From the Director’s Desk…

Returning to the camp office one day, I was thinking of all the work ahead of me, praying that we can get it all done. 

So much has happened here. If it could happen, it has.

In one month’s time we had a pipe break, flooding the Youth Center dorm, resulting in losing mattresses, having to tear down a wall and fix beds. Another broken pipe flooded Sunshine Cabin, resulting in having to fix 40 feet of pipe and taking out the tree that caused the damage. Thanks to my friend Jon Beague for taking down the tree and helping me get the pipe replaced and fixed. We are working on cleaning the cabin as we speak. The furniture, flooring and more is a total loss. 

There are good things happening here on the grounds:

• Zanesville friends came for work week. They replaced the roof on the Camp Store, fixed a broken fence, cut grass, repaired the bunks in the Youth Center and replaced rotting wood on a shed. Pastor Steve and the men of his church are always such an encouragement to me.

• Larry Ritterbeck and Joan Adkins brought NYI youth team (One Mission) and Brian Daniels men’s group from Warren First Church also came. The two teams worked together cleaning and setting up the Tabernacle. A storm the previous night had taken out an electrical line so their plans to replace a roof on one of the homes had to be delayed.

• The following weekend Pastor Brian Daniels along with other members of his men’s group returned to start work on the roof.

• As we prepare the summer we have many faithful who work regularly at the camp:

  • Mark, a board member, fixed several leaks in the Snack Shop, fixed the electrical for the new oven in the Dining Hall along with many other projects.

  • Greg and Jackie continue to help doing, office work, cleaning, grounds maintenance and repairs in many areas.

  • Fixing equipment, cutting grass, cooking, cleaning and more are provided by our family; Dave &Paula, Beth Ann, Wanda, Courtnie & Jon, Bryan & Cassie and their families.

  • And my wife Laura for her love and passion for the ministry of Canaan Acres. You never know where you may find her working, including on a roof.

Like I said if it could happen, it has.

In the midst of the setbacks, the thought occurred to me that this last year was an incredible year. God had done some unbelievable and amazing things. Maybe the reason for all the setbacks is Satan trying to discourage us. God has other and bigger plans for this season.

Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

I believe that if we are faithful to God, He will do His part. Amen!

Pastor Mike

Full & Partial Camp Scholarships Available!

If you are between the ages of 7-13 and this is your first time camping and hope to attend an EOD camp and need assistance, please contact the office at canaanacres@gmail.com with “camp scholarship” in the subject line for an application to apply.

Application deadline is June 16, 2025.

More photos can be viewed on the Facebook Page on the Work Week 2025 folder and Spring Cleanup 2025

Here are snippets of testimonies from our volunteers on the impact camp has had on them…

• I love the ministry of the camp and it’s an honor to partner with them for the Kingdom!

• I came to God in 2019 and have been free of alcohol and drugs addition

• We love learning about Jesus

• I was saved at youth camp

• I continue to learn about the Lord

• Coming to camp has made a difference in my life since I was 8 and it continues as I bring my children to camp.

If you have a testimony you want to share with other email canaanacres@gmail.com with the subject line of “Testimony.”

You can go to the Testimony tab on the website to read more.

Caravan News

From Laura:

Our Caravan group has finished our meetings for the year 2024/2025. We will begin the 2025/2026 year in in September and that information will be posted on the website later summer.

Caravan is an amazing Christian Scout-like program in the Church of the Nazarene, and we would love to have your 1st - 6th-grade student join us. 

Our Caravan students ranged from preschool to 6th grade, and they have had a very busy year. We started in the early fall with a mum sale to help with their entrepreneurial badge and combined it with financial savings, gardening, and party planning badges. Our Paint and Craft event and cooking badges also were featured in the year-end badging ceremony. These have created fun gatherings and memories throughout the year.

Over this year, our Caravanner’s have earned or worked on the following badges as well:

• Bible Study, Bible Ready, Bible Memory

• Church

• Sportsmanship

• Birds

• Hiking

• Fishing

• Archery

• Swimming

They worked hard this year on their own projects as well as helping each other.

This fall you will hear more about the honors several earned, including Caleb Schriener who will receive the Phineas F. Breese award (the highest honor in Caravan).

If you are a church that would like to start a Caravan program, or already have a Caravan group at your church, you are welcome at any time to join our group or work on a specific badge. Our camp is a great place for archery, fishing, hiking, gardening, plant life, botany, recycling, bird watching, volunteering, and overnight camping. There are many possibilities on how we can help you with your Caravan group or how we can partner together to reach young people for Christ. 

More photos can be found on the Facebook page here.

Upcoming Events …

See the front page of the website for a calendar here.

You can click on the date for more details.

Volunteer Work Days (Saturdays) 9:00-3:00 lunch provided

We are extending our Saturday work days to the following weeks until we are ready for camp to open. There is still a lot of work to be done.

• May 31st

• June 14th, 21st, 28th

Summer Camps

• July 7-11 Middler and Preteen Camps

• July 14-18 Teen Camp

• July 20-23 Family Camp

• July 24-26 CACC Days

Flowers around the camp…

Summer Camps

Summer will be here before you know it and that means camping season!