Nearly 100 children came to

Agapé this summer -- an

increase of 16% over last

year. The campers improved

in their reading and math

skills and grew in faith while

“Walking with Jesus.”

The summer program,

developed by our own

Summer Program Com-

mittee led by Pastor

Emilie Theobald-

Rowlands, inspired

campers and staff alike.

The theme, “Walking

with Jesus,” focused on

the basic Biblical stories

of Jesus’ life -- from the An-

nunciation through the Res-

urrection. Via camp activi-

ties such as “Dedicate the

Day,” worship, Bible study,

and campfires, campers grew

in their understanding of

God’s love for them.

In leading activities and wor-

ship, counselors found that

the campers had many ques-

tions and the counselors

were open to sharing their

own faith stories and an-

swering those questions.

These discussions became

a favorite part of the day

for the campers.

The Summer Program

Committee, led by interim

chair Pastor Linda Theo-

philus, is already hard at

work on next year’s theme,

“Learning with Jesus.”

Agapé Campers Inspired while “Walking with Jesus”

Camp Agapé

2012: The Year in Review A

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Agapé Hires Full-time Assistant Camp Director

This past Spring, the Board

of Directors made the bold

move of hiring its first full-

time, year-round employee

since 1985 when then Direc-

tor, Dean Hauge, left Agapé.

On June 1, Mr. Joe Edwards

became Agapé’s Assistant

Camp Director.

Joe was not a stranger to

Agapé. He was first hired

two years earlier as a Coun-

selor. He did such a great

job that the next year he

served as Assistant to the

Director.

Joe is an extremely hard

worker with many skills and

talents -- including being a

retired registered nurse. He

has already helped to make

many improvements at camp.

Joe is on-site just about every

day and is there to greet visi-

tors. Stop by to say “Hey!”

Cross on top of the hill at Agapé

Joe Edwards

Assistant Camp Director

Camp Agapé kicked

off the summer

season with its an-

nual Earth Day

Celebration on Sat-

urday, April 28.

Participants helped

to prepare Joseph’s

Garden by planting

vegetables which

were later harvested

and eaten by camp-

ers in the summer

camping program.

Despite the dreary

weather, the rain held off

and flowers were planted

around the Retreat &

Learning Center and

McGugin’s Inn. Partici-

pants also got to plant a

flower to take home.

Thanks to all the families

who showed up for this

kick-off to summer.

Clear, sunny skies and a beauti-

ful fall day greeted visitors as

they arrived at Camp on Satur-

day, October 13 for Agapé’s

annual Fall Foliage Day event.

It was a perfect afternoon for

hayrides, outdoor games, hot

apple cider over the fire and

hiking around the camp.

About 100 people enjoyed the

day, including 17 families who

had never been to Agapé before!

Many families had heard about

Agapé at our booth at this year’s

Washington County Fair. Many

are already making plans for

next year’s summer camp pro-

grams.

Participants renewed friendships

and reminisced about the sum-

mer.

Live from Camp Agapé . . . It’s SNL!

Fall Foliage Day A Blast

and of course, lots of food -- a

taco bar, Spanish rice, hoagies

and ice cream sundaes for des-

sert.

The event concluded with a

Eucharist worship at the lower

campfire ring.

Earth Day Celebration Kicks Off Summer Season

“Nearly 100

Youth converge

on Camp Agape

for SNL event”

Page 2 Agapé Love Letter

Planting flowers in the McGugin’s Garden

On Sunday, September 9, the

SWPA Synod Youth Committee

kicked off their fall season with

its monthly Sunday Night Live

program at Camp Agapé.

Nearly 100 youth (grades 9 - 12)

and their chaperones converged

upon Agapé for an afternoon of

swimming, games, music, study SNL Youth at evening campfire

Pastor Dennis Orsen takes a group on a

hayride to tour the camp

In 2011, renovations began on

the second floor of the Gate-

house, thanks to a very generous

donation from Mrs. Elaine

Dively in memory of her

brother, Mr. Gerald P. Ander-

sen.

Rooms were repaired and

freshly painted. The hardwood

floors were refinished and the

bathroom redone. New carpet-

ing was installed in the hallway

and on the stairs.

Six new beds and mattresses

were also purchased along with

dressers for each bedroom.

All of the sleeping areas in the

Gatehouse now have air condi-

tioners, making summer sleeping

much more comfortable.

This year, renovations are con-

tinuing with the rebuilding of

the second floor deck and emer-

gency escape exit. First floor

renovations will be completed as

funds are available. They in-

clude a bathroom and remodel-

ing of the meeting room and a

handicapped accessible bed-

room.

Agapé Hosts “Old-Timers” Reunion

After many, many years of re-

treats and meetings, Bethany

House had reached the end of

its usefulness. Needed repairs

would have been costly and ex-

cessive. A decision was made by

the Board of Directors to re-

move it this past spring. A new

parking lot serving lower camp

was built in its place. The lot,

now called “Bethany Lot” still

serves to honor Bethany Evan-

gelical Lutheran Church in Dor-

mont that donated the original

building.

On Sunday, August 12, nearly 40

Agapé “old timers” from the 60s

and early 70s got together for a

reunion picnic to reminisce

about their time spent at Agapé

as campers and staff. Partici-

pants came from all over the

U.S. as far away as Washington

State..

Gatehouse Renovations Continue

“Please

Remember Camp

Agape in your

estate plans”

Page 5 Agapé Love Letter

Agapé Marcellus Update

The Board of Directors has es-

tablished an Endowment Fund

into which most of the gas roy-

alties are being deposited.

Gas royalties are also enabling

Agapé to make changes and

repairs to our pond and dam

required by the DEP.

While the royalties help, Agapé

still needs YOUR gifts. We are

trying to be good stewards of

the monies and to deposit them

into the Endowment Fund for

the future of the camp.

Six new horizontal wells went

online last December. With the

addition of these new horizontal

wells, Range Resources decided

to cap and close the vertical

wells.

While restoring the vertical well

sites, Range Resources con-

verted one of them to a new

athletic field for us. At a second

site, they extended the road to

the pond for us. Both of these

projects would have been very

costly to Agapé. We are once

again grateful for our many

blessings and partners in this

ministry.

RIP Bethany House

Remember Agapé

Please remember Camp Agapé in

your estate plans. There are vari-

ous ways this can be done.

Please consult a tax advisor or an

attorney to set up what would be

best for you.

2013 at a Glance . . .

Phone: 724-356-2308

E-mail: campinfo@campagape.org

Ag a p é M i n i s t r i e s

We’re on the Web!

www.campagape.org

OHIO VALLEY LUTHERAN BIBLE CAMP ASSOC.

PO Box 115

Hickory, PA 15340

Address Service Requested

Non-profit Org.

US Postage

P A I D

Pittsburgh, PA

Permit No. 2433

Earth Day

April 27, 2013

Flapjack Festival &

Open House

May 11, 2013

Staff Training

June 9 - 11

June 16 - 21

Classic Camp

(Day and Resident Campers)

June 23 - 28

Art & Science Camp

(Resident Campers)

July 1 - 5

Reading & Math Camp I

(Day Campers)

July 8 - 12

Reading Camp II

(Resident Campers)

July 14 - 19

Reading Camp III

(Resident Campers)

July 21 - 26

Math Camp II

(Resident Campers)

July 28 - August 2

Math Camp III

(Resident Campers)

August 4 - 9

Fall Foliage Day

October 12, 2013

Reading Day Camp I will become

Reading & Math Camp I. The

campers will study both math and

reading. Parents will be allowed to

attend if desired. Also, for an extra

charge, parents may choose an early

(8:00 a.m.) start time and/or a late

(6:00 p.m.) pick-up time to accom-

modate their own schedules.

New in 2013