Director’s Update
Last updated 7/4/2026
2026 update
We are full-fledged in our busy summer camping season. When we find ourselves with lower camper numbers, we redeploy to tending to the campus and forest. A number of summer staff have been assisting in working the fire break along our fence-line, where machinery cannot access. We’ve learned from the past that a fire can come close, and we take the stewardship of preparedness of our facility seriously. Our main fire season happens after summer, generally in October, but it is the fruitful labor that is accomplished beforehand that leaves a lasting impact.
The same can be said for those we minister to. We spend time and planning in the preparation, even before campers arrive. We work and till while they are here, all in anticipation of the fruit of decisions for Christ. Some of our efforts will not be fully realized until after camp, but we plant and till in hopeful anticipation that our efforts are never in vain.
Spiritual Growth:
As of June 30th, we have welcomed just over 3,945 campers this season, with 108 accepting Christ for the first time, and another 195 who have recommitted to the faith they already claim. We are looking forward to the rest of the summer and in seeing what God will continue to do here at camp!
Major Projects:
The New Dining Hall and Chapel project construction is still ongoing. The main steel structure started slowly rising from the foundation in early June. The photo above was taken 7/3/2026. This phase includes the main steel structure, the stairs, the concrete platform for those stairs, and the roof. We continue to raise funds towards each future phase. The current phase will conclude around October. As funding comes in, we will move to future phases to work towards the overall project completion, including completing the external walls and the internal build out. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we continue to move forward with this project.
Truck Sweepstakes
We are hosting our first-ever Truck Sweepstakes fundraiser. Between now and December 15th, campers, guests, friends, and volunteers of camp are all eligible to participate. To find out more visit www.tinyurl.com/hartlandtruck. We will be doing a drawing on 12/23/2026, just two days before Christmas, if you’d like the chance to surprise a loved one with a new truck! Using the link above, you’ll get the same opportunity as our campers this season with an extra 25% in entries. Be sure to participate before 12/15/2026 to participate.
Verses to Ponder:
Mark 6:7-9
“And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.”
We read Mark Chapters 5 and 6 at our Summer Staff Bible study earlier this week and as we came across this passage, it really speaks to the faith of those serving. Christ sent them out to serve without food, or the money to buy it, and to leave behind a second tunic (often used as a blanket/bedding). The intent was to build their faith, He would provide for them even while they were physically apart. This level of trust is something that comes with experience. The disciples saw Jesus perform many miracles and signs, they witnessed him feeding thousands with seemingly little; this was now the time to go out and act in faithful service, without the confidence of a full pantry or a bursting wallet, just a full faith in the One who can save.
The Gospel: You’ll note this section doesn’t change with the director letter updates, it’s that important!
If you do not know Christ as your personal Savior, I invite you to learn more by visiting our Gospel Page and getting plugged into a local church. While we love serving you here at Hartland, consistent discipleship happens at your local church (in your city/town) and it makes a huge difference in your walk when you are gathering regularly with other believers. For those continuing in their walks, we also have Bible Resources available to help spur on the study of God’s Word.
Prayer:
Please continue to pray for all those that minister here at Hartland, from the Hartland staff and volunteers to the visiting Pastors and leaders that boldly proclaim Christ’s Word to a world that desperately needs it.
In service to Christ and His Church,
Joshua Embry
Executive Director/Steward/Minister – Hartland Christian Camp
