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2018 Annual Report
Cutting the Ribbon signifies new beginnings
On May 26th, 2018, The Camp at Findley officially opened under new ownership and new leadership.
It was a culmination of multiple decades of effort, labor and attention of many different individuals and groups in the Camp Findley network. All with the shared vision that God still had plans for that special piece of land on the shores of Findley Lake.
The Purchase
On March 24th, 2018, the purchase of the property known as Camp Findley was completed.
Cost of purchase: $1,000,000
$575k
Donations from Individuals and Families
An outpouring of financial support from individuals and families in the Camp Findley network.
$425k
Donations From Organizations
$400k - The Wilmot Foundation
$25k - Local Churches
Who is The Camp at Findley?
The Camp at Findley is a nondenominational Christian ministry, registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Its board and committees are 100% volunteer, and are comprised of people from various communities in NY, PA, and OH.
The group of individuals who formed The Camp at Findley Board of Directors originally planned to assume ownership of the camp as a ministry of the Findley Lake UMC. As time went on, circumstances arose that required a separate legal organization to be the purchaser of the property; purchasing as the church was no longer an option. The seller was taking offers at the time, so there was no time to create a new nonprofit entity; the process takes months.
Fit For Life Ministry INC was an existing 501(c)3 nonprofit, founded by Shawn Blakeslee, Don Blakeslee and Jeremy Schenk in 2013. This ministry was created to offer programming that educated individuals on ways to incorporate Biblical truths to improve the quality of their spiritual, physical, and mental health. Fit4Life ran programming at Camp Findley and had a vision to use the camp facilities for Christian ministry. All three Fit 4 Life board members were on the team to purchase Camp Findley. and the other members from the initial church subcommittee, Gordon Post, David Calvert and David Cooke, were added as new board members. The name "The Camp at Findley" was legally registered as an assumed name of Fit For Life Ministry INC.
MISSION
To be a safe and inviting place for the community, with programming that encourages mental, physical, and spiritual growth in every individual
VISION
Spiritual transformation of lives through Christ’s love for every man, woman, and child.
WORK
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
~ Colossians 3:23
We bought the camp - now what?
Work.
Every area of the camp was in need of repairs, renovations, or maintenance. In order to make the camp a place to fulfill our vision, a lot of work needed to be done.
>7,000 Hours
Volunteers: local & missions groups
>100 Projects
All completed
$75,000
Donated volunteer labor equivalent
Budget
All projects completed significantly below cost
>$50,000
Donated materials from local businesses
Joy
Through it all
Kingdom Impact
Because our focus was on repairs, renovations, and planning, we welcomed outside groups to use the grounds for their own programming. We had over 52 retreats, small groups, and youth groups in our first year, use the camp and partner with us to provide programming opportunities.
We have laid the framework for future programming at The Camp at Findley, and are actively seeking and exploring partnerships with individuals from area communities to build programming ministries, especially the return of children's camping.
Financial Reporting
For Operating Year April 2018-March 2019
$46,000
Donations
$94,000
Program Revenue
$123,000
Expenses
The Future
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
In Christ, we are stepping out in faith to plan new kids programming, beginning in 2020. Please join with us.
- We continue to foster our relationship with Family Bible Camp and its ministry
- We continue to work with retreat groups as a host, supporting their ministries
- We continue to offer a venue for use for family reunions, weddings, parties and more
Do you feel the call to join with us? We have many volunteer opportunities, from a few hours of labor on a work weekend to serving on a committee or board. Please contact us to find out more!