LIVE Construction Feed HERE!
The funds are in to BUILD IT!
Now let’s come together to FILL IT!
FIRST GOAL: Build the Gym! (Done)
$2,532,000
100%
On June 5, Camp Lebanon received two gifts of $10,000 each lifting the Gym Campaign past the original $2,500,000 goal. Over 1200 families and organizations contributed funds and made pledges to BUILD the gym (basketball backboards included!) Praise the Lord!
NEW GOAL: FILL the Gym! ($500,000)
$417,000
84%
Attention now turns to FILLING the gym with all the fun elements (see below) that will make this facility an incredible new tool to help shine a brighter light for the Gospel. The goal is to raise $500,000 by the start of summer!
- Six-station climbing wall.
- Scoreboards & sports equipment.
- Stage lighting & complete sound system.
- Tables & chairs.
- Folding chairs for 400+ people, 8’ tables, and chair racks.
- Food service equipment.
- Expresso machine, pop cooler, and ice cream freezer.
- Picnic tables, firepit, and sand volleyball for the North 40 Hub.
- Paved and lighted walkway across the Land Bridge.
- New roadway to Eagle’s Nest and Shop.
The funds are in to BUILD IT!
Now let’s come together to FILL IT!
A Long Time Coming!
“It’s time!” So declared a small, committed group of churches back in 1947 as they joined hands and hearts to establish a summer Bible camp to reach boys and girls for Christ. For $6000 the initial investors purchased a 46-acre wooded peninsula on fish-filled, spring-fed Cedar Lake in central Minnesota. With big army tents for sleeping and meeting, 146 kids were served that first summer. Some large summer storms soon had leaders pushing for permanent indoor facilities. First came the lakeside dining hall and then fourteen cabins. Fast forward seventy-five years, six land acquisitions, and scores of building projects later. Camp continues to dream about indoor facilities that will elevate year-round ministry impact to youth, families, and adults!
A multi-purpose gymnasium has been on everyone’s wish list for decades! This is especially true of program leaders and youth pastors seeking a facility answer to Minnesota’s cold winters, muddy springs, extreme summers, and unpredictable autumns. But the gym is more than just a plan to fight back against the weather…it’s a strategic move to battle against the brokenness in this world. This gym will elevate Camp’s ability to break down walls surrounding hearts of kids and adults so they can know and experience the good news of Jesus Christ. This gym will create local outreach and strategic partnership opportunities like never before. And this gym will pave the way for Camp to add more housing and a second site in Phase 2 for expanded ministry opportunities (see Strategic Site Plan).
It's Gym Time!
As God leads and provides, Camp anticipates an exciting new era for outreach in a world growing increasingly desperate for life, hope, and purpose. In approving a campaign to fund the gym and develop the North 40 Hub, present-day member churches and leadership loudly declare, “It’s gym time!”
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"We've been completely blessed to have our annual Student Winter Retreat at Camp Lebanon for the past 14 + years. Each year students deepen their faith, connect with leaders and one another. Building relationships is the key and we're excited to have this new gym space to do just that!"
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"Our group is in good hands when we go to Camp Lebanon, allowing us to focus on our mission. We always have the ‘funnest fun’ and the new gym will take fun to a whole new level!"
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"Coming to Camp Lebanon for our annual men's retreat is a highlight of the year. Camp accommodates the wildness of 140 men with excellence. A gym would provide an even greater level of opportunity for connection within our crew!"
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“Camp is the first thing that goes on our calendar! We’ve been adopted into the Camp Lebanon family for life. But it goes deeper, as we also see other families getting invited into a new life following the Lord. The gym will facilitate experiences like these all year round!”
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“Camp Lebanon has been a staple for our church for decades. We’ve been refreshed, revived and renewed! We look forward to Camp Lebanon's ‘Next Level’ of ministry!”
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“Camp’s programs, quiet spaces, and energy-filled activities provide our eighth grade students a chance to meet God in special ways. The flexibility of the multi-purpose gym would be fantastic!“
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"Camp Lebanon has been a meeting place with God for 10+ years for my church organization and me! No better place. An indoor gym would be awesome for the times when weather doesn’t permit outdoor group and team building activities."
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“Over the past 35 years I have brought groups of men, youth, children, couples and families to Camp Lebanon. God has transformed lives every time! A gym would skyrocket Camp's effective outreach for the next 75 years! Join me in supporting this project generously and seeing it through to completion!”
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GYM DESIGN & LOCATION
Elevate The Impact
Whether the first time or the umpteenth, kids coming to summer camp, families attending family camp, youth groups doing their own retreat, or local friends coming out to go snow tubing are in for a BIGGER blessing! With the new gym, the “Funnest Fun!” will be “funner!” The long list of recreation options will be longer. And the experience of this sweet “Meeting Place with God” will be all the sweeter!
Key Features
- Indoor Recreation Space (four-season fun!)
- Regulation High School Basketball Court
- 24’ High Indoor Climbing Wall
- Upgraded Worship Center (seats 400+)
- Turtle Bay Coffee & Ice Cream
- Food Service Capability
- Winter Fun (Warming House)
- Activities (laser tag, BB guns, archery)
- Internship Program
- Beautiful Setting & Finishes
ELEVATED OUTCOMES
- New Activities for All Ages
- Enhanced Worship Experiences
- Deeper Relationships
- Local Outreach & Hospitality
- New Strategic Partnerships
- Bridge to a Future Second Site
IDEAL LOCATION
The new gym will make it’s home just northeast from the main parking lot, nestled in among the trees and largely hidden from view. Located near the Screamin’ Eagle Zipline and on the doorstep of Hazzard Hill (snow tubing), the gym is just a short walk from Camp’s main site and housing. Outside of the building will be sand volleyball, octoball, BB guns, archery, laser tag, future climbing wall, picnic tables, fire pits, and more, effectively creating a new activity hub for Camp. Phase 2 will see a new Lodge and ministry site developed where Pine Cottage currently stands and the gym will then serve as a shared activity hub between the two sites.
COST TO BUILD
With the opportunity to greatly elevate impact comes the largest financial challenge Camp has ever faced. The projected total cost is $2.5 million. With the help of volunteers and at-cost suppliers, we hope to reduce the total financial cost of the building and stretch ministry dollars. But we need people who believe in what God is doing at Camp Lebanon to step up and help us like never before.
-
Construction $2,100,000
-
Fill The Gym! $500,000
-
Infrastructure $100,000
-
Site Improvements $50,000
-
Campaign $150,000
-
Short-Term Financing $100,000
Total Cost = $3,000,000
Build the Gym (Fully Funded!)
100%
Fill the Gym (In progress!)
70%
“Over the past 35 years I have brought groups of men, youth, children, couples and families to Camp Lebanon. God has transformed lives every time! A gym would skyrocket Camp’s effective outreach for the next 75 years! Join me in supporting this project generously and seeing it through to completion!”
HELP BUILD THE GYM!
Join Team Camp.
There is no greater joy than joining in on the life-changing work of God through a ministry He is mightily using to advance His Kingdom. So thank you for considering your partnership in what the Almighty is doing at, through, and for Camp Lebanon. As Camp prepares to elevate ministries to youth, families and adults with the addition of a multi-purpose gym, the resources below will help prepare your heart and mind in determining your part in this big effort.
HOW TO DONATE
1. DONATE ONLINE
Make a one-time donation, set up a recurring donation, or complete your initial pledge installment payment.
2. MAKE A PLEDGE
Consider making a pledge to donate a certain amount over the next 2-4 years. You can choose the frequency of installments.
3. BY MAIL
If you’d prefer to mail a donation to Camp, please print this form and mail everything to the following address:
Camp Lebanon
ATTN: Gym Campaign
1205 Acorn Road
Burtrum, MN 56318
4. CREATIVE GIVING
Many donors find it possible to increase their giving potential by considering asset-based gifts. Stocks/bonds, retirement distribution, real estate, etc…
5. FAMILY LEGACY
A Family Legacy Gift is a significant financial gift made up of many smaller donations made by more than one generation of a family who is connected to Camp Lebanon.
6. PEER-TO-PEER
Want to set up your own crowdsourcing event to raise money for Camp? Run a marathon to raise money, sell lemonade, do a bowl-a-thon, etc… Email Monte to discuss!
FAQs
When will Camp break ground on the gym?
The plan is to break ground on Saturday, August 27, 2022 during Camp’s 75th Anniversary Celebration!
When will the gym be completed and ready for use?
The goal is for the gym to be ready for use by Fall of 2023!
Can I hold my own fundraiser for the Gym Campaign?
Absolutely! If you’d like to do your own peer-2-peer event such as a 5k, garage sale, bowl-a-thon, etc. just email Monte at mabeler@camplebanon.org.
Is it true this gym is going to be called the Bobber Bill Arena?
No. It’s actually going to be called the Faith Petersen Field House.
Questions?
Do you have additional questions or thoughts about the gym campaign? Please email gym@camplebanon.org.
