Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center

Embracing Interruptions

2011-02-01T14:03:00.000-08:00

“The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s ‘own,’ or ‘real’ life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life—the life God is sending one day by day; what one calls one’s ‘real life’ is a phantom of one’s own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight: but it’s hard to remember it all the time.”
~ C.S. Lewis

"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it!" ~ Psalm 118:24

Rich Towards God

2011-01-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

Kaleidoscope Campers Learn About Faith in Jesus

Thank You 2010 Donors!

As we look back over 2010, we want to say thank you for your support of the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center. Because of your gifts, we were able to provide a place where young and old alike can begin a relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in Him.

Of course the most visible accomplishment of 2010 was the completion of the first cabin village. Five new cabins with space for 60 more people to experience Christ-centered fellowship, growth and renewal. The cabin village is truly a sight to see.

Even more important, however, are the things you can’t see with your eyes. Second Corinthians 4:18 reminds us to, “… fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” In this quiet place surrounded by creation, God has been at work in hearts and lives.

In 2010, our campers and guests were able to grow in their faith. Some put their faith in Christ for the first time and began a new life in Him. Others took the next step in their journey of faith and are walking closer to Him as a result. Your gift to WCRC has allowed that to happen and has had an impact on eternity. Praise God!

Author John Ortberg says, “Being rich toward God means making that which is temporary become the servant of that which is eternal.” Thanks for giving your temporal financial resources to cause an eternal change. Thanks for being rich towards God! What a wonderful investment. May the Lord richly bless you and yours in 2011.

Polar Bear Adopt-a-Highway

2011-01-24T08:29:00.000-08:00

Well, you may have heard of the Polar Bear clubs where crazy people jump into ice-cold water for fun, but have you heard of people picking up trash in sub-freezing tempertures? That's exactly what happened here on Saturday.

As part of our Annual Association Day event we offered the Association Members the opportunity to do some service projects. There were several to choose from including wood cutting/splitting, Adopt a Highway, and brochure folding/stapling. We had a total of 15 volunteers and staff working Saturday morning and we got a lot of work done.

Barnes Rd. is looking great, we have a new pile of firewood, a stack of brochures and some staff that are very grateful.

Thanks to all who helped! You are helping provide a place to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in him.

Keep an eye on our website for more volunteer opportunities. Sign up to recieve volunteer emails by going to our website homepage and entering your email in the box.

Dreaming of a White…Winter Youth Retreat!

2011-01-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

What could be more appropriate for the Winter Youth Retreat than snow? Well for this year’s event we had plenty. Sledding, snow man building, and snow ball fights were all part of the fun at the Winter Youth Retreat.

Our speaker was Sam Scaggs of Mt. Pleasant Mennonite Church. Sam is the author of a book called The Dream Weaver: God’s Plan for Releasing You into Your Dreams. Sam encourages people of all ages to, “Dream God-sized dreams for His glory and change this world into a better place.” Sam took the students through the Bible looking at how God puts a vision in a person’s heart and how that dream can be challenged and refined and accomplished.

Wow! It was a great time. Some of the campers made these comments on an evaluation of the retreat:

· I’m going to try to think through my dreams and make a plan…
· I’ll make sure I don’t crush other’s dreams
· I’ll try to be more open in my relationship with Jesus and others
· I’m going to read the Bible more and just be with God more
· This retreat helped me understand forgiveness
· I’m going to follow my “God dream”
· I’m going to spend more time in worship and prayer

Our goal in the Winter Youth Retreat is to help our campers develop a strong foundation in God’s Word and encourage them to be salt and light in the world. I was really excited to hear some of the dreams mentioned. From leading worship to being a nature photographer to making movies, these campers have some very big “God-dreams.” It will be exciting to see how God uses them to change the world.

Thanks to all the counselors and staff who worked so hard to make this a great retreat. The counselors volunteered their time and served wholeheartedly. Great job!

The tentative date for our next Winter Youth Retreat is December 28-30, 2011. Keep an eye on the website and register in the fall.

Your Gift Makes a Big Difference

2010-12-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

Thank you!

...for your partnership in Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center's ministry this past year. We value the contributions from you and other like-minded individuals who appreciate the significance of having a place set apart for fellowship, growth and renewal.

I am writing now to ask you to strengthen this partnership with a year-end contribution. Although churches, ministries, schools and families regularly use WCRC's facilities for their retreats, this income does not cover all of our operating expenses. And because we strive to keep Kaleidoscope Camp affordable, that program is also financially supported by contributions to our Annual Fund.

As of October 31, WCRC's operating deficit was over $78,000. Fortunately, contributions from generous donors have totaled $45,000 thus far in 2010 thereby reducing the shortfall to $33,000. Would you please prayerfully consider a donation at this time that will help eliminate this year's deficit?

The impact of each child's time at Kaleidoscope Camp on his or her life is difficult to estimate but the youth do realize the spiritual significance. As one camper writes, "One hundred percent of this camp is about God which is my favorite part."

Parents, too, recognize the importance of Kaleidoscope Camp in their children's lives. A parent writes, "We thank God and the whole staff at Kaleidoscope Camp for the ministry rendered and that changed lives will be the continued testimony of service unto the Lord."

Your investment in WCRCin the past has allowed the ministry to make this kind of impact on campers, their parents, and the 10,000 other guests who come to the retreat center each year. Your year end contribution will enable this impact to continue. Please make checks to WCRC and mail your tax-deductible contribution to:

WCRC Annual Fund
9275 Barnes Rd.
Toano, VA 23168

You can also give online at www.wcrc.info/support.php.

Thank you for caring about WCRC and its ministry. May you have a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Sincerely,

Bob Briscoe
Executive Director

Thankful and Moving Forward

2010-11-25T18:50:00.000-08:00

Back to blogging for WCRC. It's been a tough year, but we made it through. The cabins are done with only a few details left to finish up. Things are finally a bit quieter. I think I speak for most of the staff when I say we are both tired and thankful that we have come this far. God is good.

Though we are tired, it's exciting to look ahead to 2011. We have our summer camp theme picked out already, and the brochure is almost done. Dive In to Community is our theme. We'll look at how fellowship is critical to our growth and effectiveness as Christians.

We are also launching the Friends of WCRC Program in 2011. This new title will describe all who volunteer, donate, pray, and work at WCRC. It includes board members, association members, corporate sponsors, and church sponsors as well as monthly donors, Magnolia donors, one time donors, and prayer partners. Pretty much anyone who is involved in the ministry will now become a Friend. We are hoping that this will open the door to allow more people to be involved in providing this place of solitude, fellowship and growth that so many enjoy.

One key volunteer position that will re-emerge in 2011 is Weekend Host. About 6 years ago we were in the habit of having a host couple stay with us every weekend. They stay in Oakwood Lodge to be available 24/7 for guest needs. They help out in the kitchen and take care of minor maintenance needs and trash. They also get a good bit of down time especially on Saturday afternoon. It's a win-win situation. We'll also be re-starting the Adopt-A-Cottage program and the Adopt-A-Highway program. If you would be interested in being a volunteer in 2011, fill out a Volunteer Application found on our website at http://www.wcrc.info/volunteer.php.

On the home-front, I'll be heading to China in a week with my family to bring Lucas, our 5 year old son, home. He's in an orphanage in Shenzhen, China. Pray for a safe trip and a good transition for our Lucas!

Thanks for reading. Keep WCRC in your prayers. Drop by for some coffee and take a look at the new cabins if you get a chance!

Bob

Long Time No Blog

2010-04-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know it has been forever since I last posted. I'll make this short. Pedal the Peninsula is really fun. I've participated in three of them so far. This will be my fourth. I did the 25 mile once, the 63 mile once and last year I did the 10 miler with my whole family. It's a really fun time. Great bike riding, great food, lots of neat people. I hope you'll consider coming this year. May 15. See the info on the website: http://wcrc.info/pedal_the_peninsula.php

Summer Staff Visit WCRC While on Spring Break

2010-03-13T12:40:00.001-08:00

We had a nice visit from two of our wonderful summer camp staff ladies: Amy Duncan and Chelsey Stertz. They are students at Liberty University and they are on Spring Break. In the picture from left to right: Jessica Lane, Chelsey Stertz, Amy Duncan, Jenn Hill and Britany Lyon.

Blessings from Muhlenberg PA

2010-03-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

Wow, we just had a group of college students here from Muhlenberg College in PA. They were part of a campus ministry called Disciplemakers. Instead of spending their Spring Break at the beach, they came here to serve! As a result of their visit, the pool is clean (no small thing), we have large stacks of firewood at 4 locations, cabins 3 and 4 now have hurricane clips and the construction site has never been cleaner. They worked in the kitchen, they helped us move tables and they were fantastic servants. Thank You Disciplemakers!!

Gators and the Gospel

2010-03-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

Support Staff are the folks that make camp work. From setting up the water slide to delivering the afternoon snack to making sure the mist field is working, Support Staff are behind the scenes making it all happen. Sure, it's a lot of sweat and hard work, but you get to drive the Gator, and more importantly, at the end of the day, you have the satisfaction of knowing that the campers had a super-fun day that could not have happened without your help. Not only that, but it's during those fun activities that counselors are building relationships with campers. And it's in the context of those relationships that the gospel is communicated and received; and a new life in Christ is born! Want a job with a purpose? Apply now for a summer camp job at WCRC!

(Pictured is Matt Brenneman former camp staff. Thanks for all of your hard work Matt!)

Jesus and Balloons

2010-03-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

Camp wouldn't be the same without archery. The campers like it and the staff enjoy teaching it. What some people probably don't know is that archery is a perfect place to share the gospel. When a group of campers is finished with their activity (which includes trying to pop balloons) the counselor takes the group to two hay bail targets. On one we show the normal human life: always missing the mark. We're sinful. On the other a perfect bulls-eye: Jesus who lived a sinless life. Then we connect the two with a wooden cross showing how Jesus' death on the cross is our way to cross over from death to life. We end with a simple question: have you crossed over?

Archery is one of many memorable activities at camp that we tie to a spiritual message to make an eternal impact.

Know someone who would like to learn how to do this? Applications are online at www.wcrc.info

Looking Back: The Girls from Cabin 9 help us build A Place to Grow

2010-02-18T15:32:00.000-08:00

As we move towards completion, I want to begin to thank everyone who helped to make our new cabin village a reality. This video was taken back in July of 2009. As you may recall we had lots of rain. We were trying to get the footers poured and every time we got them cleaned out, it would rain again. The girls of cabin 9 heard of our dilemma and offered to help. They came out and shoveled and scooped water out of the ditches so we could pour concrete. To honor them, we had them come out and sign their names on the footers. Thanks cabin 9 girls!

Help us Recruit Staff by Telling Us Your Top 10

2010-02-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

While forging ahead into summer staff recruiting here at wcrc I was thinking about posting the top 10 reasons for being a summer camp counselor. But lately I’ve been seeing the benefit of DELEGATION. So, instead, I’m asking all or our Facebook Fans and other Blog readers to let us know why YOU think working at Kaleidoscope Camp is a great way to invest your summer. Maybe you were a staff member here or maybe you have worked at a different camp. Maybe you have noticed growth in a friend or sibling or one of your kids after they worked at camp. Michael Eisner, the former CEO of Disney said, “I can hardly think of an aspect of my life that wasn’t positively affected by my camping experience.”

So help us spread the word that working at camp is a great way to spend your summer. Give us one good reason, or give us a dozen. Simply post a comment below. We'll publish the top 10 after all the results are totaled.

Oh, and by the way, if you know anyone who would like to work here, send them to our website: http://www.wcrc.info/ THANKS!

Jenn Hill Stays WAY BUSY in the "Off Season"

2010-02-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

Some people are surprised to find out that WCRC is open year-round and that yes, we are busy year round. Now granted, it's not as busy as the summer, but often our staff puts in long hours even during the winter. One staffer who has put in a very busy week here in early February is our Program Director, Jenn Hill (pictured at right).

Monday Jenn departed WCRC to head to the Harrisonburg area to recruit summer camp staff. She met with students at Bridgewater College on Tuesday and at Eastern Mennonite College on Wednesday. She drove back Wednesday evening to gather up her data projector and departed early Thursday morning to speak and present a slideshow at Hampton Christian Elementary School and she drove to Chesapeake to do a similar chapel gig at Mt. Pleasant Christian School on Friday.

She was scheduled to run the zip line for Grace Covenant Presbyterian Youth on Saturday but it has been canceled due to the weather and Jenn gets a much needed day off.

Yes WCRC is open year-round, we do stay busy, and for that we are thankful.

Volunteers Keep us Going Despite the Snow

2010-02-04T16:04:00.000-08:00

Last weekend's big snow was a good reminder of how blessed WCRC is to have very committed volunteers. Heinz Plato and Jasen Plocharczyk helped prepare the construction site for snow and Bob Morris (right) helped in snow removal over the weekend and a more thorough snow removal during the week.

THANKS!

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

2010-01-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

When I worked at Eagle Lake Camp in Colorado Springs, we had a cave that we would explore with our high school campers on adventure trips. We would give the campers a short lesson on caving and then show them the opening to this dusty cramped little cave. The goal: find the other way out.

It was always interesting to see how well the group would fight off discouragement. The cave was small, but it had lots of dead ends and really tight spots. With a little coaching and prodding, the group would eventually find the right passage and see the treasured “light at the end of the tunnel”. There was always lots of celebrating once they got out.

We are seeing the light at the end of our construction tunnel here at WCRC. Building a cabin is one thing. Building a village of five cabins with a 2,000 square foot common building is another. Through the dead ends and tight spots of 2009, we have emerged to a place where we can see a small but unmistakable patch of light.

Please continue to pray for us as we move towards completion of our cabin village. Pray for Larry McLaughlin, our Maintenance Director, as he leads the project, and pray that we get the volunteers and funds that we need to emerge into the full light of project completion.

We hope to see lots of progress here in the next few months. I’ll do my best to update the website often, so check the construction progress tab to see new photos and the site cam. Stay tuned to see the light grow!

Bob

A Proverb a Day

2010-01-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

A short blog today. One obvious way to Draw Near is to read the Bible. I’ve decided to start the New Year by reading through the book of Proverbs. There are 31 Proverbs, so one per day will take me through the month. I’m reading in the New Living Translation to get a fresh perspective on it. (I usually read in NIV).

Proverbs 4:25-27
Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil

I’m encouraged by this passage to have a plan and stick to it. I’m also reminded of the passage in Romans that says, “Overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

If I keep my mind on what the Lord is teaching me and where He is leading me, I can keep from getting sidetracked.

I’ll endeavor to stay in the Word!

Bob

Draw Near in the New Year

2010-01-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

Well here I am entering the social networking world with my first blog. I tend to embrace new technology slowly and I’m still asking if all this is really necessary.

One of the images that returns to my mind often is the joy of sitting in a circle with a group of campers discussing a Bible passage or some topic of life in Christ. That’s fellowship! Face to face interaction and discussion can be so rich. But here in 2010 we also have many new ways of communicating, which in the proper quantity and context can be good. So, here I go.

For my first blog, I want to share a bit about a theme we will pursue at WCRC for 2010. It comes from James 4:8 which says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” The theme is simply titled Draw Near.

There are many ways for us to draw near to God, and there are, no doubt, many benefits from having Him draw near to us. I hope to discover both by pursuing this theme. The benefit that initially attracts me to this passage, however, is joy. Psalm 16:11 says, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” That’s a no-brainer. I want joy, and this passage says that I can find it in His presence.

Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center is a place that is designed to help people draw near to God. In 2010, as an organization, we will be looking at things we can do to help our guests and campers and staff Draw Near to God. The promise is there. If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us!

Consider joining us in this pursuit. It’s a promise that’s too good to pass up.

May the Lord bless you as you seek to know Him better in 2010.