Northern Light Summer 24

A Note from Executive Director: Matt Erickson  |  Vanguard Gap Year: 9th Cohort Concludes  |  Class of 2024: M.A. Outdoor & Adventure Leadership  |  Summer 2024: Join us in Prayer |  Faculty & Staff Accolades: Dr. Karianjahi Receives Dr. Kenneth Gieser Award  |  Facilities Update: Staff Cabin, Chalet Renovation, Trip Locker, Arts and Crafts, Tent Cabins  |  HoneyRock is Hiring  |  Save The Dates: Northwoods Adventure, Volunteer Work Weekend, Donor & Vision Meetings 

Over the past month we have made the big transition from school year to summer. We had a wonderful opportunity in May to celebrate our graduating Vanguard Gap Year students as well as our graduate students who have earned their master’s degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership. Many of these students are now working and serving as we prepare for the arrival of campers. 

Also, through a very big team effort over the past 6+ months, we have recruited a wonderful group of college students to work and serve this summer. Given the number of campers coming (over 1,000!), we targeted 156 high-character student leaders, and we just recently filled the last position to get to 100% staffing! This includes the largest number of returning students which will be very helpful as we train and invest in this group.  I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting with and speaking to these student leaders as they start training, and I am really impressed with the Christ-centered character of this team and their commitment to serve a bigger purpose than themselves. 

Our summer staff theme is Psalm 95:6-7. “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

Please pray for our summer program teams, our activity staff, along with our Kitchen, Health Center, Guest Services, Site & Facilities, Media teams, etc., as they complete their training and preparation, and move into this very busy season, knowing they are the flock under his care. Please pray for the work that God has planned for them, being the hands and feet of Christ!

God Bless,  
Matt Erickson, ‘95  
Executive Director 

Our summer staff will be rooted in Psalm 95, focused on worshipping the greatness of our God as the reigning King and our Good Shepherd.

First, you can pray for our staff. We pray that our staff teams will accept the invitation to "come, let us worship and bow down" as we seek to partner with the Spirit in fulfilling our vision of seeing generations alive in Christ.

Second, pray for our campers. As Matt mentioned, 1,000+ youth and young adults will be coming onto HoneyRock's grounds this summer, and while we are confident the Lord has blessed and set this space a part - we are still seeking His protection and expectant that His name will be known and worshiped this summer. While praying for our campers, please pray for camper's families and those who care for and send their campers to HoneyRock. 

Finally, please pray for our 27 international Christian camping leaders serving with us this summer. Our international staff leaders have traveled from around the world to partner with us in ministry this summer, we are thankful for the ways they are already influencing HoneyRock's ministry! 

Ashley Paige Kiley, Camp Programs Director

The Dr. Kenneth Gieser Award is given annually to a faculty or staff member serving above and beyond outside of the college to reach and contribute to the lives of those in underserved communities. In offering the award, President Ryken noted Muhia’s volunteer work in the Vilas County Jail and at the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indian Reservation.

Dr. Kenneth Gieser, the award’s namesake, was a Wheaton College Trustee who founded the Wheaton Eye Clinic. He was a key player in helping Harve “Coach” Chrouser start HoneyRock and also founded the HoneyRock Doctor’s program, which provides volunteer doctors on-site during summer camp.

The award was presented by Ken’s son Dr. Richard "Dick" Gieser, who and the extended Gieser family have long been a very important part of HoneyRock, which gives this award a special place in the heart of HoneyRockers.

Having Muhia on our team, contributing to Wheaton College and HoneyRock’s mission, and the local community surrounding HoneyRock is genuinely an abundant blessing. Congratulations, Muhia! 

HoneyRock’s Advisory Board is a fantastic group of leaders with a wide range of professional experience and gifts that offer terrific support to HoneyRock and our Executive Director.  The board met in early June at HoneyRock and we greatly appreciate their ongoing guidance and support.

Below are a few photos from the weekend they gathered together at HoneyRock!

Back Row (Left to Right): Gary Hopwood, Cyndi Parker, Saranell Hartman, Kermit Ellison; Middle Row (Left to Right): Matt Erickson, Chris Trout, Liz Robertson; Front (Left to Right): Kirk Weaver, Theon Hill [Not Pictured: Tiffany Kriner and Noah Toley

Members of the HoneyRock Advisory Boards, Liz Robertson and Kirk Weaver, are thanked for their time on the advisory board with a historic HoneyRock [Camp] paddle. This is a token of their appreciation for the time they've invested in HoneyRock as members of the advisory board.