Important Update on the Future of Birch Bay Ranch

Dear friends,

It is with thankful and happy hearts that we write to share with you the latest news about the future of Birch Bay Ranch.

If you're already planning on attending tomorrow's Prayer Walk at the Ranch at 2pm, we look forward to seeing you there. If you weren't sure you'd be able to attend, we hope you'll find a way -- tomorrow's Prayer Walk will truly be a Praise Walk, as we have much to praise God for!

On Wednesday, May 28th, Birch Bay Ranch's current board of directors (which, to remind you, is comprised of the same nine individuals as the board of North Pointe Community Church) met to approve a new set of bylaws for the Birch Bay Ranch Association. Among other things, these updated bylaws address what we've considered the most crucial issue in governance that threatened to stifle the Ranch's ministry: that the Birch Bay Ranch Association needs a new board that is completely separate from the North Pointe Community Church Board.

The new bylaws will allow a brand new board to be appointed to serve in Birch Bay Ranch's best interests, which is amazing news in light of the struggles the Ranch has gone through over the past year. Certainly, this is something to praise the Lord for! From certain closure, to arguably unfair potential land deals, to a hiatus from discussing the issue at all -- we've now arrived at a solution that will see the work of Birch Bay Ranch carry on into the future, and that will allow North Pointe Community Church to begin the process of letting go. We think this is what's right for everyone involved, and we applaud the board for making this important decision.

The new board will be appointed by the Deacons of North Pointe Community Church, but they will take suggestions and criteria for potential members from the leadership at Birch Bay Ranch. They want to see a passionate, impactful board for this ministry, and so do we! There are so many people who are passionate about camp ministry, have a heart for the work at the Ranch, and have the skills and impact necessary to make a true difference for the Birch Bay Ranch Association. We can't wait for them to get together!

We want to thank you, the Heart of Birch Bay Ranch, for everything you've done for the Ranch this past year. Whether you shared your stories with this blog, attended our alumni events, came to one of BBR's fundraisers, liked our Facebook page or followed us on Twitter, we have appreciated every one of you and are so grateful for your passion for this ministry. We are also so thankful that you've included Birch Bay Ranch in your prayers.

So we hope that you will join us on tomorrow's Praise Walk! We'll be walking through the property, covering each area in prayer, blessing this summer's staff and future campers, and praising the Lord for his faithfulness in this situation, and for continuing to pour out his blessings over Birch Bay Ranch!

Please stay in touch with us as we bring you updates on Birch Bay Ranch, invite you to alumni and supporter events, and continue to share with you the incredible impact that Birch Bay Ranch has had on so many lives.

Birch Bay Ranch has a heart, and it's beating strong. You are the Heart of Birch Bay Ranch!

Spring Prayer Walk

When:  Sunday, June 1st at 2:00 PM.
Where:  Birch Bay Ranch (51505 Range Road 215, Sherwood Park)
Why:  To pray for Birch Bay Ranch

With summer camp approaching the Heart of Birch Bay Ranch would like to invite you to join us on Sunday, June 1st for a day of prayer and fellowship at Birch Bay Ranch.  We will be walking around the property praying for the ministry, staff, buildings, facilities, activities, the Board of Directors and the future of Birch Bay Ranch. It's also a great opportunity to re-connect with alumni and friends who all share the same passion for this ministry.
 
The first Heart of Birch Bay Ranch Prayer Walk took place last fall.  It was well attended by staff, volunteers, alumni and supporters of the ranch.  We lifted BBR to the Lord, had an amazing time of prayer and re-connecting with friends, old and new.  We are looking forward to this upcoming prayer walk.

Please join us on June 1st at 2:00PM!

Bands & Bids: A Concert & Silent Auction Fundraiser for Birch Bay Ranch

You're invited to the second annual Bands & Bids on Thursday, May 8th at the Strathcona County Community Centre Agora in Sherwood Park!

The concert will be headlined by Darryl Fraess & Cross Country and feature special guests The Introverts. Other special performing guests are to be announced. So far, we have some fun items for the silent auction and we think there will be something for everyone!

This event is an important fundraiser for Birch Bay Ranch. Funds raised will allow kids who can't afford it to come to camp this summer, and will help the Ranch create the best possible program for them when they get here! It is always our goal to see as many kids come to camp as possible, and for them to encounter God and experience positive life. Will you help?

You can help us out by attending the event, bidding on some sweet items, enjoying free refreshments, and re-connecting with old friends and BBR Alumni!

Another way you can get involved: Birch Bay Ranch is still in need of auction item donations -- if you or someone you know has anything to donate, please email communications@birchbayranch.com right away!

BBR Reunited

Remember when we would stand in a puddle of dishwater, slamming trays of dishes into the sterilizer.   You soaked yourself with water when you sprayed inside of that metal bowl, but you only did that once before learning the art of deflection.

Remember when we could take the horses for a swim in the lake.  We would ride them down right beside the Main Lodge and sit on their backs as they swam up to the necks in the deep water. 

The Heart of Birch Bay Ranch Reunion Banquet was a time of connecting with old friends, meeting new ones and remembering the years we spent at Birch Bay Ranch.  Among those who attended were past campers, staff, volunteers, and family friends.  



Attendees trickled in throughout the afternoon.  Every arrival was followed by smiles, laughter, enormous hugs, and all the things that come with seeing a dear friend after a long time apart.  The horse drawn sleigh picked up guests at the Main Lodge for a rides through back pasture.

After an afternoon of visiting we all sat down to a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  The Main Lodge was still decorated for Christmas.  I could hear Birch Bay Ranch alumni from many years ago say “Remember when we used to put the coloured napkins in the cups like this for banquets?”  Those green and red napkins have been classing up our plastic camp cups for decades.

In the corner of the dining hall was the Donation Tree.  Guests could put a donation in a small, golden box and hang it on the tree like a decoration.  They could also write a prayer and tie it to the tree.  We are pleased to announce that the Donation Tree raised over $1400 for Birch Bay Ranch!

After the meal everyone congregated in the fireplace area for some good old fashioned camp fun.  After a series of door prizes were given away we played a round of “I Have a Pain”, a favourite Birch Bay Ranch improv. skit that truly has spanned over all generations of BBR’s existence.

“Mother, I have a pain.”

“You say it’s going to rain?”

“No, Mother.  I have a pain and I think I’m going to die.”

“You say it’s going to rain in the sky?”

“No.  I have a pain and I think I’m going to D....I....E.”

Gone are the days of ‘show more emotion’ or ‘western’ style of this skit.  Participants had to improvise with ‘gangster’, ‘old timey mystery’, and ‘Jamaican’ style.  Whole-hearted, full belly laughs came from both the audience and the performers.  Our hearts really were filled with joy.  

“I got to play a game of I Have a Pain with the people who I first saw playing it when I was itty bitty. I was feeling so blessed,” said Garret Fraess, the youngest participant of the skit (if you're not including the cameo appearance from 2 year old Sophie...).

After the skit, and a few more door prizes, the current Birch Bay Ranch staff were recognized for their hard work.  Information on the current land ownership/governance situation was shared, as well as a request for prayer.  It has been decided that those involved with Birch Bay Ranch will strive to run its programs and ministries to the very best of their ability, every day, envisioning a long and successful future for the ranch and its outreach to children in our community.  

We don’t know what the future holds for Birch Bay Ranch, but we do know that this summer the doors are open for summer camp.  In the summer of 2014 we will have the opportunity to tell 800 children about Jesus Christ and share His love with them.  If anything else, our efforts over this very difficult year has given us another opportunity to run a full season of summer camp and an opportunity to see lives change in both campers and the young staff who will be on property.  For this we give thanks to the Lord.

The people at the Heart of Birch Bay Ranch Reunion banquet represented over four decades of Birch Bay Ranch staff and campers.  It was incredibly special to sit in a room of people of all ages and many different walks of life, and feel connected to every one of them.  We all have something in common.  An experience that changed our lives, that gave us life-long friends (and often our spouses), skills and abilities that took us into the next chapters of our lives, and most importantly, gave us the opportunity to meet and grow in our relationship with Jesus.  Shared passion is a very powerful thing, and to share a love and appreciation for this very special ministry is an incredible gift we are all thankful for. 

Thank you for attending.  We hope to have another Heart of Birch Bay Ranch Alumni event this year.  If you have suggestions or ideas for the event, please email them to birchbayranch@gmail.com.  

More photos from the event can be found at www.facebook.com/heartbirchbayranch