October 2009 Newsletter

Page –1– October 2009

capital campaign:“move the mountain — expand the impact”

_____________________________________“Move the Mountain” - Continued on Page 3

“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain,‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you!

Matthew 17:20

In years past, campers (mostly youth and brave counselors) knew Highlands for its really rustic cabins and dining hall. Today, Highlands offers so much more, including upgraded cabins suitable for guests of all ages and a Retreat

Center with dining, meeting and sleeping facilities that are conference-quality and technology-equipped.The Highlands’ “trail” to greater impact through enhanced amenities and expanded programs began in the late

1990’s and continues today. With many hurdles behind us and a few still ahead, Highlands has embarked on the “Move The Mountain - Expand The Impact” capital campaign, to raise the remaining $2.8 million needed to complete the first phase of building the Retreat Center.

How these dollars will be used• $2.4 million to pay off the final costs

of building the Retreat Center we have today. (Faithful friends have already paid $3.5 million of the original costs.)

• $400,000 to transform the unfinished and unusable space below the Retreat Center Dining Hall into additional meeting rooms.

Do you have fond memories of summer camps, campfires, and youth gatherings at Highlands?These are all still vital parts of our ministry, but Highlands’ outreach is now so much more!

Ten things you may not know about Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center. . . 1. Open All Year Round. 2. Easy to Get to. 3. Something for All Ages. 4. Accommodations from Rustic to Ritzy. 5. Outstanding Meals and a Banquet Menu too. 6. Gracious Hospitality and Experienced Staff. 7. Discounted Rates. 8. Retreats, Reunions, Meetings and More. 9. Horseback Riding. 10. It's Your Camp & Retreat Center!

Now’s the time to book your next visit to Highlands!

10 things you might not know

What a difference Moving The Mountain – Expanding the Impact will make!• The $11,000 per month we now pay for debt service can be used to

enhance existing programs, add new programs, and reach out to more potential guests.

• More constituencies will be able to use Highlands. Already we have been able to attract more guests, including Elderhostel (now Exploritas), more Presbyteries, and school systems. However, we still lose an average of 25 guest opportunities every year, mostly because many groups need more and better meeting rooms than we now can offer.


Dear Friends,

At this time of year folks often ask me if things are “slowing down.” The truth is that at this time of

the year, we are actually gearing up!Weekends are busy with guest programs and mid-

weeks are busier than ever with Exploritas programs (formerly known as Elderhostel , Inc.) Way-Points gatherings, guest groups, and our Thursday Allenspark Lunch Bunch in conjunction with Boulder County Aging Services. This new contract with Boulder County brings our neighbors to the Retreat Center every week from now until next summer, for a weekly lunch and fellowship time.

Kevin and I are on the road visiting individual congregations, speaking about Highlands and leading worship. Kevin is working on the 2010 Summer Camp brochure which will be in the mail before we know it! Now is a great time to schedule a spring visit to your congregation! We’d love to come and teach, preach or lead a group at your church as we share the ministry of Highlands.

In this stewardship season, our Development Committee and Capital Campaign Committee are sharing information about Highlands’ ministry and visiting donors. We hope that you’ll make Highlands a part of your

regular giving to support both our ongoing operation and the “Move the Mountain – Expand the Impact” campaign.

Staff members and the Highlands Committee are busy planning the 2010 budget. As we work, we are grateful for the generosity of our partners in ministry in both Denver Presbytery and the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks. We are grateful for financial support from both presbyteries and their congregations! We are delighted to host all kinds of groups (youth, choirs, women, men ) from our partner congregations! We are delighted to see our program participation grow and our guest group reservations increase! In difficult economic times, we are grateful that donations and reservations have remained strong.

And as we work, we look forward to 2010 when we will celebrate 65 years of ministry at Highlands! We also dream a bit about how throughout 2010 we will celebrate the remarkable ministry that God has had at Highlands for 65 years!

We hope that you’ll join us on Saturday, December 5th, for the annual Christmas Party! This year, we’ll also have our 2nd Auction to help eliminate our debt! It’s a wonderful Christmas gathering and we would love to see you there!

Grace and Peace,Maria Shupe, Executive Director

As the autumn weather sets in here at Highlands, we take a

little time to reflect upon our summer camping program. We are just coming off of an incredible summer and in 2009 saw a 6.5% increase in campers. More importantly, 596 children, youth and adults left Highlands having a fun experience while growing in their individual and collective faith-walks. God is certainly good!

This past summer, we also continued a pilot project of taking

Highlands off the mountain and into congregations. During the week of June 22 – 26, five staff members traveled to Iglesia Presbyteriana de Valverde, a bilingual congregation in Denver, to share our skills for a bilingual day-camp. The next week, June 28 – July 2, four staff members traveled to Dalton, NE to share a day-camp ministry to children and youth in the panhandle of Nebraska in part-nership with the Parish of the Plains through the Dalton Presbyterian Church. Through these two part-ners, over 120 more children and youth heard good news about God’s Kingdom and how we can participate in this incarnational movement.

We have really enjoyed our part-nership with these two congregations and how God has blessed these minis-tries. Currently, we are stepping out in faith and exploring options to expand this day-camp program to other congregations throughout the entire

summer camping season in 2010. We hope to partner with congregations of less than 250 members to help build day-camp programs that will hopeful-ly become self-sustaining after a two year partnership with Highlands, so that we can expand to new congrega-tions while reaching out to even more children and youth in our geographi-cal area.

We are seeking applications for potential partners in this exciting new ministry. To date, we have heard from enough churches to fill our day-camp summer calendar for 2010, while expecting more applications to come in from other churches before the October 31st deadline. As Highlands embarks upon this new and exciting endeavor, we covet your prayers and support for this cutting edge program. We pray that God blesses this pro-gram with many kids and youth while spreading God’s message of love, grace, peace, and justice!

highlands goes off the mountain!


the mount meeker society

Members of the Mount Meeker Society are those individuals, congregations and organizations that donate $1000.00 or more annually (in many cases much more!) to Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center. Each year we recognize members

of the Mount Meeker Society in the first newsletter of the year and at a special dinner in the spring. We hope that you will be a member of the Mt. Meeker Society this year!

The Mount Meeker Society Dinner will be held on Sunday, March 7, 2010.

Faithful folks who serve on the “Move the Mountain – Expand the Impact” Campaign Committee:Rev. Brad Rohwer and Chuck Sparks, Campaign Co-ChairsCleon KimberlingBob MatchettRev. Tom SheffieldMaria Shupe, Executive Director

How is the campaign progressing?• The campaign has already received $691,547.95 in gifts and pledges. We are so thankful for each and every one.

Each gift we receive reduces our debt and our monthly interest payments. We are currently at 24.7% of our $2,800.000 goal.

• In 2010 we will be celebrating Highlands’ 65th Anniversary. We’ll also be celebrating our first milestone of the campaign when our gifts and pledges reach $1,000,000. You can help us reach this milestone and our ultimate goal of $2,800,000.

Tax Advantages for Donors . . . The Colorado 50% Childcare Contribution Tax Credit is available to Colorado tax filers who donate to institutions,

like Highlands, that provide services to children before their teen years. The percentage of use is calculated each year based on actual usage, and documentation is provided to all donors. In 2008, approximately 24% of Highlands use was by guests in the qualifying age group. Therefore, for most filers, for every $1.00 they give, 24 cents qualifies for the 50% credit, which means that your Colorado tax bill could be reduced by 12 cents on the dollar. With additional federal and state deductions, depending on your federal tax bracket, your post tax dollar contribution to Highlands could only cost you, approximately 56 cents.

Would you like to know more?Please call or email Maria Shupe, [email protected]. We’ll be glad to visit with you, or provide you with a

complete campaign package.

“Move the Mountain” - Continued from Page 1

Did you know that many folks pledge annually and give regularly to the support of Highlands?Some folks have checks sent monthly from their bank to support Highlands; others write checks and

send them each month or quarterly. Some friends have made a monthly pledge that is applied to their credit card, while others prefer to give annual gifts of stock. Gifts may designated: to be used where needed most in the ongoing operation of Highlands, for scholarship support, towards the “Move the Mountain – Expand the Impact” campaign, or to meet another special need. Your regular gifts in support of this ministry are important to the continuation of this ministry. Thank you for your generous support!


Thanks to everyone who donated mugs to Highlands! We think fondly of the

many folks who love Highlands whenever we pick up a unique mug for coffee and hot chocolate!

We are grateful to the congregation of the Green Mountain Presbyterian Church, Pastor Gretchen Bretz and Keith Falls for a beautiful pulpit which was built by Keith and donated to Highlands for our use! We are delighted to have this wish filled!!

We still could use . . . . Quilts for our beds in the Retreat Center (California Twin Size), Room darkening shades for the Longs Peak or Meeker Dining Room (Cost:

$950), Used laptops with wireless capability: to be used by summer staff for email

and by guest groups for projection/power point.

wishlist . . .

November 6 – 8, 2009Rev. Dr. Garrett Hoffman Set to Keynote

In just a few weeks, over 100 senior high youth will converge upon Highlands for the annual Senior High Retreat. Coming from all over Colorado and

Nebraska, youth will grow deeper in their relationship with God, the church, and each other through games, interactive small groups, and engaging keynotes from Rev. Dr. Garrett Hoffman as he dives into a theme titled “Digging Deeper.”

Highlands is excited to have Dr. Hoffman join us this year. Garret (as he likes to be called) is the Pastor at the Church of the Eternal Hills in Tabernash, CO, and has a keen ability to relate to youth. Garrett began the first 12 years of his ministry serving two congregations in Georgia. It was while serving these churches that God ignited his passion for helping congregations realize the potential God has in store for them. As such, he founded and runs Evale, a ministry delivering resources to individuals, congregations and organizations seeking help in realizing God's calling.

Garrett has been working with youth from both Denver Presbytery and Plains and Peaks Presbytery to plan for this exciting and engaging retreat. Design team members include: Luke Black (Broomfield PC), Krista Baer (Arvada PC), Lauren Elvig (St. Andrew PC – Boulder ) and Kevin Starcher (Highlands Staff). This team has been busy preparing themes, innovative and fun activities, and creative worship experiences. The bottom line: this team is preparing an awesome weekend

for senior highs to dig deeper into their faith. We hope your church is planning to come to this incredible weekend. Full of fun and faith-filled spiritual growth, the

Senior High Retreat is a weekend looked forward to by the Highlands staff as well as senior high youth from all over. It’s sure to be a blast!

senior high retreat


Thanks to the 28 folks who joined us for the Fall Work Day. This group of hard working folks did many projects including:• Taking curtains down from summer cabins and storing them• Painting railings, roof vents and bed boards• Chopping firewood• Putting plastic on the windows of winter cabins to conserve energy• Laying conduit and electric lines to outside lighting• Trail maintenance• Fire mitigation

fall work day thank you!


Way-Points is a cooperative program of Presbyterian Retreat Centers, with outstanding facilities, providing programs for adult and intergenerational

groups! Visit www.way-points.org to see all of the courses offered across the nation!

Storytelling by the FiresideFebruary 22 – 25, 2010

Bible stories, personal stories, inspirational stories, love stories, scary stories, even fairy tales, all told by Highlands’ cozy fireplaces while winter’s wonders draw you outside between sessions. Join Biblical storytellers Bailey Phelps, Pam Faro, and Cheri Schwartz, sharing their stories and listening to yours, giving you tips and encouragement to grow in your own storytelling ability and style.

In September, we hosted 22 guests at an Elderhostel (now Exploritas) entitled “Aspen Glow & Mountain Folk.” This event received rave reviews from the participants. In the last week of September, we welcomed

14 guests to a Way-Points event that studied the geology, history and pioneers of the Rocky Mountain National Park area with an emphasis on Longs Peak.

Exploritas is new program name for Elderhostel, Inc. but the definition has been in the making since the first Elderhostel programs began in 1975. Exploritas: Explore your mind and discover the world through authentic and thought-provoking adventures in learning.

How do you pronounce Exploritas? Just combine “explore” with “veritas,” the Latin word for truth, and you get Exploritas.

The name Exploritas is new, but the engaging programs, the spirit, the fun and camaraderie remain the same as Elderhostel, Inc. experienced by millions of people over the last 34 years. Highlands is delighted to be a part of the Exploritas program, continuing a tradition of providing innovative educational experiences.

a note from mary fran asmus, adult program facilitator. . . .

At Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center2009/2010

______________________________“Way-Points” - Continued on Page 7

Rocky Mountain HalloweenOctober 29 – November 1, 2009

Dancing in the New Year with Glenn MillerDecember 29, 2009 – January 1, 2010

World Affairs Conference: Reflecting in the RockiesApril 4 – 9, 2010

Emerge Into Spring At Rocky Mountain National ParkMay 2 – 7, 2010

Rocky Mountain High: John Denver andRocky Mountain National Park

June 13 – 17, 2010

An Intergenerational Exploritas forGrandparents & Grandchildren!

Summer Spectacular in the Colorado RockiesAugust 8 – 13, 2010

Summer Action in the Colorado Rockies(Adventure Camp for Grown-ups!)

August 15 – 20, 2010

Be sure to go to www.exploritas.org today for more information and to register!


Mark Your Calendars! for the annual Christmas Party and

2009 Highlands Auction, “Palettes & Pieces”Saturday, December 5th, 2009

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This year’s auction, “Palettes and Pieces,” will feature all types of handcrafted items. We are currently looking for items such as paintings,

woodworking pieces, pottery, and quilts. The money raised will again reduce the mortgage on the Highlands retreat center, helping to ensure a strong financial future for the camp.

If you or someone you know is interested in donating an item for the auction, please contact Chrissy Starcher at [email protected] or 303-747-2339. All items must be received by Saturday, November 7th, 2009.

Be sure to check out the Auction page on our web site!Photos of items are online; email biddingwill be available for this year’s auction!

Rocky Mountain Fourth of July Family Vacation July 2 – 5, 2010

Relax in our majestic mountain center for your vacation. Located in the heart of the National Forest with spectacular views into Rocky Mountain National Park, Highlands is the perfect place for your summer family vacation. Activities will include horseback riding, worship, canoeing, fireworks, Bible study, and exploring Rocky Mountain National Park.

Writing Your Spiritual Memoirs September 27 – 30, 2010

Many of us would like to write about our inner lives but don’t know where to begin. Nan Phifer, author of “Memoirs of the Soul: Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography” shows the way. Her prompts for reflection spark aware-ness of the sacred for both inexperienced and experienced writers to proceed with ease and fluency. Nan will guide us in identifying the events, people, and places that shape and give meaning to our lives.

“Way-Points” - Continued from Page 6


what’s inside:Capital Campaign: “Move the Mountain – Expand the Impact” ................................................................ 110 Things You Might Not Know ................................................. 1Highlands Goes Off the Mountain ............................................. 2From the Executive Director ........................................................ 2“Move the Mountain – Expand the Impact” continued .......... 3The Mount Meeker Society .......................................................... 3Wish List . . . .................................................................................. 4Senior High Retreat....................................................................... 4Fall Work Day Thank You! ........................................................... 5A Note From Mary Fran Asmus, Adult Program Facilitator .. 6Exploritas........................................................................................ 6Way-points Events ........................................................................ 6Mark Your Calendars! “Palettes & Pieces” ................................ 7

P.O. Box 66Allenspark, CO 80510

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDOmaha, NE

68102Permit No. 1951

Address Service Requested

For more information about Highlands Presbyterian Camp &

Retreat Center Contact 303-747-2888

[email protected] u www.highlandscamp.org

MISSIONThe mission of Highlands is

to provide gracious hospitality and quality Christian programs in a majestic mountain setting

and to nurture spiritual renewal and transformation in a safe and inclusive environment.

October 2009 Newsletter

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