10/18/2026
"So what is all this fundraising for?"
It must seem a little strange for a camp ministry to fill its page and calendar with meatloaf, turkey, and pie- it might even seem like we lose focus through the holidays- But it's hard to overstate just how important these fundraisers have been to the momentum we've seen at Path of Life Camp over the last few years.
We've seen SO many answered prayers. Through God's provision and the generosity of so many people, we've been able to tackle long-overdue improvements, strengthen the camp financially, and reach more kids with the love of Jesus this summer than ever before, with tens of thousands of dollars in sponsorships granted this year alone.
But now we're asking a different question: What's next?
For years, our next big project was usually whatever problem we simply couldn't ignore any longer. A rotting floor, inadequate changing rooms, a lawn mower that spent most of the season in the shop, or a hideous lodge entrance.
And while there will always be things to repair, we're finally in a position to look beyond the most urgent problems and start thinking about the future.
There are several big projects we're praying about, and each one represents an opportunity to make the camp more effective for future ministry.
Finishing the Lodge Porch & Pool Area
Our original vision for the porch included wrapping it around the west side of the lodge. That portion will require significant footer work and likely relocating septic tanks, so we couldn't tackle it this spring.
But it's still part of a much bigger vision to improve the entire area around the lodge, pool, patio, and pathways, managing rainwater better, and making it a more welcoming and functional space.
Adding Another Cabin
This summer, overnight camp attendance grew by 29%! Two of our three overnight weeks were completely full, and we even had staff sleeping on couches and floors to make room for more campers.
What an incredible answer to prayer! But it also showed us how badly we need more space. Another cabin would give us room to grow, greater flexibility, and more opportunities to invest in overnight camping, which has always been at the heart of our ministry.
Expanding the Lodge
Our lodge has served us faithfully for many years, but we're running into some serious limitations.
Accessibility is a major challenge, particularly for guests who have difficulty with stairs. Our bathrooms are especially difficult to access, and our kitchen has simply run out of room.
We're praying about a modest addition that could address several needs at once: an accessible entrance and restroom, much-needed kitchen storage, office space, and a safer fire exit for the boys' dormitory.
It wouldn't be a flashy addition, but it could make an enormous difference in how we serve people.
Completing the Event Center
Across the road from the lodge sits our enormous 11,000-square-foot steel building, known over the years as the "bounce house house," the "go-kart garage," or simply the "new building" (even though it's been there for more than 20 years!).
Back in the late 90s, Charlie Kark certainly had a vision for what that building could become. An incredible amount of faith, prayer, sacrifice, and hard work went into getting it up.
While the building progress has been pretty dormant for the last 8 years, that vision is still very much alive.
The building has tremendous potential to expand what we can do, not just during the summer, but throughout the entire year.
There’s a lot there already- concrete floor, a lot of insulation, basic utilities- but bringing it up to the standards required for larger gatherings will take a substantial investment.
It's a big dream, but so was putting up the building in the first place!
So, what does all of this have to do with meatloaf and mac and cheese?
Everything!
These fundraisers aren't just about keeping the lights on or paying the bills anymore. They're helping us build toward a future that, just a few years ago, seemed out of reach.
We're incredibly grateful for the vision, sacrifice, and faithfulness of those who came before us. So much of what we enjoy today exists because people believed God could use this place to change lives, and they invested in that vision.
But we couldn't do anything with it now, if not for the faithful folks who stand with us and support us in so many ways.
We don't know which of these projects will come first, or exactly how God will provide. We're praying for wisdom, seeking His direction, and trusting Him with the details.
Because in the end, it's not about bigger buildings, nicer facilities, or building OUR kingdom.
It's about making the most of what has been given to us, so that another generation of kids can come to know the love of Jesus.
Every dinner purchased, every dollar given, every hour volunteered, and every prayer shared, is part of making that possible.
Thank you for being part of what God is doing at Path of Life Camp ❤️
