Casowasco Connection No. 3
Welcome to the Casowasco Connection Newsletter! Here, you’ll find updates on Casowasco as we prepare for summer, learn about upcoming events, and find more ways to support this life transforming ministry.
Upcoming Events
- May 24-26: Alumni Homecoming Weekend
- May 25 1pm-4pm: Open House and Chicken BBQ (sponsored by Marcellus UMC)
- June 22 10am-3pm: Rookie Camper Day
- June 30: Opening Day of Summer Camp!
Head to the events tab on our website to learn more and get registered!
Program Spotlight: Club Casowasco
July 28th-August 2nd
Ages 13-17
Enjoy your own resort hideaway on Owasco Lake! Choose your activities while enjoying camp-wide special events and theme days. Special events include the Casowasco Regatta, Amazing Race, and Open Mic/Improv Night. Pack your bag for our theme days including Pirates Day, C5 (Cosmic Casowasco Cartoon Comic Con), Wacky Wednesday (what will happen next?), Tropical Thursday, and Casowasco Spirit Day! Get your costumes ready and be ready to rock the dock at the Club!
Meet our Club Casowasco Deans: Iain and Jo Cockram
Iain and Jo are no strangers to Casowasco! They became acquainted with Casowasco as campers (Jo even attended Club Casowasco when she was a camper!) and later joined staff. Jo served as a lifeguard and as the Waterfront Coordinator and Iain has served as a counselor, Activities Coordinator, and year-round Ministry Assistant. Iain and Jo met and got married at Casowasco. They are excited to be back this summer!
Joining us as Chaplain that week is Pastor Alison Schmied of Lansing United Methodist Church. Pastor Alison has been a chaplain at Casowasco for many years and was the speaker at Solid Youth Retreat 2024. We are very excited to welcome her back!
Click HERE to register for camp and click HERE to see all the Summer 2024 programs!
What Do Parents Have to Say About Camp?
Last summer, we surveyed camper parents about their camper’s experience at Casowasco. Here’s what they had to say:
- 92.4% said their camper had fun at Casowasco
- 90.2% said their camper’s week of camp helped them strengthen their faith
- 90% said their camper’s confidence grew
- 93% said the staff went out of their way to make their camper feel welcome
- A parent wrote: “Casowasco has continued to be a second home for my daughter. She is planning her future summers around programs she can attend like LEAD.”
- Another said: “I loved the Chapel experience and loved seeing her smile. The ride home is filled with stories every year.”
The Flash Sale Has Ended
The 25% off flash sale has come to a close. It’s not too late to register for camp! Keep an eye out on our social media for more!
Share Your Story
Casowasco is a place where God has been present for generations. It is a place where memories have been made, faith has been formed, and lifelong friends were found. It is a place where calls to ministry have been heard and accepted. It’s important for us to tell the story of the impact of Casowasco on our lives. Please consider sharing your story of Casowasco’s impact on your life. If you feel called to do so, please respond to this email and tell us your story!
Worship With Us!
Join us for upcoming Camp Sundays around the Finger Lakes and Crossroads Districts:
- May 5: Immanuel UMC (Camillus, NY)
- May 11 1pm: Youth Group at Brown Memorial UMC (Syracuse, NY)
- May 12: Fairport UMC
Thank You to Our Volunteers and Donors!
Last Saturday (April 27th) was our April Work Day. We are humbled and thankful for all of the support of the people willing to give their time to clean up this beautiful site. With their help, we were able to clear brush and debris from the winter around the lower site, spruce up and lay down new mulch around the Columbarium, and clear the basketball court. Our neighbors at Weir Tree Care volunteered their time to help us begin taking down dead and dying trees that had become hazards. We are also filled with gratitude for the donors who have helped us raise the money to take down the large cottonwood tree across from the station, with their help, we were able to take it down on Wednesday in a safe and controlled manner. You can watch a timelapse of the removal here. Thank you all for your stewardship to this beautiful piece of God’s creation that we have been blessed with.
How are we preparing for summer this week?
We spend all year preparing for summer! This week, we have been planning Chapel! The band is learning songs, skits are being written, and messages are being thought out! Over the last few years, Chapel has been our campers’ favorite part of the week. We can’t wait to have fun praising God this summer!
We are still looking for people to be counselors (18+), lifeguards (17+ and willing to get certified), and a Waterfront Coordinator (21+). If you or someone you know is looking for the summer job of a lifetime, fill out the Summer Staff Application.
Alumni Homecoming Weekend
May 24-26
Are you an Alumni of Casowasco? Whether you were a camper, a staff member, a retreat guest, or someone who has been moved by the ministry of Casowasco, it is our pleasure to invite you to the Alumni Homecoming Weekend! We will be taking time to reconnect over work projects as we prepare Casowasco for a summer of life transforming ministry and sharing the site with new families during our Family Fun Day on May 25th. We welcome anyone who would like to join us to stay the weekend in a cozy bed, spend time in fellowship over meals in Emmaus Commons, and enjoy a delicious chicken BBQ sponsored by the wonderful people at Marcellus UMC and Casowasco’s Food Service Manager, Laura. Register Here
