Golf & the Gospel is a very rich community of believers.

by Kyle DeWees

As the program director at Camp Arcadia, I get to work closely with the communities that form each week at camp. I believe that it is mostly these communities –made up of guests, staff, and the dean–that make the Camp Arcadia experience so special for us. Admittedly, it is also the incredible natural beauty with which RKD has been blessed.

One community that I want you to know about forms each June during the Golf & the Gospels Retreat.

“The community of believers that gather at Arcadia year after year makes it special. It is amazing to have the common thread of a love for God and a love for our families–something you wouldn’t find on any other vacation!” - Camp Arcadia guest

The Golf & the Gospel Retreat has changed in the 12 years it has been offered. It is no longer just for people who golf. In fact, about half do not golf, but spend the less-structured mornings and afternoons exploring the area, relaxing, and enjoying fellowship together. And of course, the guests that do hit the links each day enjoy some of Michigan’s most fascinating courses.

What I saw during last year’s Golf & the Gospel was a very rich community of believers–just like all of the Arcadia retreats– but it was different in that it was made up of only adults and was smaller and in many ways more relaxing compared to many of our retreats. This year, with the return of Rev. Dave Marth of St. Louis, the group will be rich indeed.

“For us it’s a chance to rejuvenate after a long winter in a Christ-centered atmosphere with fellow believers in Jesus Christ. In our fast ever-changing world, we love the fact that some things don’t change at RKD. That’s comforting!” - Bill & Patty Boice

There is still space available for you to attend in 2012.

Click here for more information about Golf & the Gospel.

You may also call the camp office, at (231) 889-4361, and we will answer questions or take your registration over the phone.

Megan lives and works in Tegucigalpa, Honduras as a missionary/teacher.

I still remember the day clearly. I was sitting on the patio in front of the Inn talking with Kurt Harvey, my then boss, as I was a member of the kitchen staff. He asked what my future looked like and what I wanted to do after I finished school that fall. I replied, “Go to Honduras to teach.” I had heard of Honduras but it wasn’t something I had seriously considered at that point. It just popped into my head; clearly it was God telling me where to go. Kurt then asked what steps I had to take to reach my goal. After making a list of what I needed to do, I set out to work on the application to teach at International School Tegucigalpa, Honduras (IST).

Early the next year I was offered a position to teach third grade at IST. I accepted the position and moved south in August 2008, one year after my conversation with Kurt.  Little did I know what God had in store for me when I moved to Honduras.

Through teaching at IST I became connected with The Micah Project, a non-profit organization that serves as a Christian group home for troubled teenage boys in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The young boys in the group home who have spent their childhoods living on the streets or in impoverished homes are now learning to become Christian leaders. I fell in love with the boys there and started visiting Micah a few times a week to hang out and get to know the ministry more.

After finishing my two-year contract with IST I felt called to join Micah full time as a missionary. The thought of being a missionary never crossed my mind, but God had put it on my heart and provided stepping-stones along the way. It was a little scary a first, but God has been by my side every step of the way. I often think back to the days I spent at high school weeks at Arcadia and the challenges that were placed before us to really live out our faith and make it real to us. That has been one of my goals in working as a missionary with Micah.

"Even though I am thousands of miles away from the sandy beaches of RKD, it will always be a source of renewal and encouragement for my faith."

At the Micah Project, we all wear many different hats. Some of my responsibilities include being a caregiver in the Micah House, a teacher in our home-schooling program, assisting with our street outreach team and our ministry to the moms of the Micah boys. Our days are busy and our weeks are long.

I have been to Arcadia all but one of my 26 years of life. I grew up a family camper [parents are Stan and Sally Scheumann of Fort Wayne, IN] with dreams of being on staff one day. Those dreams came true in 2005 when I began my first summer as a member of the kitchen staff.

"God has been by my side every step of the way."

I also worked 2006 and 2007 in the kitchen. It was during those summers on staff that I formed lasting relationships and found some of my best friends. As it turns out three of my former roommates have become missionaries as well, in Africa, China, and Cambodia. We have been able to share struggles, joys, and stories of living and working outside the United States.

Camp Arcadia will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s often the place that I picture when I am having a rough day and need to “escape” from reality. It’s the perfect picture of peace, tranquility, and heaven. Even though I am thousands of miles away from the sandy beaches of RKD, it will always be a source of renewal and encouragement for my faith… Arcadia the best camp of all!

Your prayer support for Megan and the Micah Project is greatly appreciated. Tax-deductible donations to support Megan’s teaching/missionary work can be made to:

World Outreach Ministries
PO Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
Reference #84- Megan Scheumann

To make a secure online donation to support Megan, visit the www.worldoutreach.org website, click Donate –> Donate Online –> Missionary Support and then select “Scheumann, Megan-Honduras”.

Learn more about the Micah Project at http://www.micahcentral.org/

Megan will also add you to her newsletter list if you ask by emailing her at megan.scheumann @ gmail.com

Here is chef Kurt’s recipe for green beans with garlic and ginger for you to enjoy.

Asian Green Beans with Garlic-Ginger Sauce Recipe

Beans like this might be found in Asian restaurants. Though Camp has never featured this recipe before, look for them on the menu in 2012. They might pair nicely with roasted pork and redskin potatoes. Please provide feedback on Facebook or by emailing Kurt.

Chocolate-Almond Scones at Camp Arcadia

Here is our recipe for you to enjoy!

Chocolate-Almond Scones

Scones are generally served once a week at Arcadia. Alongside these and other scones, we serve our made-from-scratch blueberry muffins and locally-made strawberry freezer jam from Miller’s Northwood Market. Miller’s is located south of Arcadia on M-22. Bonnie Miller is the maker of this delicious jam, of which Camp Arcadia buys about 100 pints per year.

Jake Roskam worked as a Full Season Staff member in 2011

Camp Arcadia needs the right people to work as Full Season Staff this year. Full Season Summer Staff work at Arcadia from Memorial Day through late October. Generally, they are recent college graduates or interns. Camp Arcadia is willing to consider a wide variety internship placements that span from three to six months.  In the past we have had interns work in the office, kitchen, Trading Post, program, and caretaking.  Click here to learn how to apply.

“I worked for four summers at Camp Arcadia, my fourth being as a Full Season Staffer after graduating from St. Olaf College. I wouldn’t trade the time I had at Arcadia for anything as it helped me grow as a person in ways that I had not anticipated.” –Jake Roskam

The registration priority date for many Arcadia retreats is January 11th. If you are interested in attending the first seven Family Weeks or the Omega Teen Retreat (June 17-23, 2012), your registration form should be postmarked no later than 1/11/12 to have the best odds of ‘getting in.’

For many other retreats, there is generally still space after January 11th. However, we do encourage you to register as soon as possible to ensure that we can accommodate your registration request.

Click here to see the entire Camp schedule. Click here to learn more about how to register.

Please help us promote the Lutherhostel Retreat for adults age 50+ by printing out this flyer and posting it in your church. We’re asking as many friends as possible to help us spread the word about this retreat August 25-31, 2012.

Click here to visit our Lutherhostel webpage.

The Lutherhostel Retreat is the perfect getaway for adults over 50 to enjoy fellowship, recreation, learning, worship and great food.  The cost for the entire retreat is only $385 per person, including lodging, meals and activities.

Retreat speakers Ralph Klein and Dr. Audrey West, both from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, will lead the lecture program each day.  Learn more.

People sometimes ask why our family goes to Camp Arcadia nearly every summer. For me, time at camp chips away at the tough layer of cynicism and gloom that accumulates from my work as a court reporter in the busy courts in downtown St. Louis. I always come away from camp with a better, brighter outlook.
The first year we attended camp was 2002. Our children were 10 and 7. We didn’t know quite what to expect but had been promised by our friends that we would love it. The very first inkling that I had that this might just be a fun week was after the first meal on Saturday night when Chip was going through his what-to-expect-at-Camp-Arcadia speech, particularly the “towel exchange” bit. Humor and witty banter? This was not what I expected at a “church camp”! I liked it.

As the days went by, my husband and I observed our children immersing themselves in the spirit of the place. The strangers that we shared that first meal with were now becoming a community with us. Starting the day with the Dean’s program in the assembly by the lake was just what the doctor ordered for our souls. Gathering in the dining room for meals brought us all together. And those meals! Who knew that “camp food” could be so delicious?!

Camp Arcadia is a blessed place. Through the years we have reconnected with dear friends and made new friends. More importantly, we have reconnected to God unencumbered by duty and distractions in a setting that takes your breath away. We have come to treasure the many traditions of camp. I wonder: Will I ever overcome the instinct to smell for popcorn and head for the teepee after watching a beautiful sunset on Lake Michigan?

Scott worked on grill in the kitchen, 2011.

In this world of technological distractions, we have all found such joy in getting back to basics: love, faith, family, friends, rest, and fun. Our children, now 19 and 16, have been forever changed by their teen week and family week experiences, and every year the choice is made by all four of us to return to Camp Arcadia. Correction…this year only three of us attended family week as campers. Our son chose to work on staff all summer, and I can confidently say he had the best summer of his life.

Registration requests for the 2012 Camp Arcadia Season may now be submitted to the office for any retreat.

Read all about how to register.

See the entire season schedule.

Registration forms have been mailed to homes and should arrive prior to November 17, 2011.  You may also download a form here.

View a photo gallery of Family Weeks at Arcadia.

The following is a letter from a Camp Arcadia guest who graciously shares her thoughts for everyone’s benefit.

The Duran Family at Arcadia this summer. Andrew, Heather, Abigail, Magdalene, Jim and Rebecca.

We came to Camp Arcadia this year at the last minute. We had experienced a beginning of the summer like no other. Jim’s dad had passed away in June after a long and hard battle with Parkinson’s Disease. I had taken a leave of absence from work, to be home full-time with our daughter, who was battling some serious health issues. I wanted to be able to take her to all of her appointments and emotionally support her. She was in a difficult emotional place, and so was the whole family. Life seemed to be falling apart around us.

In August, after we had been through the “wringer”, we decided to come to Camp Arcadia, with Jim’s mother, Magdalene. She had never joined us on our trips to Arcadia because she was always taking care of her husband, who was unable to travel due to his health. We had a FABULOUS time with Magdalene- we laughed, cried, played, talked, worshiped, prayed, had spiritual discussions, and ate (boy, did we eat! Yeah – Chef Kurt!) … and all of us did more healing, in so many ways, for different reasons.

I came home with a lightened spirit, and a readiness to transition into fall. God is good! As a Mom, the fact that I did not have to think about menu planning, where we were going, making restaurant reservations, etc., all took such a load off my Spirit. Spiritually, Pastor Kleinig got me thinking about prayer in a new way. It has changed my whole outlook on my relationship and communication with God. I took his study on prayer home, and am giving it to our small group leader to do with our group.

I am a runner, and one of the BIGGEST treats was getting to run barefoot on the beach in the early morning. God spoke to my heart and soul as I ran and looked out on His gorgeous waters. I heard His voice as He spoke to me. I prayed, cried, and healed during those runs.

Blessing upon blessing upon blessing upon blessing, that is why we come to Camp Arcadia!

God Bless you, Camp Arcadia, your staff, and all the guests. I cannot come up with a more Christ-centered heavenly place on earth to vacation. My heart sings so many thanks!

Thank you for listening to my Arcadia story,

Heather Duran
Palatine, Illinois