!

Then came lunch, a short rest time, another episode of the Serengeti Game Show and some free time where your campers got to go down the zip line and rockwall, along with almost everything else we have to offer here at camp!

The lake was really rough last night --- but at Beulah Beach we always have fun --- so we had a "Who can get your counselor the muddiest?" contest! It was hilarious and everyone LOVED it!

And then came the CrossWalk. Campers met on the hill and then moved into their groups to pray and prepare themselves for the CrossWalk. After a few minutes, the Roman soldiers began dragging Jesus down towards the beach. The Romans beat Jesus right in front of the campers' eyes and then crucified him on the beach. It was a very powerful scene and reminded us all, staff included, of the price Jesus paid for our sins!

Over 20 campers came forward and accepting Jesus into their hearts for the first time last night, and almost everyone else came forward to pray and ask Jesus to forgive their sins! We had a very FREE-ING night last night!

Today, we're looking forward to Kalahari, MAN-NIGHT and Ladies' Night, and then a Safari Parti later!

This camp is amazing. You have incredible kids.

Joel Trainer

SORRY! We're having too much fun!

Hello Splash Parents!

I'm so sorry we haven't posted yet - we haven't had time!

Here's what has happened so far... and if I miss anything, I'm sure your camper will be able to fill you in...

On Sunday afternoon, we had an opening day SAFARI where your campers got to shoot some monkeys out of a tree with paintball markers, learned a tribal dance, played some awesome games on the beach, and then moved into their rooms! After a delicious PIZZA dinner, our campers all got in their groups and came up with their own tribe cheer, which they've been performing every night at SUNSET - a Beulah Beach tradition!

At SUNSET, the MEN cheer against the LADIES and it gets LOUD! A few tribes do their tribe cheer and then we have MEN vs. LADIES TRIVIA... and as of this morning, it is tied 1-1. Thursday night will deem the winner.

Following TRIVIA, our two missionaries in residence Ryan and Lizz Durbin get to share about what God is doing in the country of Senegal. Following their time of sharing, all your campers get on their knees and spend a few minutes just praying for the missionaries in Senegal and God's work there... it's a POWERFUL moment!

And then we go to the MIX - which has been OUT OF CONTROL so far! Not only are your kids having SO MUCH FUN, but God is doing work in the hearts of these kids unlike anything we've seen all summer. On the first night, Summer Camp Director Joel Trainer asked the kids a question. He said, "You get to choose. Do you want to leave here on Friday the same person, or a changed person?" Almost every kid in the HUT came forward and prayed that God would change them this week... and we're seeing it happen. One girl gave her life to Christ last night and rang the bell!!

After a clear, blue, flat lake yesterday, we had some awesome Splash Classes, a great start to our Safari Game Show, and another great MIX last night, where Assistant Programs Director Shea Prisk talked about Faith, and how it's much more than a believe. He challenged them with the question, "What is your faith DOING?" I heard that devotions last night were so good after his message...

The lake is flat again today and now the campers are about to eat some lunch... and tonight is our CROSSWALK, so please pray that God will move in the hearts of these campers!

We'll update soon!

Beulah Beach

P.S. I attached some of my favorite pictures of the last two days... what do you think?

Explore Campers are here... and it's better than EVER!

We have had two of the craziest, most amazing days EVER at Beulah Beach!

First off... yesterday was Wet and Wacky Wednesday - and it was WARM! Although the weather was so hot, it was by far the best day of the summer so far!

Not only did we get to enjoy some amazing worship time, some hilarious skits, a YUK slide, the beach, the Rockwall, the inflatables, the Elephant Trunks, the Giant Swing, and canoes and paddleboats but.... drumroll.... we had 72 first time salvation decisions!!

The bell was ringing LIKE CRAZY yesterday and we did our best to out-cheer the angels in heaven, but I'm sure there was one crazy party up there yesterday!

Last night, after the long, hot day, we had our Discover Campers and Explore campers enjoy MOVIE NIGHT in the Air Conditioning! We had popcorn and fruit punch and the kids enjoyed an African classic... Madagascar!

Today has already been so much fun! We woke up, finished the Lion King and talked about how Good will win over Evil when Jesus comes back, and then played some awesome water games! After lunch, a short rest time, and the best Safari Game Show ever, the kids are all outside one more time and we have EVERYTHING open today!

Tonight, Missionary in Residence Ryan Durbin will be sharing on LIFE, the last of the Big Five! He'll be talking about receiving LIFE and giving LIFE and LIGHT to the darkest places of the world! We can't wait to see what God does in the lives of these campers!

We hope you're enjoying these posts as much as we are enjoying your kids!

Beulah Beach Leadership Team

Man Night and Girl's Night

After an amazing afternoon of activities (including the ZIP LINE!), we split up into two groups... MEN and GIRLS!

Man Night at Beulah Beach consists of the manliest events -- a wrestling MANPIT, arm wrestling contests, football throwing competitions, waterballoon launching and much, much more. It was then accented by some ALL BEEF hotdogs, the Man Song, some great worship time and a speaker named John Dutton, who plays quarterback for the AFL's Cleveland Gladiators! John talked about what it means to be a man's man - one the lives a PURE LIFE and respects ladies and treats them right!

Girl's Night was so much fun too! A nice, evening meal with girly music, some ballroom dancing, nail painting, hair decorating, and a good ole fashioned Runway Modelshow! The girls heard a message from Terina Dutton, John's wife, about what it means to be a woman of God!

Now -everyone is outside getting painted up for the SAFARI PARTIIIIII!!!!!!!!

Wet and Wacky Wednesday tomorrow! Here we come!

The gospel will be presented to 700+ kids tomorrow so be in prayer all day long!

Discover Camp Day One

Hello!

Well, it's been non-stop since they got here and it's not stopping anytime soon!

We had a delicious amount of pizza for dinner last night, and for dessert, the campers got their first look at our new Snak Shack! After a candy bar and a slushie (and some campers more!), all the campers headed to sunset where the girls beat the boys in Beulah Beach Trivia on the first night! I have a feeling that the boys are going to even up the score tonight!

Last night, the campers were introduced to Poomba, his dad, and the NGANGA! Remember to ask your camper about Poomba and his quest to become a MAN in the tribe!

After an amazing worship time with the band Veritas from Indiana Wesleyan University, Summer Camp Director Joel Trainer gave a message on the Forbidden C's and the Powerful P's. Our campers were encouraged this week not to cuss, coarsely joke, or cut each other but instead, praise the Lord, pray all the time, and put each other up! You'll have to ask your camper how this was illustrated! It was powerful. However, no matter how hard these campers try to say good things, whatever is in their heart will overflow out of their mouth so we had a time of prayer last night where the campers were able to set their hearts and ask for a clean heart so they could speak good things all week at camp!

This morning, we've had breakfast, a short movie, and some devotions - and now they are all headed across the street to PLAY SOME SPOOOOOORTS!!!

I love camp!

Beulah Beach

Boot Camp Crosswalk

We had an unbelievable night last night. There are a few pictures I've attached so you can get a picture of the setting we had our service in. Summer Camp Director Joel Trainer gave a message about the chains that weigh us down - the sin and guilt in our lives that don't allow to live freely like God intended us! When Jesus came and died on the cross, he said, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laiden and I will give you rest." He died so we could get rid of our sin, not keep it. The chains of sin weigh us down and our Boot Campers made decisions last night to get rid of the sin in their lives and give it up to the Lord and LIVE FORGIVEN. It was so amazing!

They are having a great day today! We had a fire building contest and I'll let you wait and hear from your campers who won it! Then they went to the mudpit... now they're playing soccer on the beach... and this afternoon, it's PAINTBALL TIME against the Counselors!

Can't wait for tonight!

Beulah Beach Leadership Team

Boot Camp

We're having a blast with the Boot Campers here! It has been a very intense first three days. The first day was absolutely insane, but our campers made it through it. One camper, during "Time Out" time at night said, "Don't worry guys, the first day is always the hardest." Commander Robertson, our Boot Camp Director promptly responded, "You're right. Tomorrow is Day One."

We have been so impressed with the willpower, team unity, spirit, strength and effort from all of our Boot Campers. There have been a few that have wanted to give up at times, but no one has yet and they're all across the road playing paintball now!

One thing is for certain - God is moving. There is some major stuff going on in the lives of these teenagers and I'm so anxious to see the chains be broken and hearts set free tonight at our service. Our Summer Camp Director is giving a message on the "easy yoke and the light burden." Pray for these campers with us as they experience Jesus in a whole new way tonight!

Until next time,

Beulah Beach Leadership Team

Sports Camp is over... and Boot Camp begins!

We had an absolute blast in our first week of Resident Camp!

Here is what a few campers said about what they loved the most and what the Lord taught them at camp!

Jonathan said, "I want to go be a missionary!" How cool is that?!

Riley said, "God taught me not to worry about what man will think and do to you, but of what God thinks of you!" Amazing!

Kollin said, "The best night of camp was MAN NIGHT!" It was pretty awesome, Kollin! You're right.

What an amazing first week! Amazing kids worshipping an AMAZING GOD! Nothing better...

And Boot Camp is here... after the Opening Day search for the Armor of God, our Boot Campers are soaked and tired and already feeling the pain and being pushed to the limit! Our counselors are so excited to push these campers as far as they can go and love them through every minute of it! I can't wait for Thursday night when they finally get a well-deserved pizza party!

Beulah Beach is HOT HOT HOT and you need to be here!

Until next time,

Joel Trainer

Sumer Camp Director

Sports Camp Day Two and Day Three

I'm so sorry we didn't post yesterday - we've been too busy having fun!

We have had an AMAZING two days here at camp. Both from 9:15-11:15 in the morning and 5:45-7:30 in the evening, your kids are ROCKING at Sports this week! We've come up with all kinds of cheers for all the sports and I think everyone is just having so much fun! Our coaches have been amazing this year! We have a college soccer coach, PGA Golf Pro, high school tennis coach, college cross country runners, high school volleyball coaches, some CRAZY cheerleaders, AFL Cleveland Gladiator quarterback John Dutton helping with football, and more! It's been so much fun!

So sports fill our days, and God is MOVING in the hearts of these kids. We've found the next two qualities of the Big Five - Faith on Monday and Love on Tuesday. Shea Prisk gave a message on Tuesday night about Faith and how it's much more than just saying you believe in something! Faith requires action!

And last night, our Summer Camp Director led our campers on our 2nd Annual CrossWalk! The campers all went on a hayride and were stopped by a mob of Roman soldiers. After shuffling the kids into the HUT, Joel Trainer gave a gospel presentation that included a live "beating" and "crucifixion" that these campers will remember forever! It was so amazing to watch God at work in the hearts of all these campers!

Oh and guess what!? 6 KIDS RANG THE BELL FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT! That means that 6 campers recieved Jesus Christ and many, many more came down to the front and rededicated their lives to Jesus Christ! AMEN?!

It's been so much fun! Man Night and Girl Night tonight!

Don't forget to ask your camper about the NGANGA! And check out some pictures from yesterday's festivities!

Until next time,

Beulah Beach Leadership Team

Sports Camp Day One

We are having a blast already!

After an opening afternoon Safari that took kids on an adventure where they learned some tribal songs, tribal dances, shot some paintball markers at some monkeys hanging in a tree and got in the lake, we thought they'd be tired! BUT THEY WEREN'T!

We then had some dinner, went over some camp rules, enjoyed a few snacks from the Snak Shack and watched a Beulah Beach sunset where the girls beat the boys in the First Round of SUNSET TRIVIA! I think the boys are already getting pumped up for tonight's round...

After the sunset, we headed down into the HUT where we danced around, watched some hilarious skits, worshipped the Lord and heard a message from Summer Camp Director Joel Trainer about Speech - the first of the BIG FIVE. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but instead set an example for believers in SPEECH LIFE LOVE FAITH and PURITY" - The Beulah Beach Big Five!

Joel talked about the Forbidden C's - Cursing, Coarse Joking and Cut Downs and demonstrated the foulness of these by putting LLAMA POOP into a jug of crystal clear water! He then talked about the Powerful P's - Praise, Prayer and Put ups! Just add sugar, ice, and koolaid to some water and it makes for a pretty sweet, tasty drink! We all want to be KoolAid Kids here at Beulah Beach - a place where we praise the Lord, pray all the time, and put each other up!

It's been a great first day! Sports Session 2 is right after dinner tonight!

Goodnight!

Beulah Beach

Summer Staff is arriving TODAY!

We had a great time as a Leadership Team last night, and we are so pumped for 2:00 today when our entire summer staff will be arriving!

We have a HUGE variety of staff members this year! We've got missionary kids from Africa, college students from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and even a few staff members crossing the border from Canada! You can check out ALL of their profiles online at https://www.beulahbeach.org/contact-us/meetthesummerstaff.

We're so excited for a long week of fun, fellowship, and training for an amazing summer!

Pray for us as we start this journey together! Romans 15:5-6 is our Summer Staff Prayer.

Until next time,

Joel

Benefit Auction on Saturday!

Hey all!

I've got an idea for you! Are you interested in getting some hot NEW stuff, eating the best perch sandwich on the planet, spending the day with your family at beautiful Beulah Beach, and every dollar you'll spend goes directly towards the ministries of Beulah Beach!? Sounds pretty awesome to me!

The 2nd Annual Beulah Beach Benefit Auction is only a few days away! This Saturday, the 29th, is the day and the first item will be auctioned at 9:30, but come earlier than that and enjoy some breakfast at 8:00! It only lasts until right around 12:30 so bring the family up and bid on some really cool stuff!

We have big items... like cars, boats, and diamond rings. We have smaller items too like a 2 hour wakeboarding lesson, a golf bag, or an Indians Jacket. We have over 400 items! And don't buy your flowers anywhere else either - we have tons of those!

We're pumped! I hope you are too!

We'll see you Saturday!

Women's Director

Hey all,

I'm so excited to announce the hiring of a new Women's Director this summer at camp! Becca Mathews jumped on board today and we're putting her to work already! She's overwhelmed and excited at the same time, but most importantly, PUMPED about getting to watch the Lord work in the lives of campers this summer!

Becca graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in 2009 with degrees in both Youth Ministry and Business Management. She spent some time working for Camp Timberline in Estes Park, Colorado - one of the top camps in the country. We're happy to bring Becca's experience, enthusiasm and heart to Beulah Beach, the best place on earth!

I hope you get to meet Becca this summer. She's incredible!

Talk to you soon!

Follow us here!

Every day, this summer while camp is going on, we'll have someone from our Beulah Beach Leadership Team posting to let you know what is going on at camp!

On here, you'll get to see funny pictures, hear some great stories, and most importantly, get an inside look at what God is doing at camp!

Make sure to check back with us!

Our first update will be June 20!