As you can see from above, Streamside has recently updated it's look. After working with 3 designers over a period of about 6 months, the final drawings from each designer were shared with a diverse sampling of stakeholders (including parents, staff, retreat group leaders, summer staff, and pastors) for input. The final drawing is a combination of the work of 2 of the designers after input was received. We believe the logo provides a fresh, modern appeal with welcoming fonts and refreshing and calming colors that reflect the atmosphere of the camp while preserving a similar arching design and text look to the previous logo. The name Streamside - by which we are widely known - is most prominent and the graphics visually tell the story of our mission to plant young people - urban or otherwise - beside The Stream ie. God’s Word. (Psalm 1)

It will take us a while to transition to the new look, but it has already been incorporated into a new website design. In addition, we have begun to blog and have an official presence on facebook. It is important for us to effectively and consistently communicate our message and keep our ministry before an ever more technological society. I would love to have you sign up for Streamside's email newsletter on our website, follow the BeSide the Stream Blog and, of course, like us on facebook!

Reyna made her on stage debut at the historic Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg as a member of the cast of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. After a song and dance audition, she was cast in the ensemble which included the roles of an Oompah Loompah, a village child and a squirrel. She did a wonderful job and benefitted from the purposeful activity and building of new friendships. We are hopeful that she will have more opportunities in the future.

Just before Christmas we held our annual Neighborhood Banquet. This is a free banquet event for those who live nearby the camp. It is our way of saying we appreciate that they let us exist in their community and gives us a chance to reach out with the Gospel locally. Our desire was to provide encouragement to many who were experiencing difficult circumstances. After 2 children preformed special Christmas numbers (one was a piano student of Peggy's), we presented 2 testimonies of how God provides encouragement through His Word and His People. One testimony was from Renee who shared her journey with Crohn's Disease. This was a first time public speaking experience for Renee, but she did a great job. Her testimony had a noticable impact on a couple of the guests. Our text for the evening was 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 which brought out the following truths...

God's comfort is adequate no matter how big our trouble is
The greater the suffering, the greater the comfort overflows
God's comfort often comes through other people who have experienced God's comfort
To benefit from comfort, we need to be connected to God, His Word and His people

We received a number of prayer requests and 2 individuals are interested in attending a Bible study we will host in 2012.

1. Increased participation of both campers and retreat groups resulting from the many new contacts we have made
2. The recruitment of another strong staff for the summer
3. A healthy and productive year for our children
4. Continued favor in the eyes of our parent organization, BCM international
5. Safety and protection from all the inherent risks of a camping ministry