try. If the weight of summer camp fees is too heavy for some families this year, we decided it’s our turn to help shoulder the load.

To be completely honest, we don’t exactly know how we’re going to do this, but we are com-mitted to removing barriers for families who are concerned about possible job loss.

Please help us by spreading the word among your church congregation.

In February, in the midst of the current recession, the Glisson board and staff made a bold an-nouncement. Putting the spiritual growth of our children ahead of all other priorities, we unveiled the “Glisson Has Your Back” initiative.

Here’s the bottom line: If you register your child for summer camp, then lose your job before summer camp begins, we will cover your balance. Glisson Has Your Back.

Why are we doing this? Because regardless of how uncertain our

current economy may be, at least one thing is absolutely certain - our kids deserve to experience God’s love at Glisson summer camp.

During a difficult economy, we frequently cut back on non-essential expenses. Glisson does not consider our kids’ spiritual development to be non-essential. In fact, we consider it to be a recession-proof investment. The Glisson experience is priceless.

For years, Glisson and the people of North Georgia have supported each other as partners in minis-

Construction has begun on two new additions to the Glisson Chal-lenge Course offerings. Summer campers will now have the oppor-tunity to safely climb the old Wa-ter Tower and also glide through the tree line at Lake Neal on our new tandem zip lines.

In 1998, the Alpine Tower ush-ered-in a new era of above-ground challenges for our campers. At that time, Glisson served fewer than 2,000 campers each year. Last year we reached nearly 2,600 campers.

As a result of that growth over the past few years, it became impossible to offer above-ground challenges to all campers each summer.

The old Water Tower is a 50-foot, 60,000-gallon, pale green structure which was originally acquired in 1954. It will be transformed by Alpine Tower International, Inc., who also constructed our Alpine Tower, into a new climbing tower – incor-porating a variety of hand-

(Continued on page 5)

Glisson Has Your Back

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Glisson Has Your Back

1

A kid’s prayer 2

2008 Donors 3

Open House 4

Adopt-a-Counselor

5

Zip Lines in ‘09 5

Important Dates

6

Challenge Courses

S P R I N G 2 0 0 9 T H E G L I S S O N N E W S L E T T E R

Q U I C K F A C T S : • For the 08-09

retreat season, Glisson hosted over 5,500 guests.

• The theme for

summer camp 2009 is ‘Breakthrough’.

• The Holland

Building turned 50 years old in 2008.

• Sparrowwood

Lodge turns 25 years old this year.

The old water tower will be converted into a new

climbing tower

P A G E 2

Enclosed is $_____________ for:

Glisson campership fund

Annual Fund (unrestricted)

Building fund

other: ________________

E C H O E S F R O M C A M P

Or return this form to: Camp Glisson

690 Camp Glisson Road Dahlonega, GA 30533

Be an answer to a kid’s prayer … I want to share with you an email I received from a camper parent back in March.

Russell,

My son has gone to Camp Glis-son for the past two years. He loves going and it is the highlight of his summer. My daughter has been waiting patiently for her turn as she will be a rising 4th grader this year. I recently lost my job, and we will not be able to send them this year.

When we told the kids the disap-pointing news, they said they understood. Last night when we were saying our prayers, our son prayed that he and his sister would be able to go to Camp Glisson this year.

Do you have some sort of pro-gram to defer payment so my kids can go to camp? I under-stand that camp is a luxury, but my son gets so much out of Glis-son. My family could not afford camp when I was growing up, and I never realized the impact it has on the kids. After my son returned from camp last year, he told us he wanted to work there as a counselor. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

I am thankful this father was willing to write to me. I can’t imagine how difficult things must be for his family, and many others, right now in this challenging economy.

I respectfully disagreed with him on one thing: Camp is not a luxury. It’s an important part of our fulfilling our promise as a church to raise the children we baptize - and those in the church who haven’t been bap-tized yet - to be disciples of Christ. That’s why we’re here.

Because of situations like this one; because camp is so im-portant to our kids’ spiritual development and to keeping things as “normal” as possible for them, Glisson has ex-panded its campership pro-gram this year.

There are many, many folks requesting assistance with camp fees right now - people who never imagined needing to ask for help in getting their kids to Camp Glisson. Re-quests are at record levels, and we are asking for help in meet-ing the needs.

Please consider how you can help these families with a gift to the Glisson Campership Fund:

♦ a gift of any size will be a blessing to someone!

♦ a gift of $410 covers the cost of one week of Village Camp, $430 for senior high camp

♦ a gift of $455 covers the cost of an Adventure Out-post week

♦ a gift of $515 covers the cost for one Sparrowwood camper

The dad who sent this email to me closed his reply with this:

It is extremely difficult to ask, but the desire for my kids to go to camp is greater than my pride.

You can help answer the prayer of a child who wants to attend summer camp - and the dad who wants it to happen. Please visit the Donate Now feature on the Glisson website, or return the form below with a check, and do what you can to help these families.

I want to help! Give on-line

with Donate Now at

www.campglisson.org

Please make my gift:

In honor of:______________________

In memory of:____________________

Name:___________________________

Address:_________________________

_______________________________

Email:___________________________

Phone: (_____) ___________________

“When I think back

on the most special

times I’ve had, I

always think of

Camp Glisson.”

- Amy Brooks King,

1980’s Glisson camper

Michael Airgood Nancy Allen Roger Amidon Lori Anderson Mallory Anderson Anonymous Lisa Armitage Amanda Auchenpaugh Steven & Sandy Augsberger Connie Avery Lori Avirett-Mackenzie Morgan & Edlene Bailey Rhonda Balfe Sherry Bange Travis and Kathy Barnes Kim Bauer Bryan & Debbie Benfield Bethany UMC Smyrna Bethel UMC Morganton John & Patrice Bliss Sara & Joe Bliss Verne & Jean Bliss Winston & Christine Blumberg Jim, Lynda & George Boggs Gail & William Bolton Julie Boone Lisa Boone Gwenda & Ruffin Booth Edmund & Mary Boothe Edward & Judy Boshears Joe & Harriette Bowen Dorothy Braddy Will & Brittany Houtz Bramlett Doug & Beth Branan Phil Brandon Melanie & Joe Brasher Joanna & Ronny Breazeale Donna Brewer Rob & Sherry Brooks Ed Brown Bettye Bruce Marcia Buchanan Tracy Burke Burns & McDonnell Al & Dianna Busby Gail Bussard Ron & Lynn Cagle Emilee Campbell Luanne & John Cape Maureen Carithers Stewart Carlin Leslie & Glynn Carson Travis & Donna Carter Angie & Jimmy Cash Truett Cathy Karen Chambers Chamblee First UMC Lisa Chappell Ralph & Shirley Chastain Bill & Thelma Childers Walter & Carol Chinn Jim & Gail Churchill Harry & Linder Clark Laurie Clark Jim & Nancy Combs Mark & Phyllis Conard Coosa UMC Union County Hector Cora Susie Corby

Terri & Robert Cormany Liz Cornelius Steve & Margie Counts County Line UMC Griffin Jeffrey & Martha Coursey Trey & Shari Cown Joan Crane Craig & Judy Crouch Norma Cullen John & Aggie Dallas Russell & Becky Davis Tim & Cindy Dearman James & Dianne Deas Shawn & Julia Dekold John & Deborah DeLauder Nancy & John Deloach Margaret & Robert Dennison Neil & Joanne Derrick Malone and Charlotte Dodson Phil and Tracy Dodson Donna’s Draperies Mike and Susan Doubleday

Jeanne Gardiner Bob and Lynne Garrett Tom and Katie Garrett Mr. and Mrs. Greg Gaston Susie Geiger Georgia Tech Alumni Association Marianne and Kevin Gerke Dawn Ghizzoni Joan Gill Christopher and Louise Gioe Cliff Glover Jennifer Glover Gail Goetz GoodSearch Marianne Gopel Mary Ann Gouveia Laura Graff Betty Grant Grayson UMC Charles and Phyllis Ann Green Cynthia Griffin Jody Gwin

Joanne Hulett Bill Imes Inglett & Stubbs, LLC Donna Ivey Jim and Karen Jackson Troyce and Debbie Jackson Cathy Jansen Carmen Jara Charles and Mary Jarrell Tom and Sally Jarrett Jasper UMC Bev and Tuck Jones Bob Jones Cameron and Brittany Jones David and Cathy Jones Elizabeth Jones Hal and Melinda Jones Jean Jones Russell Jones Sara Kahan Cynthia Kaplan Angela Karowoski Caroline Keith Helen and Russell Kemp John Kennedy Susan and Robert Kennedy Jill Kirr Al and Susan Kite Charles and Victoria Knowles Deborah Koebbe Diane Koskey Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Kouchel Beverly Krajec Virginia Kyle Zach Lalor Laura, Amanda & Emily Lamb Bob and Mary Lanford Ephraim Lanford Kevin and Jessica Larson Nikki Law Lawrenceville UMC Kara Lewis Kristen Loffler Daniel and Pat Looper James and Carolyn Luke Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Luttrell Harold and Naomi Lyda Mark and Deanne Lynch Heather MacDonald Maria Mackas Pia Maheras Mike and Cathy Maloney Bonnie Martin Louis and Mindy Martin Mike and Karen Martin Zack and Leigh Martin Bill and Jane Massey Belinda and Marty Maupin Patricia and Richard McAdam Rick and Debbie McAfee Robert and Carol McCullough Mary Jo McCutcheon McEachern Memorial UMC Bradley and Emily McEntyre Kathy and L.R. McFarland Debbie McGrath

(Continued on page 4)

Many thanks to the generous donors who made gifts to Glisson

in 2008 Molly Doyle Dozier Textile Company Dunwoody UMC Kobus and Rykie DuPlessis Elberton First UMC Rob Elliott Empties4Cash Neil and Clara Evans Stephen Evans Thomas and Rita Fagan Faith UMC Laurie Farmer Tracey and Wayne Farr Rick and Patty Finley Karen and Tim Fischer Jeff and Jane Fitzpatrick Stephanie and Ed Flachbarth Bond Fleming Lesley Fluke Steve and Denise Forrester Gary and Susan Fosse Sarah and Greg Foster Janie and Chris Freeman Margaret and James Freeman Fred Fresh Laura Fuller Martha Futral Lamar Gailey Gainesville First UMC Linda and Leonard Gandy

Jennifer Hall Bob and Carolyn Hamrick Nathaniel and Francis Hansford Ernest and Jan Harben Jim Hardy Teresa Haren Jamie and Karen Harper Joe and Brooke Harris Lori Harrison Cora Paula Hastings Rick and Susan Hawkins Donna and Randall Hawks Abb and Heather Hayes Kempton Haynes Carol Hays Michael and Susan Heaton Hiawassee UMC Men Unit Roxanna Hicks Bucky and Lee Highsmith Haines and Carolyn Hill Hillside UMC Deana Hilton Coy and Linda Hinton Tracy Hixon George Holden Miriam Holland Home Depot Foundation Debra Horn Emmie House Howard and Grace Hughes

P A G E 3

McKendree UMC David McKoy Marcy Medinger Deborah Melton Larry and Catherine Mendel Burke Mewborne Susan and Charlie Middlebrooks Lewis and Kathleen Miers Sue Millen Christopher and Jeannine Miller Kim Miller Pam and Sam Miller Sherry and Glen Mitchell Steve Mitchell David and Katherine Moore Lige and Ena Moore Mike and Sandra Moore Robert Moore & Julie Hotchkiss Ruth Moore Gena Morgan Mt. Bethel UMC Marietta Mt. Carmel UMC Norcross Mt. Pleasant UMM Jacques Muratori Larry and Denise Murray Kathy Neel New Beginnings Class - Decatur FUMC New Hope UMC Men Newnan First UMC Newnan First UMM C.S. and Tena Nichols Errol and Kathleen Nichols Misty Nichols Jennifer and David Nicoletti Susan Norris North Decatur UMC David Norwood Oak Grove UMC Decatur Oconee Street UMC Athens Anne and Karl Offermann Sandra and William Orr Donald and Deborah Ortega Randy Osborn Stephen Oswald

(Continued from page 3) Dudley and Mary Owens Margaret Owens Traci Oxley Ernest Paione Bruce and Janice Parker Tracy Parker Judy Parsons Dennis and Debbie Patterson Tara Paul Larry, Lori and Lauren Payne Katherine Pedersen Sherry Pellegrino Richard and Libby Penn Jackie and Bill Perry Cindy and Paul Petersen Kris Phillips Scott Piehler Wade Pitcock Fred Pitman Neil and Debbie Pittman John Postell Julie and Michael Potts Ann and Edward Pressey Bill and Shelley Prevost Mike and Cathie Price Niki Price Robert and Camille Price Madge Prince Princeton UMC Athens Frank and Joanna Putman Ann Quandee Jamie Quinton Mary Raum Janet Reed Reese Griffin class North Decatur UMC Charles and Mildred Reeve Matthew Relick Carolyn Renn Frances and Tom Rice Tricia Ridgeway Tom and Pam Roberds Bethany Robertson Paula and Charles Roney Roswell UMC Lou Roth Paige and Dan Santmyer David and Lucy Scarborough Elizabeth and Steven Schindler Leanne Scranton Nate Scranton Will Sellers Claire Sellner Elaine Sharp Steven and Kathleen Sharp Herchel and Gladys Sheets Kathy Shoji Becky Shoup Mark and Mary Shubert Hal and Caroline Silcox Helen and John Simmons

Ruth and Ken Simmons Simpsonwood UMC Carol Skaggs Darrell and Joni Skogman Skyland UMC Bil and Marti Slife Stephen Smead Hop and Cheryl Smith Martha and Todd Smith Reggie and Karen Smith Sharon Smith Terri and Bryan Smith James and Joyce Sneed Sparta-Knowles Chapel UMC Jane Ellen Speers Raymond and Rhonda Spornberger Ethel Spruill Kathleen Stevenson Brandi Stewart Sarah Stillabower Bob and Glenda Stone Tifany and Jason Stout David and Marylee Stubblefield Sugar Hill UMC Bonnie Swett Cathy Swoboda Al and Mary Alice Swope Beth and Matt Tanzy Sidney and Enid Tate Dennis Teague Temple UMC Raymond and Hilda Tenenbaum Ellen and Jimmy Terrell George and Rebecca Thomason Robert and Rose Thomason Thomson First UMC Pam and Robbie Threadgill Gerald and Lynda Thurman Laurence Tipton Rob and Barb Tornow Andrea and Bukuri Trifka Trinity on the Hill UMC David Tuck Tuckston UMC Gatekeepers Class Darrell and Anne Vaughan Patrick and Claudia Waldrop Cleo and Richard Ward Kristie Warren Ed and Judy Waters Ann and Alan Watkins Weekend Gold Miners Darden Weiss Wesley Chapel UMC Dawsonville Doug and Susan White Joseph and Becky White Katherine White Thomas and Karen White Alison Wiedetz Dee Ann and Walter Wilcox Leslie Willingham

Saturday, May 9

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

For families of new and

prospective summer campers.

Come walk the property,

tour our facilities, enjoy lunch

and meet our staff to learn more about what to

expect for your camper this summer.

Visit campglisson.org

to make your reservation.

In spite of our best efforts to include everyone, we may have overlooked an individual who made a gift in 2008. If you are aware of anyone who may have been

inadvertently omitted from this list, please contact us.

Pam and Don Willis Jeromie Willis Clint and Allyson Winter Joel and Kitty Wise Richard and Sandra Withers Gregory Withrow Pamela Woodward Travis and Juanita Woodward Winston and Marita Worrell Jeannie Wright Kristine Young

P A G E 4

T H E G L I S S O N N E W S L E T T E R

where gliders’ speed will diminish by means of a gravity brake system.

The question could be asked: Why are we building these features now? The answer is relatively simple. For the last two years we have been asking summer camp parents to evaluate Glisson through an on-line survey completed after each ses-sion of summer camp. While we continually receive overwhelmingly positive reviews, we have been deliberate about addressing specific concerns as well.

One of the more common con-cerns in our summer camp survey responses has involved the fact that many campers have come to Glis-son hoping to climb the Alpine Tower, but have not been able to. The Alpine Tower is a very staff-intensive activity.

We are able to facilitate a total of 144 campers on the Alpine Tower each week, if the weather is clear all week long. With a total of 276 Village and Sparrowwood campers in camp, you can see that we simply couldn’t get all campers up on the

Tower in a given week.

By contrast, we will now be able to handle an additional 96 campers per day on the Water Tower and Zip Lines.

With these additions, the Glisson challenge courses now include the Alpine Tower, High Elements, Low Elements, the Water Tower and Zip Lines

This further expansion of our Chal-lenge Course offerings will allow us to provide above-ground challenges to even more of our summer camp-ers each year - and will also further enhance the Glisson experience for retreat groups as well.

holds, auto belay systems and even vertical challenges. This Water Tower was an integral part of the Glisson drinking water supply from 1954 until its retirement in 1997. Now it will be come a vital part of our outdoor challenge ministry.

Near the Water Tower will be the take-off point for a 400-foot dual zipline. Gliders will be tethered together as they glide side-by-side through the trees and along the earthen levee on the eastern shore of Lake Neal (the reservoir). The lines will briefly cross a corner of the lake, then continue along the levee and up the opposing bank

(Continued from page 1)

Zip Lines in ‘09

Adopt-a-Counselor You can support the ministry of Camp Glisson this summer in a unique way by adopting a summer staff person.

By doing so, you commit to pray for this person by name daily, to send cards and notes of encouragement during the summer, and, if you like, come to camp on a weekend to take your staff person out to eat. (You can also partner with another “adopter” and take both of your staff out at the same time.)

We will have over 120 college-age

students on staff this summer. Some are working for only half the sum-mer. You can adopt as many as you like, and can even talk to your church group or Sunday School class to adopt some staff members.

The goal of this program is making our staff feel loved and appreciated for the work they do.

To adopt-a-counselor, contact Lacey Bauer, Camper and Alumni Coordinator:

registrar@campglisson.org

(706) 864-6181

Our counselors have been the absolute heart of the

Glisson summer ministry for generations.

P A G E 5

“I was a Glisson

camper, and I’m

proud to send my

8-year-old for the

first time this

year.”

- Julia Purcell Brown,

Glisson alumnus

Are you receiving Electronic Echoes, our monthly e-newsletter? Visit campglisson.org

to sign-up. May 2 - Glisson Board Meeting

May 9 - Open House For new & prospective camper families

May 23 - Summer Staff training begins

May 30 - Summer Staff Commissioning Service

May 31 - Summer Camp ‘09 begins

July 23 - Glisson Board Retreat

August 3 - Retreat Season begins

September 5-6 - Alumni Family Camp

Important Dates

Uncle Freddy’s Wish List Camp Glisson continues to have various projects which represent on-going opportunities for giving.

Here are some current needs we’ve identified:

♦ Camperships. Requests for help are on the rise!

♦ Mini-bus for Day Camp

♦ Day Camp trailer with equip-ment and supplies

♦ Multi-seat golf cart, used or new, for transporting Sparrow-wood campers

♦ Chapel upgrades - replacing our 45-year-old heating system

Things Fred Glisson only wished he could

have wished for!

Beekeeping was a life-long hobby for our founder, Rev. Fred

Glisson, who sold his honey to pay for his college and seminary

tuition in the early 1900’s.

This is only a sampling. Other needs exist - both large and small. Visit Opportunities to Give on our website to learn more.