2020 Annual Praying Working Report CAMP Faithfully Diligently ALEXANDER MACK From the Executive Director Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.† Dear Friends of Camp Mack, We have all had a difficult year. Some of us lost friends and loved ones; others experienced isolation and the loss of community; and many faced financial difficulties. For Camp Alexander Mack, we have had to deal with all three. This reminder from 1 Thessalonians has been our way to find joy and purpose during uncertainty and anxiety about the future of this ministry. When we placed our priority on prayer, God blessed us with opportunities to serve, community action and support, and abundant generosity. We connected with families in new ways. We collaborated with other ministries. We partnered with volunteers, churches, and foundations to improve our facilities and programs. Praying Faithfully created opportunities for Working Diligently through the challenge of 2020. As we share this report with you, I hope you will see the power of prayer combined with focused effort in maintaining a stable financial foundation that continues to meet our mission. Thank you for the prayers and contributions that ensure Camp Mack continues to be a sanctuary where people connect with God, experience creation, and build Christian community. In Christ’s love, Gene Hollenberg, Executive Director † 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New Revised Standard Version) What did we accomplish in 2020? • Built a high ropes challenge course CELEBRATIONS in the wilderness area • Invested in a solar power system to cover the cost of electric power • Began building the Esther and John Hamer Health Center • Completed phase one of the Peace Garden overlooking Lake Waubee • Provided daily activities for families throughout summer weekdays • Ran an online camp experience for camp families • Created virtual means of connecting: an at-home camp experience, virtual campfires, and a Giving Day celebration • Served as a safe space for a Warsaw homeless ministry • Provided opportunities for families to connect using camp lodging through the summer and fall • Made improvements to many buildings and structures Praying Faithfully In March 2020, the camp staff was gearing up for a very busy spring. We had several large groups ready to experience the sanctuary of Camp Mack. Early on, however, we began to get concerned. The biggest question was whether we could hold our Annual Dinner set for March 20th. We purchased the food for the event on March 13th and postponed the dinner on March 15th when the State of Indiana ordered a shutdown. Within two weeks, we canceled summer camp and every event through the end of July. During the difficult early days of the pandemic, there was little we could do but pray and trust that God would give us opportunities to meet the challenge ahead. Our staff and Board were concerned about how we would pay our bills and provide ministry to people seeking sanctuary. So, individually and together online, we prayed. For many, 2020 will be identified by what was lost, and without a doubt, these losses are real. Many have suffered greatly. For Camp Mack, however, this will always be identified as a year of prayer and grace. The challenges we faced were frightening, but the peace we gained in prayer was only the first gift. God provided clarity and showed us a path to continued ministry. Soon, we began to respond to the information at hand. When the government passed relief, we were among the first to receive a PPP loan. As that money ran out, we found new sources of income. Our donors stepped up and shared, some passing on their stimulus checks. When work needed to be done, volunteers showed up and provided us their ministry. Time and time again, when it seemed we might have to make drastic reductions, a gift would come or a new opportunity would be provided. While we continue to mourn the loss of a year of summer camp and ministry provided to so many groups, we now know how much we rely on the love and grace of God as shown to us through you, our supporting community. Praying Faithfully is our firm foundation. Working Diligently From the beginning, the Board and staff made it clear that our trust was in God; however, we also needed to prepare and act responsibly in pursuing all open doors. As the normal work of preparing lodging, planning meals, and scheduling activities abruptly ended, we had to pivot to new goals. We developed a new austerity budget. Preparation for new ways to provide ministry began. Creativity sparked innovation in finding new streams of income. Beyond Paycheck Protection loans. Camp Mack reached out to local foundations and other groups for grants and found congregations, local businesses, and individual donors to fund specific projects like the Jacob’s Well pavilion roof, Quinter-Miller Auditorium lower roof, a concrete walkway from Quinter-Miller Auditorium to new public restrooms, and new windows in Sarah Major Lodge. Volunteers and staff refreshed rooms in Sarah Major Lodge, painted the interior of the W-Cabins, and painted Arky Parky. Grants were used to increase signal strength for wi-fi and complete the first phase of the wilderness management plan. The guest service and food service departments continued ministry and developed income streams. Outdoor education created programs to appeal to local groups and students in order to increase awareness and provide income. Special events were planned to raise donations. Camp staff committed to continuing the work even with loss of benefits and some salary. In December of 2019, Camp Mack received a large grant to build a challenge course in the wilderness area. That project started work in late spring and was completed over the summer. Planting the Future projects were authorized by the Indiana Camp Board in early summer. The first phase of the Peace Garden was built by volunteers and staff. Board approval for the Esther and John Hamer Health Center is the first major campaign project to modernize facilities. Beyond the challenge course and Peace Garden, volunteers were essential in providing backup to food service, woodworking, grounds clean- up, and many other important tasks. A committee of program volunteers, parents, and youth campers gave essential feedback for planning summer camp 2021. The Camp Mack community: volunteers, Board, and staff have been Working Diligently to use the gifts God has given us to keep this ministry strong and ready to serve. 2020 DONORS We are truly thankful for these families and individuals who gave so generously this year. Erica & Jeff Adler Deborah & Blair Brown Torin Eikler Duke & Linda Aldridge Tom, Ann, & Jasmine Brown Alan & Linda Eller Dixie Alexander Hannah Brubaker Wendy Erbaugh Maria & Aaron Alexander Laura Brubaker Nina Evans Mamie Ameling Sally & Tim Brubaker Diane Eveland Don & Keri Anderson Bill & Joyce Brumbaugh Dean & Lorita Everest Anonymous Amy & Jim Brumbaugh-Smith Lori Fackler Thomas Andrews Ed Bryan Karen & James Farlow Toni & David Annis Peggy Bryant Nancy Faus Beth Arnold Darlene Bucher David & Becky Felix Duane & Linda Arnold Greta Burger Gregg Ferguson Arden Ball Steven & Teresa Burger John & Elaine Ferguson Becky & Paris Ball-Miller Lois Burke-Dickerhoff Sharon & Dick Fife Ben & Dani Barkey Carole Carey & Victor Hare Megan Fleming Linda & Wayne Barkey Elizabeth Charlwood Loren & Dianna Folk Phil & Marsha Barkey Jim & Debra Chinworth Lawney Francis Marita Barsoda Brenda & John Clark Bailey Frederick Monte Bates Carolyn Colver Sue & Ed Freel Kay & Jim Bates Cassidy Conrad Jed & Kelli Freels Jean Bauer Becky & Bruce Copeland Rita & Merritt Freer Jeff Baumann & Amy Eberly-Baumann Lorie Copeland Floyann Frey Twila & Ron Beahm David & Jane Cox Paul & Kathleen Fry-Miller Richard & Janet Bean Lori & Steven Crain Chris Gaby Cheryl & Steve Beasy Nathaniel Crain Patricia & Brandon Gall David Beck Steven & Regina Davenport Gale Gates Deanna Beckner Judy & Steven DePue Richard Gates Dennis & Beth Beckner Rhonda & Keith Detwiler Mikayla Genovese Stanley Donald Beckner Carl & Evelyn Detwiler George Graber Alex Beeching Ruth & Mike Dilling Mary Ruth Graham Angilee Beery David Doudt & Kim Ebersole Nathan Grantz Natalie Betz Marilyn & Casey Drudge Tamisyn & Brian Grantz Diana & Mike Bever Jessica Durkee Tim & Kim Gray Tom & Ruth Ann Bever Leland & Mary Dush Scott & Joyce Graybill Jan & Bill Birr Zack Dylewski Tina & Brent Green George & Linda Blair Judy & Dale Eash Dick & Marilyn Groves Michelle Blough Colleen Eastis Lois Guess Dawn Boatman Todd Eastis Kevin Haas Matthew Boersma Roger & Mim Eberly Paul Haffner Vanessa & Phil Bohannon Kristina Edwards Mary Hagen Tina Bolinger Karen Egley Phyllis Hall Melanier Bowyer Judy Egolf Esther Rinehart Hamer Shirley Braner Stephen Egolf Harriet Hamer & Abram Bergen Kelley Brenneman Carolyn Ehlers Mary Hammer Rex & Vivian Brock Bev & Joel Eikenberry Gary & Cinda Haney Jan & Brad Hardesty Amy Kolb Samantha Mitchell Alice Hare Abby Koroncevicius Bruce & Jayne Mohler Brian & Miriam Hartman Anna & Dan Kragt Barth Montel & Angela Horn Linda Hartman Dave & Judy Kreider Dee Montel Travis & Brittany Hartman Jessica Kreider Lessie & Merl Montel Norma & Allen Hartman Betty & Lynn Kreider Kay Morehouse Roger & Nancy Hartman Dana & Sherry Krull Kathleen Morphew Ann & John Hartsough Lissa, Shawn, Arrington, Charlie & Emerson Krull Lydia Morris Allen Haynes Connor & Trevor Ladd Kevin & Anita Morrison Kathryn Hazelett Michael & Teresa Ladd Elizabeth Mort Dawn Heady