Woodlands exists by the grace of God. Our operating budget is funded through camp and retreat fees. Our growth, however, as well as the opportunity to bring at-risk kids to camp on scholarship is fueled by the generous gifts of individuals and churches who believe in the cause of Christ and in the efforts of Woodlands to further that cause. We are praying that God will supply these very important needs. Please prayerfully consider how God would have you further His kingdom through the ministry of Woodlands Camp & Retreat Center.

Woodlands Camp & Retreat Center is a non-profit, tax-deductible organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. All gifts are tax-deductible. No goods or services are provided in exchange for your contributions. The benefit to you consists solely of what the IRS considers "intangible, religious benefits".

Scholarship Fund (Need $44,124 for Summer 2012)

  

Over the past 14 summers, the Jean Galloway Memorial Scholarship Fund has allowed 1,969 unsaved and/or underprivileged young people to come to camp that could have otherwise not have afforded to come. Of those scholarship campers, nearly 20% have come to know Christ as their personal Savior and many others have found the answers to life's problems in God and God alone.

Building Fund (Need $118,466)

Current Projects: 2 Cabins (Boys: Pine Cove, Girls: High Pointe)

For over fourteen years, Woodlands Camp has been on mission to inspire and equip today’s generation to become passionate followers of Jesus. Through God’s blessing of those efforts, we have seen tremendous fruit. Since 1997, over a thousand kids have trusted Christ as Savior at our summer camps, and countless campers and staffers alike have seen their lives radically changed because of decisions they have made here at camp.  God’s Spirit has indeed been on this place in a special way.

Nine years ago, we launched the first phase of a campaign aimed toward the construction of four large cabins. Timber Ridge, our first boys’ cabin, was completed in 2003, and Lakewood, our first girls’ cabin, was completed in 2005. In the four years since then, Timber Ridge and Lakewood have impacted our ministry greatly. Since their completion, over 30,000 individuals have stayed in their beds.  Numerous campers have trusted Christ and made other great decisions for Him in the rocking chairs on their porches.  The “Wow” factor has served as a tremendous drawing card for campers and retreat guests alike.  Summer registration and retreat bookings are at an all-time high.

Even last year, in the midst of a terrible economy, our weeks averaged 8% OVER capacity. Hands down, these first two cabins have been the most effective ministry tool God has blessed us with to date.

So now, we’re back to the same place we were in 2001 – we’re out of space, and the growth pattern only seems to be picking up steam. Which leads us to this very exciting point in Woodlands’ history. Two years ago God led our Board of Directors to embark on what would turn out to be a significant journey of faith - the construction of two new cabins. We are full to the point that we have negative margin. Simply put, we need more beds. As it turns out, the project entails erecting 20,000 square feet of building space and the financial need has grown to $1,000,000. Both of these totals are more than three times the size of any single project we have undertaken in our 14 years.

The need for these cabins is very significant, but their impact will be even more so. They will provide housing for nearly all of our summer staff, as well as enable 1,000 more kids to attend camp each summer and hear about Jesus. Each building will have a 1,500 square foot conference room that will host some incredibly impactful discussions relating culture to Scripture for our middle and high school campers. Collectively, the cabins will have over 4,000 square feet of porches lined with rocking chairs where countless campers will engage in life-changing conversations with their counselors, many of which will give their lives to Jesus.

Lord willing, the first of these two new cabins will be ready in time for Summer 2011 and the other will be finished by year-end. The construction part isn't so concerning as God has given us an incredibly talented team of guys. The funding, however, is a different matter altogether because it is totally out of our control—but not God’s. This is a huge step of faith, but as I was reminded recently in a podcast I was listening to, I must be careful not to focus on the unexplainable to the point that I miss the undeniable. The unexplainable is where such a significant amount of money is going to come from in an economy like this. The undeniable is that God has funded every project He has ever led us into. The undeniable is that God sent the rainiest Georgia spring in over 100 years to fill our lake up…IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEVERE DROUGHT! And it is undeniable that if God is in this project (as we believe He is), He can send a flood of funds our way, even in the middle of a severe economic drought!

It is our prayer that you will join us on this ongoing adventure of faith.  Your partnership in this ministry through prayer support and financial gifts will make these cabins a reality.  Please prayerfully consider your gift to this project.  Every gift, both small and great, will become a part of this work of God.  Every gift will help greatly in accomplishing our purpose of sharing the amazing truth of God’s love to those without Him.  And every gift will aid in training believers, both young and old “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with [their] God.”