BREAKING NEWS:
Matching Funds Total Is Now $30,000
Watch the Update Video to Learn More!
The #GreatCampGive is an Online Giving Event to raise funds to strengthen Camp Hanover’s ministry now, and set the course for the future. The Goal: Raise $30,000 in one day. To learn more, watch the #GreatCampGive Launch Video or read all the exciting details below.
Join the fun on September 30:
facebook.com/CampHanover
youtube.com/CampHanover
Twitter @CampHanover
Instagram @CampHanover
A place apart, for renewal and growth…
Camp Hanover is a place where kids, and people of all ages get the opportunity to practice living in Christian Community, to practice being stewards of God’s creation, and practice being loved by God and sharing God’s love with others.
Camp is where you can feel safe just being “you.” Camp is where you can practice being the person God created you to be, where everyone is welcomed and accepted just the way they are.
Practicing these things at Camp Hanover, makes it easier to do them out in the world. And right now, the world needs more people welcoming each other, being the body of Christ, sharing God’s love.
Navigating Challenging Times…
Because of COVID-19, we’re all navigating difficult times. This year has been, and continues to be, challenging for all of us. And that includes Camp Hanover. As a result of the governmental and Health Department restrictions placed on gatherings, Camp Hanover has been unable to host guest groups, overnight retreats, or offer traditional summer camps for kids since early March. As a result, the financial impact on Camp Hanover has been significant.
Normally, Camp Hanover generates approximately $100,000 in revenue from lodging and food service fees for retreats and other events March – December. Summer Camp fees generate another $400,000 from June – August. This combined loss of revenue totals more than half of Camp Hanover’s entire operating budget.
Despite the challenges, Camp Hanover continues to find creative, powerful ways to push forward and live out its mission to be a place apart for renewal and growth in an environment of Christian hospitality.
A Powerful Ministry Today, Preparing for Tomorrow
This summer, through The Isaiah 40 Project, Hanover At Home Groups, and special events like The Magical Mystery Tour, the lives of campers, families, and individuals of all ages were transformed in meaningful ways.
Now, Camp Hanover is looking forward. We are planning and preparing for what comes next. That sense of community, that connection that Camp creates, it’s as important as ever in these uncertain times. And it will be even more important in the year ahead.
Through these experiences, we build relationships and create connection — with each other, with God, with creation and all its critters. That connection doesn’t end when you leave Camp, it stays with you your entire life. That’s why this year’s #GreatCampGive theme is “In Our Hearts… Even Apart.”
In Our Hearts, Even Apart…
THE BIG GOAL: Raise $30,000 In 1 DAY
We’re gonna attempt to raise $30,000 in 18 hours. Starting at 6am on Wednesday, September 30 and continuing to midnight, we’re encouraging everyone to join together to meet the challenge. We’ve never attempted anything like this before. It’s ambitious, exciting, and doable… with YOUR help!
And here’s something even more exciting… Several generous donors have come forward to offer $30,000 in Matching Funds. Meaning every donation gets DOUBLED. A $10 gift is matched to become a $20 gift. $100 becomes $200. When we reach the $30,000 goal, the total raised for Camp Hanover JUMPS to $60,000.
Every Gift of Every Size
Makes a DIFFERENCE!
MATCHING FUNDS
Mean Your Gift DOUBLES!
BECAUSE OF CAMP…
You Can Help Tell The Camp Hanover Story
We’re collecting photos and videos to share during the #GreatCampGive to tell the story of how the relationships you’ve built and the experience you’ve had through Camp Hanover have transformed lives and changed the world. You can help out by recording a short video or sending a note and some photos about why Camp Hanover has been important in your life. You can email your story, pics and video to mycampstory@camphanover.org or you can use the Camp website to submit them directly.
CAMPFIRES AROUND THE WORLD
Throughout the #GreatCampGive we hope to have a lot of fun, embracing camp traditions and laughing along with one another, through various challenges, activities and other online shenanigans. One special activity in the works is “Campfires Around the World” where we can all connect, at least virtually, around the campfire, give thanks to God and celebrate this wonderful place.
Together, we can continue to build community and connection through Camp, for those who need it most. Together we can “light the fire.” We can make “Camp” happen. In our hearts, even apart.
How To Particpate:
- Wherever you are, find a place to safely have a campfire. Maybe in firepit in your yard or in a fireplace. You could also make a flashlight fire, or simply light a candle.
- When you light your fire, remember to kneel always, and give thanks to God for the many gifts and blessings you have received. If you want to use the poem traditionally shared around the Camp Hanover Campfire, the words are below.
- Wear your favorite Camp Hanover T-Shirt.
- Share pictures or video of your campfire on Social Media. Include the hashtags #CampHanover, #GreatCampGive, and #CampfiresAroundTheWorld because that will make it easier for folks to see your campfire.
- Join the Camp Hanover livestream on ZOOM or on Facebook at 7pm. To participate on ZOOM, please sign up ahead of time.
Campfires Around The World on ZOOM begins at 7:00pm Eastern
Kneel Always…
Kneel always when you light a fire,
Kneel reverently and thankful be
for Gods unfailing charity,
And on the ascending flame inspire,
a little prayer which shall up bare
The incense of your thankfulness,
for the sweet grace of warmth and light
for here again is sacrifice for your delight.
Kneel always when you light a fire,
Kneel reverently and thankful be
for Gods unfailing charity.
Sharing the words above as you kneel and light your campfire are a Camp Hanover tradition. They come from “The Sacrament of Fire” by John Oxenham. You can find the complete poem below.
The Sacrament of Fire by John Oxenham
Kneel always when you light a fire!
Kneel reverently, and thankful be
For God’s unfailing charity,
And on the ascending flame inspire
A little prayer, that shall upbear
The incense of your thankfulness
For this sweet grace
Of warmth and light!
For here again is sacrifice
For your delight.
Within the wood,
That lived a joyous life
Through sunny days and rainy days
And winter storms and strife; —
Within the peat,
That drank the moorland sweet
Of bracken, whin, and sweet bell-heather,
And all the joy of gold gorse feather
Flaming like Love in wintriest weather, —
While snug below, in sun and snow,
Peat heard the beat of the padding feet
Of foal and dam, and ewe and lamb,
And the stamp of old bell-wether; —
Within the coal,
Where forests lie entombed,
Oak, elm, and chestnut, beech, and red pine bole, —
God shrined His sunshine, and enwombed
For you these stores of light and heat,
Your life-joys to complete.
These all have died that you might live;
Yours now the high prerogative
To loose their long captivities, —
To give them new sweet span of life
And fresh activities.
Kneel always when you light a fire!
Kneel reverently,
And grateful be
To God for His unfailing charity!