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Speedy’s Story Podcast

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This month, we wanted to take some time to focus on gratitude as we go into Thanksgiving. As some of you may know, Speedy Trejo (Director of WinShape Camps for Boys) recently went through a battle with cancer. A few months ago, he was given the all-clear by his doctors. Speedy shares his story and teaches us how to be grateful in very hard circumstances in this month's podcast!

Listen Now: WinShape Camps App | iTunes | Web

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New Locations in 2017

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Our day camp experience, WinShape Camps for Communities, continues to grow and expand its reach each year. Our mission is to create an unprecedented day camp experience that brings churches and organizations together in order to impact communities with the message of Jesus.
 
Launched in 2008 with 3 teams, WinShape Camps for Communities visited just over 25 communities and saw about 3,000 campers. Almost 10 years later, we will visit 95 different communities in the summer and see close to 30,000 campers as a part of the ‘Best Week Ever’.
 
As camp continues to grow, churches and Chick-fil-A restaurants continue to contact us each year hoping to bring WinShape to their community. This year we are excited to announce that we’re adding 10 new camp locations!
 
NEW WinShape Camps for Communities Locations 2017
  • Jacksonville, FL - June 12-16th hosted by The Church of Eleven 22
  • Olive Branch, MS - July 3rd-6th hosted by FBC Olive Branch
  • Roanoke, VA - August 7th-11th hosted by N. Roanoke Baptist Church
  • Dothan, AL - July 3rd-6th hosted by First Baptist Church
  • Concord, NC - June 19th-23rd hosted by Connect Christian Church
  • Lawrenceville, GA - June 5th-9th hosted by North Metro Church
  • Midlothian, TX - August 7th-11th hosted by FBC Midlothian
  • Muscle Shoals, AL - June 12th-16th hosted by Highland Park Baptist Church
  • Fairfax, VA - August 7th-11th hosted by Christ Church
  • Thomasville, NC - June 12th-16th hosted by Rich Fork Baptist Church
 
Registration kicks off for WinShape Camps for Communities on March 12th. All camp locations and dates will be updated on our website in January as we prepare for what will be the biggest summer of WinShape Camps EVER. Know a community that would be great for camp? Learn how.
 
*We're also launching a first-of-it's kind multi-week day camp experience in Cobb County, GA. Learn more.

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2017 Cohutta Springs Guest Speakers

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Ready or not, we are days away from turning the calendar on 2016 and entering a brand new year.

2017 is shaping up to be our best summer of camp to date. We are opening a stationary day camp location, adding exciting programming elements across all our camps, and offering more spots for campers than ever before. Sometimes I think, “can we just bypass spring and head straight to summer?”

Something I am most looking forward to in 2017 is hosting camp for the second summer at Cohutta Springs. As a camp designed specifically for high school girls, you can imagine how much fun we have. We get to soak up the sun on the lake, zip-line through the trees, and hang out at theme parties every night. Amidst all of that, we get to hear from guest speakers each night during Worship. Yes, you read that correctly. We get to journey through the same curriculum as the rest of the WinShape Nation brought to us by individual guest speakers who communicate in their own unique way.

We saw last year just how impactful this was. All four of our speakers ranked among the highest rated elements of camp. Our campers came to know the Lord in a new way, while some of them came to know the Lord for the first time. Our guests could be found engaging in deep conversations during meals, floating in the pool on a giant pineapple raft, and developing lifelong friendships with campers and summer staff alike. The relationships with these ladies were so strong that we stopped calling them special guests and started calling them friends.

And. . . (since I consider you all my friends) I was kind of thinking that I would like to share the lineup for 2017 with you before we say goodbye to 2016. Sound like a good idea to you? Great!

So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to our Guest Speakers friends for Summer 2017. Drum roll please . . .


Week 1: Jo Saxton

Born to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Jo Saxton has spread her message for the past twenty years across the UK and North America. Jo serves with a ministry called 3DM and she and her husband, Chris, have recently planted Mission Point Church, in the Minneapolis area. In addition to speaking around the world, Jo has written several books, such as More than Enchanting: Breaking Through Barriers to Influence Your World, High Heels and Holiness: The Smart Girls Guide to Living Life Well, Real God, Real Life. Jo’s message encourages people to engage in missional living and discipleship. Her message specifically equips women for leadership and influence and inspires all believers to engage the world in the same way God does—by going out rather than just reaching out. Jo loves running, good music, reading, and laughing loudly with family and friends over a great meal. Jo and Chris have two amazing daughters. Follow her on Twitter at @josaxton.


Week 2: Mo Isom

Mo Isom is an author, speaker and blogger. She was an All-American goalkeeper for the Louisiana State University soccer team and the first female to try out for an SEC men’s football team. She holds the LSU all-time goalkeeper record as well as the #3 SEC all-time shutout record.

She trained with the US Women’s National program, was honored as National Player of the Week, has appeared on ESPN SportsCenter Top-10 Plays, and has been featured in Sports Illustrated and appeared on Ellen, ESPN, CBS, The 700 Club, and countless other platforms.

While her life has been marked by incredible athletic successes, it has also been riddled with crushing personal adversity. Isom uses her unique experiences to challenge, encourage, and equip her generation to live boldly by the Word in the midst of a broken world. She, her husband Jeremiah, and their daughter Auden live in Atlanta, Georgia. Follow her on Twitter at @MoIsom.


Week 3&4: Annie Downs

Annie F. Downs is an author, blogger, and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God. An author of three books- Let’s All Be BravePerfectly Unique, and Speak Love, Annie also loves traveling around the country speaking to young women, college students, and adults. Read more at anniefdowns.com and follow her on Twitter @anniefdowns.

 

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What Is Host Rally?

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Host Rally is a three-day conference that takes place in Atlanta where we bring in the leadership teams from each location that will host WinShape Camps for Communities. This year's event will take place January 16th-18th. During Host Rally, children’s ministers, lead pastors, Chick-fil-A operators and other influencers in these communities will learn how to create an excellent camp experience for our campers.
We train hosts on a wide variety of things from how to market camp in their community, to how they can follow up with campers who make life-changing decisions. If you know anything about WinShape Camps, it’s not just a training conference. The week is also filled with intentional worship, surprise guest speakers and TONS of fun!
 
Now that our day camps take place in 15 different states, we will have hosts flying in from all over the country. We will have over 400 people representing over 95 communities.
 
We hope that a week at Host Rally allows these community leaders to learn, collaborate, and be refreshed.
 
Want to see more about Host Rally? Watch this recap video from last year and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to experience it with us all next week!
Want to know more about hosting WinShape Camps in your community? Check this out

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Nite Life 2017 at Young Harris!

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WinShape Camps works incredibly hard to craft Nite Life experiences that are unmatched by anything our campers can do at home. For most of these events, the whole camp comes together where memories are made that last a lifetime. They don’t call this the Summer of a Lifetime for nothing. 

Below is a preview of the Nite Life events for summer 2017. Some of these will be familiar to our returning campers while some of them are brand new. You can learn more about how to pack for these events in the Parent Handbook (Coming Soon)!

Also, if you're looking for some music while you pack, check out our Nite Life Playlist for Young Harris on Spotify!

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Opening Show 💯

Tonight will be a hype show that you won’t forget! We’ve been waiting all year for this. It’s finally time to see stage dancing, singing, & celebrating on the first night of camp!

What to Wear: tacky, crazy costumes!

Song: Something Big by Shawn Mendes (Listen)

Aquamarine

We all know crazy things happen at camp; & this summer, mermaids will be more than just characters in movies! Get ready with your sequins & mermaid tails because tonight will be full of dancing & you won’t want to miss it!

What to wear: sequins, mermaid tail, pearls, colorful hair extensions, bright colors

Song: Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid (Listen)

Fruit Loop de Loop

Fruit, fun, & floaties. We know how to get messy here in the Enchanted Valley. Get ready for crazy games that will be sure to throw you for a real loop de loop!

What to wear: Fruity apparel that can get messy!

Song: Can’t Stop the Feeling from “Trolls” (Listen)

Pumpkin Palooza

Autumn is coming a little early this year, so dust off your boots, fluff up your scarf, & flaunt that plaid & flannel!

what to wear: overalls, flannels, boots, jean shorts, & pigtails

Song: Footloose from Glee (Listen)

Make It Gold

Put on your black & gold, grab your camp bestie, & get ready for an evening full of high sparkle competition & dancing the night away! Tonight, all that glitters really is gold.

What to wear: Everything black & gold, tutus, sequins, etc.

Song: Party Sleep Repeat (Rhema Soul) (Listen)

Campfire Encounter

On this night, we will sit close & lean in to hear what God wants to say to us; we’ll talk about real life & how we can learn & grow closer to Him.

What to wear: whatever you wore that day

Song: My Victory by Crowder (Listen)

Ultimate Rec!

Three Clubs. One Camp. We don’t call it ULTIMATE for no reason! Three Clubs will compete but only one will emerge as the ULTIMATE winner! Will it be yours?!

What to wear: anything club-colored that can get messy

Royalum: purple

Bumbline: yellow

Skocean: teal/blue

Song: Jump Start My Heart by Satellites & Sirens (Listen)

Late Night (Sr. Camp Only)

We like to keep the lights on a little longer some nights because there’s more partying to do. Wave Junior Camp goodnight because we’ve gotta roll! Cozy up & get ready for a night full of giggles, snacks, & special memories.

what to wear: Pajamas

Song: Marvelous Light by Ellie Holcomb (Listen)

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Nite Life 2017 at Mt. Berry (Girls)

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WinShape Camps works incredibly hard to craft Nite Life experiences that are unmatched by anything our campers can do at home. For most of these events, the whole camp comes together where memories are made that last a lifetime. They don’t call this the Summer of a Lifetime for nothing. 

Below is a preview of the Nite Life events for summer 2017. Some of these will be familiar to our returning campers while some of them are brand new. You can learn more about how to pack for these events in the Parent Handbook (Coming Soon)!

Also, if you’re looking for some music while you pack, check out our Nite Life Playlist for WinShape Camps for Girls at Mt. Berry on Spotify!

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Opening Show 💯

Tonight will be a show you won’t forget! We’ve been waiting all year for this and it’s finally time to see staff on stage dancing, singing, and celebrating the first night of camp!

What to wear: Tacky, crazy costumes

Song: Something Big (Shawn Mendes) (Listen)

Fruit Loop de Loop

We’ll end our first full day of camp with a camp necessity – a messy Nite Life! These games will throw you for a real loop de loop!

What to wear: Colorful and something you can get messy in

Song: Can’t Stop the Feeling (“Trolls” soundtrack)  (Listen)

Wonderful World of WinShape (JR Camp Only)

Get ready to explore a whole new world of Disney characters when our favorite on-screen snowman and friends come to camp!

What to wear: Disney costumes or clothes

Song : Do You Want to Build a Snowman? (“Frozen” soundtrack) (Listen)

Tye Dye, Top Knots, Talents, Oh My! (SR Camp Only)

This nite will be a talent show for the ages! If you have a talent you want to show off, this is your time! If not, you can sport your top knot and favorite tye dye!

What to wear: Tye dye and a top knot #itsTuesday

Song: Whip My Hair (Willow Smith)  (Listen)

Adventure Awaits (SR Camp Only)

We’ll forge new territory when we discover something new about our camp besties and maybe even ourselves. Polaroids and twinkle lights included!

What to wear: A flannel shirt

Song: Fix My Eyes (For KING & COUNTRY) (Listen)

Campout

It’s not camp without Campout! We’ll be under the stars all night with all the classics: hobos, marshmallows, and Tribe cheers!

What to wear: A sweatshirt and some bug spray

Song: Waking Up Again (Emily Hearn) (Listen)

Campfire Encounter

On this night, we will sit close and lean in to hear what God wants to say to us; we’ll talk about real life and how we can learn and grow closer to Him.

What to wear: Whatever you wore that day

Song: My Victory (Crowder) (Listen)

Sweet Dreams

What is camp if not the best slumber party ever? We’ll have crafts, contests, and cabin mates at this Nite Life!

What to wear: Special sleepover pajamas

Song: This One’s for the Girls (Martina McBride) (Listen)

Indian Summer

We’ll join with the boys down the hill to relax or get your game on, while listening to your favorite staff play live music!

What to wear: Fringe, moccasins, anything with tribal patterns, or Native American outfit

Song: Brand New (Ben Rector) (Listen)

Mega Relay

We don’t call it MEGA for no reason! We’ll meet up with the guys at Boys Camp for a battle of the colors where the competition is unmatched!

What to wear: Color of your team (You will receive your team assignment the morning of Mega Relay. Feel free to wear a shirt packed for a regular day of camp)

Song: Cray Button (Family Force Five) (Listen)

SNL

As we bring the WinShape weekend to a close, settle in to hear from a totally cool guest. But shhhhhh! It’s a secret and can’t be revealed until this special nite arrives!

What to wear: Something comfy

Song: Alone (Hollyn) (Listen)

Sock War

Green. Orange. Yellow. Red. Tonight we will declare the ultimate sock warriors of our favorite tradition at camp! What team will it be?!?

What to wear: Any and all the camouflage! Shirts are available in the Camp Store!

Song: Jump Start My Heart (Satellites & Sirens) (Listen)

Wander Girl (JR Camp Only)

We’re all superheroes inside, so let’s bring it out and play some great games with our friends!

What to wear: Superhero costume or paraphernalia

Song: One Girl Revolution (Superchick) (Listen)

Council Ring

Tonight is really going to ROCK when you and your tribe sing a one-of-a-kind song and deck out in Tribe spirit! How How!

What to wear: Any and all Tribe spirit colors! Tribe spirit clothes and accessories are available in the Camp Store!

Chippewa (completed grades 1-3): red and white

Chickasaw (completed grades 4-5): green and white

Cheyenne (completed grades 6-7): blue and silver

Cherokee (completed grades 8-9): purple and gold

Catawba (completed grades 10-11): teal and brown

Creek (completed grade 11): black and red

Song: Try Everything (Zootopia Soundtrack) (Listen)

Hoo-Rah!

We’re going to sing and dance on our final nite of camp! Tonight is about celebration and saying, “see ya later!” to our new camp besties!

What to wear: Whatever you wore that day

Song: Real Love (Hillsong Young & Free) (Listen)

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Camp Wide Events 2017 at Cleveland

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WinShape Camps works incredibly hard to craft camp-wide events that are unmatched by anything our campers can do at home. For most of these events, the whole camp comes together where memories are made that last a lifetime. They don’t call this the Summer of a Lifetime for nothing. 

Below is a preview of the camp-wide events for summer 2017. Some of these will be familiar to our returning campers while some of them are brand new. You can learn more about how to pack for these events in the Parent Handbook (Coming Soon)!

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Opening Show

Stage games, prizes, and Squad competitions….we are starting camp off right!

Induction Ceremony

Join the kingdom, learn the secrets, and uncover the mysteries that wait for you inside of the Induction Chamber!

Monday Funday

You’ll have a blast slippin’ and slidin’ on Monday Funday! The water has never been more refreshing and the games have never been more fun!

Sherlocks and Suspects

When the board game of Clue comes to life before your eyes, everyone becomes a Sherlock to unlock WinShape’s newest mystery.

Nerf Warz

Who doesn’t dream of running through bunkers, dodging nerf bullets, and shooting your friends?

Ignite

Tonight we will gather together to engage in high-energy worship and dive deeper into what it truly means to know God.

Squad Wars

Red, green, and blue engage in full blown military madness as they compete to see which Squad will capture the most flags, dodge the most socks, and come out on top as the victors of Squad Wars!

Rock the Block

After the dust has settled from the Squad Wars battle field the party will have just begun! Join your fellow block mates and campers in celebrating an amazing week of camp in rockin’ style!

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Camp Wide Events 2017 at Mt. Berry (Boys)

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WinShape Camps works incredibly hard to craft camp-wide events that are unmatched by anything our campers can do at home. For most of these events, the whole camp comes together where memories are made that last a lifetime. They don’t call this the Summer of a Lifetime for nothing. 

Below is a preview of the camp-wide events for summer 2017. Some of these will be familiar to our returning campers while some of them are brand new. You can learn more about how to pack for these events in the Parent Handbook (Coming Soon)!

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Opening Show

We are starting Camp off right… stage games, prizes, and tribal competition!

Monday Funday

The water Park, inflatables, and slip-n-slides- need we say more?

Pokémon University (JR Camp Only)

“You want to be the very best, like no one ever was?” Well come ready to collect pokemon, battle all the gyms, and make your way to Victory Road!

Campout

What’s manlier than building a fire and sleeping under the stars?

Sherlock and Suspects

When the board game of Clue comes to life before your eyes, everyone becomes a Sherlock to unlock WinShape newest mystery.

Ignite

Tonight we will gather together to engage in high-energy worship and dive deeper into what it truly means to know God. 

Indian Summer

Boys, get excited to join the girls up on the hill in a night full of live bands and inflatables at our very own music festival. 

Mega Relay: Time Travelers

We don’t call it MEGA for no reason! We’re meeting up with the girls at Girls Camp for a battle of the colors, where the competition is unmatched.

Council Ring

Paint up with your tribe and get your loudest chant ready, so you can stake your claim up on the hill. 

Mega Sock War

Red is dead! Blue is through! Grab your camo, join your team, and prepare for a battle of epic proportions!

Nerf Warz (JR Camp Only)

Who doesn’t dream of running through cardboard forts, dodging nerf bullets, and shooting your friends?

Slime Pit (SR Camp Only)

TV’s Survivor meets Nickelodeon’s original Slime Time Live. You’re going to want to bring a change of clothes for this one!

Bo-Skies

All of Boys Camp gathers together for our fancy-shmancy awards ceremony. 

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Late Nites 2017 at Cohutta Springs

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WinShape Camps works incredibly hard to craft late night events that are unmatched by anything our campers can do at home. For most of these events, the whole camp comes together where memories are made that last a lifetime. They don’t call this the Summer of a Lifetime for nothing. 

Below is a preview of the Late Nights for summer 2017. Some of these will be familiar to our returning campers while some of them are brand new. You can learn more about how to pack for these events in the Parent Handbook (Coming Soon)!

Also, if you’re looking for some music while you pack, check out our Late Nites playlist for WinShape Camps for Girls at Cohutta Springs on Spotify!

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The Cereal Bowl

Who said a bowl game was just for college football? And who said cereal was just for breakfast? Grab your new camp besties, bring your fiercest competition, and see if your team can rise to the top in these bracket challenges. You may survive the Captains Crunch, and even blow through the CoCo Puff with flying colors– but will your team be crowned the Cereal Killers? Don’t forget to stop by the cereal bar for your favorite morning crunch. Make a memory at this one-of-a-kind Late Nite party where you bring the competition and we provide the milk & cereal.

What To Wear: Vintage athletic gear or dress as your favorite cereal

Song: Bap U by Party Favor (Listen)

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams are made of these: teenage girls, awesome playlists, and a life of passionate pursuit. Tonight you can build a fort, complete with twinkle lights, or let loose on the dance floor- just be sure to wear your comfiest PJs and bring your wildest dreams.  World peace? Clean water projects? Owning a major league baseball team or fashion agency? No dreams are too big here. We’ll make vision boards and plan to change the whole world. This is where the sugar of sweet girls meets the spice of our fiercest girl-boss dreams coming true.

What To Wear: Pajamas

Song: Life In Color – One Republic (Listen)

Campfire Encounter

Come fill the night with the realest conversations you’ve had in a minute. Grab an iced coffee, your camp besties and a blanket while we get down to the realness about being All in. We’re hanging out under the stars, surrounded by blooming flowers that remind us of new life and fresh beginnings. Just think about the Savior and All that He’s promised to us.

 

What to wear: Something casual and comfortable

Song: Beautiful Things by Gungor (Listen)

808 Oasis

We know the summers are super-hot, but that’s no mirage you see. That’s 70 of your closet friends and all of your favorite counselors, bumping to the dopest dance party mixes at this rad desert-themed pool party. Dancing shoes, cowboy boots, swimming flippers, or just plain barefoot is the way to go. And don’t forget that cute one piece. Think rave party meets ancient Egyptian dessert. Palm trees and disco balls. Pyramids and diving boards. The DJ will keep it lit while you’re feeling all the feels on our last night together; and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

What to wear: One piece bathing suit, or whatever you’re comfortable in if you don’t plan on swimming

Song: Kuaga(Lost Time) (Radio Edit) – Pierce Fulton (Listen)

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Introducing FORCES

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If you have attended any of our camp programs, you know the feeling.

The moment you clinch the Council Ring victory at last.

The jubilation of a Pep Rally with your Club.

Fighting for the Squad Cup with rambunctious pride.

Yes, Camp Culture at WinShape Camps is the core of who we are. And for good reason.

We know camp memories are made when campers (and their parents) compete for a common goal. The feeling of accomplishment and pride when your squad/club/legacy/tribe/village emerges victorious is rarely matched elsewhere. Like the feeling of all your favorite sports teams winning their respective championships in the same year, each ending in a gripping last-second comeback. Campers cannot help but feel that sort of intense passion during a camp session. It’s ingrained in our DNA.

Campers may grow up, but the heart and soul are forever attached to the camaraderie and pride they once knew.

This summer we launch a brand new camp. A camp exclusive to Cobb County, and full of the culture that makes all of our camps so memorable.

WinShape Camps for Communities at Cobb, welcome to the deeply-rooted legacy of camp.

Welcome to Forces.

Your Force is a community of friends, new and old. 

Your Force is by your side, win or lose.

Your Force is a place where you belong, always.

The four Forces are: Earth Force, Fire Force, Water Force and Wind Force.

Comprised of elements that contribute something special to the world, Forces are unique. Yet they stand united in this: every member of a Force works together to help the rest. Elements of the Force fight for rather than against each other.

A sampling of elements includes the River, Delta, Brook and Falls of the Water Force; or the ‘Canes, ‘Nado, and Storm, who represent the Wind Force.

As campers age and move into new Forces, they will embrace traditions—new and old—of their new community. New cheers to learn, colors to represent, and friends to know.

The legacy of WinShape Camps for Communities at Cobb grows with your camper. Forces are the threads of that legacy.

Are you ready for them?

All this week, we will be releasing our Force logos on social media. Be sure to follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

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Wrapping Up Summer 2017

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As the summer sun transitions to cooler fall breezes, excitement for fall begins to mix with nostalgia for the summer that has now come and gone.

Whether you spent your days lounging by the pool or road-tripping with the family, we can all agree that the three short months of freedom went by all too quickly.

Some of you have enough stories of summer adventures to write a series that rivals Narnia, while others are left wondering where the time has gone.

We here in the WinShape Nation, however, can sum up the past three months in four words.

Summer. Of. A. Lifetime.

From Chicago to Kansas, Mt. Berry to Brazil, WinShape Camps extracted every possible adventure the summer had to offer – and breathed life into more than 34,437 campers in nearly 100 cities, 15 states, and two countries.

To say that “camp was fun” would be an understatement to say the least. With over 52 different skills taught, 180 Nite Life events, more than 100 triangulation games played, it is impossible to ignore all of the incredible memories that were made this summer.

Memories of afternoons at the pool, mornings on the rec field, and evenings up late with friends have us wishing that we could fast forward to May 2018 and do it all over again.

Right now, teams at our Home Office are ALREADY planning Summer 2018! We are dreaming up new activities, praying over your campers, and even searching for the best group of college staffers in the country!

Believe us, there is much to do before we can start tagging photos with #campiscoming! Amidst all of this preparation, however, there is one thing that is for sure —

We are ready for you!

Our team is SO EXCITED for Summer 2018 that we can hardly wait to meet all of YOU, the members of the WinShape Nation! And since we can’t wait even one more moment, we have already opened up registration!

Can you believe it?

With over 40% of our slots already filled from preregistration, it’s important to register as soon as you can to guarantee your spot! Trust us, you don’t want to miss out on all of the amazing stories that will be written this summer as we unpack our theme, Shepherd!

Make sure to keep checking the blog as we share more information about Summer 2018, recount stories from some of our awesome staffers, and even offer up fun activities to do throughout the year as you prepare for #WSC2018!

 

We’re ready, are you?

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Meet Amy Lowe, our new Director of WinShape Camps for Girls: 

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For nearly 13 years, we had the honor of having Trudy Cathy White as our Director of WinShape Camps for Girls (WSCG). Under her leadership, WSCG flourished and grew in a way that reflected Truett’s vision for WinShape Camps and paid tribute to his core desire to see youth grow in their relationship with Christ and with others. We are so grateful for Trudy’s leadership, and we celebrate her work’s incredible impact over the years.   After Trudy stepped down from her role as Director earlier this year, we began the search for the woman who would fill her role and carry WSCG forward with strong ability and like-mindedness. We found that in Amy Lowe.   Amy is a seasoned leader who loves the Lord and believes that God uses camp settings to change lives and shift hearts. Her love for camp ministry, combined with her experience leading teams in her previous role at LifeWay Christian Resources, made our decision easy. She’s the perfect fit!   Amy has shared with us her vision to see WinShape Camps for Girls continue toward providing the finest girls camp in the nation, and we are confident she has the ability and passion to lead us there. Welcome, Amy! The best is truly yet to come.    Amy’s Background In her most previous role, Amy served as Manager of Adult Publishing at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee, where she was responsible for developing resources for authors like Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Lysa TerKeurst and Lauren Chandler, to name a few. Prior to that, she was a Camp Coordinator for FUGE Camps for five years. While there, Amy recruited staff, trained and supervised summer staff, coordinated mission sites for MFuge, and organized all other logistics required to operate camps.   During her college and graduate school days, Amy served as FUGE Camps summer staff, stepping into a Camp Director role during her last summer there (which is where she met her husband, Matt!).   Amy graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration before going on to Fuller Theological Seminary to earn her Master of Arts in Theological Studies.   Amy and her husband, Matt, have two children, Claire (7) and Jack (4).

The post Meet Amy Lowe, our new Director of WinShape Camps for Girls:  appeared first on WinShape Camps.

2017 Year in Review

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To say that 2017 has been a remarkable year in the WinShape Nation would be an understatement to say the least. This year alone, WinShape Camps shared the message of Jesus Christ with 33,433 campers across all camp locations throughout the United States. We are more than excited for Summer of 2018, as we unpack the theme Shepherd. However, it wouldn’t be fitting to ring in the New Year without highlighting some of the awesome things that happened in 2017! Without further ado, here is a review of our top 17 from 2017 in the WinShape Nation.
  1. WSC for Communities opened its first stationary day camp location in Cobb County. 
  2. WSC for Girls at Cohutta Springs held camp for the second year in a row, with a total of 168 campers.
  3. WSC for Communities hosted more than 28,000 new campers in cities across the United States.
  4. WSC overnight one week camps at Young Harris and Cleveland brought camp to more than 1,677 new campers. 
  5. Both overnight camps at Mt. Berry saw 76% of our awesome campers return for another Summer of a Lifetime. 
  6. Scholarships to camp were at a an all-time high in 2017! WSC for Communities brought nearly 19,500 scholarships to campers across all camp locations.
  7. We connected with more than 8,950 family members of our overnight campers on Chick-Fil-A Friday Family Fun Days this summer.
  8. Archery was the most popular skill at Mt. Berry Boys camp for the second year in a row. 
  9. Senior campers at both WSC for Girls at Mt. Berry and Young Harris cooked to their hearts' content in Sweet Shoppe and Gourmet Chef; the most popular skill at both locations. 
  10. Splish Splash was the most popular — and wet — skill at WSC for Girls at Young Harris. 
  11. Campers learned the art of hand-lettering in calligraphy, the most popular skill at WSC for Girls at Cohutta Springs.
  12. The three most popular skills at all WSC for Communities locations were: Archery, Wacky Science, and Fast Food.  
  13. 165 Colleges and Universities were represented across all Summer Staffers at WinShape Camps this summer.
  14. Summer Staffers came from 28 different states across the U.S. 
  15. 304 new staffers joined the WinShape Nation in 2017.
  16. WSC for Girls at Mt. Berry launched its first ever WinShape Weekend, featuring day-long water games and new recreation games that highlight camp culture.
  17. We already have hundreds of campers registered for summer of 2018! Don't wait to sign up for your chance to bring a summer of fun and memories to your son or daughter!

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Host Rally 2018 – Kickstarting the Summer with WinShape Camps for Communities!

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This year’s Host Rally was our largest rally yet, with 103 different communities represented! Hundreds of hosts and Chick-Fil-A Partners piled into the Crowne Plaza in Peachtree City, Georgia to learn about the 2018 theme, Shepherd, and discover exciting ways to engage their communities with the message of Jesus Christ through day camps.     Speakers like Chick-Fil-A President and COO Tim Tassopoulos, the Cathy Family, and Pastors Jeff Henderson, Bill Hybels, and Ike Reighard challenged our hosts to be leaders in their community by serving the Lord as He has personally called them to serve.     We were even joined by Disney Imagineer McNair Wilson, who inspired our hosts to be creative and dream big!         We also unveiled the Experience Center; a hub where hosts could interact with different elements of camp and new resources for staff, volunteers, and campers through virtual reality simulation, tips form our Road Crew, and new logistical plans set for this summer.    

Just like our campers, our awesome hosts came to WinShape ready for a ton of fun!

     
 

And we’re pretty sure they had a blast!

   

Host rally for @winshapecamps #hr18

A post shared by Chase Baker (@chaseebaker) on

  Some of our hosts from communities impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey even received scholarships to bring new families in their communities to camp this summer!       Most importantly, our hosts were able to leave with inspiration, a new energy, and tons of ideas to kickstart an unforgettable summer with WinShape Camps.    

We’re ready for Summer 2018, are you?

On January 15, WinShape Camps kicked off its season of preparation for this summer’s WinShape Camps for Communities with our annual Host Rally!

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WinShape Camps International Project: New Partners in Costa Rica

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Beginning in March 2009, our summer and full-time staffers have had the opportunity to share the experience of camp to children in Brazil for two weeks in the spring. Just four years later, in 2013, WSC launched its first summer international experience, offering camp in six additional communities surrounding Brasilia and Sao Paulo. This past summer, WSCI had the pleasure of bringing the overnight camps experience to campers in Brazil for the first time ever! Since the first trip to Brazil in 2009, WSCIP has served 20 different communities – reaching more than 5,000 campers!   This year, we are so excited to begin a new chapter in our international ministries by bringing camps to communities in Costa Rica. We will be piloting the experience for two weeks in March with our Spring Project and will return for six weeks this summer. Not only does this mark the beginning of new international partnerships for WinShape Camps, but it also begins a new aspect of the relationship between Thriveworx and WinShape Camps.

Image source: https://www.thrivefarmers.com/

If you’ve ever had a cup of coffee from Chick-Fil-A, you may know that the coffee is sourced from a coffee organization called Thrive Farmers. Thrive Farmers is a farmer-direct coffee distributor that seeks to build business partnerships with coffee farmers across the globe. With an emphasis on sustainability and social development, Thriveworx —the non-profit for Thrive Farmers – empowers the communities of its coffee farmers.

Image Source: http://fortune.com/2015/12/29/coffee-farmers-equity-fair-trade/

As an extension of the community empowerment that this non-profit seeks to deliver, Thriveworx has allowed WinShape Camps International to bring a day camps experience to the communities of their Thrive Farmers. We cannot wait to see what this relationship looks like and how God will use camp to impact the lives of those in the communities of San Rafael de Abangares and San Rafael de Naranjo this spring.       It is our prayer that the message of the Gospel will empower the communities we visit in just a few weeks! Just as the Lord has provided for the mission in Brazil, we pray that the new partnerships in Costa Rica will equip the local church to share the Good News with its communities.
For the past nine years, WinShape Camps has been sending summer staffers to communities surrounding Brasilia and Sao Paulo Brazil. Born out of a strong desire of summer staffers to serve internationally, WinShape Camps International seeks to share the good news of Christ and bring camps to communities in other parts of the world.

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Six Reasons To Sign Up For Camp During Kickoff Week!

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Discounts

Who doesn’t love saving money? During Kickoff Week, many of our locations are offering special discounts for the first few campers who register! You don’t want to miss out on the chance to save a little extra!

First choice of skills

One of the most exciting parts of registration is getting to pick skills! Many people don’t know that the first campers to register have a better chance of getting into their highest preference skills. Register early to increase your chances of getting into the skills of your choice!

Reserve your spot

The WinShape Nation is growing faster than you think — so it’s important to secure your spot before your location fills up. You’ll be glad you registered early!

Make your summer plans now

It always feels good to have plans set in place early! Rather than waiting for the summer to roll around to decide how your kids will be spending their summer, plan ahead and get WinShape on your calendar.

Be the first to get info on our 2018 Theme

The earlier you register, the earlier you’ll be in the know! Get special information about our 2018 theme by registering during Kickoff Week!

Be eligible to win cool WSC swag

Campers who register during Kickoff Week have the chance to win special prizes and cool camp giveaways! Do it for the camp swag!       Be a part of celebrating alongside us this year and register today!
Kickoff Week is one of our favorite weeks of the year because it means that the summer is nearly here! Don’t miss out on all of the fun giveaways, discounts and excitement going on as we gear up for another Summer Of A Lifetime!

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Five Things To Know About WinShape Camps For Communities

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  1. Free CFA for everyone on Chick-Fil-A Friday Family Fun Day!

Every Friday, parents and campers have the chance to celebrate the end of a fun week at camp over everyone’s favorite — Chick-Fil-A! Families can expect to enjoy a yummy lunch and fun games after the closing ceremony!
  1. 19 Unique Skills

Every day, campers have the opportunity to try new activities and learn about their God-given talents through skills! The goal of skills is to allow campers the chance to try something new, make a memory, and have fun! With over 19 different skills to choose from, you can bet that there is something for everyone. Campers can customize their day by choosing from an array of awesome skills like Archery, Wacky Science and even Sew Much Fun!
  1.  It’s an ALL DAY camp

Unlike other day camps that end in the middle of the day, WinShape Camps for Communities offers unprecedented day-long programming from 7:45-5:00 for your camper! Each action-packed day includes a rotation of games, skills, team time, worship, snack and of course — FUN!
  1.  Our Theme

Each summer, campers get to learn about a special theme that guides all of the content for all of our camps that summer. All week long, staffers and campers unpack scripture to learn more about Christ and living as believers in the world today.  
  1.  Spend the week growing your faith, trying new things, and having FUN with your friends!

No matter what our campers are doing — whether it is spending time unpacking our theme in a bible study, trying something new in a skill, or chanting and cheering with members of their village — you can guarantee that their week at camp will truly be the Summer Of A Lifetime!

Unlike any of our overnight camps, WinShape Camps for Communities provides a weeklong of fun, faith and friendship in a day camp experience! Get to know a little more about WSC for Communities with these top five “must-knows” for the most fun day camp experience there is to offer!

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Preview Day is Almost Here!

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There’s nothing more comforting than going into a brand new situation with some idea of what to expect! We know that for many of our first-time parents, the idea of sending a child to camp for a week can anything short of nerve-racking! The questions are endless: Will they make friends? Will they be taken care of by staffers? Will they like the food?

The only thing that can truly answer these questions is getting the full experience by going to camp! In just one week, on April 7, you and your family have the chance to see camp up close and walk through the WinShape Camps experience at Preview Day!

Preview Day is your chance to visit two of our one-week overnight camp locations to see what camp looks like – from a walk-through of the facilities to participating in some camp activities! Not only will you have the chance to get the camp experience at Preview Day, but you will also have the opportunity to talk with some of our full-time and summer staffers.

Sign up today to get the WinShape Camps experience with your family and friends! WinShape Camps for Girls Preview Day will be held at Young Harris (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM) and Boys Camp Preview Day will be held at Cleveland (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM). Information on how to register can be found here: https://camps.winshape.org/previewday/

We can’t wait to see you on April 7!

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Cohutta Springs Guest Speakers 2018

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WinShape Camps for Girls at Cohutta Springs is unlike any of our other overnight camp locations for more reasons than one. Between its cozy location in the mountains of northwest Georgia and its exclusive high school girl population, this one-week overnight camp offers an experience that is unique to camp at Cohutta Springs. Part of this special experience is the worship and message given each night by different guest speakers in-residence. This extraordinary opportunity gives our girls the chance to meet with and be mentored by influential Women of Christ. In fact, this has been so integral to the Cohutta Springs experience that it has been one of the highest rated elements of camp by our campers.

Continuing this tradition, we will have four incredible guest speakers this summer; one for each session of camp. To say that our speaker lineup is phenomenal would be an understatement. If you don’t believe us, why don’t you look over the bios of the inspirational women who will be leading our high school girls this summer.

Week 1: Annie F. Downs

Annie F. Downs is a bestselling author, speaker, and podcaster based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her words to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God. An author of multiple bestselling books- 100 Days To Brave, Looking for Lovely, Let's All Be Brave, Perfectly Unique, and Speak Love, Annie also loves traveling around the country speaking at conferences, churches, and events. While Annie hosts the weekly popular That Sounds Fun Podcast, she is also a co-host on the long-running Relevant Podcast. Annie is a huge fan of bands with banjos, glitter, her community of friends, boiled peanuts, and soccer. Read more at anniefdowns.com and follow her @anniefdowns.

 

Week 2: Jo saxton

Born to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Jo Saxton has spread her message for the past twenty years across the UK and North America. Jo serves with a ministry called 3DM and she and her husband, Chris, have recently planted Mission Point Church, in the Minneapolis area. In addition to speaking around the world, Jo has written several books, such as More than Enchanting: Breaking Through Barriers to Influence Your World, High Heels and Holiness: The Smart Girl’s Guide to Living Life Well, Real God, Real Life. Jo’s message encourages people to engage in missional living and discipleship. Her message specifically equips women for leadership and influence and inspires all believers to engage the world in the same way God does—by going out rather than just reaching out. Jo loves running, good music, reading, and laughing loudly with family and friends over a great meal. Jo and Chris have two amazing daughters. Follow her on Twitter at @josaxton.

 

Week 3: Mo Isom

Mo Isom is an author, speaker and blogger. She was an All-American goalkeeper for the Louisiana State University soccer team and the first female to try out for an SEC men’s football team. She holds the LSU all-time goalkeeper record as well as the #3 SEC all-time shutout record.

She trained with the US Women’s National program, was honored as National Player of the Week, has appeared on ESPN SportsCenter Top-10 Plays, and has been featured in Sports Illustrated and appeared on Ellen, ESPN, CBS, The 700 Club, and countless other platforms.

While her life has been marked by incredible athletic successes, it has also been riddled with crushing personal adversity. Isom uses her unique experiences to challenge, encourage, and equip her generation to live boldly by the Word in the midst of a broken world. She, her husband Jeremiah, and their daughter Auden live in Atlanta, Georgia. Follow her on Twitter at @MoIsom.

 

Week 4: Rebekah Lyons

Rebekah Lyons is the author of You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are and Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning. She is a mother of three, wife of one, and dog-walker of two living in Nashville. An old soul with a contemporary, honest voice, Rebekah reveals her own battles to overcome anxiety, depression and consumer impulses. Find joy in raising a special needs child -  she invites everyone to embrace the unique calling God has for each of us. Rebekah wears her heart on her sleeve, a benefit to friends and readers alike. Alongside her husband, Gabe, Rebekah serves as co-founder of Q Ideas, a nonprofit organization that helps Christian leaders winsomely engage in culture. Her favorite pastime is spent with her nose in a book and a discriminating cup of coffee in hand. You can find Rebekah on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

It is truly going to be a summer of growth and transformation at WinShape Camps for Girls at Cohutta Springs as we unpack this year’s theme, Shepherd. We hope you are as excited as we are to share this summer with these incredible guest speakers!

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Staff Training By the Numbers

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This past week, more than 800 staffers met in Mt. Berry Georgia for Staff Training to prepare for yet another Summer of A Lifetime!

Between informational sessions, dance parties, and moments for spiritual reflection, staffers began to unpack the theme for this summer, Shepherd. As we looked through Psalm 23, all of our staffers were equipped to share this message of peace and comfort with campers across the WinShape Nation.

Staffers from all ends of the globe (seriously!) came together for this unforgettable week. Believe us when we tell you that we couldn’t be more excited about this group of college-aged leaders serving campers and families this summer! To give you a better idea of who will be representing WinShape Camps this summer, we created this breakdown of Staff Training By the Numbers!

We can't wait to see how God will use this incredible group of staffers to impact the lives of campers and families across the United States! Without a doubt, it is going to be the Summer Of A Lifetime.

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