Rivers Edge Camp & Retreat Centre
Box #39 T0M 0R0 Cremona, AB, Canada

https://mailchi.mp/63eab57b1261/2022-february-update Here is our latest newsletter!

Getting ready for our youth pastors / leaders brunch this morning!

Are you in Grades 9-12, or have a youth in high school. Join us for "the Winter weekend" youth retreat on February 11th - 13th. For more details and to register, please click the following link: https://riversedgecamp.org/the-winter-weekend

Merry Christmas from Summer and the rest of us at Rivers Edge!

https://www.facebook.com/riversedgecamp

Really happy and excited with how this wall turned out in the inn!

We hope you will join us on Tuesday for Bridge Cafe Days. We are no longer doing the supper on Thursday. https://www.riversedgecamp.org/bridge-cafe-days

It’s not too late to stop by for coffee and desert! We are open until 330 Not so rocky road brownie You missed out on a roasted tomato soup and a grilled tomato pesto and cheese sandwich. Yum yum.

What are your lunch plans for tomorrow? How about coffee time? the Bridge Cafe is open from 9:30am - 3:30pm tomorrow to serve you. Rumor has it, Roasted tomato soup. For details, check out the website: https://riversedgecamp.org/bridge-cafe-days... Hope to see you there. See more

Looking forward to serving you for supper tonight. Chicken Pot Pie. Mmmmm! Apple pie with caramel drizzle (a la mode?) Whether dining in or out, we have you covered!

$50,702 raised!! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness and the generosity of His people!! You have been so good to Rivers Edge and it means that we can continue to serve you with camps, retreats, family days and more! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! #christmascampaign #riversedgecamp #keepcampalive #generousfriends #godisgoodallthetime #jehovahjireh #theGodwhoprovides #praisegodfromwhomallblessingsflow

It's the final countdown! To the New Year and to $50,000 in Christmas CAMPaign giving! We just reached $46,202. It would only take 40 more people giving $100 each to get us over the line! Will you be one of the final forty?! www.riversedgecamp.org/christmas-campaign

Today's the day! Ginja Ninja is running 1K for every $1K we have raised towards our Christmas CAMPaign. As it sits now, that means 39 km, but if you want to see him run further you can still donate to the campaign by sending an e-transfer to [email protected] or clicking here www.riversedgecamp.org/christmas-campaign #runningforacause #riversedgecamp #christmascampaign #keepcampalive

Our Christmas CAMPaign has reached $28,181! We are over halfway to our $50,000 goal and as a reward, our LIT leader TJ Mackenzie has recorded a mini-concert for your enjoyment. https://youtu.be/4oo6fyDOA5Q To keep up-to-date with the Christmas CAMPaign and to see how you can partner with us, go to www.riversedgecamp.org/christmas-campaign

Christmas CAMPaign Update! Our Giving Tuesday fundraiser brought in $8,620, a great start towards our December goal of $50,000! Thank you to everyone who gave! The Christmas CAMPaign continues throughout the month of December with e-newsletters, some snail mail and other festive offerings. Keep an eye out for all of the fundraising fun!

We received a couple of messages reporting that our Christmas CAMPaign page was down today. The link has been repaired! Please see www.riversedgecamp.org/christmas-campaign to find out more about our December fundraiser. :)

We want to end Giving Tuesday with a note of gratitude and a list of the things we have seen God do at Rivers Edge this year! * Families made lasting memories and connections during Family Camping Cubed * 15 of our staff were baptized in the river * Kids got to come and just be kids despite the pandemic * Staff received personalized, intensive discipleship... * 16 young people graduated from our Leaders in Training program * Passionate volunteers donated thousands of hours * Many staff members felt a new calling into full-time ministry * You supported us along the way with prayers, funds, and words of encouragement So far today we have raised $6,200. If you are able to help us end the day with $10,000 of donations, send an e-transfer to [email protected] with your mailing address and the words Giving Tuesday in the memo. God bless you!

GIVING TUESDAY UPDATE We are off to a great start, having already raised $3,400 by 12:00 PM today! Support our ongoing ministry by sending an e-transfer to [email protected] with the words Giving Tuesday and your mailing address in the memo! Did you know?! We are offering rewards when we reach our fundraising goals! For every $1,000 raised, Jacob Stauffer will run 1km. At $10K we will be giving away an Escape Room booking to one lucky donor. And at $25K TJ Mackenzie w...ill host an online mini-concert right here on our Facebook page! See all of the Giving Tuesday details, including step-by-step e-transfer instructions, at www.riversedgecamp.org/christmas-campaign and give today!

CONTACT INFO for FALL 2020 Rivers Edge is pausing some of our onsite activities for the fall beginning today, September 27th. During this time, we will be running with fewer staff members and office hours. If you need to reach us after September 27th, please see the directory below. For Guest Group & Day Use Inquiries, email: [email protected]... For General Inquiries, email: [email protected] To reach our Interim Executive Director, contact: [email protected] If you have questions about the fall season, please see our website, here: www.riversedgecamp.org/camp-update

It's December 1st and that means two BIG things are happening today! 1. 2021 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION is now OPEN! www.riversedgecamp.org/summer-camps 2. We are kicking off our $50,000 Christmas CAMPaign with GIVING TUESDAY! www.riversedgecamp.org/christmas-campaign... Check out the links to see what all of the excitement is about and then keep your eyes on this page as we share more posts and stories throughout the day!

DAY USE Beginning September 27th, Rivers Edge is putting a pause on most on-site activity. During this time, you will still be able to request Escape Room and Day Use bookings. If you have a group of around 40-50 who would like to come out for a day full of fun activities at Rivers Edge, email [email protected] and inquire about what options we will be offering during the fall season. We look forward to accommodating groups like yours while following the COVID-19 regulations from Alberta Health Services.

Christmas CAMPaign! Join Rivers Edge this holiday season as we set out to raise $50,000 before the New Year! These funds will be used to support the ongoing ministry of Rivers Edge and there will be several opportunities for you to participate, starting with Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1st. On Giving Tuesday we are asking you to send an e-transfer to Rivers Edge as part of a global movement to give back after Black Friday and Cyber Monday!... As December 1 approaches, we encourage you to consider how you can be involved in this first phase of the Christmas CAMPaign. Some ideas to get you started: - Share the news of this online event with others - Pool your money with friends to see how big a gift you can give together - Set aside your Giving Tuesday amount before your Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping Keep an eye on this page for more details on the big day!

Request to Book THE ESCAPE ROOM at Rivers Edge with our new super simple Appointlet link: https://reca-escape-room.appointlet.com Open daily at 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (last booking at 7:30 PM) See all of the details on our website, here: www.riversedgecamp.org/escape-room

Our first ever Harvest Carnival at Rivers Edge was a hit with over 100 people attending throughout the afternoon. We had great weather which made the day extra enjoyable and allowed for families to stay warm as they participated in activities such as pony rides, axe throwing, wood mazes, crafts, and more! I was so much fun, we may do it again next year!

The evenings are getting darker earlier and more cold weather is right around the corner, so there is no better time to book the ESCAPE ROOM! It's the perfect solution for a fun date night, family night, youth event, girls/guys outing, etc.! Check it out at www.riversedgecamp.org/escape-room

CAMP UPDATE Usually, the end of summer camps means the beginning of a busy Guest Group season for us at Rivers Edge. This year things are different. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to host overnight groups. Starting September 27, we will be slowing down and pressing pause on some of the regular activity here. Keep an eye on this page for more news about the upcoming changes and info on Day Use and Escape Room bookings for this fall! You can also find all of the current information on our website, here: www.riversedgecamp.org

HARVEST CARNIVAL at RIVERS EDGE When: Oct 31 - come and go from 1:00-4:30PM Who: All Ages Cost: $20/vehicle... What to Expect: Fun games and activities for the whole family. Treats, but no tricks. Bring your own carved pumpkin from home to enter our pumpkin-carving contest. Wear your costume and invite a friend! www.riversedgecamp.org/harvest-carnival All COVID-19 regulations will be followed and masks are recommended. If you'd like to donate candy to this event, you can drop it off at Zion EMC in Didsbury, Bethel EMC Carstairs, or at Rivers Edge! :) Hope to see you there!

Summer Staff Testimony: "I had an amazing God-moment this week. It all started 5 years ago when I was a LIT 2 and I had the opportunity to pray with a camper to accept Jesus into her heart for the first time. After that week I never saw her again, but I always remembered her name and her sweet face, and I would lift her up to Jesus as often as I remembered. This week, while I was a café monitor, I was talking to the mom of a Day Camper and I found out that she happened to attend church with the little girl I prayed for all those years ago. She told me that the girl had recently been baptized and had referenced Rivers Edge and myself in her testimony, saying that we had played roles in her faith. Wow, God is so faithful, and His work will be finished!"

CALLING FOR CANDY DONATIONS We are in need of pre-packaged, nut-free candy for our upcoming Harvest Carnival! If you are able to donate some tasty treats for the kiddos who will be attending this event, please drop them off at Zion Evangelical Missionary Church in Didsbury, Bethel Church Carstairs or at Rivers Edge by Thursday, October 29th! To make a camp drop-off, please contact Janelle at [email protected] :) Thanks in advance!

Only 2 more weeks of FAMILY CAMPING CUBED 2020! Time is flying by and the last day of Family Camping Cubed is fast approaching! If you'd like to come out and stay with us before FCC ends on September 27th, be sure to make your booking ASAP. Find all the details here: www.riversedgecamp.org/family-camping-cubed

Remember this?! We set out to raise $20,000 to cover the cost of feeding our staff and volunteers this summer, and we have exceeded our goal! God continues to bless Rivers Edge through the generosity of our supporters. Thank you!

A "taste" of the fun this weekend at Family Camping Cubed. www.riversedgecamp.org/family-camping-cubed #riversedgecamp #albertacamps #albertacampingassociation #familycampingalberta

ESCAPE ROOM Who: Ages 12 & Up unless accompanied by an adult (We recommend 6-12 participants (Minimum of 4)) When: Open daily from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM (last available time slot 7:00 PM) Introductory Price: $25/person... Level of difficulty: Moderate The Story: You have discovered a gold mine that holds possible answers to the many questions surrounding the disappearance of notorious con-man, and gold miner, Roger Smith. Your job is to brave the dimly lit caverns in search of clues that solve the mystery surrounding Smith and his gold. But be careful, Smith’s whereabouts are unknown. Is he still in the mine? Or did he escape with the treasure? The answers to these questions lie in the belly of this mysterious mine. Structural integrity is questionable, so make haste. Book your Escape Room adventure today! Email [email protected] or call 403-637-2766

HARVEST CARNIVAL 2020! See the poster for details and join us for this fun family event!

Folks have been asking whether Family Camping Cubed will have all of the same options this fall that it did in the summer. The answer is that we will still be offering lots of food and activity options, with the minor change of the Cafe being closed! Check out our September Food Menu and Activity Schedule here: https://riversedgecamp.org/family-camping-cubed and make a plan to join us before September is over!

Get in on Family Camping Cubed! Rent one of our cabins or bring an RV, trailer or tent to stay at Rivers Edge any time from now until the snow flies! Invite friends or family to book their own accommodations and come enjoy the beauty of fall here at camp. We'd love to see you! For more details check out: www.riversedgecamp.org/family-camping-cubed Or contact us! [email protected] | 403-637-2766

Much of the focus at Rivers Edge this summer has been on the discipleship of our staff and LITs. Read this short testimony about the growth one of them experienced! "At the beginning of the summer, I was an immature leader, and in a sense, a camper still. But as time went on, God actively pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me time to reflect on life with Him. I believe this summer has matured me into a leader and the person God wants me to be - the person I want to be - and I am so thankful for that."

Just a couple months ago, we had no idea what would become of summer 2020! There seemed to be more questions than answers, but we have seen God work mightily as we have looked to Him each step of the way. We have so many stories of His faithfulness to share with you in the coming days, many of which will come from the perspective of these awesome folks who have been serving here this summer!

Check out this testimonial from a summer staffer at Rivers Edge: "During Day Camps God is always working in the lives of the staff and the campers. I was leading a cohort one day and the kids didn’t seem to be interested during devos, but once we started talking about how Jesus died for them, all of their focus bounced back - it was so cool to see God tugging on each and every one of their hearts. Later, one of the kids approached me with many questions as to why Jesus would want to die for her. She was confused about why someone who had never met her would want to do that for her. At the end of our talk, I asked her if she wanted to pray, thinking that she was going to say no. But she really did want to pray, and she accepted Jesus into her heart for the first time."

FUNDRAISING UPDATE Because of generous donations from folks like you, we are thankful to report that we are almost half-way to meeting the cost of feeding our summer staff. So far we have raised $9,325 of the $20,000 total!... If you are able to give to this worthy cause, please send an e-transfer to [email protected] * Or mail a cheque to: Rivers Edge Camp | Box 39 | Cremona, AB | T0M 0R0 *Gifts over $25 are tax-deductible, so don’t forget to include your name and address in the notes of your e-transfer.

LAST CHANCE for DAY CAMP REGISTRATIONS We have only one week (4 more days) of Day Camps left for Summer 2020! If you'd like to register for next week, you still can! Head on over to www.riversedgecamp.org/day-camps and get signed up to join in the fun!

FAMILY CAMPING CUBED EXTENDED! Family Camping Cubed is still on for August 14-16, but it will also be extended to the fall! If you would love to come camp with us by renting a cabin or staying in the RV Park, you will have the option to do so from August 21 until the snow flies. For more info check out: https://riversedgecamp.org/family-camping-cubed

A mom of some of our Day Camp attendees recently left us a comment saying, "My boys went this past week and LOVED it! Coming back for more next week. Was so nice for them to be with other kids and feel NORMAL for the first time in a long time. Thanks so much for all you do!" We count ourselves blessed to be able to serve you during these strange times and we are so thankful to you for entrusting us with your kiddos! If you'd like to sign your children up for Day Camps, there is still time! Head to www.riversedgecamp.org/day-camps to register!

We are happy to say that many of our Day Camps have exceeded our goal of a 16-camper minimum. Dates that haven't quite reached 16 registrants include August 12 and the 17th - 20th. If you are signed up during that time, please consider inviting a friend or two to attend with your child(ren)! If you haven't signed up yet, head to www.riversedgecamp.org/day-camps to register today! We can't wait to see you at Rivers Edge this summer!!

LOAN A HORSE TO RIVERS EDGE Rivers Edge is in need of 3 horses to be part of our equine program for the months of August and September. Horses need to be comfortable around small children and new horse companions. They should also have a calm, compliant nature suitable for activities like pony rides and trail rides. If you have a horse that you would be willing to loan us, please contact [email protected]

Would you like to be a part of helping to feed our 2020 summer staffers? We recognize that this is a time of financial difficulty for many people, but if you are in the position to do so, we would ask you to consider making a generous financial contribution to the ministry of Rivers Edge. We are in need of $20,000 of gifts from faithful supporters like you to cover the cost of feeding our seasonal staff and to help with other operational costs. If you are able to give, please... send an e-transfer to [email protected] Or mail a cheque to: Rivers Edge Camp | Box 39 | Cremona, AB | T0M 0R0 Gifts over $25 are tax deductible, so don’t forget to include your name and address in the notes of your e-transfer.

Have you signed up for DAY CAMPS yet?! Here is the scoop! 2020 DAY CAMPS When: August 3 21 (Mondays Thursdays from 9:00AM - 5:30PM) Where: Rivers Edge Camp Who: Ages 6 18... Cost: $65/day What to Expect: Days full of fun with varied age-appropriate activities like archery, crafts, MEGAslides, pony rides, BMX and more! We will provide lunch and a morning snack, too. Bring a friend and come for one day or many! What Parents Can Do: 1. Parents are welcome to spend time in the Bridge Café relaxing, drinking a cup of coffee, and soaking up the view. 2. Parents can camp in the RV Park while their kids are signed up for Day Camps. 3. Parents can drop their child(ren) off for the day and pick them up again at 5:00. Register for Day Camps here: https://riversedgecamp.org/day-camps

Rivers Edge is selling "Wild Rag" bandanas for $20 this summer! These are a great option for a face covering in COVID times as they can easily be pulled up over your nose and mouth when in contact with others. Here they are being modeled by Juan and Kimberly. You can purchase these by e-transfer or at our office when you pick them up on-site! Have any questions? Comment below!

Who else gets that feeling of returning "home" when you turn down the hill to camp? We love seeing folks like you roll in for Family Camping Cubed this summer! Did you know you can come and stay in our RV Park or the cabins and enjoy daily activities, tuck time and all of the beautiful views you've come to love over the years?! Check out our website to see what we are offering for summer camping at Rivers Edge! https://riversedgecamp.org/camps-events

In a recent post we shared about a number of staffers who are moving on from Rivers Edge. If you’re wondering who our new team leaders are, here is a list for you: Interim Executive Director & Director of Finance Terry McKenna Program Manager Janelle Conway Facilities Manager Kelly Luyendyk... Equine Manager Gerry Neufeld Equine Lead Instructor Kyla Bosomworth Chaplain Grant Weber LIT Leader - TJ Mackenzie Prayer Coordinator - Sandi Weber Food Services Manager Derek Berry Lead Cook Neila Lehman Guest Group Manager- Tammy Berry Administrative Assistant - Isabelle McKenna Administrative Support - Sien Luyendyk We will be sharing more about our team in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes on this page!

DAY CAMPS 2020 When: August 3 21 (Mondays Thursdays from 9:00AM - 5:00PM) Where: Rivers Edge Camp Who: Ages 6 18 What to Expect: Days full of fun for your kiddos with bagged lunches, lots of fun activities, tuck and much of the other goodness you’ve come to expect from our summer camps. Campers are free to attend as many days as desired. ... What Parents Can Do: 1. Parents are welcome to spend time in the Bridge Café relaxing, drinking a cup of coffee, and soaking up the view. 2. Parents can camp in the RV Park while their kids are signed up for Day Camps. 3. Parents can drop their child(ren) off for the day and pick them up again at 5:00. Register for Day Camps here: https://riversedgecamp.org/day-camps *We’ll do our best to form cohorts with kids of similar ages who will spend the day together, but we recommend signing up with a friend if possible!

CALLING ALL SEWISTS! We are in need of washable masks for our summer staff! If you are able to make and donate masks, please contact [email protected] to arrange a drop-off time! Free pattern here: https://www.cdc.gov///how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html

Some of our Rivers Edge staff members are moving on to different places and positions. Here is a list of the permanent staffers who we are saying farewell to: Juan and Kimberly Manigault: Juan has served faithfully as Executive Director at Rivers Edge for 4 years with his wife Kimberly at his side. During Juan’s time at the helm, God has blessed Rivers Edge with growth in revenue and guest numbers. The Manigaults recently visited their family in North Carolina and felt God ...confirming that it was time to return home to be near their children, grandchildren and Juan’s mother. Juan has accepted a position working as the administrator for his son and daughter-in-law’s dental practice. He and Kimberly will be moving at the end of July 2020, and Terry McKenna will step in as interim Executive Director. We are also saying farewell to Joy Jenson and Erik Jenson (Equine Coordinator & Camp Chaplain), Jordan Parker (Site and Grounds Director), Jesse and Julie Nickel (Program Director), Charity Eringa (Lead Cook) and Juli Conway (Office Administrator). In the coming months we will introduce you to our new/transitioning staff members and keep you apprised of changes as they occur. Please pray for our staff and the Board of Directors as we adjust to these changes and continue to seek the Lord’s guidance for the future of Rivers Edge. God is good and we trust Him to work out all things for our good and His glory!

WE ARE OPEN! And we have camping options for this summer starting with: FAMILY CAMPING CUBED When: July 6 - Aug 2 + Weekends in August Where: Cabins or the RV Park... Who: Families What To Expect: Choose the length of your stay at Rivers Edge: from 1 night 2 weeks! Enjoy your days relaxing or join in on activities like the Escape Room, Bubble Soccer, Archery, Sling Shots, Frolf, Hiking, Orienteering, and games like Kubb and Volleyball. Purchase our take-out style meals or use our outdoor barbecue area to prepare your food. This is Family Camping your way, all on our beautiful property! https://riversedgecamp.org/family-camping-cubed Booking: To make a booking call 403-627-2766 or email [email protected] See more

We want to thank everyone who has signed up to join us in the Rivers Edge Day of Prayer on Wednesday, May 13th! Here is a video from the Webers, a beloved missionay family who has been connected with Rivers Edge over the years, sharing about family prayer time and its benefits. We have uploaded some Prayer Day resources to our website for you. Check them out at the bottom of this page: https://riversedgecamp.org/pray There are still time slots available if you'd like to participate! Click here to join: https://riversedgecamp.appointlet.com

Jesse and Julie Nickel share about their favorite places to pray in preparation for our Day of Prayer on Wednesday, May 13th! If you'd like to join us, click here to sign up for your own prayer time slot: https://riversedgecamp.appointlet.com

You are invited to join Rivers Edge in a Day of Prayer! When: Wednesday, May 13th from 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Click here to select a time slot: https://riversedgecamp.appointlet.com Please note: If the time slot you want is already selected, please commit to praying then anyways! Who: All Ages... Where: Wherever you are! What to Expect: The opportunity to meet with the Lord in prayer as you lift up Rivers Edge and our greater community of friends and supporters! Feel free to email any comments or questions to Naomi Parker at [email protected]

We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. For all [these] things are for your sake, so that as [God’s remarkable, undeserved] grace reaches to more and more people it may... increase thanksgiving, to the glory of [our great] God. Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 15-18 AMP See more

THE RIVERS EDGE AGM HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 18th, 2020 at 10 AM. The meeting will take place via Zoom, an online video conferencing service. If you wish to attend you must email [email protected] before April 14th to RSVP! To participate in and/or observe the meeting you will need to sign up for a free Zoom account here: https://zoom.us/signup We will email you a link to the meeting when the time comes. Please note that our office is closed until the end of April, but we will still be checking and responding to emails as we are able.

PLEASE NOTE: Our AGM has been RESCHEDULED for April 4th due to the weather! Stay warm and safe, everyone!

Our team has had the opportunity to visit McDougal Chapel, Carstairs Bethel Church, and Didsbury Zion Church in the past few weeks to run camp-themed kid’s programs and promote our summer camps. Our time with the kids is spent singing silly "campfire songs", playing games and making crafts. We also sing worship songs and talk through a Bible lesson with the kiddos. We’ve been talking about our summer theme "FOCUS" with the kids, by sharing the story of Job. Job had his focus... on God in the good and the bad and was faithful to God. He was blameless and upright, he feared God and turned away from evil. And when Job lost everything, was plagued with boils, and encouraged by friends and family to turn away from God, he stayed faithful, worshiped God, and prayed for God’s forgiveness for his friends. We want to be like Job and have God at the center of our lives so that no matter our circumstances we remain unshaken in our faith. The kids have been so eager to discuss the lessons and ask questions. It is so awesome to see the next generation excited to learn about God, and to witness their passion to encourage one another in the faith! We are so excited for the upcoming opportunities to continue connecting with families at our upcoming church tours!

GRANDCAMP 2020 When: May 29-31 Who: Grandparents and Grandchildren Ages 7-13 What to Expect: Purposeful activities that grandparents and grandchildren experience together, to discovering from God’s Word what it means to fulfil the God-given role of a grandparent, to making wonderful memories, all in a super fun camp environment. Come out for a weekend of great food, connection and lots of family-friendly activities!... For more info and to register: https://riversedgecamp.org/grandcamp Music provided by bensound.com

In February, our featured staffer is Janelle Conway! Check out her bio below! Hello! My name is Janelle Conway and I am the Program Coordinator and Plan to Protect Coordinator at Rivers Edge. As the onsite educator and administrator for Plan to Protect, a program used as the standard of abuse prevention and vulnerable sector protection for camps, schools, clubs, churches and other organizations, I spend a good portion of my time reviewing policies and training staff and vol...unteers. During the fall, winter and spring, I serve our guest groups by coordinating activities and staffing for them. I also plan for our summer camps (with a special focus on Squirt and Peewee Camp) and visit churches to promote them. In the summer season, my office time is limited as I help to run our camps and assist the Program Director with overseeing our summer programming team. I had never attended summer camps before coming to Rivers Edge as a horsemanship camper, but the camp life and camp community quickly captured my heart. So, I returned to complete the camp’s Leaders In Training program and ended up working as a relief-staffer and cabin leader. Finally, in the fall of 2016, I took on a full-time position here. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my family, especially my nieces and nephews! I love to travel to warm places and to read and write. You can also find me enjoying almost any activity that can be done with a cup of coffee in hand! Our theme this year is Focus from Hebrews 12:2, which says: fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. With this theme in mind, please pray that in all my planning for camps, activities, events and policies, Jesus would be my focus. Pray that He would be glorified through my actions and words, and that He would be seen in me as I interact with others.

Save the Date for our Annual General Meeting! When: Saturday, March 14, 2020 (Breakfast at 9:30 AM, Meeting from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Lunch around 12:30 PM) Where: Frontier Hall at Rivers Edge Camp & Retreat Centre Who: All are welcome to attend, but only official representatives from Constituent Churches are allowed to vote.... RSVP: to Juli Conway by March 9, 2020 at 403-637-2766 x0 or [email protected]

A big thank you to Jonathan Wiens who came out and took some fresh photos of our facilities as part of our effort to update the imagery on our website! Here's a sneak peek at a few of his photos before they all get added to our site in the coming weeks. And once the whole site has had a makeover we will give you a heads up so you can check it out for yourself!

REMINDER: Registration for LEGO FAMILY DAY CAMP 2020 is Feb. 10th!! See all the details and a link to registration below! When: Feb. 17 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Who: All Ages What to Expect: A super fun day of play with family and friends all centered around LEGO, a delicious lunch, and chapel time centered around building a strong family. The Cafe will also be open in the morning for attendees to purchase specialty drinks.... PLEASE NOTE: This year LEGO Day is $50/family and you must register and pay by Feb. 10 to attend!! You can sign up here: https://riversedgecamp.org/lego-camp See more

HEADS UP! HORSEMANSHIP CAMPS 2020 are ALMOST FULL! If you're hoping to attend any of our Horsemanship Camps this summer we recommend registering right away as the camps each have only a few spots left. Click here to get started: https://riversedgecamp.org/summer-camps

In our e-newsletters this year we are going to be sharing staff profiles each month so that you have the opportunity to get to know us better and have a sense of how to support us. In January, we featured Program Director, Jesse Nickel. Here's his bio: Hey! Jesse Nickel here, Program Director at Rivers Edge Camp. A large part of my job is making sure that when you step on property you have fun in a safe environment! I enjoy being innovative and adding new activities & progra...ms to make Rivers Edge Camp the place to be. I started at Rivers Edge in 2006 as the full-time dishwasher for the summer and have returned every year since in some capacity. Camp had a significant impact on my life as a kid and I knew from a young age that camp was where I wanted to spend my time. I believe camp is a place where lives are transformed, commitments to Christ are made, and God’s kingdom is built. My wife Julie and I were blessed with a beautiful daughter in 2019 and I love spending time her and seeing her smile. When not working at camp, our family likes to take trips to warm climates and play in the water! Some meaningful ways you can support me as I work at Rivers Edge are to pray for discernment as we begin to hire the team for the summer, fresh vision for the things I’ve been entrusted with, and that I would be a wise and discerning leader.

GYM PLAY DAY 2020 When: Starting January 27th! 9:00 AM -12:30 PM Who: Families with young kids What to Expect: Mornings full of fun activities, a chance to get out of the house and let your kids run off their pent-up energy, the opportunity to connect with other local parents and care-takers. Email [email protected] with any questions and we look forward to seeing you soon!

LEGO FAMILY DAY CAMP 2020 When: Feb. 17 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Who: All Ages What to Expect: A super fun day of play with family and friends all centered around LEGO, a delicious lunch, and chapel time centered around building a strong family. The Cafe will also be open for attendees to purchase specialty drinks and snacks. PLEASE NOTE: This year LEGO Day is $50/family and you must register and pay by Feb. 10 to attend!! You can sign up here: https://riversedgecamp.org/lego-camp

You may already know that SUMMER CAMP 2020 Registration is OPEN, but here's an update for you! We already have almost double the registrations we'd received last year at this point and most of our Horsemanship Camps are half-full!! These camps have limited spots, so if you're interested in joining us this summer, head on over to our website and get signed up before it's too late! https://riversedgecamp.org/summer-camps

From all of us to you and yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to connecting with you again when the camp reopens on January 6th!

TODAY IS THE DAY! Registration for Summer Camp 2020 is OPEN! Head to www.riversedgecamp.org to register! Juli is in the office ready and waiting to answer all of your questions. Call her at 403-637-2766 if you need help!

Our banquet and program for COWBOY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS this Saturday is full, but you can still come out from 2:00-5:00 PM to join in the activities! There will be tobogganing, sleigh rides, pony rides, and much more for kids of all ages! Plus, the Bridge Cafe will be open selling hot drinks, snacks and baked goods! We hope to see you here! If you are signed up for the evening dinner, don't forget to bring your wallet and bid on the delicious desserts we will be putting up for live auction! Any questions? Send an email to [email protected] :)

Our LIVE MUSIC NIGHT is tomorrow (Fri. Nov. 22) at 7:00 and we can't wait! If you plan to attend, please mark "Going" on the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/494038234514492/ The concert will be held in the Frontier Hall and admission is $5 cash at the door. There will also be delicious desserts, snacks and specialty drinks available for purchase. Hope to see you there!!

TEEN CAMP RECONNECT When: Nov. 23, 2019 2:00-6:00 PM Where: G.H. Dawe Red Deer, AB Who: Teen Campers & Rivers Edge Staff What To Expect: Lots of fun catching up with your friends from this summer while getting your swim on! Pizza party to follow! $12 for everything! ... RSVP by tomorrow (Thurs. 21) if you plan to attend! See more

Cowboy Country Christmas 2019 is on November 30th and it is ALMOST FULL! We have about 100 spots left for our our banquet seating and we anticipate those will all be spoken for by the end of the week. So, be sure to call Juli at 403-637-2766 to reserve your spots ASAP! Or email [email protected] with your name, number in your party, age(s) of any children attending with you and any dietary restrictions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our first ever LIVE MUSIC NIGHT is coming up on November 22nd! We can't wait for an evening of great tunes, good food and meeting new friends! To learn more and to RSVP, check out our Live Music Night Event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/494038234514492/