Taste of Camp
Get a taste of camp at our Spring Spree Weekend. Come Friday, May 12 to Saturday, May 13 to experience some of your favorite camp past times: hiking, fishing, crafts, gaga ball, wacky games and contests, singing, free time, and campfire!
Everyone is invited: girls, boys, women, men, old, young, families, clubs, and groups. Ask your friend who is unsure if they will like a full week of summer camp.
For more information or to register, click here! Hurry, space is limited. May 7 is the last day to tell us you are coming.
Summer is Coming!
Happy 2017 from your friends at Camp Cherith of Western New York!
We hope that during these winter months you are looking forward to the warm, sunny days of summer and all the great things you can do like spending a week (or sending your kids for a week) at Camp Cherith! We know many of you are probably planning to do so, and we wanted to update you on a few changes that we are making for this summer.
Because of our growing Day Camp program and our commitment to reaching out to our immediate community, we decided to switch things up and offer a full week dedicated just to day camp! In the past, we ran day camp during the first week of resident camp. But in 2016 we had such a large day camp that we want to dedicate more of our staff, resources, and activity time, just to them.
What does this mean for resident camp? We’ve moved to having four weeks (from five weeks) of resident camp, not only to accommodate the growth in day camp, but also to maximize resident camp opportunities. Our goal is to make all of our programs an even better experience for both day campers and overnight campers. As you can see the calendar weeks are similar with the exception of starting resident camp a week later. We will have two girls only weeks, and two parallel camp (boys and girls) weeks. The dates are as follows:
July 3-7 - day camp
July 9-15 - girls only resident camp
July 16-22 - girls only resident camp
July 23 -29 - parallel boys and girls resident camp
July 30-August-5 - parallel boys and girls resident camp
Check out the specials for each week here. You can register NOW to be sure to get the week you'd like!
Another new thing we’d like to announce is that we will be renting our site for a few days in August (after our regularly scheduled camp ends) to Celiac Strong Camp. This camp is devoted to providing a camp experience to campers with Celiac Disease. Their website states “This camp is worry-free place for boys and girls with Celiac or gluten intolerance between 7-16 years old.” Celiac Strong Camp will be happening at Camp Cherith of WNY from August 9th-August 12th. We’re excited to host them!
Click here to rent our beautiful site for your organization's next event!
Adventure Tree Climbing in front of the the dining hall
Looking for Someone Like You
Would you like to work at Camp Cherith of Western New York this summer? Applications are being accepted for Summer 2017 now! Apply today to secure your spot on this summer's staff. We look forward to hearing from you!
A Special Announcement from the Director and her Assistant
Hi Everyone! Roo (Alana Matteson, Assistant Director) here!
Happy New Year!
I hope that you are all doing well and having a great January. I just wanted to write a note and let you know about some changes that are happening at camp and my life. On January 9th, I started a new position at University Hospitals (a hospital system in Cleveland, OH). I will be working full time in the transplant unit as an Intake Coordinator. I'm very excited about this opportunity! It will allow me many other opportunities for professional and personal growth as well as the opportunity to continue my education and pursue my masters degree. Unfortunately, this means that my work at camp is going to come to an end. I will be working with Rufous throughout the spring to transition out of my position as Assistant Director.
As a child, camp was the highlight of my year. As a teenager and adult, camp became my home. If anybody knows the power of God through CCWNY, it's me. Many people have worked to make Camp Cherith a place where one can truly be themselves... where people know the love of God, and where they can eat delicious food cooked over a fire. My years working at Camp Cherith have been so valuable, and it's truly been bittersweet to make this decision, but I am so excited to see the way that God will orchestrate a new group of people into leadership.
I can't wait to hear how leaders are trained, disciples are cultivated and lives are transformed at CCWNY this summer!
Hi Everyone! Rufous (Evelyn White, Director) here!
I just want to take a moment to say how thankful I am for the opportunity I've had do the ministry of camp with Roo. Over the years we have been able to make so many great memories together as we served campers, parents and staff at CCWNY. I know I have grown through the time we've had together and I am so grateful for the things God has allowed us to accomplish. We serve a great God who cares so deeply about us and has a unique plan for each of us. It has been wonderful to see God's plan unfold for Roo through this very exciting, new opportunity she has. I know that likewise God will show us His plan for CCWNY.
We don't always know what the future holds but we do know who holds the future. I am glad that even when we are uncertain of the path ahead we can trust God to lead us and be with us. I am looking to God to show us His way, through His word, just as we need our flashlights at camp to find our way on a dark path.
Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.
Please join me in sending Roo off to her next adventure with our blessings and our prayers! So, this is not good-bye, just so long for now.
Fall Courier Newsletter
Get an update of the state of Camp Cherith since the summer season ended. Prayerfully consider how you could be involved with this special place in the coming year.
70 Year Celebration Gala
An elegant setting, an excellent catered dinner, terrific music, renewed friendships and shared memories all contributed to an exceptional evening. Campers, staff, supporters and friends--past and present--joined in celebrating 70 years of Camp Cherith WNY. We remembered the dream of Cherith as it began in 1946 and grew into the philosophy, program and place that we so cherish now.
Our hearts were thrilled as many shared how CCWNY had directly touched their lives, taught them skills, modeled a close walk with Jesus, developed their leadership abilities, demonstrated the unconditional love of God and inspired them to serve the Lord at school, home and around the world. Smiles, hugs, laughter and tears were abundant. “Camp was where I learned how to have my morning devotions.” “Camp was the first place I learned to love the outdoors and to connect with God in nature.” “I always felt loved at camp--it was my home.” “Camp was foundational for my kids and especially one with special needs. The relationships she developed allow her to live independently.” “”Being immersed in Bible teaching and dependence on God throughout each day helped me remember to keep Christ in every part of my life: “CCWNY has been such a blessing!”
See the slideshow below to see highlights from the evening.
Fall Chatter Newsletter
Missing summer camp as fall turns to winter? Read some notes from your camp friends to remind you of your time.
5 things to keep in mind about following God’s path for your life
As a new summer approaches, I realize that this will be my 8th year on staff at camp. If you had known me prior to my first summer at camp, I would have been the last person you would have seen at any summer camp. But God’s plans are way different than our own.
We all know the verse Jeremiah 29:11 that says “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Although we all know this verse, often times it’s hard for us to completely trust the fact that God has a perfect plan for our lives. As a result we try to do things out own way, and it usually turns out as a disaster. If we want to walk on the path that God has planned for us, then there are a couple of things that we need to do.
1) Identify yourself with Christ- To know where we are going we have to know who we are.
2) Submit your whole self to God and trust Him
a) James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you
b) Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth
3) Pray and spend time with God
a) Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will so that you know the voice of the Holy Spirit.
4) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you then listen and obey
a) John 10:14-15; 27 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
b) When we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal something to us, He will, and we have to listen.
i) 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit.
5) Protect yourself from the words of others-
a) 1 Samuel 17:8-11 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelite's were dismayed and terrified.
i) The Israelite's were intimidated by the words of Goliath they were not protecting themselves against his words they were "terrified"
Remember God has a plan for your life and it’s up to you to walk in His ways so you can fulfill it. Never let the enemy knock you off track and distract you from all that God has planned for you!
<3 Pteri Ibis
If you would like to submit a devotional for Morning Watch Monday or have a topic you would like to see, contact Lorianne, loriannewalker7 [at] gmail.com
New Cherith Chatter Available for Campers and Parents
Check out the newest Cherith Chatter for information about the upcoming camp season. Be sure to read it for check-in and check-out procedures, how to send letters and email to your campers, and special events going on related to our 70th Anniversary!
2016 Weekly Themes! Register Today!
Here's the announcement of our 2016 weekly themes! Come join in on the fun today! Remember: register for week 1 now for a special discount!
Week 1: Stories from Outer Space (girls only)
Week 2: Stories from the Kingdom (girls only)
Week 3: Stories from the Movies (girls only)
Week 4: Stories from Superheroes (boys and girls)
Week 5: Stories of the Old West (boys and girls
We're so excited for you to be a part of The Greater Story at CCWNY!