Dear UCCI Family and Friends –

The heart of the mission and ministry of United Church Camps, Inc. (UCCI) is love. UCCI’s operating sites at Cedar Valley, Moon Beach, and Pilgrim Center strive to love all of God’s people through providing safe places to gather, practicing nurturing hospitality, and performing world class ministry – all ways of giving love! The events of 2020 have taught UCCI important lessons around receiving love!

You friends, have been nothing short of amazing, in sending love back to us through the recently completed Keep the Fires Burning matching gifts campaign. Our deepest gratitude and love to Milton and Trudy Staskal for the $200,000 matching gift challenge and to Mary Schulz for the $85,000 stretch match!

Over 600 individual donors contributed and together we raised over $700,000 to support the mission and ministry of UCCI!

Your encouraging messages and heart-felt support filled our souls and lifted our spirits. Here are some highlights from what you shared with us:
  • You gave in memory and honor of a loved one.
  • Your experiences (at camp) are deeply embedded in your memories and you­­ wish to provide the same opportunity for future generations.
  • Mary Schulz, contributor of the stretch gift match shares: "I attended both Moon Beach and Pilgrim Center as a teen and had some of my most exciting and tender moments living and exploring God’s creation. My hope and prayer is that these camps will continue into the future and continue to nurture many more kids and adults. God is Good!"
  • You made sacrificial gifts such as “donation represents the money that would have been used for Christmas gifts for our kids, grandkids and each other.”
  • An Outdoor Ministry experience is often life changing: “for all of the amazing memories and friendships I made at church camp. It helped me become who I am today.”
  • The desire to “make a difference now” by Milton and Trudy Staskal, the contributors of the $200,000 matching gift challenge. Milton reminds us that giving is “not only a financial – but more importantly – a spiritual decision.”

This relational giving surpassed the money it generated … it was inspirational, motivational, and a necessary impetus to work harder to make Outdoor Ministry thrive – and we thrive when you join us: in person and in spirit. We invite you to register for an upcoming event, keep us in your prayers, and consider making an ongoing donation or other gift.

Again, thank you one and all! We humbly appreciate the lessons on receiving God’s love.

Sending love back,
Glenn and all your friends at UCCI!
Glenn Svetnicka â€“ Executive Director UCCI
Excited to come together again!
UCCI is excited to welcome guests back to all of our sites in 2021, and your safety is our top priority! While we continue to hope and pray the pandemic situation keeps improving, our plan has non-negotiable policies, safety practices, and procedures that will help to keep our communities safe. This means that camp and retreats will be a little different this year – including reduced capacity, wearing of face coverings, doing health screenings, enhanced cleaning, safe check-ins and more. Be assured that we continue to monitor all CDC guidelines and implement new recommendations as they become available.
We appreciate your commitment to a safe community at Cedar Valley, Moon Beach and Pilgrim Center!
EXPLORE UPCOMING EVENTS!
Open NOW to all friends of UCCI, Moon Beach's heated and comfortable, modern family-style cabins are ready for you! Check out this great info flyer then contact us for reservations
This new, 10-day camp is a highly active experience! Campers will participate in mental and physical challenges, voting people "off the island" to end up with just one winner.
July 1-10, 2021
Grades 9-12

Campers, come prepared for some crazy experiments! Just like the show "Mythbusters", we will spend time exploring ways to prove or bust a myth.
July 25-31, 2021
Grades 3-6
This class is for watercolor painters who have tried painting and would like additional instruction. Features demonstrations and ample painting time. Commuter & overnight options.
March 5-7, 2021

ICON PAINTING WORKSHOP WITH KATHERINE DE SHAZER
Experience the contemplation of the image of God in humans by practicing firsthand the ancient Byzantine
art of icon painting using egg tempera, natural pigments, and gold leaf on a natural gesso board. No art background needed and open to all faiths. Commuter & overnight options.
March 19-21, 2021
Volunteer for Camp AweSum!
Join us for a life-changing week! Observe, learn and work alongside experienced professionals in the field of autism to provide respite care each morning, various afternoon hours and one evening during the week of camp.
  • Due to Covid, we are encouraging families to volunteer together! Any groups of 4+ volunteers from the same household will be given their own private cabin.
  • In order to make Camp AweSum sustainable, a suggested donation of $290.00 covers food and lodging costs of volunteers on-site. Please note this is a suggestion and volunteering should not be cost prohibitive.
  • Volunteers ages 14+ are encouraged to sign up. Volunteer applicants under the age of 14 who are especially mature, able to take direction and responsible will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • All volunteer minors need to attend with and be supervised by a chaperone.
  • Mobility: All volunteers need to be able to walk around camp in order to ensure the safety of campers and volunteers.
Are you a social butterfly? Please Like, Follow, comment and share all of our pages! Your participation is invaluable in spreading our messages on social media. 
Moon Beach
Camp AweSum
Pilgrim Center
Cedar Valley

Most importantly, as always, we are grateful beyond words for the
positive influence of your heartfelt prayers!  
Watch our website for continued updates!