Lutheran Pioneer Camp Conference May 2015 Pine Ridge Post Pine Ridge Campground W5132 County Hwy N Waldo, WI 53093 Spring at Pine Ridge Spring is finally here and summer is right around the corner. Pine Ridge is ready to welcome you here to camp and enjoy the outdoors in our quiet campground away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Pine Ridge offers a variety of activities from relaxing in the sunshine and enjoying a good book to taking a canoe out on Beechwood Lake. Take a trip around the disc golf course or try your hand at fishing in Beechwood Lake (catch and release only). Hike the nature trail or visit the Nature building to learn about the native plants and animals in the area around the campground. Swimming is also available in Beechwood Lake. Try your hand at cooking over an open campfire. Use your dutch oven to create a scrumptious meal for your family and friends, and do not forget to bring the graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate for s'mores around the campfire. In the evenings enjoy quiet time sitting around the campfire and visiting with fellow campers. Pine Ridge has a variety of spaces available for both small and large groups ranging from school groups to large family gatherings. Pine Ridge is a great place for your family reunion. Visit us for a day or a week. We are looking forward to seeing you here. Reservations should be made in advance to camp at Pine Ridge. To make reservations call Eric or Cindy at (920)-528-8307. Family Camping, School Outings, Church Picnics, Church Retreats, Church Workshops Inside this issue: Midwest Archery Camp Review 2015 Annual Family Campout New Camping Rates Donate to Pine Ridge Constitution Changes 2 3 4 4 6 Delegates Meeting 7 Board of Directors 7 Upcoming Activities 8 Special points of interest: Upcoming delegates meeting: May 20, 2015 at WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, Waukesha, WI 6:30 PM. Annual Family Campout is August 7-9, 2015
2014 Midwest Archery Camp at Pine Ridge By Phil Wagie The last weekend of September 2014, Pioneer boys and leaders, some traveling almost 2 hours, gathered at Pine Ridge for the 4 th Annual Midwest Archery Camp. But the planning for this Archery Camp started a year earlier, keeping what was liked and replacing what was getting old or could be improved. Friday night everyone met at the chalet to enjoyed a short devotion, a small dinner & meeting, concluding with the boys and leaders having fun around the fire. Saturday morning started with flag raising, breakfast and a worship service at the chalet. The boys were placed ingroups (each with their own colored T- shirt). The groups then rotated between the following events in the morning and late afternoon: BB gun and slingshot in the gun range. Stalking held in the SW part of camp. Lastly, advanced archery was held in the woods north of the Nature building. After lunch the boys were taken to a civil war reenactment that was being held only 15 minutes from camp. Everyone saw a reenactment of a north and south battle, getting to talk to many of the men and women who were clothed and acted as they would at that battle. Everyone enjoyed and learned much from the experience. Saturday evening included dinner, a flag burning ceremony and time for the boys to play and leaders to talk around the fire. Sunday morning activities included an adult and junior leaders archery event, brunch, and final clean up. Everyone had a great time and we were blessed with very nice weather. Pine Ridge was in great shape and is a great place to hold an archery camp or almost any outdoor event. The Midwest Archery Camp is held at Pine Ridge the last weekend of September each year. If this sounded like a fun event to attend, please plan on doing so next year. Find the Pine Cone Can you spot the pine cone? There is a pinecone somewhere in this newsletter. If you find it send an email to pineridgepost@gmail.com with the page number and location to be entered in the pine cone drawing to win a prize. The drawing will take place June 15th, 2015. The winner will be notified by email and listed in the July newsletter. Happy Hunting! Page 2 Pine Ridge Post
2015 Annual Family Campout Save the Date By Nancy Gitttel August 7-9, 2015 is the 2015 Annual Family Campout at Pine Ridge Campground. It is a FREE WILL OF- FERING (not free) camping weekend for all campers. You may camp the entire weekend in your RV, tent or pop-up camper. If you do not have a camper, you may reserve one of the bunkhouses. All bunkhouse reservations are on a first come first serve basis and you must bring your own bedding. To help cover the campground s operation expenses, there is a minimal fee for electricity ($1/night for tents & $5/night for all other units), firewood ($4/crate, $12/wagon load), sanitary station use ($5 per use) and dumpster fee ($2/ garbage bag). To make reservations for camping or bunkhouses, please call (920) 528-8307. There are a variety of activities throughout the weekend including: an ice cream social, bingo, and silent auction, Saturday will feature a Potluck supper and corn roast, and an outdoor worship service, with a bonfire following. Sunday morning is an all-you-can eat breakfast (free will offering). Take a walk on our Nature trail, go canoeing, swimming, fishing, enjoy disc golf, horseshoes, visit our Nature Center. Fishing is catch-and-release only. Enjoy the outdoors with family and friends or just sit back and relax at Pine Ridge. Potluck Supper: Bring a dish to pass for Saturday supper s potluck. Anything you want to share: salads, casseroles, desserts (homemade or store bought) or a special dish from your Dutch oven cooked over the fire. Use your imagination. Musicians Wanted for Worship Service: We re looking for any interested musicians to join us in providing music for our Saturday evening worship service. If you play an instrument and would be interested in playing with the ensemble, please contact Beth Thornton (Thornton.bethanne@gmail.com) no later than July 15 th with your name, email address, instrument and skill level (years played). Music will be distributed shortly after July 15 th and there will be a short rehearsal on Friday night, August 7 th. May 2015 Page 3
New Camping Rates for 2015 The Pine Ridge Board of Directors has approved new camping rates for the 2015 camping season. Due to rising operating costs and fewer campers in the last few years this change in rates is necessary. The rates for large groups such as Boy and Girl Pioneers, school groups, and church groups has remained the same. The new rates are in effect now. See page 5 for the new rate sheet. Donating to Pine Ridge Did you know Pine Ridge is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization? Your donations are tax exempt. Donations can be sent to Pine Ridge Campground, W5132 County Hwy N, Waldo, WI 53093. Pine Ridge welcomes donations to be put towards the following: * Replacing the garage roof * Need four (4) commercial grade toilets for Chalet ($200/pc) * New picnic tables 10 needed ($60/pc) *10 new fire rings ($30/pc) Did you know that members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans can help support Pine Ridge Campground through Thrivent Choice? In 2014 Pine Ridge received $412 from the Thrivent Choice Program. Each year, eligible benefit members of Thrivent Financial are designated Choice Dollars, based on qualifying insurance premiums, qualifying contract values and qualifying Thrivent volunteer leadership. When eligible members direct Choice Dollars, they make a recommendation as to where Thrivent Financial distributes a portion of it charitable grant funds. If you are an eligible benefit member, you can help strengthen our community by directing your designated Thrivent Choice Dollars to Pine Ridge Campground. It s all about our community. Your support. Your Choice. Choose to make a difference by directing your designated Choice Dollars today. If you re eligible to participate in Choice Dollars, or are uncertain about your eligibility, visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice. Or contact your local Thrivent Financial representative. Page 4 Pine Ridge Post
May 2015 Page 5
Constitution Changes The Board of Directors approved the following constitution changes at its January 14, 2015 meeting. These changes needs to be approved by the Delegates at the meeting on May 20, 2015. The changes are listed below: Insert 2 nd paragraph to Preamble: From the establishment of the Lutheran Pioneer Camp Conference and continuing for more than three decades the campground was used mostly by Trains, Caravans and members/youth of congregations affiliated with a Lutheran Church of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. In 2015, this constitution is being amended because of the desire of the delegates and board of directors of the Lutheran Pioneer Camp Conference to allow more youth and adults to increase their knowledge of the great outdoors and the beauty of God s creation at their campground(s). Revise Article III Purpose: The purpose of this conference shall be to establish, conduct and manage one or more campgrounds so that both youth and adults can enjoy the beauties of God s creation and to increase their knowledge of the great outdoors in keeping with the tenets of the Bible and doctrines of Lutheran Boy Pioneers and Lutheran Girl Pioneers and to promote the cause and extend the scope of Christian Education in keeping with the purpose and aim of this Conference and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Revise Article IV Use of campgrounds: The campgrounds can be used by youth groups, families, individuals or groups who are willing to follow all campground rules and conduct themselves as the Bible directs. Reservations for the use of the campground will be given based on the following order: 1) Member Lutheran Pioneer Trains, Caravans and members/youth from member churches, 2) National/Regional Lutheran Pioneer Groups and non member Lutheran Pioneer Trains, 3) WELS/affiliated Lutheran related groups and members/youth of WELS/affiliated congregations, 4) Any individuals, families or groups that want to use the campgrounds. Revise Article XI Amendments: This Constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Conference, by a two-thirds (2/3rds) majority vote cast, provided that a written announcement of the meeting in which action shall be taken on it, shall be mailed announced via the Pine Ridge website (other methods may also be used, at the option of the board) to each member unit (Lutheran Boy Pioneer Train/Lutheran Girl Pioneer Caravan) and its delegates, sixty (60) thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting. Page 6 Pine Ridge Post
Delegates Meeting May 20, 2015 The Lutheran Pioneer Camp Conference will be having its annual Delegate meeting May 20 th at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188. The meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 PM. Delegates from all of the Camp Conference Congregations are welcome and encouraged to attend. The agenda for the meeting includes passing a budget for 2016, electing new board members, approving the proposed changes to the constitution and discussing campground plans for the upcoming year. Delegate members are encouraged to attend. This is your campground, help the board make the important decisions on how it is run. Please contact Phil Wagie (phil@wagie.org) with any questions. Pine Ridge Board of Directors Chairman: Vacant Vice Chairman: Philip Wagie (2016) 414-258-7253 phil@wagie.org Secretary: Nancy Gittel (2016) 414-719-5040 nancy.gittel@wels.net Corresponding Secretary: Patti Behmke (2015) 414-353-7509 patti.behmke@wels.net Adam Evans (2015) 262-617-5381 raptorate@yahoo.com Harold Schmid (2016) 262-719-0113 Haroldmaggie@att.net Amy Wilson (2016) 414-975-1303 aywilson73@gmail.com Katie Neuman (2015) katieaneuman@hotmail.com Ben Bartsch (2015) 414-305-2436 blbartsch@gmail.com Appointments to Board: Chaplain: Rev. Michael Bartsch mpbartsch@gmail.com Treasurer: Beth Thornton 262-488-5062 Thornton.bethanne@gmail.com May 2015 Page 7
Pine Ridge Campground Waldo, Wisconsin Owned and operated by Lutheran Pioneer Camp Conference Visit our website: www.pineridgecamp.webs.com For more information and registration call Camp Caretaker: (920) 528-8307 Pine Ridge is on Facebook! Upcoming Activities: May 20 Delegates Meeting Waukesha, WI May 15-17 Evans May 15-16 St. Lucas May 21-25 Frahm/ Amundson May 22-23 Bartel, Calvary May 23-25 Bushner June 5-7 B.O.L.D June 19-20 Koellar June 19-21 Wild Goose June 20 Wachs June 20 Milwaukee LGP July 2-6 Frahm/Amundson July 17-19 Yahr Family July 17-19 Dunn Lighthouse Campers July 18-25 LBP Nationals Aug 7-9 Annual Family Camp Sept 3-7 Frahm/Amundson Sept 25-27 Midwest Archery Call for reservations. Pine Ridge has seven separate camping areas available. Campground Reservations and information: Caretakers: Eric or Cindy (920) 528-8307 Pine Ridge Campground W5132 County Hwy N Waldo, WI 53093 PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE Phone: 920-528-8307 Pine Ridge Camper