North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries 2015 Impact Report

IMPACT REPORT · 2015 SeAat TaatbtheleNorth Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries690 Camp Glisson RoadDahlonega, GA 30533706.864.6181growsomewhere.org

h IMPACTa REPORT 2015 Contents Letter from Leadership 1 Mission · Core Values 2What a year! 2020 Vision 2We paused after the summer to reflect (and, frankly, to take a breath!) Ministry Sites 2on the wondrous things God has done in this 90th year of campingministry in North Georgia. Counting blessings can be a transformational Glisson Village 3spiritual practice: Doing so this year led us to create something we’vebeen considering for years – a first Annual Report of our ministries. An Experiential Christian Community 3 Village Schedule 3The document you hold is offered with two hopes in mind. As a John’s Village Story 4stakeholder in these ministries please read this as an accounting of More Than Just Eating 4our work in the spirit of the traditional organizational “annual report”. A Gift to Keep Growing 5As a partner in our ongoing and growing collaboration in God’s workin the lives of children, youth and young adults, please read this as a Glisson Sparrowwood 6celebration of the fruit of our efforts, an “impact report”. Where Campers Aren’t Defined by Disability 6Since the opening of the place we call “Glisson” in 1925 our work hasbeen about the practice of faith. Now “North Georgia Camp and Michael’s Sparrowwood Story 6Retreat Ministries, Inc.” continues and deepens the practice throughexpansion of Glisson’s ministries, the broad reach of Grow Day Camps, Sparrowwood Schedule 6and the intentional depth of the Experiential Leadership Institute (ELI).And we’re looking ahead to broadening our opportunities in 2018 with ELI 7the introduction of a new residential camping program. Grow in Faith, Develop as Leaders, Make a Difference 7We invite you to celebrate with us the impact of our ministries together… ELI Program Sponsors 7 ELI Schedule 7 Taylor’s ELI Story 8 Leaders’ Circle 8 ELI Participants 8 Lee Highsmith C. Russell Davis Glisson Outpost 9Chairperson NGCRM, Inc. Executive Director Outdoor Living Skills 9 Outpost Schedule 9 Leigh’s Outpost Story 10 Expanding to Make Room for More Explorers 10 Grow Day Camps 11 Camp Ministry Experience 11 Grow Day Camps Schedule 11 Demetrius’ Grow Story 12 Glisson Annual Fund 13 The Circle of 100 13 Annual Fund Donors 13 Ministry By The Numbers 14 Financials 14 Team 14 Board of Directors 14North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries 1 IMPACT REPORT · 2015

OUR MISSION North Georgia Camp and Retreat Ministriesjoins with the church to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to nurture leadership by creating experiences in Creation and in Christian community that encourage transformation, growth, and renewal for all people. GLISSON CORE GROW VALUES ELI CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY 32 sites RADICAL ACCEPTANCE throughout EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING the 12 districts of the UNCONDITIONAL LOVENorth Georgia Conference UMC2020 Conference Vision for Camp & Retreat MinistriesIn 2010, after 16 months of prayerful discernment by a task force Conference and beyond; Grow Day Camps was born, growing from aappointed by Bishop Watson, the North Georgia Annual Conference Glisson pilot program serving 69 campers at three church sites in 2010adopted the following vision for its Camp and Retreat Ministries: to a stand-alone sibling ministry serving 928 campers at 32 church sites all over the annual conference; finally, the Experiential LeadershipTo advance the evangelism and discipleship efforts of the local Institute developed from a leader-in-training pilot program at Glissonchurch, the North Georgia Annual Conference commits to rekindling into a more accessible sibling ministry focused on offering the highestits Camping and Retreat Ministries. We intend to develop Christian quality Christian servant leadership development, pairing leadershipcamping experiences that are more accessible geographically, training with the opportunity to lead.culturally, ethnically and physically. Using existing facilities, churchesand other available sites, we will double the current number of campers While these ministry programs continue to grow – 2015 was the highestfrom 2,500 to 5,000 in the next 10 years. attended summer on record for Village, Sparrowwood, Outpost, ELI, and Grow – we’re not done growing yet. In 2018 we’ll introduce aIn 2015 – halfway to 2020 – we served 3,747 campers – halfway to our new resident summer camping ministry designed to support makinggoal! Since 2010, we have expanded from Glisson as our only ministry disciples in ways we’ve never done before. Reaching 5,000 childrento North Georgia Camp and Retreat Ministries, INC – a family of sibling and youth for Christ – changing one life at a time.ministries serving the children, youth, and adults of the North GeorgiaIMPACT REPORT · 2015 2 North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries

VILLAGE CAMPERS 2013 2014 2015 1933 1909 2141AEnxperiential Beyond attending chapel services, which living groups take turns planning and leading for their peers with the help of a Theologian-in-Christian Residence, campers are encouraged to practice living out the songsCommunity they sing and sermons and scripture they hear throughout their day at camp. As one camper so aptly put it decades ago: “You know thoseAfter 90 years of camp ministry in the Cane Creek valley, we’re still things we learn in Sunday school? Here at camp, we do them.” Withdiscovering ways to improve creating Christian community in God’s the help of their counselors, Village campers experience what it meanscreation. 2015 was a banner year for improvements to Glisson’s main to be a Christian in the creek, at the archery range, below the Alpinecampus, greatly enhancing the camp experience for Village and Tower, inside the cabin, and around the family dinner table.Sparrowwood campers – and we’ll get to that on the next two pages.Before that, though, it’s important to remember what has held constantfor generations.With room for more Village campers than ever in 2015, our focuson small groups is still as strong as ever. Up to 12 campers and twocounselors form living groups who experience pretty much everythingtogether for the week. They share meals together, go on creek hikestogether, worship in chapel together, go on a camp out together, takeon the challenge course together, and more. All along the way, theircounselors are facilitating our core values of Christian community,radical acceptance, unconditional love, and experiential learning.Campers experience a group where the team’s needs come first, whereevery member is loved and accepted as uniquely loved and giftedchildren of God, and where each person’s participation is key to creatinga collective experience rather than consuming an individual one.Glisson Village 2016 Schedule Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 July 3-8 July 10-15 July 17-22 July 24-29 Grade May 29-June 3 June 5-10 June 12-17 June 19-24 June 26-July 1 grades 2-4 ••• • grades 3-6 • mini • • • • mini ••• • grades 7-9 • • • • • •grades 10-12 • • •North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries 3 IMPACT REPORT · 2015

John’s GLISSON VILLAGE CAMPVillage Story and we both smiled. Because of the willingness to respond to the Holy Spirit, neither of us will ever be the same.” John’s parents, Peter and Laurie, were overjoyed with John’s experience. Laurie shared how it felt discovering camp’s impact.At Glisson for a seventh-straight summer, “This summer was an answer to prayer for us. John’s experience14-year-old John Hairston surprised his parents, represented an openness to the Lord we had never seen. Our insecurehis counselor, and perhaps even himself. teen suddenly opened up and allowed the Lord to work through him. Playing his guitar in chapel was a HUGE deal because he had never“This past summer I had a strong experience with God,” John reflected. been willing to play outside of our home. We were so surprised to find“I was led to share a sermon for Thursday night chapel about how the out that he willingly played in front of hundreds of kids each day.Then,Holy Spirit flows through us; I felt that God spoke through me that night. we found out that he gave the sermon on the last night of camp. I haveThat week I felt closer to God than I ever have.” never been more surprised! John has never spoken in front of people, and I honestly didn’t realize that he had enough knowledge of the BibleJohn wasn’t exactly known for his public speaking, and he certainly to be able to do this. When he got home, he shared his notes from hisdidn’t come to camp expecting to preach to a hundred of his peers. sermon with us, and I was moved to tears.John’s counselor, Dylan, recounted the backstory. “Glisson is truly in the business of making disciples and bringing kids“When the TIR asked our group if anyone wanted to give the message, to Christ. The counselors and staff reflect the grace and love of theJohn was quick to volunteer. I was a bit surprised, but definitely excited Lord. Our kids always have an awesome time doing all the activities,for him. We worked on his message and it was so awesome to see him but truly the activities are secondary. Non-Christian camps offer tonsanalyze the word and apply it to his life. Then, Thursday night chapel of activities. The spiritual foundation is what is priceless.”came and John and the rest of our living group absolutely crushed it! Icould see that their hearts were truly into it and they were understanding “Glisson helps me grow a stronger relationship with God,” Johnwhat this thing called the Holy Spirit was.” explained. “Glisson is such a great place, but the best part is the counselors and staff. They are amazing people who strive to lead you toRev. Tonya Lawrence, the pastor in camp that week, recalled running the Lord. In the future, I really hope that I can be a counselor at Glissoninto John the next day saying, “He asked what motivated me to ask and lead other boys to the Lord.”him to preach. With a smile, I responded, ‘The Holy Spirit.’ I then askedhim what motivated him to say yes, and he responded, ‘The Holy Spirit,’ More Than Just Eating: New Ministry Facility Serves Many Purposes Top Twelve Ways The New Dining Hall Made Camp Better Than Ever1) SHARING MEALS 2) EATING FAMILY STYLE: 3) A SINGLE “SOP”: 4) THE PRAYER CHAPEL: 5) LOBBY FELLOWSHIP: 6) TRUCKLESS CENTER:TOGETHER: Customized kitchen and One big Singing-on-the- Inspiring small group New indoor area for casual New back entrance keepsServing one meal three dining area for family- Porch instead of two space designed for prayer fellowship before and service trucks out oftimes a day instead of two style dining smaller ones and reflection after meals camp’s centershifts7) A NEW “DOWN 8) A PLACE TO ROCK ON: 9) S’MORE STORAGE: 10) SAFER CREEK: 11) COZIER CAMP STORE: 12) PLACE TO LOUNGE:UNDER” OF SORTS: Rocking chair porches Customized storage space New vehicular bridge lets New camp store can New rustic coffee loungeNew large group meeting for fellowship and group for living group campout old one become gathering welcome an entire living for fellowship before orroom on ground floor reflection supply pick-up area for creek entry group comfortably after meals or store IMPACT REPORT · 2015 4 North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries

GLISSON VILLAGE CAMP our biggest capital campaign ever followedA Gift to Keep by the biggest singleGoing and Growing gift everblob zipline wet willie The Biggest Program Activity Addition program activities get campers wet and off the ground at the same Since The Alpine Tower time. Campers from all three Glisson programs gave rave reviews for the chance to zip, slide, bounce, and fly their way into the once-sleepyOn the heels of completing our biggest capital campaign ever, Glisson and now-bustling Lake Hale.received its largest single gift ever: one million dollars! This unexpectedgift was given specifically toward projects of our Master Plan that were While the new waterfront may be the most immediately noticeablenot included in the Serving Generations campaign...and in the hope improvement from this generous gift, it has also created more lodgingthat we’d start building right away – which we did! space and meeting space and, in the near future, activity space.A key improvement this incredible gift allowed was developing theLake Hale waterfront – our biggest-impact program activity additionsince the Alpine Tower in 1998.One of our basic program goals in Village is to get campers wet Room For Many More A New “Old” Dining Hall Bigger, Better Ball Fieldand off the ground at least once a day – wet because it’s summer in Two new Village cabins After 64 years as a The fourth piece of theGeorgia and off the ground because that unusual circumstance offers and renovation of a third food service facility, the $1M gift projects willa chance to build trust and self-confidence. The pool and creek can – combined with the new heavily-loved dining be creating a full-sizeonly handle so many campers at a time, and the lake had largely been Lanford Lodge that was area was renovated into recreation field near thelimited to kayaking for decades. Thus, in 2015, we unleashed the three a key part of the Serving a large group meeting old Rustic campgroundmost-awesome ways ever to enter Lake Hale: zip line, Blob, and Wet Generations campaign space and the kitchen to accommodate a widerWillie water slides. Beyond being an absolute blast, these three new – offered more room for area is being converted variety of activities for more campers in 2015. into a meeting space and larger groups. bathrooms.North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries 5 IMPACT REPORT · 2015

SPARROWWOOD 2013 2014 2015 CAMPERS 157 155 184Where CampersAren’t DefinedBy DisabilityOver the past four decades, the Sparrowwood program has had a As wonderful as Sparrowwood is, we’re still hard at work to keepprofound impact on its participants, their families, and our summer making it better than ever. Over the past few years, our focus hasstaff. Specialized training is given to counselors, each of whom offer shifted from integration – Sparrowwood campers joining a Village livingcustom care to two campers, focusing on ability rather than disability. group for an activity or two per week – to inclusion – SparrowwoodSparrowwood’s impact doesn’t stop there, though. Its embodiment of campers and their counselor being part of a Village living group forunconditional love spreads through all of Glisson and beyond. as many events as possible throughout the week. This shift has only increased the effect these beautiful children, youth, and adults haveGlisson as a whole wouldn’t be what it is without the powerful presence on everything about Glisson. And in 2015, the new Lanford Lodge andof these campers – their smiles, songs, dance moves, chapel skits, cabins in Village allowed Sparrowwood campers and staff to stay in Iviecelebrations, sporting prowess, hugs and high fives. Sparrowwood Lodge. Campers (and staff) appreciated the comfier living conditions,campers visit Outpost for a campout each week and participate daily in and the increased number of beds made room for more SparrowwoodVillage camp living groups, allowing all involved to discover that we are campers than ever before.more alike than different. Michael’s Sparrowwood Story “It honestly left me speechless and very excited.” That’s what Ellen Holland expressed when asked about the impact Sparrowwood had on her son, Michael, in 2015.Back for his fourth summer, Michael spent the week at a brand-newprogram offering: Sparrowwood @ Outpost. It’s safe to say the concept Ellen adopted Michael and raised him as a single parent for many yearswas a raging success with at least one veteran camper. At the end of before meeting her husband, Danny, who embraced Michael as his own.the week, Michael’s mother exclaimed: “He wants to do Outpost again! When asked what impact Sparrowwood has had on their family, EllenMichael has not made a decision in 19 years. It’s always ‘Whatever, I shared similar sentiments we’ve heard for decades:don’t care.’ He immediately said he wanted to do Outpost again.” “Sparrowwood gives us a chance to send Michael to a place where weWhen asked to elaborate on what that meant for the parent of a child know he will be safe and cared for. In addition it gives him the samewith special needs, Ellen shared: “It made us so happy to see that he camp experience I was lucky enough to have growing up….It givesfound something that he connected so much with that it made that Danny and I time as a couple. We also get to see Michael grow throughmuch of an impact. He still makes very few to no decisions, but that his experiences.”was a moment he was sure and confident. Glimpses like this, milestoneslike this, really are priceless for a parent of a special needs child. It’s likewatching a child take their first steps.”Glisson Sparrowwood 2016 Schedule * - at Outpost (horses) Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Age May 29-June 3 June 5-10 June 12-17 June 19-24 June 26-July 1 July 3-8 July 10-15 July 17-22 July 24-29 9-13 yrs14-17 yrs • • • • • • •* • •18-40 yrs • • • • • • •* • • 40+ yrs •* IMPACT REPORT · 2015 6 North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries

ELI PARTICIPANTS 2013 2014 2015 27 34 51 Grow In Faith, Develop As Leaders, Make A DifferenceWhat are your God-given strengths? What are you passionate about? The Experiential Leadership Institute (ELI) is a safe space for rising 11thIs there only one way to lead, or does a leader lead in different ways and 12th grade youth to discover, practice and reflect on their emergingbased on the needs of a group? What does it mean to be a Christian leadership skills in live ministry settings. Put simply, ELI is a chance toservant leader? How do you care for followers? How do you cast a grow in faith, develop as leaders, and make a difference.vision and motivate yourself and others to get after it? In 2015, 51 ELI participants volunteered 5,750+ hours as day campELI participants spend a week of intense leadership development counselors making camp ministry experiences possible for 928 childrendiving deeply into these questions, then spend 1-8 weeks practicing at 32 local churches across the North Georgia Conference. We’ve madeservant leadership together while volunteering as counselors for nearly room for 100+ ELI in 2016. Our ultimate goal is to immerse over 2001,000 children at local churches all over the northern half of Georgia. rising high school juniors and seniors each year in a culture of ChristianThe impact is huge in every direction – for the ELI participants, the day servant leadership conducive to hearing God’s call in their lives andcampers, the families, and the churches. being better prepared to respond.Eli Program Sponsors Make Servant Leader Development More AccessibleIn 2015, the actual program cost for an ELI participant was $645. Thisincluded the intense leadership development week at Glisson followedby anywhere from 1 to 8 weeks of continued room and board andmentorship while practicing servant leadership as a day camp counselor.Thanks to the generosity of our 2015 program sponsors – North GeorgiaConference Board of Laity, LaGrange College, and Reinhardt University– applicants accepted to the program automatically received a $500leadership award toward their ELI fee, dramatically reducing the costfrom $645 to $145. We were thrilled to be able to offer the same highquality leadership development at a fee that helped make this life-changing experience a possibility for more youth than ever.ELI 2016 ScheduleOctober ‘15 - April ‘16 May 29 - June 3, 2016 June ‘16 - July ‘16 Fall ‘16Applications, Interviews, ELI Leadership Training 1 to 8 Servant Leadership Weeks Servant Leadership Role Registration Week + Commissioning As Day Camp Counselors + in Home Church Summer Celebration BanquetNorth Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries 7 IMPACT REPORT · 2015

Taylor’s ELI · EXPERIENTIAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTEEli Story “Evening reflections helped me make the next day better. I find myself“ELI changed her life.” reflecting on my experiences every day. I try not to be too hard on myself when things go wrong – just reflect and find a way to make itPellum Peters couldn’t stop talking about the impact ELI had on his better. I pray a lot.”daughter, Taylor. He told one staff member in-person, then talked toanother by phone, then sent a follow-up email to make sure we caught Pellum was thrilled with his daughter’s experience and just thrilled init all. general that ELI exists.“This experience gave her a new sense of accountability and “ELI should be a priority in the church. It’s crucial for the growth of theresponsibility for serving her peers – a new desire to help her peers in church and the development of our youth into the type of adults thatthe development of their relationship with Jesus Christ.” will make the church vital and vibrant on into the foreseeable future – to bring about the change that we say we’re about.”While many ELI participants have been Glisson campers in the past, acamp ministry environment was foreign to Taylor at first. Pellum praised the chance to learn leadership theory at a young age and then the opportunity to put it into practice immediately, solidifying“Her confidence grew,” Pellum explained. “She was initially very hesitant the lessons learned. He also made a point to note the cultural aspectgoing into a strange environment with people she did not know. It was of the experience. “Serving all types of churches – small/large, urban/an opportunity to trust Jesus in a way that she had not previously. She rural, black/white – encourages innovation in one’s approach forwalked out on faith.” making disciples for Jesus Christ.” “It was very inspiring…” Taylor wrapped up her thoughts on her experience with this encouraging directive:A few months removed from summer, Taylor reflected on her experience.“It was very inspiring – looking at yourself, at your leadership style, “Everybody should do ELI.”and getting experience working with others and seeing life from theirperspective. Stepping into a new environment and meeting new people Leaders Circleprepared me to make new friends in college. And talking about others’ Helping Raise a Generationfaith and experiences allowed me to grow closer to God.” of Servant Leaders For 2016, we’re looking for a group ofWhen asked what she loved about ELI, Taylor mentioned listening to leading congregations to partner withthe campers’ stories, and that while being a day camp counselor could ELI in developing Christian servantbe challenging at times, “The kids didn’t want to leave and neither did I. leaders by identifying five emergingEvery day was a good time.” young leaders in their church and supporting them through the ELIELI participants debrief with their mentors on a daily basis. That practice experience. Contact us to become parthas stuck with Taylor moving forward. of The Leaders Circle.Emily (2015) Joseph (2014-15) Jorge (2014-15) Margaret (2014-15) Reid (2013-14)Northpoint Church Kennesaw UMC McEachern UMC Mt. Pisgah UMC Lawrenceville First UMC”This summer truly changed “ELI is the perfect training “I came into ELI with “Last summer I had the most “Now, I know what I want tomy life. The change in my program that teaches you the leadership skills from the incredible experience of my spend my life doing. I want tomindset has already been skills and mindset for being sports that I play, but I was a life. The training week had go into ministry after college.so evident this year as I go a leader of all age groups. little shy about taking a lead a huge impact on the way I Specifically, children and campthrough senior year. ELI Everyday is perfectly planned role outside of sports. Now I see myself as a leader. I loved & retreat ministry areas inspirehelped me find my passions. out to give you real-life know more about my natural learning the way people work me. I feel like God is callingI have found that I am truly situations. I couldn’t have strengths and how to use them together and my different me to do this, and I know apassionate about servant asked for a better way to learn in a variety of new settings, strengths. I discovered that life doing something I’m trulyleadership, and since the about leadership.” and I’m the first to volunteer leadership doesn’t have to passionate about is a lifesummer has ended, I have and take on harder tasks be loud and crazy and that well spent – especially if it isbeen heavily looking into long- because through ELI, I learned my leadership style is very potentially changing the livesterm opportunities to serve in that everything is possible with relational.” of others. My ELI experiencethe mission field.” faith and Christ.” has blessed me beyond belief and has pointed me in a whole new direction I never imagined.”IMPACT REPORT · 2015 8 North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries

OUTPOST 2013 2014 2015 CAMPERS 376 407 443 Outdoor Living Skills For Living Out In Creation outdoor experiences. Outdoor skills acquisition, communication and creative problem solving, consensus-seeking and team building, creative worship and faith conversation all contribute to growth in our campers, which is progressive in design.Each of our programs facilitates, to varying degrees, creative dislocation Pioneer (elementary) is an intro to outdoor living skills and adventure– a form of experiential education that places people into settings, activities; Frontier (middle school) offers opportunities to hone skillsrelationships and dynamics intentionally different from the norm, in and learn new ones on overnight trips for horse trail rides, kayaking,order to enhance the potential for transformation. It’s a key concept backpacking, and rock climbing; Expedition (high school) builds onfor camp and retreat ministry and it’s taken to our most extreme with skills learned and takes campers off-site for a week or more to honeOutpost. outdoor skills while expanding kayaking, backpacking, and climbingAll of our campers are away from what’s normal to them – their house, knowledge. Outpost exists to pass along the skills necessary to stay infamily, friends, activities, school, and screens. Outpost takes this a step love with God, with God’s people and with God’s creation for life.further by largely removing modern-day staples like electricity andwalls and replacing them with campfire-cooked meals and open-airshelters.God’s creation is a bountiful source of understanding the Creator.Outpost offers campers an experience of Christian community increation during which they learn skills needed to negotiate their ownGlisson Outpost 2016 Schedule Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 PIONEER mini camp May 29- June 5-10 June 12-17 June 19-24 June 26-July 1 July 3-8 July 10-15 July 17-22 July 24-29 pioneer (elementary) •June 3 • • • Su-T • • •• pioneer horse W-F • • •• • • • FRONTIER backpacking • • • • • • • • • (mid-high) climbing • • • • • • • horse • • • • •EXPEDITION • • • •• kayaking • • • (senior high) frontier 10-day • • backpacking • • ends Tue •• • climbing kayaking • starts Wed whitewater kayaking pack + paddle cumberland islandNorth Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries 9 IMPACT REPORT · 2015

GLISSON OUTPOST Leigh’s “I have always been shown love and Outpost Story acceptance at Glisson and always felt like I was meant to be there.”After years of enjoying week-long camp experiences – once evencoming to camp twice in the same summer – Leigh jumped at the “I was a little worried for her first year but with the wonderful counselorsopportunity to go on our new 10-day Cumberland Island Adventure. Leigh quickly found a new home to experience the love of God. I have always been so amazed at the young people who are the leaders at“I had great counselors this summer. I always have. My first Outpost Glisson. They always are so excited, caring and enthused to share God.group for rock climbing was so great. It was like a second family! On Leigh had to do an introductory questionnaire at high school and wasthe Cumberland trip, I was able to do things I have never done before. asked, besides a family member, who does she most respect and wantEven things I might not love like kayaking. Being there was peaceful. to be like – and it was her Cumberland trip leader, ‘Fish’. I thought thatThe beach was empty and it felt like we owned it. We got to see a lot of was pretty great.beautiful things God created.” “Thank you for this experience for my daughter. She comes back aLeigh’s mom, Renee, reflected on her daughter’s “amazing” experience stronger person every time she comes to you. For that I am always insaying, “The trip was once in a lifetime. I think it would be hard to top Glisson’s debt. She has one more year of camper eligibility so we willthis experience. The night she got home she had me go out with her see you next summer!”and just lie on our backs and truly look at the sky and appreciate thestars we often just ignore in our busy lives.”When asked about the impact Outpost has had on Leigh and her family,Renee shared that “Outpost has given Leigh a place to go to have majorlife experiences. Neither of her parents are major outdoor types andshe craves some experiences that we cannot provide her with due tolack of experience or skills. The timeout from electronics gives her timeto look inward and she comes back more grounded and filled with lovefor God each time. She also becomes more and more self-assured andconfident because of all she experiences on these trips.”Renee couldn’t say enough about the impact Leigh’s counselors havehad over the years.Expanding to Make Room for more ExplorersOutpost has grown a ton since 2010 thanks to significant siteimprovements and increased adventure trips. The Pioneer site receivednew bathhouses in 2011 and has added capacity for multiple livinggroups over the years. The Frontier site was built in 2012 specificallyfor middle school campers complete with six sleeping shelters, threecooking shelters, and a pond for kayak practice. We also developeda climbing tree, low elements course, and archery range for Pioneerand Frontier campers in 2013. Over the past few years, we’ve addedhorseback riding, whitewater kayaking, a 10-day Pack & Paddletrip, and the 10-day Cumberland Island Adventure to the existingExpedition adventure trip options. Finally, in 2015 we added a week ofSparrowwood @ Outpost and the option for youth groups to go onadventure trips during the summer and retreat season. Looking aheadto 2016 and beyond, we’re aiming to add space for another Pioneerliving group each week, to improve and expand the Frontier site, topurchase another bus and gear for adventure trips, and to build a multi-purpose shelter with meeting and sleeping space and storage. All in all,there’s more room for more explorers than ever before – and more onthe way.IMPACT REPORT · 2015 10 North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries

GROW PARTICIPANTS 2013 2014 2015 364 604 928 Camp Ministry Experiences for with and at Your ChurchSince 1925, we’ve offered small-group, Christian camping programsin Dahlonega, GA. In 2008, Glisson launched a traveling day camppilot program to bring camp ministry to more people in more placesthroughout the North Georgia Conference. Launched as a stand-alonesibling ministry in 2013, Grow Day Camps takes camp ministry justabout anywhere.Archery, nature study, belayed tree climbing (when available) and timein worship and study outside are all core to the experience. Activitiescontribute to learning new skills, appreciating God’s creation, buildingChristian community and experiencing worship in new ways – all tosupport local congregations in nurturing Christian discipleship.In 2015, Grow Day Camps partnered with 37 churches to host 32 daycamp sites serving 928 campers with at least one site in each of theNorth Georgia Conference’s 12 regional districts. Each Grow site iscustomized for that specific church and surrounding community. Afterdecades of being limited to invitations – “Y’all come up to camp!” –Grow takes camp ministry on the road, making it available to morepeople in more places in our Conference than ever before. And it justkeeps growing!Grow Day Camps 2016 Schedule Week 6 Week 7 Week 8Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 July 11-15 July 18-22 July 25-29June 6-10 June 13-17 June 20-24 June 27-July 1 July 4-8 Ellijay UMC + Blue St. Andrew UMC College Park Young Harris UMC Smyrna First UMC Midway UMC Auburn Powder Springs Flat Shoals UMC Ridge UMC Carrollton Area UMCs(Annual Conference) Area UMCsMarrieta First UMC Monticello FUMC Rock Spring UMC Kennesaw UMC St. Luke UMC Lawrenceville Area Johns Creek UMC St. Timothy UMCTBD Cokes Chapel UMC Varnell UMC Trinity on the Marvin UMC Comer UMC Cumming First UMC Dahlonega UMC Hill UMCTBD Mt. Zion UMC TBD TBD TBD Mt. Vernon UMC Trinity UMC Rome Peachtree City UMCNorth Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries 11 IMPACT REPORT · 2015

Demetrius’ GROW DAYCAMPS GrowStory “Trinity has come alongside St. Luke as a sister church. The St. Luke community in Harrisburg sits right next door to the Trinity communityHow does day camp make you in Summerville, so we are neighbors. We, the poor community, arefeel about faith and church? neighbors to Trinity, the affluent community. We both feel that we are called by God to serve each other and that we have a lot to learn from“It makes me want to get into each other.”it more.” In 2013 and 2014, Trinity provided lodging for Grow’s staff as well asFor the past three summers, 10-year-old Demetrius Meadows has church volunteers to help make lunches every day. In 2015, Trinityparticipated in Grow Day Camp at St. Luke UMC in Augusta, GA. became even more involved by fully funding the St. Luke day camp site as a local missions opportunity. It’s become a beautiful multi-ministry“I love the activities like kickball, parachute, and the crafts too,” he said. partnership, helping further the transformation of a church that nearly closed its doors to become a transformative presence for the childrenSt. Luke has served the Harrisburg neighborhood of downtown and families of Harrisburg.Augusta for over a century. A lot can happen in 100 years. Much ofHarrisburg has fallen on hard times. St. Luke has not been immune to “Grow is one more tool for us to use as an outreach to families inthat. When Rev. Luther Felder arrived, a handful of long-time members our neighborhood,” Marsha said. “Since there are no parks or freewere discussing closing the church. It was children like Demetrius who community centers located in our community, Grow helps us provide akept the doors open. safe, nurturing and fun environment.”“St. Luke has seen as its mission for this church to serve the children of Demetrius’ father, Chris, concurred: “I liked that Demetrius was aroundHarrisburg. In order to do that, we had to be here,” Felder shared with positive people and I liked that he had a place to go. He liked beingthe Augusta Chronicle. “The members said we want to stay here until around the kids and counselors and he liked learning about somethingour last gasp to try to help address the needs of the children in the new.”community.” “I think that Demetrius likes going to day camp because he knows thatGrow Day Camps was designed to take camp ministry just about the counselors are there to spend time with him and they care enoughanywhere. In 2013, we found out what anywhere looked like: archery in to have a plan,” Marsha said. “When I asked him what his favorite thingan alleyway. The team arrived with its patented “camp-in-a-box” trailer about camp was he said his counselor, Gabby.”full of program equipment, surveyed the site to plan what all wouldhappen where, and then fell in love with the children of Harrisburg just When asked how he feels about day camp, Demetrius said, “It makeslike the members of St. Luke. me feel better about my friends and good about myself.”That came as no surprise to Marsha Jones, St. Luke’s director of His father summarized the impact day camp has had on Demetriusoutreach. She had seen it all before and particularly with the members these past three summers: “Day camp has helped him learn to be withof nearby Trinity-on-the-Hill UMC. other kids and makes him wiser about all kinds of things. He definitely has learned about God and the Bible.”IMPACT REPORT · 2015 12 North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries

2014 Annual Fund GivingANNUAL FUNDWhile 2014 represented the final year of our Serving Generations capital Gifts to the Glisson Annual Fund support all aspects of the Glissoncampaign, these donors continued to support the Glisson Annual Fund ministry. Because these gifts are unrestricted, they provide the Glissonin 2014 – helping continue to meet Glisson’s annual funding needs staff with the most significant flexibility in directing the funds to the areasduring the year in which we completed our capital campaign. of greatest need at any given time – including camperships, program enhancements, facility renovation and overall camp operations. 2014 Annual Fund DonorsJeff Agnew · American Center for Law & Justice · John and Erna Lynn Johnston · Cameron and Brittany Jones · Elizabeth Jones · JoeyAnderson · Lori Anderson · Steven and Sandy Augsburger · Shell and and Debbie Jones · Allen and Margie Keeble · Derek and Beth KeeneyLetitia Baldwin · Scott Barber · Pam Barnes · A.B. and Judith Barrett · · Ron and Linda Kemp · Kenneth Kilpatrick · Berford and Ruth KirkChuck and Kim Bell · Brooke Bernhardt · Bethany UMC Smyrna · Laura · Emily Langston · Doris Ledbetter · Logan Leonard · Bryan Leslie ·and Birney Blind · Winston and Christine Blumberg · Joe Jeff Loggins · Phyllis and Rick Lovvorn · Allison MacedoThe Circle of 1Brown · Armede Bynum · Charlton and00Shannon Calhoun · CB&T LaGrange· Ralph and Shirley Chastain ·and Melanie Brasher · Breakthru House Board · · Bonnie Martin · Sandy McAfee · Ashley McCoy · Sanford McDonald · Bradley and EmilySkip and Heather Moody Breeden · Russ McEntyre · Kathleen Miers · Rick and Mika Mills · James and Peggy Mitchell Membership · Joseph and Linda Morris · Mt. in the Circle of 100 is based onJim and Gail Churchill · Ron Annual Fund support totaling Pleasant UMW · Michael andClyne · Mark and Phyllis $1,200 or more in a given year Mary O’Rourke · Owl RockConard · Craig and Julie UMC · Robert and LynnCooper · Lar and Beth Mountain Climbers - $10,000 and above Pahl · Ben and Lucy ParksCorbitt · John Corley · · Walton and JacquelineElizabeth Cornelius · A Generous Glisson Friend Peabody · ElizabethGil and Naomi Crouse Creek Hikers - $5,000 to $9,999 Pharr · Richard and· Donald and Kathy Sheri Phillips · DawnCrowe · Judith A.L. Williams Family Foundation Pierce · JamesCrozier · A.E. and Mike and Lynn Smith Pierce · Bill andMargie Daniel · The 1925 Society - $1,925 to $4,999 Susan Posey · BillEdward and Doris and Shelley PrevostDavis · Decatur First Brian and Debbie Benfield · Steve and Angie Collins · Ann Quandee ·UMC · Mark and Hal and Caroline Silcox · Bill and Thelma Childers Ann and Billy ReedJill Deen · Shawn Malone and Charlotte Dodson · Richard and Joanand Julia Dekold · Doug and Susan White · Randy Meyer Reed · Carl and BettyJohn and Deborah Friends of Glisson - $1,200 to $1,924 Reese · Rev. and Mrs.DeLauder · Jacqueline Nelson · Wayne andDillard · Phil and Tracy Blaine Elliott · Rich and Karen Oliver Jennie Richardson ·Dodson · Dry Pond UMC · Jim and Nancy Combs · Timothy Class Shirra and Hoyt RogersEmbry Hills UMC · Stephen Peachtree Road UMC · Laura Lamb · David and Shawn Romanand Lisa Evans · Mike and Jason and Pam Sutton · Sarah Ruckstaetter · SteveSandra Fancher · Larry and and Ann Rushing · NancyLucia Fletcher · Susan and Gary David and Katherine Moore Sauls · Barbara Schaeffer · PhilFosse · Jeff and Angela Freeman · Sidney and Enid Tate and Elizabeth Schroeder · ElaineThurston and Lynn Garrard · Bert and John and Kris Norris Sharp · Jordan and Susan ShenefieldSusie Geiger · Leigh Ann Gibson · Pam Russ and Nancy Wise · Patsy Simmons · John and Kay SimpsonGiesler · Christopher and Louise Gioe · Larry and · Mark Smith · Lovedia Snow · Chris and NatalieFran Green · Reese Griffin SS Class · Griffin Drug Store Spradling · St. James UMC · W.C. Strickland · David and· Tommy and Nicole Hallmark · Bob and Carolyn Hamrick · Jamie and Mary Lee Stubblefield · Al and Mary Alice Swope · Rebecca ThomasonKaren Harper · Jerre and Beverly Harvard · Jerre and Gudrun Harvard · · Sue Thrasher · Darrell and Anne Vaughan · Merry Jean Waite · NancySeth Hathcock · Debra Hayes · Kurt and Connie Heckert · Coy and Linda Waldrep · Charles and Mary Wheeler · Bradley and Heather White ·Hinton · Margaret and Robert Hodges · Christopher and Melissa Holt William and Sharon Wildman · Robert and Kristin Williams · Richard· Mike and Kim Hoover · Tim and Jill Horne · Samuel and Jacqueline Willingham · Joel and Kitty Wise · Richard and Sandra Withers · JohnHornsby · Nick and Hannah Hussain · M. Jan Jackson · Stan Jackson and Janet Woods · Travis and Juanita Woodward · James and Laura Zoll· Troyce and Debbie Jackson · Cameron Johnson · Sadie Johnson ·North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries 13 IMPACT REPORT · 2015

Ministry By The Numbers North Georgia Change over Change over Change over Change over Change over Change over ‘13-’15 = +100% ‘13-’15 = +155% ‘13-’15 = +102% ‘13-’15 = +89% ‘13-’15 = +12% ‘13-’15 = +31%2015 2,768 3,747 32 928 5,750+ 512014 24 604 3,600+ 34 2,471 3,1092013 16 364 2,750+ 27 2,466 2,857 CHURCHES CAMPERS VOLUNTEER HRS PARTICIPANTS CAMPERS CAMPERS Experiential Leadership Glisson Camp & Retreat N. GA Camp & Retreat Grow Day Camps Ministries Participation Participation Institute (ELI) Participation Center Participation Financials for NGCRM, Inc. (2014 Audited)Conference Apportionment Support $272,067Giving $136,240 Operational $2,119,524 GLISSON RETREAT GLISSON MEALSTotal Donations $408,307 Expense $35,600 GUESTS SERVEDGenerated Income $1,803,795 Camperships ‘13-’15 % +6% ‘13-’15 % +5.3%Other $79,882 Disbursed 2015 6,047 2014 5,719 2015 56,311 2013 5,707Total Income $2,291,984 2014 49,060 2013 53,479 North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries, Inc. Team Board OF Directors C. Russell Davis · Executive Director 2016 2018 Phil Dodson · Director of Development Matt Murphy David Moore Pam Swofford · Administrative Assistant Sue Raymond Heather Breeden, Secretary Rebecca Falco Chris Branscomb GROW DAY CAMPS, LLC Susan Pinson Pellum Peters, Treasurer Andy Woodworth Stephanie Gaines · Director Chuck Savage III Don Harp Elaine Sharp EMERGING MINISTRIES, LLC Cameron Jones · DirectorGLISSON CAMP & RETREAT CENTER, LLC 2017 Ex-Officio Tonya Lawrence C. Russell Davis Kim Bell · Program Director Residential Camps Ron Davis, Vice Chairperson Adam Buchanan · Facilities Assistant Lee Highsmith, Chairperson Micheal Selleck Shirley Chastain · Guest Services Manager Mary Boothe Richard Chewning Blake Corbin · Facilities Assistant Nancy Morris John Lawrence Bishop Michael Watson Bradley McEntyre · Director/ManagerLacey Rich · Business Manager & Camper Coordinator David Stubblefield · Director of Facility Services Stephen Ward · Program Director Adventure Camps IMPACT REPORT · 2015 14 North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries

Entering Our 10th Decade of Ministry Cane Creek Falls 15 Prayer Chapel Since well before Glisson was founded in 1925 Since the new Dining Hall was finished in 2015North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries IMPACT REPORT · 2015