A Night to Celebrate.
What do you get when you combine SpringHIll Camp staff and volunteers with a Christmas party? You have lots of fun and celebration. And our Michigan based staff and volunteers along with their spouses had a blast this week at our annual Christmas get together.
Joel Hamilton proud of his plate.
Dina Wetters, our HR Administrator, along with some other staff and volunteers (and I think her husband Aaron get’s roped into it as well) organize this event every year. Every year it’s a bit different. But a few things have remained the same, every year it is fun (have I mentioned that all ready?), we play at least one game (remember we are camp people), we sing at least one Christmas carol and of course we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Eric and Amanda Woods and Andy and Kate Hust competing for the price.
Craig and Sarah Soderdahl singing their hearts out.
We also hand out years of service awards to staff that have crossed a 5 year threshold of service. This year we celebrated:
5 Year Awards (nice SpringHill Staff fleece)
Bill Dinsmore – VP, Indiana Camp
Nate Parson – Manager, Michigan Guest Services
April Gann – Director, Day Camp West Michigan
10 Year Awards (a very nice SpringHill Staff Winter Jacket)
Nancy Hooker – Finance Assistant
Craig Soderdahl – VP, Day Camps
I love Christmas and Christmas celebrations and I especially love this one because of who I am celebrating with and how much fun we have together. How long till next year’s party?
Clarence Hogan, Elizabeth Wing & Melissa Wilke enjoying the moment.
Volunteers Dave and Sue Schildhouse with Hostess Dina Wetters and her husband Aaron.
Thanks to Amanda Thompson for providing the great photos. Connect with the SpringHill Facebook page to see more great photos.
Thankfulness List – Part 5
As I finish this Thanksgiving weekend and begin preparing for work tomorrow it’s appropriate that I complete my “thankfulness” list by thanking God for the work He has allowed me to be a part of. I am extremely humbled by the opportunity God has given me to work in a ministry such as SpringHill Camps. I’m thankful for both its mission and its effectiveness.
Indiana summer staff getting ready for campers.
But the reality is God has risen up many great ministries that are doing effective and important work. So what makes me most thankful for SpringHill is the people I have the privilege to work with. Starting with our incredibly committed and talented staff. It’s our staff that make the SpringHill Experience a reality on a day-to-day basis. I often tell our team there is no other people I’d rather be in a foxhole with than them.
SpringHill leadership team
Next is our board that faithfully fulfills their role as trustees of SpringHill in a professional and visionary manner. The SpringHill board encourages, challenges, prays and supports the staff and me in countless ways. They are a part of a larger group of volunteers, prayer partners, ambassadors and donors who I have a privilege to serve and work with. SpringHill is SpringHill because these folks give their time, talent and treasure to assure we have the resources and visibility needed to carry forth the mission and vision God has called SpringHill to.
Joe and Allison volunteering for a week of summer camp.
Finally there are the campers, their families and our summer staff we serve every year. Having the opportunity to be a part of their lives gives my work significance. I love being with them as they are experiencing SpringHill. I love it even more when I know that Christ has used SpringHill to transform their lives.
So after a long weekend am I ready to go back to work? You bet I am and I’m very thankful for it.
Thankfulness List – Part 4
I attended my 30th class reunion a couple of weeks ago and yesterday we toured the neighborhood I grew up in on the way to our traditional day after Thanksgiving Mexican lunch at the Beltline Bar. These nostalgic moments reminded me of how thankful I am for being blessed with so many friends throughout my life.
Some friends from my 12 years at SpringHill.
Some are friends for a season such as the friends I reconnected with at my class reunion. Life has moved us in different directions but that doesn’t diminish my thankfulness for what we shared. It’s clear the value and importance of friends isn’t in how long we’ve been friends but the impact and difference we’ve made in each other’s life when circumstances brought us together.
Reconnecting with old friends at my 30th class reunion.
At the same time I can’t imagine life without those long time friends. These are the people that I’ve grown up with and anticipate growing old with. These friendships are deeper than seasons or circumstances. There is a level of commitment that accompanies these friendships that allow them to last long beyond the normal seasons of life. These friendships make my life rich.
My college friends and my brother on our annual Canadian fishing Trip.
As I near the end of my “thankfulness” list I will continue to look at the friends I’ve been blessed with and be deeply appreciative of all that the experiences we have shared together.
Thankfulness List – Part 3
Sitting Down to Thanksgiving Dinner.
While I’m on the subject of kids, I too am a child and a sibling. As I continue down my “thankfulness” list I thank God for all my extended family especially my parents, brother and sister. There is no doubt that the value I place on my marriage to Denise, the responsibility of being a dad to our kids and the importance of family comes from the example set by my parents.
My parents created a solid foundation for my life by being appropriately involved and loving parents and modeling a loving marriage. They set the standard high for my brother, sister and I on both fronts and as a result have influenced the next generation of Perry’s.
My brother Rich carving the turkey.
Part of what my parents did was to create a loving, supportive family which continues today. Our family is still close even though we don’t all live in the same city and we are all battling the craziness of life. Today, for example, we are celebrating Thanksgiving together starting with grandpa, grandma, my brother and his wife and all the grand kids. There is something powerfully secure about multiple generations of family being together to celebrate. It is a reminder of the incredible gift family is.
So I’m not only thankful for the “head start” in life I received because of the family I was born into but I’m even more thankful now for the foundation this family is helping to lay for my kids and future generations of Perry’s.
Grandpa having a talk with MD and Mitch.
Thankfulness List – Part 2
Mitch, MD, Jonathan and Christina
If the roles we have in our lives are the “hats” we wear than one of my favorite hats is my “dad hat”. This week as I continue to thank God for the life He has given me the privilege to live our kids continue to bubble up to the top of my “thankfulness” list.
We have four kids – MD, Christina, Mitch and Jonathan, who are living their lives in ways that make Denise and me proud. But I’m not just proud I’m also humbled as I watch our kids grow up and become the people God created them to be. I’m humbled because even though I love my “dad hat” I know that I haven’t always worn it as well as I could. Yet God has stepped in and filled in the gaps where, as a dad, I may have fallen short.
So my thankfulness for our kids extend to those God has put into their lives and have had a positive impact on their growth as people. They include grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers, coaches and dance instructors, youth pastors and leaders and many of Denise’s and my friends. These people have prayed for, invested in and loved on our kids in countless ways.
Though my time of wearing my “dad hat” is not done (happily so) during this season of thanksgiving I continue to be thankful for the people who have invested in our kids and more importantly for our kids – who they are and who they are becoming.
Thankfulness List Part 1
Over the last few days, as Thanksgiving approaches, I continued to thank God for many things in my life. But always at the top of my “thankfulness” list is my wife Denise. We’ve been married over 26 years. It seems like yesterday when we met at Central Michigan University when she was living in Woldt Hall and I was living in Emmons Hall. As the saying goes “time flies when you are having fun” and we are a testament to that truth.
Marriage for many people is pain and heartache, for me it has been blessing upon blessing. I’m not sure I ascribe to the “God has only that one person we’re supposed to marry” line of thinking but its hard not to land there when I look at Denise and our marriage.
We’ve gotten here first and foremost because we are best friends who share the same faith in Christ, the same values about what our lives are to be and how we are to raise our children. It’s everything a true partnership should be and for that I am so thankful.
During this season of Thanksgiving Denise will continue to be my first prayer of thanks.
Faith of a Fourth Grader
“I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.” –CS Lewis from his book The Silver Chair
I love pre-teen kids especially just before they become teenagers. They are at a place emotionally and intellectually where they have begun to grasp the world around them. They authentically and spontaneously express and live their faith. In most cases they have not lived long enough to become cynical and trust comes naturally to them. These are the kids that the person who coined the term “child like faith” must have seen in their mind’s eye.
Over the fall we provide retreats at both of our overnight camps, called Juniors, designed specifically for this age group of kids – 4th, 5th and 6th graders. I love being around our Juniors Retreats because it allows me to be around these kids. They dance and sing with great passion in the large group sessions, they will ask stumping questions of their leaders in their small groups and they will attempt every activity we offer at camp.
In 36 hours they will worship, play and socialize until they’ve run through all their energy. Their leaders on the other hand seem to run out of natural energy long before the 36 hours are up. We know this based on the higher than normal coffee consumption and caffeinated drink sales at the Trading Post. But it’s the child like qualities – energy, trust, passion and faith that these kids possess that draw folks like these leaders, our staff and me to work and minister to and with them.
Every time I’m a part of one of these weekends, as I was a week ago and again this weekend, I leave inspired in my walk with Christ and wanting to live my life with the same faith and gusto as these kids do.
World’s Best Marketing Part 2
Hard to put a price on both the experience this young woman had at SpringHill and her willingness to share it with others. We believe that when your focus is on creating outstanding, life changing experiences where young people can know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ they will give witness to their experience and spread the word to others. Creating this type of loyalty should be the goal of every organization be it business, local church or other ministry like SpringHill.
I was surprised by how accepting the other kids were of me, because they didn’t look at my disability. (Photo submitted)
What Summer Camp Taught Me.
By JASMINE THOMPSON
Niles Daily Star
Editor’s note: Thompson is a student at Niles High School and an intern for the Star.
I had a summer filled with a lot of activities, but I remember a particular experience that had a major impact on my life.
I went away to a Christian camp called Spring Hill, up north by Traverse City for two weeks. It was my first time away from home by myself, so I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect.
Although I begged my parents not to make me go, they did anyway, and I’m so glad they did.
I guess the thing that I was really worried about was not being accepted by the other kids, but it wasn’t like that. I made so many new friends.
Not only did camp give me the opportunity to make new friends, but it also let me improve my relationship with God. Every day, I had time to sit by myself, read my Bible, and talk to God.
I did so many things while I was at camp. I went swimming, went on the zip line, went horseback riding and other stuff.
I was surprised by how accepting the other kids were of me. Because they didn’t look at my physical disability. They just treated me like a normal person.
Camp taught me some things about myself that I didn’t already know before. I learned that I was capable of doing more things than I gave myself credit for. For instance, I discovered that I didn’t need my parents with me all the time, and that I could do the same things as the kids my age.
I had a counselor who helped me during the two weeks. Her name was Liz, and she was my age, so she was like a sister to me. Liz sort of reminded me of my aide at school. We developed a really good relationship, and I thank God for placing her in my life.
The kids didn’t look at me as “handicapped.” I became friends with everyone at camp. Everyday, they always made it a point to talk to me. The girls would sit around me and we would have “girl talk.”
We had campfires where we sang and read verses from the Bible. But on one night, a few people and I shared our testimonies. As I was hearing them, I realized how much many of them were going through, and how blessed my life is.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, all the campers would go to a thing called “Avenue.” It was kind of like a concert where different Christian bands would come in. And after the bands played, one of the counselors would get on stage, and give mini-sermons. All the counselors would also put on skits, but one particular skit stood out to me. It was about how people who are bound by sins, and Jesus giving his life to set them free.
Everyday, we had something called “Solo Time,” where we sat by ourselves for a few minutes to read the Bible, and answer questions from a booklet. Then we would get together and talk about them in small groups.
Going to camp was a great learning experience for me. It helped me grow stronger in my faith in God, and allowed me to make new friends. Camp also taught me some things about myself. I want to go back next year.
Article taken from The Niles Star – http://www.nilesstar.com
URL to article: http://www.nilesstar.com/2010/10/27/student-memoir-what-summer-camp-taught-me/The World’s Best Marketing
Do what you do so well that they will want
to see it again and bring their friends.
WALT DISNEYNo matter what work you or your organization do the loyalty of the people you serve is your most valuable asset. This is true whether you are a for – profit business or a not – for profit charity/ministry. The result of loyalty is not only that you have the opportunity to serve people over and over but they will also become your promoters by recommending your organization to their friends.
At SpringHill our “customers” include campers, camper parents and grandparents, local churches and supporters (volunteers, prayer partners and donors). Over the years we have measured their level of customer satisfaction using ever-changing methods. This has been helpful but at the same time, it also has been frustrating.
Frustrating because we are always wondering if we are getting the clearest picture of this important question – do those we serve feel so strongly about us that they will recommend us to their family and friends?
This summer two of our team members, Eileen Zilch and Sue Boike, benchmarked the customer service of Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, MI including attending their customer service training. One of their key take always was Zingerman’s use of a customer service measurement called Net Promoter Score (NPS).
Eileen and Sue train SpringHill staff in customer service
NPS was created by Fred Reichheld and Bain & Company and is published in Reichheld’s book “The Ultimate Question: Driving Good Profits and True Growth”. NPS is determined by asking your customers the “ultimate question” which is “Based on your most recent experience with us, using a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 equals ‘not a chance’ and 10 equals ‘in a heartbeat’, how likely are you to recommend SpringHill Camps to a friend?”
The idea of the “ultimate question” is an answer to our prayers. First because the measure is simple and proven and allows us to benchmark against other organizations and secondly (and more importantly) it tells us whether we are creating such outstanding, life transforming experiences that people will not only want to come back but will bring their friends. We tested the use of NPS this summer and will continue to implement this measure throughout SpringHill over the next year.
My next posted will be an article written for a local newspaper by one of our campers about her SpringHill experience. The story is inspiring but also demonstrates the power of having your customers be your key promoters.
“Search and Rescue”
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Mother Teresa
A couple of weeks ago I had one of those experiences that was both deeply touching and yet a bit mind-bending. I am a part of a small group of ministry leaders from across North America who meet together two times a year to share, encourage, challenge and learn from each other. Our most recent gathering was in Seattle where one of our group, Jeff Lilley, is the President of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (UGM).
Jeff arranged for us to spend an evening on a “search and rescue” where UGM loads up a van with food, clothing, blankets and hot chocolate and drives around Seattle “searching” for homeless people to serve.
The staff of UGM has a good idea where to find people. So we drove to those spots, got out of the van and “searched” for people in need. Most were sleeping on a benches, laying on the ground under overpasses or in door ways. The most uncomfortable part of the evening was waking these folks up from their sleep.
Once awake we invited them to the van to partake in our goods. Sometimes, like waiters, we carried whatever they needed to where they were. We also invited them to come and stay at UGM and then prayed for them. Over the few hours I would estimate we served 50 to 75 people.
So what was so deeply touching and mind-bending for me about this experience?
First, these people were very grateful. They were some of the kindest and most thankful people I’ve ever meet. At least two prayed for us.
Secondly, they all have a story. There is a reason they are homeless and not all the reasons make sense (we asked them their stories when we could and listened when they would tell us).
Thirdly, I didn’t meet one victim, or at least one person who expressed that they were victims. I’m sure they were out there; I just didn’t meet any with that attitude. Considering their situations that is quite remarkable.
Fourth, there is help available to these people but for whatever reason they have chosen not, can’t or don’t know how to pursue this help.
Finally, even in light of the fourth point, I am more convinced than ever we need “to feed the poor, cloth the naked and shelter the homeless.” We need to do this even if we can’t grasp how they got to this place and why they haven’t moved beyond it.
In those few hours I kept thinking of Jesus. Maybe it’s because I was seeing Him in the faces of these people. His words kept coming back to me “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Matthew 25:40.
