Redrafting, rewriting, growing, and reshaping are all a part of the year-to-year life of a creative, a camp professional, and a Christian. In many ways, the past year has been a second draft. Each day, each event, each program, and each month, we have had a chance to improve on our original copy. It is a gift to grow and dive deeper into the tools, gifts, and people God puts in our lives to carry out his plan.  “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This verse has been carried through the last six months of our camp programs. For our 2023 camp heme, we’ve called God’s handiwork, prepared in advance, “My Story.”

We have been gifted with the privilege and responsibility to meditate on this theme as we’ve created programs around it. We’ve gotten to lean into the radical idea that God made us a work of are u there that has the ability to do good works. As we’ve leaned into this message, as I’ve thought of my life as “My Story,” I’ve been able to reflect on the idea of “second drafts.”   

In 2023, we held our second summer on the new campus, hosted guest groups, put on movie nights, threw holiday parties, created new Weekend Getaways, and grew our Special Olympics programs. As I reflect, I think about how each program and relationship has been a chance at a “second draft” - a chance to develop our characters in “My Story.” It’s been another year filled with learning and growing, hard and good, character development and plot twists– all the things that make a story interesting. 

It’s easy to look back on 2023 with thankfulness for the blessings big and small– like our sweet, growing Special Olympics team, the relief in doing some programs for a second time, and the growing community surrounding this ministry. I am even thankful for the idea of a second draft. A chance to do better, love better, and grow closer to Jesus. As we move onward toward the revisions the next 365 days have in store, we want to thank you for your part in Our Story. Thank you for the support and the love you pour into this ministry. What a grand story God is writing.

Once someone, whether it be a camper with a disability, a volunteer, or even a visitor, gets connected to Camp Daniel in any way, we want to be able to keep them consistently connected to the camp community. So, as a staff, we are constantly looking for opportunities for connection. This is why we have weekend getaways, movie nights, and special events in addition to summer camp. We want to provide high-quality events and programs that everyone enjoys and wants to attend. These programs and events bring together people and ultimately allow authentic relationships to grow. So we invite you to come out and enjoy the community that is Camp Daniel! Here are our upcoming events and programs and ways to get more involved.

Each year that passes in ministry, we stand back in awe and thankfulness for the generosity of so many. We have witnessed many miracles that have gotten us to where we are today. The past three decades have taught us much about relying on God and His people to provide the means to sustain Camp Daniel. When sharing the needs of our ministry, we have always strived to be led by God.   In this new year, we come to you to ask for help with our finances. The costs of everyday living have risen for everyone, and we have experienced the same here at Camp Daniel. Financial giving peaked near the end of the Dining Hall/ Health Center project when we opened camp fully. Since then, we have experienced downturns in giving, as so many non-profits have over the last few years. We have rarely sought funding through traditional asking and instead relied on God's provision in the relationships forged over the years. This place in our newsletter has always been our most traditional way of asking for help. So we ask you to consider helping us at this time.  Our most significant need is regular monthly supporters, the backbone of a ministry such as this. Amounts from $10 to $300 monthly are required to help with monthly expenses. Those regular gifts are counted on to pay the bills and bring much security to daily operations at Camp Daniel.  One-time gifts are also needed to continue building the campus's final details. These funds will go towards fencing along raised paths and continuing the concrete pathways and driveways, essential for camper accessibility and safety. We also look toward moving the mini cabins that NWTC helped build into place this spring, entailing digging in electricity, pouring footings, renting an extended-boom forklift with 9-foot forks, and more.   If you have ever come on a campus tour, you know the stories of the many miracles that have made Camp Daniel possible. Be a part of the miracle that is Camp Daniel, and help us continue to provide opportunities, community, and love to our campers with disabilities.

Give Today

No matter the method of donation, all gifts to Camp Daniel are tax deductible

• Mail a check to Camp Daniel with 20/20 in the memo. Your money goes the furthest, as there are no online fees.  Camp Daniel - W10541 Army Ln Athelstane, WI 54104  

• Visit our website at  campdaniel.org, here you  will be able to give a one time donation or set up.
  

2023 Recap Through the Seasons 

How You Can Help

The last two years, our team has worked hard at developing new programs and events. Looking into the new year our team looks toward prioritizing refining those now existing programs and events. We value slow growth; it allows space for change and improvement. We anticipate in our upcoming year, refining what we have started and focusing on serving people well through these programs. In order to maintain and refine programs and events, we are in need of financial support and volunteers. Here is how you can help:

In Memoriam

In memory of Kathleen Ringel

Given by Camp Daniel Staff  

Memoralize a loved one by helping the Camp Daniel mission. Memorial gifts of $500 or more for one individual will be published in this newsletter and on a memory plaque placed on the Camp Daniel Campus

Be a part of the miracle that is Camp Daniel, and help us continue to provide opportunities, community, and love to our campers with disabilities. 

Through your kindness & generosity we can change lives. 

Camp Daniel is a 501(c)-3 non-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible. Donations may be made by check, PayPal, or bank electronic transfer.  

© 2020  •  Camp Daniel  •  W10541 Army Ln, Athelstane, WI 54104

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