News & Updates

See & read about what is going on in the Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center community

Does it Take a Visit from an Angel?

By Jessica Beach, Volunteer Coordinator

Imagine with me for a moment, your church secretary on a typical Thursday morning. She is going about her regular tasks – filing and typing up the bulletin – when the phone rings.

“Hello. Oh, hi Stacy. How are you? How is the leg healing? … Oh, I know the best part of hurting yourself is all the food they bring. Have you gotten one of Rachel’s pies yet? … They…”

The secretary stops mid-sentence and looks wide eyed at the door to her office.

“Stacy, I have to go, an angel just walked into my office … No, I’m not joking. She’s got a halo and wings and … cookies?! Of course, I’ll call you back.”

Sometimes, the most important part of volunteer recruitment is getting people’s attention. Last fall, with very little arm-twisting, I was persuaded to don my Halloween costume and head out to local churches as Jessica Angel. My purpose was to recruit volunteer groups for The Lights of Christmas. I even brought cookies to sweeten the deal. Who can say no to an angel with cookies?

This year, The Lights of Christmas runs for 18 nights between December 4 and 28, and Warm Beach Camp will need more than 1,700 volunteers to make it happen. Jobs range from costume characters to greeters to attendants in the petting farm. There is a job for every one in the family, even the kids.

I will do just about anything to get more volunteers through our doors, especially during The Lights of Christmas. Believe it or not, the Christmas season is fast approaching. Already, volunteers are calling to reserve their favorite volunteer assignments during the annual holiday event.

One great way to get involved is to organize your church group or civic club membership to come as a group and Adopt-a-Night at The Lights. This program allows your group to come and volunteer together.

Promotion of Adopt-a-Night can be made very easy. We have posters and flyers available, a DVD to play, and we can arrange for someone from the Camp to visit your group to help get folks signed up!

While I will not be showing up at your church door as an angel this year, one of my co-workers may. However, you certainly don’t have to wait for us to find you. If you would like to get involved, give me a call and we will be sure to find a place for you and your group.

When Abundance Happens

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ...

Outdoor Education!

The Outdoor Education Program at Warm Beach Camp offers schools a safe platform for their students to explore and grow as individuals, while surrounded by rich biodiversity. During “The Great Pioneer Skills Challenge” class, a middle school student was interested in attempting to make a quilting square. The individual had always been curious to sew but had no one to show them the way. Through trial and error and the help of volunteer staff, the child completed the sewing task ...

Welcome Natasha and Madison

Madison Smith joins the Warm Beach Camp Ministries team as a Light Technician for The Lights of Christmas. Madison comes to us with ten years of management experience, which includes Starbucks and Godiva. While her natural leadership skills were a perfect fit for a corporate job, she began yearning for a more meaningful workplace. She was hired in August 2022 as part of The Lights of Christmas installation crew. While working here at Warm Beach, she could feel the presence ...