camp garwood

In May, our funds were running very low. We asked for and received a $20,000 loan from the revolving loan fund to cover the remaining dorm expenses and operate until camp week. We have since received a couple special gifts. I especially want to
send a heart felt Thanks to the remaining members of Springdale who have graciously blessed camp with funds as a result of closing their doors. Your gift will enable us to give back the loan and complete the building debt free. We praise the Lord for that!

We have been busy at camp trying to get our hut ready. Joe has been busy trying to get the new dorm ready. And both are very
close to being finished. Folks have been asking, “What can we do?” At this point EVERYTHING! Because I have done very little normal camp stuff. If you are coming to help get ready for camp, let me know I’ll have plenty for you to do.

As camp is quickly approaching, all of the churches should have already received a packet. If you have not please give me a
call. The church registration date is June 19. Registering by this date insures your T-shirt order will be filled. It also gives your group a better chance of being placed in the dorm of your choice. The registration helps us prepare in many ways. Not only in dorm space but also camper sites, food ordering and a more accurate T-shirt order. Not to mention tracking the number of campers throughout the week.

Please be sure the adults in your group have completed the adult screening form and that all of your campers are familiar with the camp rules. Continue to pray for our speakers, worship leaders, teachers, sponsors, and most of all the lost who will be introduced to Jesus in the valley we call Garwood.

Chris Polk • P.O. Box 271 • Matthews MO 63867
Home 573-472-1038 • Cell 573-380-1975 •
campgarwood@gmail.com

Ahhh Springtime! It’s the time of year all of Gods critters get busy. And so do we! Work has begun on the new dorm. Hopefully we can send some pictures next month. We are working on the directors apartment. We’ve also done some work on the paintball area preparing for our retreat this weekend.

Looking back, We had such a wonderful time at the Renewal Retreat. I believe it was helpful for all who attended. It certainly was for me. Thanks to Bro. Ben Kingston and all that helped.

Looking forward we are expecting another great Men’s retreat May 12th-13th. Please encourage your men to attend this retreat, and bring the boys (young men) with them. We always have a great time of fellowship. It’s Spring so we will have skeet shooting, Door prizes and Lots of food.

Ladies don’t forget! The GMA retreat is July 7-8. For more information concerning this retreat or if you would like to help. Please contact Shelia Polk 573-380-4064.

As Spring gives way to Summer we will try to get camp ready early this year. There are always little jobs that get pushed back until camp week. I can’t do that this year. Due to a con?ict at work I am unable to get o? for camp week. Not to worry though, my trusty assistant is on board and ready to take my place. I’m really hoping to make it over for the evening services. We have plenty of time, 18 Saturdays to be exact!

There’s a ton of stuff happening at camp this year. Not one but two super men of God! Shawn Hammontree and his son-in-law Jordan Bowen will be there. Not one but two great worship groups. The Harpers you all know and love and Central Baptist Church/Conway’s youth band, Crossroads is coming to help with filling in the gap after evening services. They will also be helping with some of the recreation activities. But that’s not all, We are working on train cars to haul 35-40 people around camp. But wait! No really, you have to wait. Because, Sorry I can’t give any details yet. But it’s gonna be Gggreat! I’m really excited about this year’s camp. AND I CANT GO! (Yes, I’m crying just a little)

As I was typing this I received the proofs for our promotion posters. Looks good! They will be included in the packets that should be mailed in early May. Be sure to get your adults screened. Everyone 18 and over has to complete the form every year. It’s not too early go ahead and get it out of the way.

Blessings,
Chris Polk
P.O. Box 271 • Matthews MO 63867

(One of our greatest Mission Points in Missouri)

As 2016 comes to an end, I would like to say Thank You! To all the Churches and camp supporters this year. Thank you for consistently supporting camp. But more than that, Thank you for the prayers, for the words of encouragement and for all the help this year.

There is not much to report this month. Not a lot of activity in Garwood this time of year. We had a few hunters stay on the grounds in November. It sounds like they enjoyed staying at camp during the hunting season. I have made the trip to shutdown and drain the water. We have also serviced the mower getting it ready to go next summer.

Looking forward to next summer we have several things to be excited about. The new dorm should be under construction soon. We are working on a couple new recreation ideas. And we are looking forward to hearing from our friends Shawn Hammondtree and Jordan Bowen again.

While there isn’t a lot going on at camp, tis the Season for prayer. Pray for camp, for the workers on the dorm, for the committee, cooks, teachers, musicians, helpers, sponsors and especially for the lost that will be at camp next Summer.

Be sure to mark your calendars for camp week July 31-Aug 4, 2017.

Merry Christmas!!
Chris, Laura, Deekota, Caleb, Chloe, and Abby
PO Box 271 • Matthews Mo 63867
573-380-1975

We hope you have had a great holiday season. And trust the Lord will bless you in this New Year.  There’s a lot of things to
report this month. And at the same time, there’s not much.  Because I have a lot of incomplete information.  Work has begun on the tabernacle. By the end of the month the new roof. Insulation and ceiling should be in place.  I’ll post pictures on Facebook as I get them.

We also met with the land surveyor this month. Along with putting markers up around camp we plan to cut a trail around the property. If you have always wanted to help but are busy in the summer. Here’s your opportunity.  If you have attended camp
the past few years, or have read our reports, you know that we need more bunk space.  The committee discussed several options. We could split our camp week by age or church size for example. All agreed that isn’t what we want to do. So we are looking into building options.

With that in mind. The committee has set March 6th as Camp Emphasis Sunday. We are asking churches to promote this
as an opportunity to jump start this building project. It would mean a lot to myself and the committee. If our churches on that Sunday would set aside time to pray, promote and collect for Camp Garwood it would help tremendously.
While the emphasis Sunday focuses on the building project. We also want to remind you about the DEW fund. The Dollar
Every Week fund has been such a blessing, as we have been able to continue camp improvements and operate in the black because of the faithful DEWers.

Be watching for the Spring dates and opportunities to come help. We look forward to seeing you soon. As always, Please continue to pray for us. 2016 is going to be a busy year.

Chris
573-380-1975 • PO Box 271• Matthews MO 63867