Beach Blog - Twin Rocks Friends Camp

The Amazing Front Three Rows in Church

2012-01-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

The influence of Twin Rocks Friends Camp runs deep in thelives of so many people. This realization hit home for me last Sunday as I satin the fourth row of our small, rural church. I became distracted from worship whenI began observing the people in the three rows in front of me. As I glancedaround, it dawned on me that Twin Rocks Friends Camp has had a tremendousinfluence upon this small sample of people. In those three rows sat:

Nine children and youth (ages 5-14) who combinedfor an amazing 68 camp or retreat experiences at Twin Rocks (you'll be pleased to know that I did my detailed calculatingafter church). Two of the kids had been to Family Camp every year sincebirth; several had attended multiple weeks of Day Camp; and between them theyhad also attended Girls Camp, Boys Camp, Tween Camp, Surfside Camp, SamuelSchool, and Junior High Jamboree.
Among the adults, three had attended Twin Rockscamps as kids; two had been to a men’s retreat; one had been to Sabbath by theSea; and two of the couples had attended Couples Conference multiple times,including one who had previously told me: “Couples Conference saved ourmarriage!”
Some amazing grandparents are raising two of thekids, one of whom has been to Twin Rocks camps six times, the other 10!
One of the youth is the only person in hisfamily to attend church. He’s attended four Twin Rocks camps.

What a blessing it is for Twin Rocks to come alongsideparents and grandparents to provide Christ-centered teaching to their kids andgrandkids. What a joy it is to see how the camp’s ministry impacts a churchsuch as mine.

As I contemplated Twin Rocks’ integral part in the successof my own church, I realized that a similar scene plays out every Sunday innumerous churches in Oregon and southwest Washington – where dozens of people point to Twin Rocks as a place where marriages have been strengthened, familybonds have been forged, and kids have come to Christ.

It’s fun to work at Twin Rocks.

Fantastic Friends of Twin Rocks

2011-12-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

This month I've received some wonderful notes from Twin Rocks donors. What a blessing it is to hear how deeply people connect with Twin Rocks.

Note #1:
Background: For four summers (2004-2007), each week we sent a list of summer camp names to volunteer residents of Friendsview Retirement Community, asking them to pray by name for specific campers at Twin Rocks that week. It was a wonderful way to ensure that all of our campers were recipients of prayer. Little did we know that one Friendsview resident would take this assignment to a whole new level. I'll protect her anonymity, but here's what she wrote me this week:

Each of those years I prayed for each [camper], but also kept praying for past attenders, adding to it the new names from each year. During those four years I received 40 names to remember in prayer. I'm still praying for those 40.... It's a joy to do that. Many of those are now married and having jobs, others continuing studies. It is such a joy to pray for them, even though many I never knew - except their name! Thank you for those names you provided. Some day we'll meet in heaven!

Note #2:
Paul Meier (pastor of East Hill Friends Church in Kent, Washington) wrote:

I sat in my office this morning adding up all the time Charlene [my wife] and I have spent at Twin Rocks in over 40 years of ministry in NWYM [the Friends Church]. We have spent over a full year at Twin Rocks being fed and housed, being inspired, playing, counseling, and vacationing. Our times at the Camp and Harbor Villa have all been special. Thanks...for all you do.

These two notes describe a deep love of Twin Rocks and an amazing depth of care for the camp, its campers, and its ministry for Jesus. Pretty cool!

Carry Me Back to Dear Old Twin Rocks

2011-09-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

In 1925, shortly after Twin Rocks Friends Camp was established (1918), a Summer Conference Song Book was published, with about 40 songs from our camp's early years. They are full of wonderful frivolity, and give a glimpse of Twin Rocks in its infancy.

Here are two of my favorites (please note that in those early days, Twin Rocks was the site of only one week of camp each year, held each August and referred to as "Conference"):

CARRY ME BACK TO TWIN ROCKS
Tune: Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
By: H.N. and M.E.B., Springbrook, Ore.

Carry me back to dear old Twin Rocks;
There's where the live young Friends should all pack up and go.
There's where we sing Saturday eve by the campfire;
There's where the waves gleam in sunsets golden glow;
There's where the boys are so brown, brave and handsome
There's where the cook is an angel, so they say;
There's where the girls are so merry and gladsome;
There in God's great out-doors swept by ocean spray.

Chorus:
Carry me back to dear old Twin Rocks.
There's where we all can learn of more service to be;
There's where we gain strength to meet all life's burdens;
Out at the Young Friends Conference by the sea.

Carry me back to Twin Rocks Conference.
There's where we were in days of Nineteen twenty-four;
There's where they teach us the plan of Salvation;
There's where we meet the friends we've known before;
There's where the classes are all so inspiring;
There's where the songs are about our redemption;
There's where we meet new friends from every quarter;
There in God's great out-doors swept by ocean spray.

OUR CONFERENCE HOME
Tune: Maryland, my Maryland
By: Hazel Newhouse

This is the place young friends love best,
Old Twin Rocks, our old Twin Rocks;
Our conference home far to the west;
Old Twin Rocks, our old Twin Rocks,
Beyond the bay of Tillamook,
Out there on Ocean Lake we look;
Oh fair it is our shaded nook:
Old Twin Rocks, our old Twin Rocks.

The ocean has a stirring call,
At the beach, down at the beach.
A fishing go, come one and all
At the beach, down at the beach.
A bathing in the ocean blue,
A boating on the lake with you,
A hiking in the morning dew,
At the beach, down at the beach.

At His command we will "launch out";
Conference, at conference.
Let down our nets, we will not doubt.
Conference, at conference.
In one short week of work and play,
We try to seek the Master's way,
And this shall be our dauntless lay
Conference, OUR conference.

Much has changed at Twin Rocks since 1925: 40 buildings today versus one then, 120 acres today versus three then. But I'm amazed by how consistent the purpose of Twin Rocks has remained over the decades: Encountering Jesus Christ on the Oregon Coast.

A special thanks to Sharon Hayden, whose family holds a long and close connection to Twin Rocks Friends Camp. Last week we received a donation of three of these wonderful song books from Sharon. Thanks, Sharon!

The Desire to Please You

2011-08-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

Three mornings this week, Jamie Johnson sent Surfside Campers out to enjoy a "Solo Time" with God. In addition to recommended Scripture passages and reflection questions, Jamie encouraged campers to pray a wonderful prayer from Thomas Merton's "Thoughts in Solitude."

It gives me tremendous joy to know that our high school campers have been praying this prayer this week:

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude" (copyright Abbey of Gethsemani)

Nazarene Youth Upon the Cornerstone

2011-08-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

For the last four summers (and 11 of the past 13), youth from Nazarene churches across Oregon have congregated for a week of summer camp at Twin Rocks.

It's a familiar scene, where groups outside the Friends denomination rent the camp for their own programs. We provide the food, meeting rooms, play fields, lifeguards at the lake, and clean cabins to sleep in. The renters bring their own cabin counselors, worship leaders, camp pastors, and recreation directors.

We love these partnerships, and enjoy seeing God at work. This morning I sat outside the Meetinghouse and listened to Clint Tafoya, a youth pastor from Colorado, speak to the 175 Nazarene youth and staff gathered inside. He shared from Ephesians 2:19-21, reminding campers that true meaning in life is found by building our lives upon the "cornerstone" of Jesus Christ.

What a joy it is for me to hear God's message proclaimed at Twin Rocks, even across denominational lines.

Servant Leaders

2011-08-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

SLP Staff Members 2011

What a joy it was yesterday to hear members of our Servant Leadership Program (SLP) summarize the past five weeks to their parents. The SLP is made up of 10 high school students who serve Twin Rocks in a wide variety of ways: as junior counselors to elementary age kids, as behind-the-scenes workers in the dish room and elsewhere, and as "campers" learning to grow deeper in their faith with Jesus Christ.

Here are a few words I heard yesterday at the conclusion of the 5-week program:

About Counseling at Girls Camp:
"We gave several girls a Bible of their own and got to show them how to use it. We spent cabin times showing the girls how to find things in the Bible."
About Counseling at Boys Camp:
"God didn't need me, but he showed me that he was happy to use me in the kids' lives."
About the SLP community:
"I had no idea how much of a family we would become."
"Even when we were working through something difficult we found joy and saw God in it."
"I really got to know people on a deep level."
"I didn't expect to be so attached to these people."
About Relationship with God:
"Most rewarding? Being able to look back and see how much I've grown in my relationship with God and as a person."
"It was an atmosphere where I was really encouraged to grow in my relationship with God."

In follow-up to these comments, a couple of parents stood and shared:

"I'm blown away by how much he's grown in five weeks!"
"I can't thank you enough."

I'm deeply impressed by these 10 young people - by their maturity, by their willingness to serve campers and one another, and by their strong commitment to following Jesus Christ. And I'm grateful for Interns Scott Bay and Emily Smith who spent hundreds of hours preparing for and implementing the SLP program.

Post-It Note Prayers

2011-07-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

Some of the "Post-It Prayers" from Tween Campers

Last week at Tween Camp, we had 240 middle schoolers in attendance - an all-time record. During one class taught early in the week by Associate Director Joseph Thouvenel, campers were encouraged to write a prayer to the Lord on a post-it note and place it on a window.

After class, I wandered over to the windows to peruse the prayers. I was amazed by the depth of the content displayed in the prayers. A few made me laugh, like the one which said "Please help camp to be more fun than it is now." Others made me hurt for these dear young people. Several caught my attention:

Help my mom get well so she isn't in pain anymore.
I've been confused about my life. My friends have been telling me to do the opposite of what my heart is. I just really need guidance.
Heal my heart.
Dear God, Please be with me and my friends back home so that we can see each other and begin talking again. Amen
To stop making the same mistakes.
I pray I survive this week.
For me to listen to God more.
Please help me become more confident in myself. And help me not let my fears of not being wanted hold me back.
Dear God, Can you help my mom not get thrown out of the house that she is in?
This week I pray that God will reveal that I am unique in my own special way and I don't have to be like everybody else.
Help me get more friends!
I hope my parents do not get divorced.
Dear God, please help me become the person you want me to be.
God, please help my attitude towards my family.
To have clear/clean skin.
Help me to really enjoy reading my Bible.
I would like to be strong enough to overcome my homesickness.

Perhaps as you read this, a few of these prayer requests capture your heart. If so, maybe you can take a moment and say a prayer to the Lord for the person who wrote that prayer. Thanks!

The Message of the Meetinghouse

2011-07-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

Overhead view of Meetinghouse under construction in 1928

This morning after breakfast, I pored through a stack of old Twin Rocks photos recently donated by a friend of the camp. The images dated back to the 1920s, and showcased the tremendous physical changes enjoyed by the camp throughout its 93 year history. One photo in particular caught my attention - it was of the Meetinghouse under construction in 1928.

My interest in the photos distracted me from my day's agenda, so I was late arriving to a Girls Camp chapel session in the Meetinghouse. As I settled into a seat at the back of the Meetinghouse, the old photos were fresh in my memory.

Soon the girls were singing these words:
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began my life was in His hands

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call

A bit later, camp speaker Elizabeth Sherwood shared from John 10:10, where Jesus says: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Girls Camp 2011 in Meetinghouse

I couldn't help but think about the thousands of campers who have been in the Meetinghouse over the past 83 years, and the consistent message which has been proclaimed within its walls.

Those who raised the trusses for the Meetinghouse in 1928 certainly wouldn't have imagined the Powerpoint slideshows, video projectors, or wireless microphones which would one day grace the building. But they certainly would have resonated with the message - that we have a Maker who knows our name and desires that we, through Him, might live our lives to their fullest.

What a joy it is to see the continued proclamation of Jesus here at Twin Rocks Friends Camp.

Girls Camp 2011

Rugged Country Plants at Twin Rocks!

2011-06-21T13:52:00.000-07:00

Twin Rocks Summer Staff Miranda Cooper & Rebekah Cammack
Planting Donated "Rugged Country Plants"

I am ever so grateful for the many friends of Twin Rocks Friends Camp. It's sometimes hard to believe the generosity of so many people who come together to make the ministry of Twin Rocks successful.

This month I'm especially grateful for the family of Sean & Rebecca Currans. Their family holds a long and rich history here at Twin Rocks, so when they chose to close (at least temporarily) their Rugged Country Plants nursery based out of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, the Currans chose to donate more than 12,000 plants to the camp!

Many were bushes and shrubs, including plants like twinberry, spirea, and mockorange. They also sent several varieties of wildflowers, including blanket flower and penstemon.

And this is the perfect year for Twin Rocks to receive thousands of native plants, as we are in the process of restoring the land following last summer's installation of a new road around the perimeter of camp. Twin Rocks' Grounds Coordinator Joel Thomas is ecstatic, noting that this gift has saved the camp thousands of dollars and enabled him to begin reestablishing a natural camp landscape much faster than earlier projected.

We couldn't be more pleased. What a gift it is to have friends like Sean, Rebecca, Levi, Hillary, and Hannah Currans. Thank you!

Summer Staff Members Kimmee Hoecker, Tim Engle, and Rebekah Cammack

An Amazing Twin Rocks Staff...

2011-06-13T14:56:00.001-07:00

Summer is upon us! Last week our entire staff spent the day hanging out together in our annual Staff Bonding Day. We played games, answered sharing questions, created videos, worshiped together, and enjoyed great food. And it was a great time spent getting to know our recently-arrived Summer Staff (16 college-age students).

I feel completely blessed to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of people.

Above is a photo of our staff taken on the beach just prior to embarking upon a rousing game of Capture the Flag. I can confirm that I'm getting really old for Capture the Flag! But it was a lot of fun.

The Road Ahead Looks Bright

2010-10-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

It's a pretty incredible time here at Twin Rocks:

Terrific Camps. Our camp ministry this summer was probably superior to any I've witnessed during my 16 years as executive director of Twin Rocks Friends Camp. Not only were our attendance numbers terrific (up 25% since 2003), but the overall quality proved just as impressive. I hold great admiration and appreciation for each of our camp directors and for Joseph Thouvenel, our Associate Director for Programs and Spiritual Formation. Here is a photo from "Grad Camp" - a subset of Surfside Camp for graduating high school seniors:
Fundraising Flourishing. In 2010, we've enjoyed some enormous fundraising success. We raised $487,000 in and around the Party by the Parkway; we received a $63,000 estate gift in memory of Sylvia Hofstetter; and the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust awarded us a $200,000 grant ($100,000 outright and $100,000 with contingency). Click here to help Twin Rocks access the second $100,000. We're just $200,000 in donations shy of reaching our $950,000 goal!
Parkway Construction Nears Completion. We are now about two weeks shy of opening our new "parkway" - a road that will meander through the forest at the perimeter of camp. We'll then immediately take out roads that crisscross through the center of camp, opening up the core of the property to grassy lawns, sidewalks, native shrubbery, and happy campers. Nearly all of the remaining work should be complete by next summer! Click here for a detailed description of the Greenway & Parkway project, and access to additional construction-in-process photos.

Walking to the Beat of a Different Drummer

2010-09-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

This painting of a djembe (pronounced JEM-bay) drum was created by high school students during Surfside Camp in August. More than 100 campers made their way to the front of the room during a worship service and signified their commitment to walk to the drumbeat of Jesus by painting a single brush stroke on the canvas. The 3-foot by 5-foot painting is temporarily housed in my office, and I'm rejoicing in the knowledge that each stroke represents a life committed to Christ.

And Never to Look Back

2010-09-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

A group of adults from a Slavic church in Portland stood in the Twin Rocks dining room last evening and began to sing in Russian. I couldn’t understand the words, but it was apparent that they were worshiping. They concluded with a stanza in English, repeating this phrase several times:

To bow before your throne, O Lord,
And never to look back.

Their singing came in response to a similar scene at the previous meal where a group of young people of Romanian descent from Vancouver had sung:

We give You all the glory,
We worship You,
You are worthy to be praised.

There are many moments where I say to myself, “This is why I work at Twin Rocks!” This was one of them. What a blessing it is to hear impromptu concerts in our dining hall, with praises sung to God across cultures, in multiple languages, and by a wide range in age groups. Last week we hosted Latino youth from Hillsboro and Chinese families from Corvallis.

God transcends our differences, caring for each of us, speaking to all of us, bringing his story of love and redemption through Jesus Christ to the entire world.

What a blessing it is to play a small part in this worldwide work of God.

A Terrific 24 Hours at Camp

2010-07-14T16:09:00.001-07:00

A lot is happening right now at Twin Rocks Friends Camp. In the past 24 hours...

I took a stroll with my wife, LeAnn, along the 1/2-mile length of our new "parkway" road which is being constructed around the perimeter of camp. It was a beautiful evening here at the Coast, and the walk was wonderful. It was great to be with LeAnn, and amazing to see the majestic path of the parkway coming fully into view. At this point the road is just a wide dirt path, but its presence amid the stately evergreen trees of the camp's coastal forest left me feeling at peace with the world and in awe of the beauty of God's creation.
I witnessed an invitation to our 228 middle school "Tween" campers given by camp speaker Rachelle Staley, encouraging them to commit their lives to Christ and be fully restored by their Creator. The invitation was straight-forward and low-key, and about 30 youth stayed behind to make this commitment to follow Jesus.
I walked through camp and watched our camp counselors spending time one-on-one with campers. At Twin Rocks, "one-on-one" time is integral to our philosophy. We believe that each camper deserves a time each week where he or she can have the undivided attention of their counselor, a time when they can share with and be prayed for by their counselor. Sometimes this takes the form of a sit-down conversation on the lawn; other times it means talking together amidst a game of miniature golf or Frisbee. I enjoy wandering through camp and whispering prayers to the Lord for the various one-on-one conversations I see taking place in front of me.

This is exactly why I love working at Twin Rocks Friends Camp. I get the chance to see kids being cared for, to witness them having their lives restored by our amazing, loving God. I have the opportunity to take walks and hang out with my family, and to experience the joy of helping plan new camp buildings and roads with the goal of impacting future generations of campers for Jesus.

This Twin Rocks - it's a special place.

2010-02-18T11:27:00.000-08:00

A Special Twin Rocks Benefit Event

A Complimentary Family Outing at the Beach!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

11:00am - 4:00pm

Please mark your calendars for a delightful, family-friendly gathering at Twin Rocks Friends Camp on Saturday, May 22, 2010. It’ll be an amazing day: salmon buffet lunch, camp museum, cotton candy, petting zoo, Velcro wall, croquet, camp tours, and a chance to walk the path of the new “parkway” perimeter road slated for construction this summer! And over dessert we’ll celebrate the camp’s ministry and share ways you can be involved in furthering its success. Please spread the news and watch your mailboxes for more details. We look forward to seeing you at Twin Rocks Friends Camp on May 22!

For details, please visit our Party by the Party website.

Come Early!

You and your family are welcome to get a jump on the party: Arrive on Friday!

(For a modest fee and as space allows.)

Amazing Gifts!

2010-02-18T10:14:00.001-08:00

I sure feel fortunate. Things are going really well here at Twin Rocks Friends Camp - even financially! God has been extremely kind to us, as have so many generous individuals. Here are three specific examples:

In-Kind Gifts. We placed a “Wish List” in the December issue of our Sandpiper newsletter, detailing needs for items we could really use here at camp. The response has been amazing. We’ve received three wheelchairs, a two-port commercial espresso machine, and a 2006 Jeep Liberty with just 25,000 miles on it! Wow. We are truly blessed. The espresso machine was given to us by Jonah Ministries (another Christian camp whose staff is extremely generous!). The Jeep came anonymously – and since it was given through a third party, I have no idea of who donated it to us. But I love driving it!
Finances - Operations. I’m grateful to the Lord for allowing us to break even financially in 2009. This time a year ago, when the economic situation seemed most uncertain, we were projecting a $72,000 deficit for 2009, even after implementing several belt-tightening measures, including a 10 percent pay cut to full-time staff. What a blessing it was to see a projected 15 percent decline in campers, end up being just an 8 percent decline. As a result, we were able to return the 10 percent pay cut to staff (my wife and I are totally grateful for this!), pay for some year-end capital expenditures, AND break even! A key component to this success was the more than $40,000 given by our generous donors in 2009 to the General Fund.
Finances – Soaring to New Heights Campaign. We spent $685,000 in our Soaring to New Heights campaign over the last three years, and we secured enough pledges to cover this in its entirety. However, as of mid-November, payments on those pledges were $57,000 short of the required $685,000. Thankfully, in the past three months that $57,000 shortfall has been reduced to just $21,000!

These are still tough economic times, and we continue to operate on a very tight budget. But what a HUGE blessing it's been to receive such amazing gifts, enabling us to remain fiscally sound. THANKS to all of you for your kindnesses!

Coming Your Way: One Amazing Summer!

2010-01-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

The summer of 2010 is shaping up to be an amazing one. This notion recently dawned upon me as I trudged through brush with our engineer and road contractors, surveying the landscape of our upcoming new perimeter roadway. It brought a huge smile to my face. We’ve been waiting a long time for this!

At Twin Rocks we take great pride in the wonderful ambiance of camp: the peaceful, serene location where campers relax and unwind; the gentle singing of the birds; the smell of the sea; the calming that comes from the mesmerizing sound of ocean waves rolling ashore. But hopefully, this summer will be slightly different.

If fundraising goes according to plan, the camp’s serenity will be interrupted a bit by the chugging of earth-moving equipment. Building a road at the coast requires dry, summer-time construction, so Twin Rocks’ long-awaited perimeter roadway is slated to be installed during June, July, and August. Thankfully, since the road will run around the outside of camp, its construction won’t interfere with day-to-day camp activities. A fortress of barriers and fencing will keep campers and construction totally separate from one another.

It’ll be a summer of wonderful sounds: Campers praying, laughing, singing, and playing, intermixed with the distant drone of trucks building an amazing road to our future.

Summer Camps Change Lives

2009-06-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

(Our summer camp season is upon us! It's such a wonderful time of year. This morning I ran across the following article I'd written for an issue of Twin Rocks' Sandpiper newsletter a few years back. It seems appropriate to reprint it here now in the blog. Please be in prayer for our summer. Thanks!)

At Twin Rocks we’re proud of our camps. We believe we’ve hit upon an impressive formula that works – a philosophy of camp that cares about the unique needs of every camper, and offers an environment conducive to making important decisions about life. Each camp is geared to a particular age group, but all follow a similar recipe:

Make camp fun. Twin Rocks abounds with exciting activities: Archery, foosball, extreme swing, miniature golf, Frisbee golf, skim boarding and wave jumping at the ocean; swimming, boating, and kayaking at the lake; volleyball, arts & crafts, music, skits, overnight campouts, and much more. Kids at camp have the chance to try dozens of adventures not readily available to them back home.
Let campers interact with nature. One of life’s best ways to see God is by observing the things God has created. When youth walk through a forest or watch the waves at the beach, they glimpse the Lord’s creativity, power, and loving character. When kids explore the intricacies of our world during nature class, they behold an awesome God. Twin Rocks Friends Camp is located in an idyllic setting: 120 forested acres bordered by mountain, lake, and stream – one block from a picturesque Pacific Ocean beach. And tide pools in Tillamook Bay are a 4-minute bus ride from camp.
Treat every camper as special. A caring cabin counselor ensures a young person’s success at camp. For the week, counselors take on the job of friend, parent, confidante, older sibling, and role model. Counselors meet one-on-one with each person in their cabin, getting each camper’s assessment about the week and offering to pray with them. This individual attention helps campers see themselves as special, uniquely designed by their Creator.
Build friendships. Twin Rocks camps are ‘counselor-centered,’ which means we focus most of our programming within individual cabin groups. Initiative games and discussion questions help small groups bond together in community. As youth begin to trust one another, conversations move to a deeper level, enabling heartfelt discussions about life’s important issues. Large ‘all camp’ sessions are followed by small group discussions, giving campers the chance to dialogue about a speaker’s message with their peers. At teen camps, co-ed discussion groups help individuals develop healthy, respectful relationships with members of the opposite sex.
Instill Annual Traditions. Buddy Fires, Night Owls, Opal & Pearl, Hobo Stoves, Norah Auction, Exploratories, Lugs & Luggles, Body Building Day, Short Sands…. Each camp develops its own lingo, incorporating annual traditions that contribute to after-camp lore.
Fabulous Food & Facilities. Twin Rocks likes happy campers, so we work extra hard to excel with our ‘infrastructure’: Accommodations are comfortable – nearly all are carpeted and have attached restrooms; and the food is tasty and well-balanced, pleasing even the most particular of palettes.
Please Parents. We work hard to look at camp through the eyes of a parent: Is camp safe? Will my son make any friends? Can the camp deal caringly and confidentially with homesickness and bed wetting? Twin Rocks is accredited with the American Camp Association, having passed a rigorous 157-point inspection that ensures a safe and properly-programmed camp. Counselors and staff are carefully selected, screened, and trained. A registered nurse is on-site at all times. Lifeguards patrol swimming and boating areas. Top bunks have rails. And photos are posted on Twin Rocks’ website throughout the week, giving parents a chance to catch the flavor of camp from a distance.
Tell campers about Jesus. Twin Rocks is a Christian camp, and we happily share with campers the good news of Jesus Christ. We present non-Christians with an opportunity to give their lives to Christ, doing so in a way that honors each person’s right to make their own decisions about life. And we provide tools to help Christians grow in their faith. Daily ‘solo’ times give youth the chance to be alone to read Scripture, journal, talk to God, and experience the joy of regularly interacting with the Lord. Camp is an out-of-the-ordinary, memorable place, so it’s an ideal setting for making important life decisions and setting new life patterns.

Announcing Family Getaway Weekends!

2009-04-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce Twin Rocks Friends Camp's newest program - Family Getaway Weekends! (Yes, I'm using the Blog to advertise a Twin Rocks event. But I really think you'll enjoy this new Twin Rocks program!)

If you'd like to build great memories with some members of your family, join us at the beach for one of these special events.

WHO? You decide which family members to bring along:

Perhaps you'd like a father-son or mother-daughter weekend with one or more of your kids;
Maybe you'd like to give your wife a relaxing weekend "home alone" while you take all of your kids to Twin Rocks;
Perhaps you'd enjoy an extended outing at the beach with your grandkids;
Or maybe you want the whole immediate family at the beach.
Or some other configuration - you decide!

WHAT? You decide how you spend the bulk of your time:

Classic Twin Rocks activities like miniature golf, Kiddie Korral play structure, boating on Spring Lake, sand castle construction at the beach, etc.;
Specialized activities like a bird watching adventure, guided nature hikes, or kite flying (we supply everything you need - kites, binoculars, etc.);
Coastal excursions (for a modest extra fee) enjoying clam digging, crabbing from a boat in Netarts Bay, riding a tandem bicycle on the beach, etc.;
And other great Twin Rocks activities like bonfires with s'mores, times of singing and worship, terrific food, and a family photo album to remember it all!

WHEN? You decide which weekend works for you! The first two Family Getaway Weekends will be held May 29-31 and June 5-7, 2009. Others will be offered throughout the year. Check back to the Twin Rocks website regularly for future dates!

WHY? Your family is important. You won't regret taking time to build great memories with them.

To learn more, go to the Family Getaway Weekend page on the Twin Rocks website!

Disguised Blessings

2009-04-10T15:52:00.001-07:00

Life isn't always easy. Our great Twin Rocks staff keep moving away! We learned last week that Dennis Littlefield, Associate Director here at Twin Rocks for the past 10 years, will soon be leaving Twin Rocks to become Executive Director at Tilikum: Center for Retreats and Outdoor Ministries in Newberg, Oregon. Dennis is terrific, and will be greatly appreciated at Tilikum. I'm excited for this new opportunity in his life.

It won't be easy here at Twin Rocks, but God is good and will certainly help us weather this transition.

And on the flip side, it's fun to know that there are several former Twin Rocks staff who are serving excellently in camps throughout the west coast:

* Dennis Littlefield (mentioned above), headed to Tilikum. Tilikum is owned by George Fox University and is thus a "sister" camp to Twin Rocks (owned indirectly by the Friends Church). Dennis served 12 years at Tilikum as Program Director before coming to Twin Rocks 10 years ago (www.georgefox.edu/offices/tilikum);

* Jon Walker (Executive Director) and Bev Chapman (Guest Services Director) at Quaker Hill Camp in McCall, Idaho. Jon served on staff at Twin Rocks for 10 years, and Bev for 7, before they left to join this other "sister" camp to Twin Rocks. Both Jon and Bev grew up attending Quaker Hill as kids (www.quakerhillcamp.com);

* Brian Bol, Food Services Manager at Thousand Pines Christian Camp in southern California (after serving as Associate Food Services Director at Twin Rocks from 2004-2007) (www.thousandpines.com); and

* Joel Whitehead (Program Director) and Trisha Bergemann (Guest Group Coordinator) at Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp in central Washington. These two each served multiple years on Twin Rocks' summer staff.

All of the above are deeply missed at Twin Rocks, but it's a real blessing to see them enjoying continued service to Christ at other Christian camps.

And I've been amazed by the terrific staff whom God continues to bless us with at Twin Rocks. It isn't ever easy, but it seems that whenever we lose someone amazing, the Lord provides us with a replacement who is equally gifted and dedicated to the mission of Twin Rocks. God is VERY good.

A Million Dollar Savings!

2009-03-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

I'm amazed: During the past five years, volunteers have saved Twin Rocks Friends Camp more than $1 million!

We are so blessed, with 541 individuals contributing more than 106,000 hours of volunteer labor between 2004 and 2008. Put another way, we average donated labor each year equivalent to 10 full-time employees!

Year in and year out - whether it's painting a cabin, washing a window, cleaning a restroom, plumbing a building, clearing a trail, or counseling a cabin of kids - we see volunteers of all ages in camp with big smiles on their faces. Some volunteers are here for a day, others for a week, or even a summer; and some live and volunteer here year-round! Whenever we get behind with maintenance or housekeeping it seems that a group of volunteers shows up to help bring things into shape. And at least half of our summer camp programming derives from volunteer labor.

It's pretty incredible. A BIG thanks to all of you who volunteer here at Twin Rocks. It makes this camp a delightful place for me to work.

90 Terrific Years!

2009-03-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

What a joy it is to see God at work in this special place called Twin Rocks Friends Camp. This past August, Pearl Pearson blew out the candles on a cake honoring Twin Rocks’ 90th birthday. Pearl first came to Twin Rocks in 1928, the year the Meetinghouse was constructed, and she returned for a portion of Family Camp in 2008!

Nine year-old Daisy Green was also at the 90th birthday celebration, and wrote: Family Camp makes me feel happy and it makes me feel like I’m at home when I’m not. Year after year, decade by decade, Twin Rocks’ ministry for Christ continues. As part of the birthday festivities, we asked campers: What has Twin Rocks meant to you? Here are portions of some responses we received:

I’ve been going to Twin Rocks ever since I was born, 13 years. It’s been great and really helps my relationship with God. I plan my whole year around this camp and wouldn’t miss it for the world. — Heather (high school student)

Sitting on a stump on Charlotte’s Mountain [in 1964] with Alice Hampton, in view of Twin Rocks down below out in the surf, I asked Alice to marry me. She said ‘yes.’ — Nick Maurer

God is real and evident here. — Dave & Ginger Brown

I remember brushing my teeth in the trough outside Hadley Hall, and walking down the path to the restrooms. — Maribeth Hampton

Our family has enjoyed Family Camp for 19 years in a row, and we plan on keeping up the tradition. — Nadine Miller

At the very first Girls Camp [in the 1940s], just before my 10th birthday, I wrote in my Bible that I accepted Jesus as my Savior. — Betty Comfort

It is a firm place in the storm of life; a place to regain your perspective; a place where the Spirit of the Lord often blows through to touch lives. — Dan Cadd

Every time I come here, I feel as if I am returning home. — Grace (high school student)

I’m tremendously grateful for the life-changing impact of Twin Rocks on so many campers across the generations. God is so gracious.

Pleased Parents and Grandparents

2008-07-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

I love hearing from parents and grandparents about their kids' experiences at Twin Rocks. Here are a couple of recent quotes, one from a parent in the days leading up to Day Camp, the other from a grandparent during Family Day at the conclusion of Boys Camp:

From a parent's email the week before Day Camp:
(Our daughter) is so excited about Day Camp. I went on the website and showed her pictures of what she's going to do. Yesterday she learned to ride her bike without training wheels which has been a goal of hers for months. She was elated. At the end of the day, she said, "I'm so excited about riding my bike, I didn't even think about Day Camp for the last hour!" She can barely sleep at night she's so ready. =) Every morning the question is, "How many more whole days until we go?"

From a grandparent as we talked about the week of Boys Camp:
This camp is beyond our wildest dreams.

Meeting God in the Meetinghouse

2008-07-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

I stopped singing, closed my eyes, and listened. Those around me continued the song - heartfelt words of praise and commitment to God. A tremendous sense of contentment washed over me.

We were gathered for a worship service in the Meetinghouse, and as the music played, I thought about the past 80 years, and the thousands of campers before us, in this very room, offering their lives to the Lord.

It’s one of the favorite parts of my job – stepping into the Meetinghouse and listening to the singing. The tag line on our Twin Rocks letterhead reads Encountering Christ on the Oregon Coast – and the Meetinghouse is a place where I get to observe these encounters firsthand, campers truly connecting with God.

A lot has transpired in this world and at Twin Rocks since the Meetinghouse (then called the Tabernacle) came into being in 1928. Starbucks, cell phones, iPods, and even moon landings were beyond our wildest imagination. Twin Rocks was a tiny 3-acre camp with straw-tick mattresses and tent-frame cabins.

Yet the core remains constant. Eighty years later, campers continue to sing joyfully to God, pouring their hearts before the Lord with adoration, supplication, and gratefulness. The Meetinghouse maintains its meaningful purpose. God is good.

An Amazing New Cabin!

2008-05-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

Wow. We recently opened our new "Quadplex" cabin. It's pretty amazing - and it's getting rave reviews from everyone who sees it!

The Quadplex replaces the aging and poorly-located "Aymara" cabin, and houses three times as many campers. The removal of Aymara was a key first step in the development of a "greenway" connecting the north and south parts of camp.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make this Quadplex a reality - including hundreds of donors to the camp's Soaring to New Heights campaign! A special thanks to Tony Troyer and his crew from His Construction, Darren Schulz of Impact Excavating, Bob & Justin Hampton (donated plumbing!), Jim Fisher Roofing, Dave Lee and Bryon Weber (of Fletemeyer & Lee, Architects), Poky & Tiz Walker (volunteers), Northgate Wesleyan Church youth group (volunteers), Jim DeLapp (volunteer), Gloria McCarter (Interior Design) and Richard Chesebro, Jeff Sargent, Joel Thomas, Mary Kyle and Wayne Chapman of the Twin Rocks staff. And I'm sure I'm forgetting many others to thank - but "thank you" to all of you! You really know how to do a job right!

There are two rooms downstairs that sleep up to 9 people each. Their unique configuration allows for a quick conversion from dorm-style (during kids' camps) to family-style (during family conferences).

Upstairs are two motel-style rooms for individuals or couples. We'll use these for teachers/speakers at our kids' camps, and for couples during adult conferences.

Now we need to name this "Quadplex" cabin - and we're getting close to settling on a great name. This cabin is the prototype for several more slated to be built in camp over the next decade or two.

A Great Year in 2007!

2008-02-02T06:20:00.001-08:00

Here are some Twin Rocks highlights of 2007:

Attendance at Twin Rocks’ summer camps reached another all-time high in 2007, up 9 percent from 2006 – and 25 percent above five years ago!
Overall camper attendance for the entire year increased by 1.6%, and topped 42,000 camper days for the second consecutive year.
More than $600,000 has now been raised toward Phase 1 of the camp’s Soaring to New Heights Master Plan, including more than $150,000 in gifts and pledges received in 2007. These gifts enabled several construction projects: a brand new “Quadplex” cabin (which will house up to 22 people), a Courtyard and firepit next to the Shelter Recreation Center, and full remodels to Dogwood and Juniper Cabins. The biggest Phase 1 project – an asphalt roadway around the perimeter of camp (making the center of camp pedestrian-friendly) – awaits further funding, likely another $600,000.
Parents remain immensely pleased with our camps, rating 2007’s summer camps at 9.3 (on a 10-point scale), commenting:

· “Early morning worship is one of her highlights. Surfside is an experience that is looked forward to all year long.” (Surfside Camp parent)

· “Our daughter commented mostly on her relationship with her counselors, and how they took time to develop relationship with her.” (Girls Camp parent)

· “The fun, combined with teaching God’s word in the outdoors, was great.” (Boys Camp parent)

God's Love

2007-09-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

I sure love Family Camp! This year we have about 360 here at Twin Rocks for our annual Labor Day weekend camp.

"Whatever you've done, wherever you've been, whatever you will do... God loves you and God always has, and you can't change that." - Rob Bell (Lump - NOOMA Video #10 - www.nooma.com)

"Sometimes the way is lonely, and steep and filled with pain, so if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then cry to Jesus...cry to Jesus and live! " - Chris Rice (Untitled Hymn)

These two thoughts were shared this morning at Family Camp in a service led by Gregg Lamm (main speaker). It's profound stuff. It's amazing that God loves us so dearly, and allows us to bring all of our sorrows to Him. It's what makes life livable and enjoyable.

One of Life's Best Experiences

2007-07-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

With just three weeks to go in their 11-week commitment, our Summer Staff is beginning to reflect on life at Twin Rocks Friends Camp. At the dinner table this evening, one of our out-of-state college students shared:

I've never been to a place like Twin Rocks before! It's been one of the best experiences of my life!

She's mentioned her gratefulness for two things in particular:

The community of staff she's enjoyed at the camp; and
The opportunity to share about Christ with her cabin of 5th graders at Girls Camp.

Boys Camp Adventures

2007-07-21T09:19:00.001-07:00

"If you haven't changed your underwear yet this week, today is the day."
- Don Staples, director of Boys Camp, addressing 111 4th-6th grade boys

I love Boys Camp! It's so much fun: Treasure hunts and "Night Owls," "Capture the Flag" and water fights, fishing and miniature golf and wave jumping. And it's the only camp where we feel the need to remind campers to shower and change clothes!

We just wrapped up Boys Camp last evening. It was a wonderful week. Here are some highlights for me:

Verne and Ellen Martin spent the week with us. Verne was a camper at the first ever Twin Rocks Boys Camp - in 1941! Later, Verne served as Recreation Director at Boys Camp for 20-some years. This week he returned to Boys Camp for the first time in decades, serving as a "Camp Uncle" - providing backup to our cabin counselors. He hid treasures throughout camp and posted clues on how to find them in the camp dining hall. The kids loved it.
At the end of the week, one camper from a troubled background told his cabin counselor: "I wish you were my Dad." It's difficult to hear of the tough home lives of some of these boys. And it's wonderful that our cabin counselors are able to clearly shine the love of Christ to them.
Several kids in camp gave their lives to Christ this week! Gary Fawver, our Bible teacher, worked in conjunction with our cabin counselors to present kids with the opportunity to choose to follow Jesus. There's nothing more meaningful in life than submitting oneself to God, accepting God's love, basking in his care, and promising to follow him. And what a joy it is to see kids make this decision for themselves.

Lasting Impact

2007-07-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon a mom pulled aside a Twin Rocks staff member, and with tears in her eyes, expressed her gratitude for the "changed life" she's seen in her daughter since her return from Tween Camp last week. It's fun to hear stories like these. It's the reason we love camp.

Glory and Honor to God

2007-07-03T16:13:00.000-07:00

This morning I closed my eyes and listened to the music:

Glory and honor to God,
Glory and honor to Jesus,
Glory and honor to God,
Glory and honor belong to Him.

It's Girls Camp at Twin Rocks this week -- 200 female voices singing beautifully in unison, praising the Lord together. It's pretty awesome.

Deann Thompson, one of the Girls Camp leaders, said that she can envision God sitting in an easy chair in heaven, basking in the beauty of these voices, rejoicing in the praise emanating from these dear children.

Thank you, Lord. This is what summer camp is all about!

Construction Progress Continues!

2007-06-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

What a joy it is to see construction in camp! It's sure a blessing for the facilities at Twin Rocks to continue to improve, year-by-year. Right now we have two big projects in process:

1- A new courtyard on the east side of the Shelter (our small gymnasium); and

2- A new "Quadplex" cabin located at the north end of the Cabins of the Meadow, near the outdoor sand volleyball courts.

These photos were taken yesterday - showing our progress. Thanks to all of you who have contributed to the camp's Soaring to New Heights campaign, making these projects possible!

Prayers for Our Campers

2007-06-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

I heard a heartwarming story yesterday. But before I tell it, let me first give you some background information...

For each of the past three years, Twin Rocks has called upon the services of people living in Friendsview Retirement Community in Newberg, Oregon, to serve as "Prayer Partners" during our summer camps.

It's been wonderful. Each summer we've had about 75 retirees who've volunteered to pray name-by-name for kids in camp. Roger Minthorne (Friendsview resident and long-time Twin Rocks Board member) has coordinated the Prayer Partner program. Each Monday, Roger would divvy up the names of Twin Rocks campers, assigning a few to each Prayer Partner. Throughout each week, the Prayer Partners would pray!

So on to the story...

This past week some elementary-age girls visited Doris Morris, a wonderful woman who resides at Friendsview. The girls told Doris that they are planning to come to Twin Rocks this summer to attend Girls Camp. When she heard this, Doris told the girls about the Prayer Partner program - that each of the girls will be prayed for by someone at Friendsview while they are at Girls Camp this summer! The girls were delighted to hear this.

And then came the cool part... Doris went to the other side of the room and gathered her list. It turns out that she's been saving her lists of campers - week-by-week, summer-after-summer. And she shared with the girls that she STILL PRAYS EVERY DAY for EVERY camper she's been assigned in the Prayer Partner program over the last three years! I don't know exactly how many names that is - probably close to 50 names!

Thank you, Doris!! What an awesome gift for "your" campers!

It's a HUGE blessing that we have such a committed group of retirees who care so deeply for Twin Rocks, and its campers - that they pray daily for them while they are at camp. And I'm especially in awe of Doris, who keeps these young people in her prayers, even years later.

Twin Rocks is truly a blessed camp. Next week we'll be meeting again with the folks at Friendsview, seeking our group of Prayer Partners for 2007!

Summer Staff Are Here!

2007-06-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

There's a wonderful excitement in the air, as our Summer Staff arrived here at camp last evening. It's a great bunch of 18 college students. Several of them grew up coming to camp here, attending a week of camp at Twin Rocks nearly every summer since they were 10 years old. Some are returnees, having been on Summer Staff with us last year; and others are from places like Illinois and Ohio and are experiencing their first days ever in Oregon.

One of the "core values" of Twin Rocks Friends Camp is Leadership Development. It amazes me how influential an 11-week summer at Twin Rocks can be in the life of a Summer Staff member. I used to see Summer Staff only as a means to an end - college students at camp solely for the purpose of helping us minister to children and teenage youth. But I've come to realize that our Summer Staff program is much greater than that. It's our opportunity to positively impact the lives of a select group of young adults - for a whole summer! Joseph (Program Director) and Stephanie (Program Assistant) Thouvenel are exceptional leaders of this program. Time and again I hear Summer Staff describe their time here as the most meaningful summer of their lives, how they've grown in their walks with the Lord, and developed life-long friends.

It's sure a blessing to be able to be a part of such a meaningful program.

An Active Week at Twin Rocks

2007-05-18T08:44:00.001-07:00

A LOT of wonderful things are happening in camp this week:

We have a great group of 130 students, teachers, and parents here from Mabel Rush Elementary School in Newberg, Oregon, for their annual outdoor school (above). They 're a fun group, here to explore nature and enjoy time together. This is their 11th straight year having outdoor school at Twin Rocks!
We poured the footings to our "Quadplex" cabin (right) - a 2,200 square foot building that will house two groups of 8 campers at our youth camps, or 4 couples/families at our family camps. For those of you who have been here before, the first Quadplex is being built next to Cammack Cabin, overlooking the outdoor volleyball court.
A group of roofers from Jim Fisher Roofing & Construction is in camp re-roofing five of our Cabins of the Trees. We have over 40 roofs in camp, so it's hard to keep them all in top condition, but with Jim Fisher's help we're about caught up! Here are before/after pictures:
And we are constructing a courtyard on the east side of the Shelter that will enable campers to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. And it will include a fire pit where cabin groups can enjoy late night marshmallow roasting and singing by the campfire. This courtyard is being constructed in memory of Irene Haisch.

It's a very hectic - and fun - time in the life of Twin Rocks Friends Camp!!!

28 Years of Outdoor Schools from Gladstone!

2007-04-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

An outdoor school for students from Kraxberger Middle School (Gladstone, Oregon) is in camp this week. This public school has been conducting outdoor schools at Twin Rocks every year for 28 years! They do the program - we supply the food and facilities. It's a pretty amazing outdoor school. In fact, the kids like it so much that they can't wait to come back. This week, 15 of the 18 specially-selected high school-aged cabin counselors attended a Kraxberger outdoor school at Twin Rocks when they were in middle school!

Introductory Blog

2007-04-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Twin Rocks Friends Camp is an amazing place. It's fun to have a chance to begin this Beach Blog, where I can keep you up to date on some of the ongoing events of the camp.

I've had the privilege of serving as Executive Director at Twin Rocks for 13 years, and I continue to be amazed at how blessed I am to work here.