heartland newsletter
may 2024
Welcome to Heartland’s newsletter, where you’ll stay up to date on all things Heartland!
Events - Projects - Staff Updates - Camp & Retreat News - And More!
Springtime is Volunteer Season
Springtime at Heartland means budding trees, morel mushrooms, and volunteer groups. Five volunteer groups gave their time, energy, sweat, and expertise this spring to fix up the property.
The Heartland Presbytery brought over 30 youth from five different churches to spruce up Ellis Cemetery, which was completely grown over and looking rough. In a couple of hours, the small army of teenagers cleared the overgrowth and had the cemetery looking presentable again.
Scout Troop 1433 spent a morning clearing trails and cleaning out all 17 of Heartland’s campfire pits.
At our annual TLC Volunteer Day in March, with the help of 45 volunteers, 33 trees and shrubs were planted, a cement pad was poured, exterior tarps were installed on our wilderness cabins, the air conditioner units in Nunemaker Lodge were cleaned, spring maintenance began on both swimming pools, the horseshoe pits backboards were replaced, new cabin doors were installed, and stairs were repaired to one of our Highlander Castles.
In April, the fourth-grade classes from Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School planted 44 Bur Oak sapling in an early observance of Earth Day and Arbor Day.
Also in April, during their Annual Spring Family Camp, members from Second Presbyterian planted 15 redbud trees, split firewood, and helped install new steps to the dining hall hill.
In total, 360 work hours were donated, 170 people worked in the fresh air, and a few muscles were made sore in order to help make camp a welcoming place for future campers and retreat guests.
Thank you, volunteers!
Much to be Thankful for
Our first Volunteer and Donor Appreciation event was a significant milestone in honoring our valued partners in ministry. We were delighted to host 73 of our volunteers and donors for a delicious meal, updates from each of our departments, worship, and a celebration of our Volunteer of the Year, Tom Raines.
In January, Heartland received an annual gift of $33,000 toward the general mission from one of our most faithful benefactors. At the time of the gift, the donor asked about other ministry goals still in need of funding. The following month, Heartland received an additional $100,000 gift toward our general operating needs, which helps us reach our goal of replacing and repairing capital assets within our budget.
Our spring fundraiser, Neigh Days, was a smashing success, raising over $11,400 in cash donations, plus the donation of a nine-year-old horse! The donations from Neigh Days will allow us to add two more horses to our herd, improve our pastures with seed and fertilizer, enhance pasture fencing, purchase tack and feed equipment, and fund the majority of our horse program throughout the year.
Our spring scholarship appeal, which helps campers with financial support to attend Heartland’s overnight camps, also received many contributions totaling over $6,500.
In addition to the generous cash donations we’ve received this year, Heartland has been the recipient of several in-kind gifts, which has saved us tens of thousands of dollars in capital expenditures:
Fireside Room Conference Room Chairs: Heartland Board Member Paula Isgrig coordinated the donation of fifty conference room chairs from Crossroads Hospice, where Paula serves as a chaplain.
Camp Tables and Chairs: A former Staff Member volunteering at a local school commented on how perfect the school’s tables and chairs would be for Heartland… Well, the timing was perfect as the school was just getting ready to replace them! Heartland is now the new home for the 20 tables and 80 chairs.
iMac Computers: A former Board Member replaced the computers at his business and retired five iMac computers in great working condition to Heartland.
Nunemaker Conference Center Carpet: As a high priority project to complete in 2024, this $22,000 expense was put out of reach after some unplanned expenditures. A recent event attendee recognized the need and offered to donate the carpet.
Hillside Stairway: A new stairway connecting the lower level of Genesis Hall to the road near Pete’s Cabins has been needed for years, providing a safe passageway down the steep hill. Funds for this project came from memorial gifts and a legacy gift from Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church’s final asset distributions.
Running a charitable non-profit ministry and trusting that the funds needed to sustain the ministry will be given is an act of faith. We pray thanksgiving to our God who grows and sustains this ministry for the children and families in our region through various and unexpected donations.
And The Award for Volunteer of the Year Goes to….
…Tom Raines! When Tom retired from Hallmark, he wanted to use his engineering and mechanical expertise to help churches and other non-profits in the community. This led him to get his certification as an HV/AC technician. In 2023, Tom volunteered his time and skills at Heartland numerous times: cleaning and servicing 32 air conditioning units, repairing five A/C units, and installing two new A/C units. He also repaired our walk-in freezer, an ice machine, and one of our vehicles.
His generosity has saved the ministry tens of thousands of dollars in order to help keep our facilities operating smoothly. We’re so grateful for you, Tom!
birthday parties at heartland!
We are excited to announce our new Birthday Party Packages! If you’re looking for an unforgettable birthday experience for your child this year, Heartland has you covered.
Our birthday party packages include an activity of your choice, plus a shelter rental for cake and presents. Invite your friends to ride horses, throw hatchets, zipline through the trees, or splash in our pool!
upcoming at heartland
Join us for Heartland's Annual Picnic! Fun for the whole family. Experience all of your favorite camp activities: swimming, horse rides, zip line, hatchet throwing, gaga ball, and more!
Sunday, June 2nd from 2:00-6:30pm. Come when you can and stay for dinner!
Our annual concert, A Night Under the Stars, is a special evening at Heartland benefiting our summer camp ministry. This night will include a tasty picnic dinner and dessert, drinks, silent auction, music entertainment, and fellowship.
Thursday, September 12th. Tickets coming soon.
Looking for an unforgettable way to experience fall with your family? Look no further than Heartland’s Autumn Adventures! Family friendly games for all ages, pumpkins, a climbing wall, horse rides, hatchets & archery, and SO MUCH MORE!
Open weekends Sept 27- Oct 27.
family & grandparent camps
Family Camp and Grandparent Camp are fantastic ways to escape from the hustle and bustle of life and have an adventure with your family while making lasting memories. It will be the best weekend of your summer! These camps are housed in our air-conditioned retreat lodges. If you were hoping for a tent experience, you must bring your own!
We provide the perfect mix of downtime with your family and planned activities to enjoy together. Activities include:
Swimming
Horseback riding
Target Sports
Campfire Worship and S’mores
Crafts
Zip-line and Rockwall
There are still a few open spots!
Grandparent Camp: June 8th-9th
Family Camp: June 21st-23rd
summer update
Last summer, Overnight Camp hosted the most campers since 2018, and Day Camp the most ever. Even so, campers still had to be put on the waitlist. In order to accommodate even more campers this summer, we’ve added camp sessions and hired more amazing summer staff!
If you haven’t signed up yet, just a few camp spots are still available. Don’t miss out on a fantastic summer! We are so excited about all the Christ-centered adventures this summer has in store.
“I am inspired by the staff at Heartland. They give exponentially and love unconditionally. They change campers’ lives by demonstrating the love of Christ. All the people at camp inspire me to be the best version of myself. It is a supportive, loving, nurturing, and selfless environment that I thrive in.”
10 Years and Going Strong
This spring, Luke Boydston celebrates ten years of service as Maintenance Director. We thank God for the dedication, excellence, and know-how that Luke has brought to this ministry for the past decade. Maintaining an aging facility with over 30 buildings, a fleet of well-used vehicles, and 320 acres is a never-ending and often thankless job.
Thank you, Luke, for all you do for Heartland Camps and Retreat Center!
a warm welcome to…
New Camper!
Congratulations to Jared and Jessica Briscoe on the birth of their first child, Rosemarie, on March 14th. Jared is Heartland’s Program Department Coordinator, and Jessica changed jobs on March 1st from Heartland’s Day Camp and Recruitment Director to the full-time position of raising Heartland’s newest camper.
New Staff!
Heartland also welcomes event planner Anne Nordwald to its team. Anne’s seasonal role is to be the primary coordinator of our annual Night Under the Stars Benefit Concert this September. Welcome, Anne!
Interested in joining the Heartland family? Check out some of our open positions!
Activities Facilitator, summer camp jobs, and more!
your donations make a difference!
heartland wish list
We are grateful for your donation of items that are in new, like new, or good condition.
Gator, Golf Cart, or Side by Side
Reliable Vehicles (Cars, Vans, or Trucks)*
Commercial Oven/Skillet
Couches/Sofas in New or Gently Used Condition
Pool Vacuum (Robotic Cleaner)
Commercial Grade Cambro Food Storage Containers
Washing Machines (top loading) and Dryers
Table Lamps
Basketballs, Volleyballs, Frisbees, Gator Balls*
Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course*
Hammock Straps*
Crayola Washable Paint
Globe String Lights*
Igloo Water Coolers*
* = high priority camp needs
If you’re in a position to help with significant upgrades, we’d love to share our master plan goals with you. Please reach out. Examples include doors for our Hotel-Style Lodges, roof replacement for the walkway to Nunemaker, renovations at the Aquatic Center, and more.
Did you know?
To help our friends of Heartland with estate planning, our website now features:
a gift intention form
a qualified charitable distribution tool
a will creator
tools for donating stocks
While including Heartland Camps and Retreat Center in your will is optional, legacy gifts to Heartland can leave a lasting impact on our mission and provide financial and tax benefits for you and your family.
