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Dear
Camp Partner:
The
“mind pool” was deep and diversified. The Lord knew exactly who to bring
together for this important task. I am referring to a joint meeting on
Saturday, January 6 of the Camps Board, Camp Development Committee and Camp
Directors for 2007. Pastors, laymen, builders, an attorney, accountants,
teachers, business people, and associate pastors – years of experience in
Christian camping and many fresh new ideas. The purpose of the meeting –
to cast direction and vision for Trinity Pines in the years 2007-2010.
After
5 hours of talking, planning, praying and debating, the end result will be a
stronger camping program for the Intermountain District. While we physically
made the move from Victory Cove and brought great memories, strong
denominational summer camps, and a solid foundation for the elements of good
Christian camping, I am not sure we made some of the necessary philosophical
changes.
One
of the driving forces in the discussion was a six-year financial report that
highlighted the income and expenses for operating Trinity Pines. You will
find that report on page 4 of this Camp Monthly. As we have grown facilities
to meet the requests and demands of rental groups (many of you reading this
newsletter), we have also grown in expenses to maintain the facilities and
programs.
Follow
the columns across in areas like utilities, personnel, and insurance, plus
six years in the facility has resulted in an impact on increased maintenance
of the facility this past year . A good example which we were unaware of is
that every 5 years, the elevator must be inspected and serviced (state law)
and only one company in Idaho is licensed to do this work.
Therefore, we pay their costs for this service and a renewed license.
This came as a surprise to us this past summer.
Through
the years we have continued to plant grass, which requires equipment and
manpower to mow. Why did we plant grass?
To enhance activities in
summer programs. Light bulbs, toilet paper, paper towels and soap alone are
staggering when you run the numbers for operating for 12 months.
Each
new building that comes on-line (and I am hard pressed to think of one
building we have that we have not needed) requires cleaning, utilities, and
upkeep. We continue right on through the list – bikes have to be repaired,
basketballs need replaced, vehicles have to be serviced and need fuel, and
food prices continue to increase.
But
the good news – God is still in control of this entire operation. One of
the finest comments made at Saturday’s meeting was the comparison of
dollars invested in a Christian camping program versus dollars given to a
non-profit organization. I think you would find pretty standard overhead in
most nonprofits is around 12%. That would mean for each dollar contributed
you actually are giving $0.88 to the support of the organization. We know
that around $4.8 million has been physically invested and used at Trinity
Pines since we opened six years ago.
But,
we have no accurate calculation of the thousands of hours of donated labor,
the in-kind donation of materials and professional services or the
out-and-out gifts of equipment and supplies. These items include pianos,
vehicles, tools, power equipment, golf carts, lawnmowers, food service
equipment, maintenance equipment, office equipment, furniture, etc, etc,
etc. Our best estimate is that for every $1.00 invested at Trinity Pines the
result is likely a $1.40 inflation factor because of donated labor, services
and equipment. That is a great return on your invested dollar!
Professional
fundraisers claim that the best investment beyond the local church is a
Christian Camping program.
Our
letter in the December Camp Monthly brought a variety of phone calls and
conversations. I had to reread what I wrote when people said to me:
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Wow! I did not know we were so close to losing the camp
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Does it look like we will be able to offer camping this summer based
upon our financial situation?
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What happens if the bill collectors come and take over Trinity Pines?
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Was anyone watching to be sure these things did not happen?
I
can assure you that we are not losing the camp and that yes we have watched,
prayed and labored hours trying to figure out the best way to keep Trinity
Pines operation in a positive mode. For years, our little camping program at
Victory Cove would turn a nice year-end balance ready to start the next
year. This allowed us to
purchase a great deal of the equipment you see at Trinity Pines today. But
the Victory Cove and Trinity
Pines pictures are very different:
June
– September – Camping program vs. year-round camps and retreats
Summer
employees – many part-time vs. year-round employees — some full-time
Limited
new construction vs. we have never stopped building and won’t for a while
Annual
rental fee for 4.3 acres ($67,000) to state vs. owning 198 acres
Meeting
the needs of primarily Nazarenes vs. being a retreat center for many
denominations and non-profits
The
list could go on and on but the bottom line is we have made the investment,
God has blessed us richly, and we have obligations to find new ways to bring
in dollars for camp operations. We are convinced after our Murdock Training
that camp facilities cannot be operated on what comes in through
registrations and reservations. We are one of 8 camps attending the Murdock
Foundation training in Vancouver these past two months and we are one of the
only camps that does not have annual fundraising events that generate from
$30,000 to 1 million in financial support for camp operations.
This
is new territory for Trinity Pines but the results of the January 6 meeting
helped us cast vision for how we will deliver camping and meet expenses in
the future. Hang on for the ride, stay tuned for the strategy, and pray for
God’s wisdom as we move the process forward.
Good
News
The
City of Cascade has approved our request for a new entrance at the south end
of our property to accommodate RV’s coming to the RV camping facilities we
are building. This is great news and adds to the safety of our RV camping
guests. But beyond that, the
City also approved a 25 mph speed in front of our camp along Cabarton Road
as well as a crosswalk to the river for our camper’s safety. Praise God
for a relationship with the Mayor and city leaders for these decisions.
Work-A-Day
January
31 is the date set aside for raising funds for camp operations. We are
asking that you donate your salary or wages on that day to Camp Operations
financial needs. We have already received nearly $8000 in cash or pledges
for this program. Many thanks to those who have made pledges and payments
towards our goal of $50,000 before March 31. Enclosed is a Work-A-Day pledge
card and fact sheet. Join with other Camp Partners who are helping us with
this project.
Your
Response Was Overwhelming
The
request for tools and maintenance equipment was overwhelming. We still have
some tools waiting here in the Valley that we will move to the camp this
spring. Thanks for hearing this request and offering so much help. You have
saved us thousands of
$$$’s.
2007
Summer Camps
Be
watching in your local church for registration materials sometime between
February 15- March 1. We will also have registration information posted on
our website at www.tpines.org.
It
Is Confirmed…
Dr.
Jarrell Garsee will be the speaker at the 2007 Adult Retreat in September.
Reservations for this retreat can be made after April 1. Dr. Garsee is the
former pastor at Boise First Church and currently provides Christian
counseling in the Boise area.
Quad
#1 Update
All
necessary inspections have been completed. Now we are ready for insulation,
drywall, texture and painting. Recently, floor coverings were donated by
Nampa Floors and Interiors – thanks to Roger and Linda Wilson (Boise
First). We also received a sizeable donation of electrical services thanks
to Town and Country Electric – Andy and Carla Ward (Nampa First). Our goal
is to be ready for the Quad occupancy by May 1. This will add 48 sleeping
locations to our rental space. We hope to start construction of Quad #2 in
the summer of 2007.
NOTE:
If you are available to assist this winter in working on Quad #1 interior,
please contact Mike Crevelt at 382-6200 and schedule your skills on this
project.
Final
Thoughts
The
annual operating budget for Trinity Pines is $612,000 for 2006-2007. Who
would ever have guessed that our budget would have climbed to this level in
just six short years. While we are strongly based upon ministry, we must
acknowledge that Trinity Pines is a small business venture and growing each
year. My heart is encouraged by the faithfulness of God’s people towards
Trinity Pines. We are not just 198 acres, with a bunch of buildings, grass
to be mowed and roads to be maintained. We are a little bit of heaven on
earth – where lives are transformed, relationships rebuilt, and a place
for renewal, rest and relaxation in our hectic and busy daily lives. I can
assure you that we will do business differently in the future than we are
right now, and God is opening doors and minds to help us meet these
challenges. Pray, pray, pray for our future and the direction the camp is
headed. Your faithful support has brought us this far and will be the
strength and foundation for our future.
Rick
Waitley, Executive Camp Director
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