Our First Event!

Our first group came this past weekend! It was an awesome time with Greater Atlanta Christian School men's lacrosse team! Before they arrived we checked the ropes and had some extra fun ourselves. Above is Liz swinging 80 ft. off the ground, and screaming ahhhh! O my wonder! And to the right is me checking the wires. Just another day in the office!

This is the 6 wheel drive Swiss Army Pensgower! We use it to haul the kids all over camp, it rides like a Rolls Royce and has wilderness air conditioning!

The group experienced the drop zone in the

dark, a 100 ft. arch swing. At the highest point they were 80 ft off the ground. Here's a shot of a player being pulled up to the top of the drop zone by his team mates. Many prayers were yelled in terror as the drop was made.

Next day, breakfast, bible study session and low ropes. We heard from our founder Bill Chapman on Unity, from Colossians 3:1-17. Later I spoke on what life circumstances mean to us a Christians

(Ezekiel 24) and God's love for us.

Here is the wall element. Their first try took them 7 minutes to get everyone over, the second try with some extra coached encouragement only took 2:45 min.

They enjoyed 3 other low ropes elements from which you could tell a real difference in their ability to work together and encourage one another. Getting 20, 13-17 yr. old boys to communicate and focus is quite a challenge, but most men rise to a challenge, and they did just that.

Then we had lunch, high ropes and a game of air soft war with the Pensgower. Here is one player doing a split 60 ft. off the ground and to the right the leap off faith off the Pamper Pole.

Serving this group meant so much to us! The head coach is a good friend and mentor of Liz and myself. He actually baptized Liz in high school and walked with us through many trials. Thanks coach!

While serving these players we fell right into our element, and even though it was physically exhausting, it filled us up spiritually. Getting to spend that much time serving others, talking about Christ, hanging from wires 80 ft. off the ground, relaxing under the stars of Ellijay, and all the other joys that camp has is such a huge blessing to us!

We have found a real joy in serving others in this way. Setting up adventures for the single purpose of making Christ look good. Many of the players that came on this trip grow up in Christian homes, go to a Christian school and know all about the Bible and what Jesus did. But this experience offered them a chance to really step out of their comfort zone and fall in love with God for the first time or all over again!

They said they would definitely be coming back next year!

FEB. NEWSLETTER

Hello everyone,

This is the first edition of our monthly newsletter! We are so delighted to have this great opportunity to reconnect with all of you on a regular basis!

Enlisting Summer Staff
In January, Liz and I had the pleasure of going to Panama City Beach to a conference for college students. We talked with several dozen students and identified many potential staff for this summer.
We are still looking for 15-20 Christian college students to be wilderness counselors for 8 weeks this summer. If you know of any who might be interested, please send them our way.

At the Office

I have been working at Highland’s office in Alpharetta. I have been designing a few of the adventure elements, including a climbing wall and a new bike trail system. I will be acquiring high ropes certification and helping to design and build the new low ropes course.

Future Programs

I had the privilege of attending a meeting with Georgia’s Office of Child Support Services to discuss partnering with them. We will be meeting again to develop events for “at-risk” parents and their children. Our hope is to offer no-cost events for these families and form mentor relationships between our current father-child program participants and these “at-risk” low income families.

www.camphighland.com
4305 State Bridge Rd., Suite 103-223
Alpharetta, GA 30022

The Peddle’s Partners

We view each one of you as partners with us in this journey. We believe a partner is much more than a donor. We consider you all friends, and great ones at that! You each play a critical role and make a real difference in our life and the lives of the campers! By joining the Peddle Team you are lighting our path so that we may shine that same ignited love into the hearts of Highland campers.

Progress Report

We are currently at 21% of our $3500 monthly goal! We are 13 partners strong. If you are willing to partner with us by contributing monthly donations of $25, $50, $100 or more it would be most appreciated!

How You Can Make a Difference

Make a donation:
· Set up automatic check writing with your bank.
· Establish an automatic debit plan or credit charge on our web site, at www.camphighland.com.
· Mail in monthly or a one time donation with enclosed envelope and donation sheet.
(Make checks payable to Camp Highland)

Other Resources:
· Tell your people about my people
· Bring a group to camp
· Pray for us

Prayer Requests

Please ask God to continue blessing us with wonderful partners. Pray for the 2300 kids and adults that will be coming to camp this year. Also, pray that our first two groups this month will experience a thrill of a lifetime while at camp.

God be with you all,

Erik:
erik@camphighland.com
Elizabeth:
elizabeth@camphighland.com