Camp Killarney

Recently I've been working with the director of Camp Killarney, in Onsted, MI to create a web site for them and help them get started with using social media.  Camp Killarney, or Killarney Lutheran Camp, is more or less our sister camp over in Eastern, Michigan.

Killarney's Mt. Sinai

You can check out their new website here: www.killarneycamp.org

I've learned a few things while working with them.
Killarney does a lot of the same things Lor-Ray does.  They have:

• A Teen Retreat
• Camps for children in Preschool on up
• They operate a family camp
• They hold an annual Fall Festival (similar to our Its Chili in the Woods Chili Cook-off)

Most importantly, they hold to the same Biblical beliefs Camp Lor-Ray does.

But, they also do some unique things we've not tried before:

• Work bees in Spring and Fall to open and close the camp
• Memorial Day Chicken BBQ
• Pig roast
• They have a Booster program with incentives (I suppose this is similar to our Membership program)
• Their Lutheran Church Association is made of specific churches who pay a membership fee to the camp

Canoeing at Camp Killarney

Working with the director has kind of opened up a door for our two camps to cooperate.  First, they've got a link to Camp Lor-Ray on their website; we've promoted Killarney on our Facebook page; and soon we should have a link to their camp on our site as well.  So, we've begun sharing things socially online, but hopefully we'll be doing some real things soon too.  As an idea, since we do similar activities already, might it be possible to team up and do something totally different or new at one camp each year?  We'll see.  I'll keep posting ideas and updates as we get farther along into the camping season.

I'll be heading out to Camp Killarney sometime this summer to check out their facilities and programs.  I encourage you to as well...but make sure not to forget about Camp Lor-Ray. ;-)

-Jeff

Thrivent Choice program changes...

I received a letter from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans this week, thanking me "for helping to make Thrivent Choice a huge success in 2011." The letter explained some 'important changes' to the program that will take place over the next two years. These changes will affect Camp Lor-Ray.

When I first signed up for the Thrivent Choice program I chose to have my eligible Thrivent Choice Dollars directed to Camp Lor-Ray and also chose the 'recurring direction option' which would direct future TC Dollars to Camp, too. Thrivent will be eliminating the recurring direction in 2013. 2012 is a transitional year and I renewed my recurring direction by filling out and returning the tear-off card at the bottom of the letter I received.

Next year (and each year thereafter) I will have to go online or phone Thrivent to direct my eligible Thrivent Choice Dollars to Camp Lor-Ray or whatever organization I choose.

If you received a similar letter from Thrivent, please fill out the tear-off card at the bottom of it and return it so that Camp Lor-Ray continues to benefit from this charitable program.

Since the inception of this program Camp Lor-Ray has received $2,155.00.