What is the greatest attraction you have at the camp that draws in guests? I'm curious to find out what the camp offers guests of all ages. Camp attractions are key in drawing guests to your camp. Hidden Acres have attractions like the pool, climbing tower, blob, paintball, etc.
Why did you choose to be involved in camp ministries? This questions gives me an insight of why certain people enjoy working at camps. I like to know the reason and background of people involved in camp ministry.
How have you seen the Lord bless the camp in the last year? I love hearing testimonies of how God works through His servants.
Does most of your summer staff come from the kids who have grown up with camp? I went to camp in Wisconsin once and had a rough time. It makes me wonder do others kids have a great time that they want to work a camp or just be involved with ministry.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,Threats, An analysis on Hidden Acres
Strengths. Looking at Hidden Acres I see the results of summer camps, retreats, and weekend events. It is great to see people at camp having a great time. I believe that one of Hidden Acres strengths is service. Hidden Acres wants each guest that visits to experience a fun and exciting time while they are here. Hidden Acres does a great job at making sure group and individual needs are met.
Weaknesses. One weakness that I have noticed at camp is miscommunication. I think that all of us who work at camp get caught up in a project and forget to communicate needs, ideas, and the importance of upcoming events or retreats. Frustration is a result when miscommunication takes place. One suggestion I would make to improve communication, would be to allow more staff to be involved in the planning and explain what needs to be accomplished.
Opportunities. Every time we have a group or individual at camp, an opportunity arises. The staff at Hidden Acres can choose to serve them or ignore them. Thankfully, Hidden Acres teaches their staff to take care of their guests. These opportunities can lead people to Christ.
Threats. I'm glad that we have not had any deaths here at camp, but accidents do occur at times and this can be a threat to camp. Improving ways to keep families safe and secure is essential to camp. I think we do a good job at making activities safe.
Weaknesses. One weakness that I have noticed at camp is miscommunication. I think that all of us who work at camp get caught up in a project and forget to communicate needs, ideas, and the importance of upcoming events or retreats. Frustration is a result when miscommunication takes place. One suggestion I would make to improve communication, would be to allow more staff to be involved in the planning and explain what needs to be accomplished.
Opportunities. Every time we have a group or individual at camp, an opportunity arises. The staff at Hidden Acres can choose to serve them or ignore them. Thankfully, Hidden Acres teaches their staff to take care of their guests. These opportunities can lead people to Christ.
Threats. I'm glad that we have not had any deaths here at camp, but accidents do occur at times and this can be a threat to camp. Improving ways to keep families safe and secure is essential to camp. I think we do a good job at making activities safe.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Three measurable visions for camp Hidden Acres
I think the buildings here at camp are and were measurable visions of Hidden Acres. Each building that camp has built or plans to build can be measured through the use and feedback from the many guests. Knowing that the purpose of the building meets guests expectations is a good way to measure that building's accommodations and success.
New aactivities are another item worth measuring. The use of each activity at camp shows Hidden Acres that guests enjoy participating in fun activities. Once an activity is outdated we know it is time to replace it or improve it. This is a way to measure activities.
Food service is yet another measurable vision. Does the food appeal to everyone? What will we do to accommodate those who want to eat? Are we providing healthy choices to the guests? These are just a few ways that we need to view camp from the guest's perspective. The success of meals can be measured and should be changed if we lack in quality food.
New aactivities are another item worth measuring. The use of each activity at camp shows Hidden Acres that guests enjoy participating in fun activities. Once an activity is outdated we know it is time to replace it or improve it. This is a way to measure activities.
Food service is yet another measurable vision. Does the food appeal to everyone? What will we do to accommodate those who want to eat? Are we providing healthy choices to the guests? These are just a few ways that we need to view camp from the guest's perspective. The success of meals can be measured and should be changed if we lack in quality food.
Monday, December 6, 2010
The three actions I would take as new director of the example camp.
First, I find it important that in this new job I need to go to the Lord in prayer. His will and response is how I would want to run the camp. This would include meeting with the camp's staff. Allowing them to be a part of a prayer meeting would help them bring their requests and concerns to the Lord. So many times, I think we get caught up in the activities and responsibilities of a camp that we forget to honor the Lord and thank Him for all the opportunities He places within a camp. I would also like to involve the camp board members so they would be able to see God's plan for the camp.
Second, there seems to be issues on where the camp needs to recover in some areas and how to go about those changes. I would love to go around the camp and see what the people that come to camp enjoy the most. Is it the food, activities, lodging, the outdoors. What brings people to camp? As I walk around I would ask the staff here what changes have they tried, have these changes worked, what do they see as the biggest enjoyments of camp? Knowing how a camp operates and changes to trends is important in order to find out why the camp might be dying or improving.
The last action I would take is to create and run a camp fundraiser accordingly. Fundraisers do not have to make a huge profit I would allow people to donate as they feel, but never force them. Allowing the public to come in for a day would give them an opportunity to share their concerns and ideas for camp. These people are the ones who use the camp regularly, they know what excites them at camp. A fundraiser not only allows for the opportunity in giving, but also an opportunity for ideas. I want to hear the ideas of camps fans.
Second, there seems to be issues on where the camp needs to recover in some areas and how to go about those changes. I would love to go around the camp and see what the people that come to camp enjoy the most. Is it the food, activities, lodging, the outdoors. What brings people to camp? As I walk around I would ask the staff here what changes have they tried, have these changes worked, what do they see as the biggest enjoyments of camp? Knowing how a camp operates and changes to trends is important in order to find out why the camp might be dying or improving.
The last action I would take is to create and run a camp fundraiser accordingly. Fundraisers do not have to make a huge profit I would allow people to donate as they feel, but never force them. Allowing the public to come in for a day would give them an opportunity to share their concerns and ideas for camp. These people are the ones who use the camp regularly, they know what excites them at camp. A fundraiser not only allows for the opportunity in giving, but also an opportunity for ideas. I want to hear the ideas of camps fans.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Why am I here at camp?
Since the summer of 2003, I have kept coming back every summer. My first summer here was one filled with new friendships and camp experience. I had a great time and the friendships I made last forever. However, the rest of that year back at home was one of my hardest years coping. A couple of months after I returned home I lost contact with my closest friends, thanks to lies that corrupted a church. I trusted no one and awaited for the next summer eagerly.
The second summer came and I was placed into a junior counseling position. I loved it. This opportunity allowed me to be there for kids going through hardships in their life and it gave me a chance to see kids come to Christ. It was wonderful to see. Along with my relationship with the campers my relationships amongst the staff grew as well.
I graduated high school in 2006. The next two years I worked in construction for four months, camp, and Winnebago. It was obvious to see that the people who I worked with, outside of camp, wanted nothing to do with God. They lived for the weekend. Alcohol, sex, and parties is the only thing that these people wanted in life. I didn't want this.
In the years of 2008-2010 I attended a community college in Northern Iowa called NIACC. It was a good two years of school work and knowledge. However, college focused on individual success. College didn't care about the truth. The only thing was to succeed in life and tolerate any one's actions no matter how wrong they were. I saw single mothers just out of high school. I observed young men as they searched for pleasure. It was messed up, yet we sit back and allow the children in our community and even churches to go after their desires no matter the horrible outcome.
I wanted to be a part of camp in order to reach out to those who came here. God has given me so many opportunities here at camp to minister to people through my actions. A good attitude is not always present at times, but I am learning the importance of representing Christ no matter how hard the task. God is good!
The second summer came and I was placed into a junior counseling position. I loved it. This opportunity allowed me to be there for kids going through hardships in their life and it gave me a chance to see kids come to Christ. It was wonderful to see. Along with my relationship with the campers my relationships amongst the staff grew as well.
I graduated high school in 2006. The next two years I worked in construction for four months, camp, and Winnebago. It was obvious to see that the people who I worked with, outside of camp, wanted nothing to do with God. They lived for the weekend. Alcohol, sex, and parties is the only thing that these people wanted in life. I didn't want this.
In the years of 2008-2010 I attended a community college in Northern Iowa called NIACC. It was a good two years of school work and knowledge. However, college focused on individual success. College didn't care about the truth. The only thing was to succeed in life and tolerate any one's actions no matter how wrong they were. I saw single mothers just out of high school. I observed young men as they searched for pleasure. It was messed up, yet we sit back and allow the children in our community and even churches to go after their desires no matter the horrible outcome.
I wanted to be a part of camp in order to reach out to those who came here. God has given me so many opportunities here at camp to minister to people through my actions. A good attitude is not always present at times, but I am learning the importance of representing Christ no matter how hard the task. God is good!
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