CCC News
Updates from the Christian Conference Center in Newton, Iowa
March | 2022
While I Was Away...

Rev. Tiff Williams
Associate Regional Minister and
CCC Camp Director

When our last newsletter came out, I was about 2/3 of the way through my sabbatical leave. A sabbatical is sometimes given to pastors as a benefit of long-term, full-time employment. I am very fortunate that the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest offered a sabbatical in my letter of calling when I agreed to come serve the region and the Christian Conference Center.

Sabbaticals have two main purposes: 1. to offer the pastor time to rest and retreat, and 2. to give them space to study something that will help them thrive in their ministry setting. In my case, I spent time retreating by spending extra time with family and taking time each day to be outdoors in prayer and study. I pursued continuing education by visiting large camps and national parks to study operations, programming and hospitality. I was able to visit some real gems: Yosemite National Park, YMCA of the Rockies, Timberline Baptist Camp, Pine Cove, and Sky Ranch. Each of these facilities operates at a much larger capacity than the CCC, and each offer different amenities and programs that I was able to observe and in some cases participate in.

I used my visits to spark new ideas about facilities and programs that would better our ministry. I asked questions like, "What is God calling us to next?" and "What new ways can we reach children and youth with the message of Jesus?". I am putting those thoughts together in print and video form to share with the region after this camping season. Then, I hope we can begin to dream together about what's next for the CCC.

I want to say a big thank you to the CCC and regional staff who picked up the slack so that I could have this once in a lifetime experience. My family and I will be forever grateful! I am also so glad to be back and preparing for our 55th year of summer camp ministry!

I hope to see you soon on Holy Ground.
CCC Calendar of Events

Groups at a Glance...

Who's on Campus?


Ever wonder who's on the grounds at the CCC at any given time? Check out our March, April, and May church and rental groups:


Regional Committee on Ministry

Disciples Commissioned Pastors Education Retreat

FCC Ames Youth Group

K-9 Dog Training Seminar

9 Quilting and Scrapbooking groups

1 weekly Tae Kwon Do Class

4 Weddings

1 Graduation Party

Boy Scouts of Ankeny
Regional Minister Installation

Have you visited
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Staff Spotlight
Greg Champion, Facilities Director
We'd like to take some time in each of the next few newsletters to introduce you to our amazing year-round staff. This month we'd like you to meet Greg Champion, our Facilities Director.

How long have you worked at the CCC? I started 3.5 years ago after I retired from PDI in Ankeny, where I worked for 33 years.

What are your job responsibilities? I maintain the CCC's grounds and buildings and all of its systems (water, electrical, and waste). I am also the certified pool operator for the camp. I work with all volunteers who want to help with upkeep of the grounds and new building projects. I try to make sure all the pieces of facility management work as well together as possible.

What is your favorite thing about the CCC? The people! I love working with the people who come through here as well as spending time with our campers. I attended camp here when I was a kid and now I get to give back to the next generation.

Do you have a family? I have been married to my wife Joni for 33 years. We have 3 grown children who all went to camp here and one grandchild who will attend her first Grand Camp in 2025.

What do you do for fun outside of work? I like to spend time with my new granddaughter, work on carpentry projects, and I'm a youth group sponsor at Altoona Christian Church. I'm also a member of the Central Iowa Mini Cooper Club.

What else would you like people to know? I want everyone to be able to take in the peace and tranquility here, and take in all that we have to offer. As a father of two special needs daughters, I want everyone of all ages and abilities to feel like they are a part of Holy Ground.
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What's Going on around
Holy Ground?

The CCC staff and volunteers are always working hard on upgrades around the facility. Take a look at some of our more recent improvements. Or better yet, stop in to see them in person!
The BSD Treehouse is coming along nicely! Footings, posts and decking were added by our summer mission trip volunteers. Next up were the stairs, roof, and screened enclosure - completed just as the temps started to turn cold! This spring we will complete final touchings like the railing and hammocks that will go underneath.

The treehouse will honor our past Regional Minister, Bill Spangler-Dunning (BSD), for his many years of service to the Christian Conference Center.
The Boatwright Boathouse will move from the planning to building stage very soon. The basement of the Boathouse will serve as a storage space for boats, lifejackets and fishing gear at Wolf Lake, as well as a storm shelter for guests in the event of a pop up storm. The top will provide a shade structure as well as beautiful new birthday party or wedding venue.
We're going green!

We are making steps to use less energy around the CCC. This will help reduce operating costs as well as make us better stewards of God's creation. We have a goal to replace all of the fluorescent bulbs in the Main Lodge with LED's by the end of 2022. We have already started this project and can't wait to see the electrical bill go down. If earth stewardship is a passion of yours or your congregation, we invite you to consider supporting this endeavor with a gift of a box of light bulbs. (Link to donate is at the end of this newsletter.)


Camp Wish List
    
  1. New or used 7 ft aluminum scaffold planks ($135 each, 6 needed)  
  2. Oven vent hood for kitchen fire safety ($5,000)
  3. Campbell Hall Carpet ($8,000 needed, $3500 raised already)
  4. New commercial grade zero-turn mower ($10,000)
  5. Donations toward LED lighting conversion in the Main Lodge ($150 per box of bulbs, 7 needed for this stage)
  6. New canoe paddles for Wolf Lake (6 needed, $25 each)
  7. Soup Warmer ($100 each)
  8. Outdoor Raccoon Proof Trash Can for Picnic Grove ($300)



Current Volunteer Needs

  1. Chainsaw Volunteers to cut and split trees that fell in the December wind storm
  2. Someone with Plumbing Experience to help install a triple sink in the CCC kitchen
  3. Someone with office and organizational skills to help get curriculum supplies ready for camp and do some data entry
  4. Over 150 individuals to serve as summer camp counselors. Do you love God? Do you love kids? Then you're qualified! "God doesn't call the equipped. God equips the called."
  5. Work Retreat volunteers for April 29, 30 and May 1 for all or part of the weekend - more information below

Website Makeover

Did you know that the camp has its own website? We've been working hard to make some updates so that we are easier to find online, and that information about the CCC is easier to access. Summer camp information is also available there.

Visit www.newtonccc.org to see the changes.

You can help! We've also been learning how to improve the CCC's search engine optimization. Every website that links to ours helps us. An easy way to help the camp is to put a link to our site on your church's website.

Another way to help is to search for "Newton Christian Conference Center" in Google and then click on the link to our website from there. These are cost free ways to help the camp get noticed by outside groups. Outside rentals help us keep camp costs lower. Lower camp costs mean more kids can attend church camp. Every little bit helps!
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Annual Work Retreat: Save the Date!

Join us April 29, 30, May 1 at the CCC for this annual event where we prepare the grounds for the spring/summer season. This year we hope to be working on the Boatwright Boathouse, the BSD Treehouse, and doing lots of cleaning and painting all over campus. All skill levels needed and appreciated. Youth groups are welcome (please provide at least one adult sponsor).

Come for the day or stay all weekend! Sleeping and eating accommodations will be provided for all volunteers at no charge. Please RSVP so that we can plan enough projects and prepare enough meals.
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Thank you for your continued support!
Thank you for all the ways you support the ministry of the Christian Conference Center! We value every gift of time, talent and prayer. If you would like to make a financial contribution toward our ministry, simply click the link below.
Christian Conference Center, Newton, IA | www.newtonccc.org