all you need

When I was at SpringHill for the first time it was amazing. I have never felt closer to God. I realized that all you need to be happy is God and faith. This camp has changed my life. — Spencer

so happy

Last year was my first SpringHill going, and it was so fun! It was a winter one and even though it was freezing, I still was so happy to be there — Heather

home away from heaven

I have never in my whole entire life felt closer to God than I did at SpringHill this past summer. Believing in Jesus Christ has absolutely transformed my life into something so meaningful, exciting, and exhilarating. I will never forget my last night at camp...sitting under the stars with all of my friends and feeling the presence of God stronger than ever before. My two weeks at SpringHill will forever remain as one of the best experiences of my life. I will never forget the comfort, the joy and the smiles God blessed me with while I was at camp. Praise the Lord! His love endures forever. — Gabriel

I FEEL LIKE I'VE FINALLY OPENED MY EYES!

The first day i was there just over-filled me with a new found love and joy for God and church. I never thought of God as a father until he opened my heart, eyes, and ears to all that they had to say. I don't think I can ever go back to thinking that church is a place just to hang out because now I know that it is soo much more. My sister always said my relationship with God was like a mountain , he was at the top and I was in the valley at the very bottom. I didn't look up and ask him how He was and how heaven was because I didn't care. But once I walked into that arena I was over powered by the love I felt. When I walked into that room and as I was on my way home from SpringHill I felt as if that mountain had finally been brought now to a small hill with a tree a the top and God was the one standing next to it with MY bible in his hands telling me to come and read it.... for it was the path he wanted me to go in my life.

grown so much

I have been going to springhill for 6 years now and have met some of the most amazing people. I have learned so much in my faith and have grown so much. I am more confident about sharing the word with others. What i love about springhill is being surrounded by strong christians that are there for you to help grow in your faith. I have kept in contact with many of my cabin mates and brother cabin. I have been going to springhill with my childhood friend every year. Our friendship has grown and has become more godly. I can’t wait to be going to springhill again this year for 2 WEEKS!!! I hope that more people get the chance to go to springhill and experience what i have experienced.

All We Need is Love!

Springhill changed my life! i used to be very distant with God, and i would go to Church, but i sometimes didn't want too.

Then one day my mom asked me if i would like to go to a camp called SpringHill with my old school (Luthern School/Church) and i agreed, because i thought it would get a lot of pressure off to get away, with my parents fighting and stuff happening at school. It was an AMAZING experience for me! I got A LOT closer with God! and i brought a lot of that faith and experience back home with me! My friends were never that close with God either, but when i came back from the weekend camp they became closer with God too, and my parents fighting ended! SpringHill was a life changing experience for me! And i'm glad to be coming back soon!! Thank you SpringHill for bringing me closer to God and giving me a better relationship with Him! God bless you!! =D

i guess you could call it a miracle

My friend Macy told me about SpringHill and she brought me. I was never really close to God. I would go to church with my family but I never really appreciated what He and Christ do for us. I came to SpringHill with my friend for Camp Classic, and it was great. On Thursday morning, a counselor came to me and told me my parents were coming. I had no idea why and went with the counselor to pack my things. When my mom and brother arrived, I was told that my Grandpa had died on Monday and that the funeral was tomorrow, Friday. And so I left with tears, but the wonderful memories. At the funeral, I played a song that I call “I’ll Miss You”. On my way up to the piano, I prayed to God and Jesus and said, “Lord, now I think I’ll give my heart to you and Jesus. You’ve blessed me with this gift, and have called my Grandpa home. Please bless everyone at SpringHill.” And then I played the piece for my Grandpa, and I played the piece and didn’t shed a tear. I know now that that was God right there helping me to play that for him without one mistake. And during that whole time, I felt like my Grandpa was right there listening. As we did at SpringHill, I now read the Bible and pray outside of church. I say this is a miracle to me because not only had my faith changed, but I was also to write that piece and play it at the funeral with the strength from God. Thank you. My life has now changed, thanks to SpringHill.

the 1st week of my life

the first night at springhill was the roughest night of my life. then heather noticed and she was so sweet and just held me so tight. then in the morning is where i was changed for ever with prayer and commitment to him. then i learned that we would always have activities compared to the lord! so basically that week was the first week of the rest of my life. —jordan

The joy of the LORD

Last summer, I was blessed to be a Special Needs Counselor. My 2nd week there I was paired up with a camper named Austin. You know those times that you feel God is near This week was filled with it; every day, God was holding my hand. Austin could not communicate his love for people with words, but my, did he show it with his actions. The joy of the LORD is my strength and being with this camper every day of the week gave me the strength, I believed, to move mountains. God is in every camper. The joy of the LORD can be shown in skipping while praising. I firmly believe God was smiling down on us that whole week while the hearts of His children were being molded into His likeness. &emdash;Daniel

they were the best of best

i went to spring hill with my church it was so much fun. i then went that summer and i had the bast time of my life. in 2009 i went and i had Courtney and Whitney they were the best of best. i did not want to leave springhill and i cried because i missed them. so i went back two weeks later and i had Whitney. they help me through a hard time and made it an easy time. and were good friends!!! i love springhill camps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! —jenna l.

connecting god

Before I went to SpringHill, I was very distant from God. But when I went and had fun connecting God to the daily activities we did, it made me learn how much God really does influence our lives. —Meagan

lost and found

Before I came to SpringHill I was lost. I was in the dark and didn’t know it. I was having trouble with my walk with God. School pressure was getting in the way. Then over the summer my parents sent me to SpringHill (for reason unsaid) and I loved it. I was scared cause I knew no one but I made so many friends. Everyone accepted me. I didn’t have to pretend to be something I was not. The family feel was amazing. I saw what was wrong with my life and God fixed it. I saw God through new eyes and that changed me so much. I will always be thankful for the memories I have made there. God is there, you can feel it. I love so much more than I did before. Come to SpringHill and feel the experience I felt.

deeply special place in my heart

SpringHill has been a huge part of my life, from before I was even born! My grandparents worked there when it was known as Rainbow Lake Bible Camp. Years later, in the ’70s, my parents met there and fell in love - my Dad working as a counselor and my mom working in the kitchen. I grew up hearing story after story about the great times at camp, and singing all those great camp songs. Every year of the 10 years (1980s and ’90s) I spent a summer week at camp was amazing. It was a time for me to recommit to Christ, to grow deeper in my faith and walk with him, and to build lasting friendships with other Christians. I served one summer as a camp counselor and praised God as not only my campers’ lives were changed, but mine was as well. SpringHill has a deeply special place in my heart, and I hope one day that my 3 young boys will have the incredible opportunity to grow in their faith and make lasting memories at camp, like the 3 generations before them!

changed at SpringHill

I can’t thank SpringHill enough for the changes that I see in my 11 and 13 year old grandsons. They have many hurting areas in their lives and the wonderful men of God at SpringHill have left a permanent imprint for God on their lives. Troubled children are changed at SpringHill. Praise God!!! — Marilyn

couldn’t be more thankful

This past summer I went to SpringHill. On Wednesday at Campfire my AD said that if anyone felt they were ready to commit their life to God to stay back after campfire and to talk to a counselor. I came to Camp with two of my best friends. When campfire was over they got up and asked me if I was coming. I said I was going to stay back. They said they’d meet me back at the cabin and left. I felt embarrassed that my friends hadn’t stayed back too, but then my counselor came over and started talking to me. I felt God in me and that night I decided to commit my life to Him. SpringHill brought Him into my life and I couldn’t be more thankful! Thank you SpringHill for what you’ve given me!

we love springhill!!!

Amanda attended two sessions of SpringHill Camp this summer and loved it!! She did the zipline, the blob, canoeing, archery, fishing (even caught a fish!), the water slide, the gusher and everything else SpringHill has to offer.

Oh, did I forget to mention ... Amanda has cerebral palsy and cannot walk and has limited use of her arms. She is pretty much dependent on some kind of assistance 24 hours a day. At SpringHill it didn’t matter, and she was able to participate in all the fun activities, to learn about God and to make new friendships. Of course all this wouldn’t be accomplished without the incredible group of counselors at SpringHill. Amanda’s one-on-one counselors for both sessions of camp she attended were awesome (Sabrina and Emma)!!

Thanks for giving Amanda this wonderful opportunity to really feel like one of her peers and enjoy just being a ’normal’ kid for a couple of weeks this summer. We LOVE SpringHill!! — Linda and Paul

no place like it on earth

I was a camper throughout the 1980s and a counselor the summer of 1991 (Ride the Yo!). SpringHill influenced my youth and helped me to endure the challenges of high school, college and young professional life. Even now, as a wife and a mother of two, I thank God for the strong spiritual foundation that grew from my time at SpringHill. There’s no place like it on earth. I can’t wait to send my children some day! —Kellie

Inside The God-Bubble

It’s true that God is constantly at work at SpringHill. I started going to camp 4 years ago in CoCo. I feel at peace when I am at camp and I feel like God is raising me up. I committed my life to Jesus my first year at camp! 2 years ago I had a life-altering experience at camp with God that changed me for the better. I think everyone should experience Jesus through SpringHill! Every summer, I feel like I grow closer to God and stronger in my faith. It’s wonderful! — ~Jordyn

unforgettable for a lifetime

I camped at SpringHill for 8 years and I wish I could still be a camper! I loved every minute of it and I recommend everyone send their child to camp at least once! I am planning on being a counselor next summer and am so excited to finally be able to attend SpringHill again. The activities, worship, songs and people you meet are unforgettable for a lifetime. I am great friends with people I camped with from the 1st year I went and the last year in TST. GREAT EXPERIENCE! — Megan

bringing Jesus into my life

i began going to springhill when i was 11. it was one of the best experiences of my life. i learned about bringing jesus into my life and living for him. this year we talked about becoming “women of god” and having relationships. this helped me make sense of all the things that i have been hearing about love and things like that. I love springhill and will always come back. — emily

Thank you SpringHill

My daughter, Alexis, had an awesome time at camp this week. I am very thankful to SpringHill who donated a scholarship so she could go to camp. Without that scholarship our family wouldn’t have been able to send her to camp. I am grateful to her WONDERFUL counselors David and Ashley. I asked her what she would miss and she was tearing up when she said she would miss David and Ashley the most. They have impacted my daughter’s life in a positive way. Thank you for investing your time in my child and contributing to her spiritual growth with God and giving her fun memories that will certainly last a very long time! We love SpringHill and will be back next year!!! — April

an amazing time

When I went to SpringHill, I went with 2 of my friends. But they weren’t in the same cabin as me, they were with each other! I knew that I would be lonely the whole time I was there, but I wasn’t! The counselors helped me and one had the same experience as me. I still want to enjoy the time with my friends when I go again, but if none of them can go I’ll still have an amazing time. —Maddie

SpringHill was amazing!

i was very scared to do a lot of the activities but i ended up doing them all! the people at springhill are soooo nice and very supportive. it’s such a cool! camp! anyone who goes will not regret it and will want to go every year! — emma

Free!

my experience at springhill was truly life-changing. i had always known God was there, but there was no one around me to reinforce my relationship with him. the counselors i had at springhill knew exactly how to do this, and that is what they did. i feel free of all inhibitions now that i know and have a relationship with God. I encourage anyone who feels sketchy about God to experience a week at springhill.

the camp that i love

My first time at SpringHill was in third grade. That was the year I accepted Christ into my heart. I wanted to thank my counselor that year for helping me actually understand what it meant to accept Him. Now I’m in tenth grade and can’t wait to TST and help around the camp that I love. Thank you SpringHill for changing my life :) — Sophie

home away from home

springhill has definitely been my “home away from home”. the best part about it isn’t the fun activities or cool songs. it’s the people there. the environment there is crazy awesome. it’s a place you can be yourself and loved regardless of all of your flaws. the counselors are the best part. they build relationships with campers and continue them outside of camp, despite their busy lives. i would definitely recommend springhill to anyone looking for an awesome camp with a Christ-centered mission.

first time at SpringHill

Our son, Trent, who is 6 yrs old, is going for the first time to SpringHill camp at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis, IN. Last night he was crying before he went to bed. He told me that he loves camp and his camp counselors and that he wishes he could go everyday for the summer. He is sad because today is the last day of camp. I want to thank the SpringHill staff for making this a fun experience for my son. He had a BLAST! I told him that he can go to SpringHill every year which made him happy! —Kara P.

11 Weeks of Life Changing!!!

Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends were spent as a family at SpringHill for me from about 1979-1988. One week of summer was spent kicking a soccer ball or at woodsmanship camp at Spring Hill. We were able to earn a scholarship of half of our camp fees from our church and my parents required it for me to go to camp. In order to earn this, we had to memorize scripture or hymns. I still remember one of the hymns that I memorized then and close my eyes and sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and think of SpringHill. I miss Mark Olson telling us as staff that we need to “worship till we really worship” and Enoch telling history like it was last week. Sometimes I cry just thinking about experiencing lives being changed and being a part of it. It was my heaven on earth! I met a friend named Jesus there and remember running to tell my parents from what is now Lilly Station to the Dining Hall! Some of my favorite quiet time spots on earth are still at SpringHill and others are paved over or covered by a bridge. Now I like to sit quietly in the cemetery by Mark’s grave that reads “A sinner saved by grace” It could read a hundred other things but that is very profound, just as he was. He taught me to ask the tough questions and wrestle with the answer. Staff, new and old, keep up the great work! It will one day be time to bring my children to SHC though something tells me that they won’t stay in a covered wagon with mice!! —Chad B

My relationship with God started at SpringHill

At 8 years old, my parents sent me to SpringHill for a week. As nervous as I was, I loved it! I stayed in the old cabins that were next to the blob (now where the zipline ends). Sitting at campfire, I remember my area director Heidi explaining God’s free gift of salvation through His son Jesus Christ. I have never made an easier decision in my life. God’s love and truth were so evident to me at camp. It opened my eyes to God’s work at home and at school. I went to SpringHill for 5 years. 10 years after that, God molded me the amazing opportunity to work at SpringHill and change lives like mine was changed. My experiences at SpringHill are ones I will always cherish because I know I started and strengthened my relationship with God at SpringHill. —Melissa

Can't get there all by yourself

I use to think i was an automatic Christian, just because i grew up in a Christian Family, and went to church twice a week. But then my counciler told me that just because you grew up like that, doesn't mean you are one. She told me, pretend you are in California on the Beach, you know somewhere out there is Hawaii, you know you can't get there swimming all by yourself. You have to get on the boat with God. Hearing that gave me a whole new perspective on my Christian life. —Karly

God’s everlasting love

Last year was my first year at SpringHill and it was AMAZING!!!! God seemed to reach to me when everyone was together for the singing and the speaker!! I was so impacted from what the speakers had to say!! It seemed like God was trying to reach down farther into my heart and it worked!!! I truly became closer to God that week at SpringHill!! —Kaleigh

A place where God’s love is real

It was spring, 1973 when I met Jesus at SpringHill. I was a seventh grader attending a church retreat. The first time I experienced the love of my Savior was through the words of a gentle grey haired man named Enoch. I had never before met a person who communicated Christ’s love in such a real way until I heard Enoch speak that May night to our group of restless teens in the carriage barn. With his guidance I was one of a handful of kids who spoke a simple but life changing prayer: “Jesus I want you in my life tonight”. Jesus answered my prayer that night and has dramatically changed my life. Fast forward to June 2009. I'm headed to the Hill again, this time with a carload of my son's belongings. Because of the impact SpringHill has had on my life and that of my wife, we have been able to pass on the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to our children. Our son Aaron is starting his second year as a counselor in Storybrook. We tell him that as he works with young people this summer, he is truly working on “holy ground”. SpringHill has affected our family for another generation. It is our prayer that Aaron can effectively and gently lead the children he encounters this summer into a relationship with Jesus Christ in the same way that Enoch did. Much has changed at SpringHill since I spent summers there as a camper and later as a summer staffer. But one thing that has not changed is that it is a place where God's love is real. We will be forever grateful for the ministry of SpringHill. —Tom K.

life, faith and myself

The first time I went to Springhill, I was so surprised. Never in my life have I had this much fun. But that year was also the year where I really got to know God. I learned so much about life, faith, and myself. That next year, I got baptized. Springhill is a place where I can get away from my problems because God takes them away.

no one gets it

people at my school think it’s weird to love God. I talk about Springhill ALOT and sometimes God comes up in the convo. people mock me. but i don’t care. they just don’t seem to get it. God and Springhill are amazing. Just because they make fun of me doesn’t mean i’m going to stop going to camp. They can be quiet and stop judging me. Springhill is amazing,and the only persons opinion that really matters is Gods.

Going on 7 Years

i’ve been to springhill for 6 years. every year i count down for over 100 days til i get to go back. everyone there has made such a profound impact on my life. not only have i come out of my shell and become more outgoing, I’ve also been able to truly see what it means to have a relationship with God. Springhill and everyone involved are such blessings. i can’t wait to go back again.

Always in my heart

Wow–there is so much to say about this place–it is truly where God drew me to Himself. I went to SpringHill as a camper for 5 years and worked there for 4. The time I spent there with other believers and with God is so precious to my heart–even 10 years later. Now I contribute by praying for SpringHill’s needs and mostly praying that kids lives will be impacted the way mine was. God is blessing your work at SpringHill–keep it up!

my life in springhill

i love springhill!! springhill is my favorite summer camp in history! i have been there 2 times and i love it! this will be my third time this year and i have learned a lot about god in the past 2 years and i feel way closer every second of my life!!!!! —amari

No one is a judge

I’ve been going to springhill for a few years and I really love it! At home and at school a lot of kids think it’s weird to love God. I go to a christian school but no one really understands what it’s like to feel God. When I go to springhill I can talk about Him and not worry about kids thinking I’m weird. It’s the other way around at camp. What I seemed to feel was if you love God and want to be with Him then that’s amazing, but if you’re not ready to commit you’re life to God that’s okay too. springhill is a place where you can be whoever you want and no one’s a judge!

Truly a Great Summer

Having never been a camper at SpringHill, I wanted to see what being a counselor was all about. It was truly a great summer - one full of long-lasting friendships, true victory with many of my campers, and personal spiritual growth for me. My husband was also a counselor for several summers and shares similar experiences. We would like to someday be “Camper Parents”! —Shannon

Worth Every Cent

I started out looking for a camp for my daughter with special needs and found SpringHill. It was awesome for her because she felt like one of the regular kids. But even better, SpringHill has been a great way for my grandson to hear the gospel from someone who isn't his chronically uncool grandma. It is worth every cent to hear my grandson talk about his relationship with Jesus. He wants to do TST next year and I am totally stoked! God works in marvelous ways. Thank you SpringHill! —Deirdre

Forever Changed

My SpringHill story starts back in 1993 when my older brother was hired for summer staff and my family and I drove up to see him. Later that summer I went and spent a few days with him and got to see camp in action. I went for a horseback ride and just had a blast. The next summer I was hired to be a wrangler and that summer God changed the direction of my life. I spent 3 summers on staff where I met my wife and we were married at camp. I also was full time staff for almost 10 years and now, 16 years later, I am still working in camping ministry. True, God has moved me to another camp but my life has forever been changed I have no idea where I would be today if I had not gone to camp 16 years ago. Thank you SpringHill and more than that, thank you God for using us. —Bob

happy with who i am

Springhill gave me confidence I never thought I had. It gave a positive impact on how I were to live my life. I met some amazing people on my journey at Springhill. And am very happy with the person Springhill and God has helped me become.:) I have gotten a MUCH closer relationship with God than I ever thought I would, but that's always work, because you can never be too close.:) thanks. —Vicki

The Time When No One Judges You

whenever i go to springhill i feel like a new person. the counselors are so nice and help me understand God better. when i go there God is my only focus. it is nice to be away from the mean girls at my school and only focus on God. i had the time of my life with the activities, ziplines, blob, tubing, crud wars, and high ropes course. who wouldn't have fun? i learned that God will be with me and will always love me no matter what. springhill helped me get through a lot. like even if i am afraid, God won't let me down. also i live in alabama, and driving all the way to michigan is great. i look forward to going every year. springhill rox!!!!!!!!!!! :-) —Paige

So Much More

I have worked at SpringHill since 1996, beginning my employment by serving a year and a half on the accommodations team. On closing day of a camp week, in 1997, I was assisting a parent with luggage, when he pulled me aside to tell me that he was a divorced, single parent who was living in a different state from his son, and because of the distance and custody arrangement, could only spend 2 weeks of the year with him. His chin quivered and tears rolled down his face, as he told me that he was so impressed by the quality of his son’s experience at our camp and how much it was helping him to deal with the pain of his parent’s divorce, that he was willing to sacrifice one of the two weeks he could spend with his son, to ensure that he could be at SpringHill and have another wonderful camp week. He wanted me to know, and share with our staff, that this was so much more than just a week of camp for them both. I think of that encounter often and how much it impressed on me, the many ways that God works in the lives of the campers who spend time here. SpringHill is a wonderful camp and so much more! —Tami

Life-changing Experience

When I was 9 I went to SpringHill. I was really excited for it and couldn’t wait for it to begin. I was one of those people who went to mass almost every week but never listened and dreaded going. When I got to camp I suddenly had so many questions and my counselors always answered. When I got home I didn’t just listen during mass but starting wanting to know more.

SpringHill changed my LIFE

When I was 12 years old I had my first SpringHill experience and it changed my life forever! I went with my church youth group for a weekend retreat and rededicated my life. I ended up going back each year after that. I ended up working there for 3 summers while in college and was so blessed—the least I could do for a place that had done so much for me. SpringHill will always hold a special place in my heart!

Forever Grateful

My story with SpringHill is a very long story and a very happy story. I started as a camper when I was 7 years old. The year before, while dropping off my older brother at camp, I was told by one of the staff that I would be old enough to attend the next year. Well, I remembered that comment for a whole year because when the information came in the mail, I ran around the house yelling, “I get to go to camp this year! I get to go to camp this year!” I have attended every year since then, including TST, one year on staff, and another on the way. SpringHill brought me to Christ. I accepted Jesus into my heart by the campfire of the teepees when I was 9. SpringHill has changed my life and influenced my heart in more ways than I can put into words. I am forever grateful. —Amy

Opening the Bible

When I first went to Springhill I thought it was going to be some boring camp that seemed like I’d be at Church all week but when I got there I met my counselors and the other campers and I was having so much fun learning about God it didn’t seem like we were just sitting there talking about Him. we were out learning in a really fun way. Springhill was really the first time I opened up a Bible and really wanted to learn what it said!

more important then guys

Last year i was so excited for Springhill. When i got there i could hardly speak. I was just so happy to be away from my home town. I was glad to be at Springhill, but not exactly for the right reasons. for the first few days it was all about guys. My cabin would be praying, i would be scoping out the hot guys. Well my cabin was playing 6 sqaure, i was flirting with boys. My friends were getting sick of it. They told me i needed to stop, and i did. for the last 3 days of camp i focused on God, and everything he does for us. I was so happy my friends talked some sense into me. I truly got the springhill experience. But not for talking about boys, but for talking about God and having him be more of a focus then boys.

spin your head around

How fun !!! When I'm driving home from a wicked week of SpringHill, I can't wait to tell my friends and family what an awesome experience it was. First of all the cabins are unique. Who would of thought you could stay in an airplane, wigwam, or teepee!?!? The activities are also not every day stuff...pretty extreme! The zipline is my favorite activity, but all the rest are close second. Not only did I learn to do physical adventures, but I grew in my relationship with God. The counselors are supportive, and so are your cabin mates. You can talk to them about every day things, not only Jesus' love for us. I recommend Spring Hill Camps for any kid who wants to have a summer experience that spins their head around! Main idea: SpringHill is a great place to be. =] —Rebecca C.

horses, jesus and springhill

when we went to spring hill i was so happy and i really like going to session because attaboy was there. i love tubeing there it is fun. i really want to go to the summer camp because i never have been to springhill until this year and it was so awsome i made new friends from different churches so ya. i really like going horseback riding because my cousin trained me how to ride horses she has 6 horse in her barn at her house. i got steped on bare footed by every horse in that barn. i really wanted to go to springhill because i wanted to learn about jesus and also to just have a really fun time. —allison

Worth the Trip

SpringHill has a very special place in my heart. I can truly say that I was very blessed there. I spent numerous summers there as a camper and TST'er, joined the staff for several summers, and in the summer of 1998 met my husband there. This summer we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, and we can't wait to be able to send our son there as a camper in a few years! It will be a long trip from North Carolina, but one that we definitely plan to make. —Alicia

Captivated

I have always liked going away to camp and getting away for a week or a weekend. But in the recent years i never knew how much i have really loved going to Springhill camps. Whenever i am there i always feel welcomed and loved by everyone there, and the thing that amazes me the most is the beautiful land that it is built on. Whenever i am there i can just feel Gods presence in all the beautiful forest area. It always amazes me what God can do and with making such springhill such a beautiful place shows how much he wants his will done there. i will always be captivated by the wonder that God has created.

Closer to God

I went to the 2009 March retreat and it was amazing. I got a chance to go to the prayer labyrinth and that, too, was amazing and beautiful. The moment I walked into the first room, I was amazed at just how great everything God made is. I came home that Sunday wanting to be so much closer to God. The Monday after at catechism, we had a special ‘N.E.T. Retreat’ and I ended up crying because I felt so distant from God and did not want to be. Springhill has brought me closer to God and I am so thankful for everything that they do. —Kelly

Amazing

Springhill is the one place where i can feel like i truly belong. No body judges me,and everybody is amazing.If i could i would spend all summer there. It is the most amazing place in the entire world(my opinion). Friendships i made there will never be forgotten.

SpringHill is my Life

I talk about Springhill a lot, this year will be my 5th year. Last year, i had such an amazing time. anyway. My friends and I were talking about our favorite parts,and worst parts. I said my favorite part was campfires, and i didnt have a least fav part. My friends said they hated campfire,and they liked blobs. They were confused on why i liked campfire,so i told them.. ”I love campfire. It is the time of the day i can feel Gods presence the most. I love singing songs, and sitting around a circle with people i have grown to love after only a few days.‘ When i told my friends this... they looked at me like i was insane.

i guess some people will never understand ;]

Heart Change

I got the chance to speak with Becca after campfire. Becca was really moved by the illustration of nailing holes into a can to represent our sin and God’s light still shining through us despite our shortcomings. Becca, in tears, wanted to know how to give God her whole heart. Also, Becca mentioned that she didn’t have the support of her family in her faith. However, after this week, she felt empowered to show her family how God had changed her and wanted to share his sacrifice with them. God changes hearts. —Ashleigh

An Uncommon Feeling

I was walking around on closing day in New Fro, after the big rally, and was saying hi to parents. I went up to a parent of one of our campers with special needs - his 13 year old son has cerebral palsy. The father made a point to talk to me and tell me about his conversation with his son. With tears in his eyes he told me that he asked his son Colin what his favorite part about camp was - and when his son replied, he told his Dad, “Dad, I don’t have a favorite part — but the best thing about my week is that I could do everything!” The dad when on to tell me that for a 13 yr. old who lives his life in a wheelchair— to be able to do ziplines, lake tubing, high ropes, group games, etc. (everything) is an uncommon feeling, especially as he said he lives most of life in a world that tells him all the things he can’t do - because he has a physical disability and how “different” he is than a “normal” kid. —Jason

Meaningful Relationships

What makes a 7 year old boy cry? Obviously, it could be any number of things—depending on the boy. So… let me rephrase the question—what makes MY 7 year old son cry? Well, not much, really. Extreme fatigue coupled with having to “write out the answers to your math problems and not just do them in your head” coupled with zucchini & tomatoes for dinner will produce some moist cheeks. But otherwise I’ve rarely seen the kid shed a tear. Why is it, then that I spent a large portion of last Friday evening comforting my SOBBING son? Was it extreme fatigue? No—he’s been worn out before much worse & still quite pleasant. I really believe it was because God answered a bold prayer from an anxious, home-school, didn’t even have brown bags to pack lunches & FORGOT the swimming suits MOM which was this—can you please reach down into my son’s life this week and stir a deeper, more authentic passion for you & others? God’s abundant answer was—just watch what sling shots, moose songs, marshmallow shooters, spirit monkeys, truths from Jeremiah & Bible stories can do. He LOVED every moment of his week and yet I asked him what he would miss the most & he choked out the words “Mike & Ashley” (his counselors). The fantastic elements of the week would have been empty without the care of his counselors. Those RELATIONSHIPS gave him the MEANING to camp. God was kind to [our family] this past week & He was so through SpringHill. My mother’s heart is OVERFLOWING with thankfulness for the excellence your staff exhibits, the creative energy & the love for God they give to kids. I am SOLD on SpringHill and am telling everyone I can what a great experience we had. —Camper Parent

Above & Beyond

My daughter, Lydia, had an incredible experience this past weekend for the Jr. High Teen Retreat. I’m very thankful for the excellence in what you do and the long hours you put in over the weekend to make it all happen. THANK YOU for investing in the life of my child, contributing to her spiritual growth and enriching her life with fun memories that will certainly last a very long time! What I especially appreciated were the multiple examples she gave me of times when many of you went out of your way to talk with her and/or our youth group&hellips; time that was not part of “your job” but over and above. It was noticed and made a difference. Dina