Fall 09 Newsletter

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a newsletter of Riverbend Retreat Center

Fall 2009

Camp Decisions: 10,043 attended 745 Professions of Faith 901 Rededications 115 Called to the Ministry

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Spotlight on:

Guest Services! Each newsletter we want to spotlight one of the departments that serve you while at Riverbend. Guest Services are responsible for all aspects of your stay here. From the initial booking to “see you next time”, they want to make sure your event is the best it can be. The Guest Services Team, lead by Debi Shelton, Guest Services Director, is comprised of Dianne Shull and Evan Stewart. Debi Shelton has this to say, “”This is the season for booking retreats. Back to School Bashes, D-Nows, Scrapbooking Getaways, and Golf Escapes! Churches, Families, and Friends are all planning their special events and we are excited about what the Lord has in store for all of these groups! We are daily planning and preparing to serve each group and praying that the Lord will bless each one and that they can come to know and love the bend as we do!”

Debi Shelton (standing) - Guest Services Director Dianne Shull - Guest Services Assistant Evan Stewart - Retreat Coordinator

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Director’s Notes - Fall ‘09 Greetings from Riverbend Retreat Center! I would like to use this space to offer a well-deserved thank you to some very important people.

Campers and Counselors…If you were one of the 10,000+ campers or counselors that came to camp this summer…Thank You for being here! You are why Riverbend is here and why it continues to desire to provide an excellent facility with excellent programs to all work together to make an excellent camp experience. I pray that this was the case this summer for you! If you were one of the 2,000+ campers that made a decision while here at camp, I want to encourage you to follow through with that commitment and stay involved in your church. I hope to see you all next summer!

Parents of Campers…Thank you that you have enough confidence in your church leaders and Riverbend to send your son or daughter to camp. We work hard to keep the camp fee affordable and at the same time, offer new programs, facilities and good food so that your campers want to come back. Please let us know how we can do better. Church Staff and Pastors…I have walked in your shoes for 15 years and understand the challenges and the effort it takes to fund, plan and carry out a week of summer camp! Thank you for feeling strongly about what camp does for kids – strong enough to go the extra mile to ensure that all is planned thoroughly, executed well and followed through meticulously. I will put our church staff and pastors up against any in the country in your devotion, commitment and talent in doing what you do!

Riverbend Staff…Last, but not least, thank you to our full time and summer staff that did an outstanding job in taking care of the myriad of responsibilities to keep a camp going! Our full time staff is called of God, competent and committed to providing a camp where God can move in people’s lives. This year’s summer staff were truly standouts in their willingness to go the extra mile in caring for and serving campers – and what a fun bunch of students they are! Thank you ALL! Others of you who are reading this...Volunteers whom we could not do without, hurry back – we love and need you! Retreat Group Leaders, we will hopefully see you out here soon. We have some exciting things planned to help you save some money as well as to program your next retreat – we want to help you be the hero to your group. Friends of the Bend, thank you for your gifts! Please see the article on the new Waterfront activities and see what many people working together can accomplish! I know there are others who pray for and have some connection with Riverbend…thank you for believing in this ministry. Please let us know how we can better serve for His sake! Blessings!

Alton Belew 2

Around the Bend

Executive Director

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ff a t S r e m m u S 2009

Become a Bender! It is not too early to get in your application for Summer 2010! We are already receiving applications and looking forward to what the Lord has in store.

Looking forward to Camp next Summer! DATE

HOST GROUP

May 30-June 2 . . . . .Word of Life Church Youth/Preteens June 3-7 . . . . . . . . . .FBC Arlington Preteens June 7-11 . . . . . . . . .FBC Arlington Youth June 11-15 . . . . . . . .Changes Ministries Preteens June 15-19 . . . . . . . .Tarrant Youth June 21-25 . . . . . . . . . .North Richland Hills Baptist Church Preteens June 25-29 . . . . . . . . . .Central Baptist Church Youth June 30-July 4 . . . . . . .Metro Preteens July 4-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . .FBC Fort Worth Youth July 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . .Hallmark Baptist Church Youth July 12-16 . . . . . . . . . .Riverbend Preteens July 16-20 . . . . . . . . . .Lake Pointe Church Preteens July 20-24 . . . . . . . . . .Tarrant G.A.'s Girls July 20-24 . . . . . . . . . .Kidz @ Kamp Preteens I July 25-29 . . . . . . . . . .Kidz @ Kamp Preteens II July 29-Aug 2 . . . . . . . .MAD Camp Preteens Aug 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . .Lake Arlington Baptist Church Preteens Aug 6-10 . . . . . . . . . . .FBC Fort Worth Preteens Aug 6-10 . . . . . . . . . . .Wedgwood Baptist Church Preteens

There are 2 ways to serve: 1. Summer Staffer-18 and older or graduated from high school staffer who receives a monthly salary & housing/meals provided. 2. Intern-15 and older 1 month staffer who receives a stipend pay & housing/meals provided. There are several focus areas to choose from including: - Lifeguards* - Grounds Staff - Program Staff (Challenge Course*, Zip Line*, Archery*, Paintball) - Utility Player (Does a little of everything) - Canteen/Ice Cream Shop Staff - Gift Shop Workers - Kitchen Staff - Office/Photography (* Requires Certification that we provide here at The Bend) To apply, download our application and request 3 referral forms from our website: www.riverbendretreat.org/ministry/ applicationprocess.php Come be a part of a rewarding experience that will allow you to serve thousands of people as you grow in your walk!

Aug 10-14 . . . . . . . . . .Royal Ambassador Boys

Fall 2009

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Want a chance to retreat while being...

“On Mission”? Volunteer work retreats at Riverbend are a great way to do just that! For 8 hours of work, Riverbend will provide your group with a night’s lodging and three meals. There are

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Mother-Daughter

Retreat! for girls in grades 1-6

Oct 2-3 $40 per person for info contact Derinda Williams. [email protected] 817-473-6462

many different jobs at different skill levels available so everyone can help! Volunteers make the difference! A special thanks to all of the groups that are already signed up to

Brazos Tradin’ Post

come out this year and for those who have already come!

For your Riverbend Apparel needs riverbendretreat.org/store

For more information or to schedule a work retreat, contact Brad at 888.269.2363 or email [email protected]

Hoodie/Tee Combos 4

Around the Bend

Backpacks

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Men’s Fish Fry Tuesday, October 6, 2009

6:00pm

Speaker:

Dr. Tony Evans Senior Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas

Come early for the

Annual Fish Fry

Golf Classic Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 Dr. Evans has served as an associate evangelist with the Grand Old Gospel Fellowship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He helped organize and served as Vice President of Urban Evangelical Mission, a national evangelistic and church planting organization, and served as an associate professor in the Pastoral Ministries Department of Dallas Theological Seminary in the areas of evangelism, homiletics, and black church studies. He also served as chaplain for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and presently serves as chaplain for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Dr. Evans is founder and serves as Senior Pastor of the over 8,000 member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. He is also founder and president of The Urban Alternative, a national organization that seeks to bring about spiritual renewal in urban America through the church. The Urban Alternative radio broadcast, “The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans,” can be heard over 500 stations daily throughout the U.S. and in over 40 countries worldwide. He is a speaker on the Promise Keepers’ platform, as well as regularly in crusades and Bible conferences in the United States and abroad.

9:00am For more information: [email protected] 888-269-2363 www.riverbendretreat.org

Music: Eric Phillips and Praise Band Eric is the Worship Pastor for The Church on Rush Creek in Arlington, Texas.

Make plans to join over 1000 men at this annual event of being fed, both physically and spiritually! Must RSVP. $7 at the [email protected] Fall 2009

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EXTREME MAKEOVER -------CABIN 5 EDITION over s e v r e s d Riverben le every year! eop 25,000 p erbend v i R o t d r donate ovements! a l l o d y r e Ev impr l a t i p a c goes to olunteer v s e z i l i t u Riverbend most exclusively! l builders a Make a Donation online! Riverbend can also set up electronic fund transfers. For information, contact Alton at [email protected] or call 888.269.2363

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Around the Bend

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We appreciate those who have given to Riverbend...and those of you who want to be a part! A Makeover with Eternal Results!

The Dorm style cabins at Riverbend have housed hundreds of thousands over the last 35+ years and have been used of God to give each of these individuals an opportunity to experience God at Riverbend. Most of the 25,000+ guests each year stay in these cabins.

For Future Generations... This renovation not only gives the cabins a much needed "facelift," it will also provide major upgrades for comfort, efficiency, longevity and durability. All cabins will be made handicapped accessible to meet the needs of all our guests. We want to ensure the cabins better serve the current generation as well as prepare them to serve the next generation with excellence. One of our most used cabins, Cabin 5 is slated for the next Makeover. Starting this fall, this cabin will receive a remodeled bathroom, new siding & windows, new bunkbeds and carpeted bunkrooms. It will provide a more comfortable stay for campers and retreat groups for years to come.

Your Help is Needed! The total cost for the entire Extreme Makeover project is $310,000. When the camp was built over 35 years ago, it took sacrificial giving on the part of the churches and individuals who believed God was leading to establish a camp ministry.

Friends of “The Bend”...working together to

make a difference!

In 2008, the staff and Board of Directors at Riverbend determined that a renovation was needed at the lake in order to add new activities and upgrade the current towers for other water activities. As this need was shared in a variety of ways, 108 families and individuals gave over $60,000 toward this project. The gifts ranged from $10 to $2500, and saw the bulk of the project ready by Summer Camp, 2009!

Can we count on you? A gift of at least $100 per year would mean a lot to continue to make improvements and expansion to reach more people and change more lives for Christ!

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! 0 1 0 2 n i g n i com BMX Bike Track

Experienc e th the turns, e excitement of hills a contact: ja mes@rive nd jumps! rbendretre at.org

Coming this Fall...New Outdoor Experiences at Riverbend! • Fly Fishing on the Brazos – for beginners through advanced fly fishermen • Skeet Shooting • Guided and non-guided Hikes – your group will love the Rock Creek dinosaur tracks as well as the Native American artifacts • Zip Line and Challenge Course • Archery and Paintball • Bass Fishing Retreats • Survival Training • BMX Track New Programs coming this Spring! • Canoe Trips • Mountain Biking Rates and information coming to the website soon! Fall 2009

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID Fort Worth, Texas PERMIT 1333

1232 County Road 411B Glen Rose, Texas 76043 local: 254-897-4011 toll free: 888-269-2363 fax: 254-897-3960 email: [email protected] email the staff by: [email protected]

www.riverbendretreat.org

What’s Inside...

Events in 2009-2010...

2

A Word from Alton

Riverbend Fish Fry Golf Tournament

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Guest Services

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2010 Summer Camps

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Become a Summer Staffer

4

Work Retreats - On Mission!

5

Fish Fry & Golf

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Cabin 5 Makeover

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Friends of the Bend NEW THIS YEAR!

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Riverbend Outfitters & BMX Track

Tuesday, October 6, 2009. See page 5 for info.

Riverbend Men’s Fish Fry Tuesday, October 6, 6:00 - 8:45pm. See page 5.

Mother & Daughter Retreat Friday - Saturday, October 2-3 Contact Derinda 817-473-6462 [email protected]

2010 Summer Camp Directors Retreat February 1-2, 2010 Contact Joy 888-269-2363 [email protected]

2010 Senior Adult Retreat Monday - Wednesday. April 12-14, 2010