November Update from the VanderSchels
The VanderSchels: November 2017 Update on our family… In our hallway at home, we have a wood sign hanging on the wall that says, “There’s ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS something to be thankful for.” Not just this time of year, when Thanksgiving is … Continue reading
The VanderSchels: November 2017
Update on our family…
In our hallway at home, we have a wood sign hanging on the wall that says, “There’s ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS something to be thankful for.” Not just this time of year, when Thanksgiving is the holiday focus, but we have much to be thankful for ALL the time.
Izaac officiated soccer this fall again for the state association in central Ohio, but was able to block quite a few dates that coincided with Ashlyn and Brenna playing volleyball matches at home. It was special to have him be able to watch some of their games their senior season. He’ll switch out his soccer official’s uniform for a basketball one
in just a couple weeks. After wrapping up our fall retreats, Izaac is already working on next summer’s camping theme. He continues to spend much of his time communicating with pastors and potential rental groups, getting all the camp program activity venues closed up for winter, and trying to get reorganized after a busy summer camping season. Izaac and Kim had the opportunity to take a short working vacation to Gatlinburg earlier this month to attend a gift show for the camp store.
Kim coached her final season of volleyball this fall and was so thankful for all the years she had to be a part of Ashlyn’s and Brenna’s volleyball teams throughout their high school years. On camp, she has spent time putting the craft cabin and camp store into hibernation for winter, shopping and preparing meals for rental groups this fall, and trying to keep all five of our busy schedules coordinated.
Ashlyn and Brenna began their senior year this fall 
and will turn 18 this winter. Although bittersweet for Mom and Dad, the girls are looking forward to what God has for them in the future. They had a great senior volleyball season and juggled schoolwork and their job at the bakery very well. We’re so proud of them and thankful to the Lord for the evidence of His grace we see in their lives. Lord willing, they will continue to work at the bakery for the remainder of the school year and save up money for college next fall. They were both a huge help during the camping season whenever they were on camp.
Carson is a freshman th
is year. Can’t believe all our kids are in high school now! He’s a great student and especially loves the extra-curriculars– sports, music, and drama. He played soccer this fall on the high school team and also got to participate at the BJU Fine Arts Festival for the first time. He competed in an acting scene as well as several musical groups. Carson is also a big help in the summers at camp, especially for Izaac. He’s looking forward to being an “only child” soon.
Because we realize that our days on camp as a family of five are dwindling quickly, we cherish every moment we get to spend with our kids. We rejoice in the abilities God has given them, and we seek Him for daily strength and wisdom as we continue to guide them. We are truly THANKFUL!
Update on our camping season…
This camping season seemed to fly by as quickly as usual. We’re thankful for the good number of campers we had each week, the profitable preaching from the chapel platform, and the volunteer staff that helped make the weeks run smoothly.
Our Family Camp maxed out, and so we’re looking forward to offering an extra Family Camp weekend next season. Check out the camp website for those dates.
The theme for our Youth Camps this past summer was “Fast Track”, a racing theme. The kids especially enjoyed racing on the new pedal kart track that was added to the camp to help enhance this theme.
After the summer camping season ended, we moved right into fall. 
One of the highlights of our Fall Retreats was having Mac and Beth Lynch at our Couples’ Retreat. Listening to their piano and vocal music was such a special blessing to all the couples who attended.
Kim and Izaac hosted a couple weeks of FACE (Finding Adventure in Creation Exploration) Camp for two different Christian schools. The students learned about really unique school subjects in an outdoor classroom setting.
In the coming weeks we look forward to hosting some individual rental groups. Families will be renting the A-frame cabins to spend the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with each other, a Young Adult Retreat will be held over Christmas break, and a couple of youth groups will be enjoying Winter Teen Retreats. To find out more about rental availability, please contact us.
Looking ahead…
As we continue to seek to meet the needs of local churches, our goal is to make improvements around the camp that will be beneficial for our churches. Before next summer’s season begins, we’ll be hosting a couple of work teams to help us with those improvements. These teams will be working on winterizing Martha’s Manor, finishing up the exteriors of the lake front cabins, finishing the basement in A-frame 1, and several other projects, weather permitting. Some of these improvements will allo
w us to host more campers in the off-season during the colder months.
We’re so thankful for the many servants that faithfully volunteer to help us accomplish projects like this year after year. To find out how to be a part of one of these work weeks, or to make arrangements to bring a group from your church for your own work week, please contact us.
Contact information: Peniel Bible Camp, 3260 State Route 314, Fredericktown, OH 43019
Izaac VanderSchel, Program Director: 740.505.5621 pbcprogram@gmail.com
