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: [email protected]
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