PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAMP WINGMANN
Kids enjoy canoe time at Camp Wingmann. The next “New Beginnings” camp is scheduled for March 9-11.
Bringing middle schoolers to Christ is a fun thing for staff members at Camp Wingmann. It’s all about “New Beginnings” through an array of activities, food, prayer, laughter and more.
A weekend retreat established by the Diocese of Central Florida more than 30 years ago, New Beginnings is one of the more popular events at the Avon Park camp. Designed for middle school students ages 12-15 but run by high school students and supervised by youth leaders, clergy and other adults, the retreat has helped scores of youth grow in love for themselves, for others and for Jesus.
That trend is expected to continue March 9-11 when the spring 2018 New Beginnings retreat will be held. New Beginnings is also held once in the fall.
“We expect a great turnout of at least 100 youth and adults to be in attendance this March,” said the Rev. Phyllis Bartle, rector of St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Orange City and one of the event’s organizers.
Bartle said speakers and musical talent will come from adults and students from around the diocese who volunteer their time to make sure that the Lord is proclaimed and all are allowed to flourish in their faith. They also will help motivate the campers to enjoy and learn from the many activities, which include skits, music, small-group gatherings, swimming, playing and more.
The format that New Beginnings has used has been noticed and utilized by others, far and wide. “The format for this middle school retreat was so popular that it spread throughout the United States and even to Ireland,” Bartle said. “It is based and grounded in ‘relationship.’ Relationship with self, peers, siblings, parents, Jesus and the world. The youth explore different aspects of those relationships and begin to grow in each of them.”
The uniqueness of Camp Wingmann has helped New Beginnings as well. The huge retreat center in northern Highlands County has an old-time Florida feel that enamors visitors time and again.
“New Beginnings has become a favorite weekend retreat for many students because it allows them to experience the love of God in the pristine setting of Camp Wingmann,” Bartle said. “They make lifelong friendships with those who come from all over the diocese.
“The teens are allowed and encouraged to come to the weekend again and again to the point that many go on to become leaders themselves and serve as small-group leaders, prayer team members and in many other roles,” Bartle said.
For more information about New Beginnings, call Bartle at 386-775-6200, email her at phlealess@aol.com, or access the website link at https://cfdiocese.org/episcopalyouth/event/new-beginnings/ on the internet.