Update on Awana Honors Camp for 2021

Jan. 15, 2021

Many of you know that after our 2019 Honors Camp, the Northside Gospel Center merged with The Bridge Church of Des Plaines, Illinois.  With that merger, Camp Awana came under new ownership.  The Latham Christian Camp board was dissolved and the new Camp Awana Board is chaired by Pastor Scott Ziegler, lead pastor of The Bridge Church.

In October 2019,  a new Camp Director was named.  Larry Machonga, formerly from Hillcrest Bible in Oregon, Wisconsin settled into the director’s house as the Executive Director of Camp Awana.

Shortly after 2020 started we got news of the Covid 19 pandemic and sadly we had to cancel Honors Camp for 2020.  However, during this year several improvements were made in the facilities, including a high ropes course.

Like most organizations that come under new management, there are a lot of changes.  The new owners and Camp Director have decided to restructure all of the camp programs, including Awana Honors Camp.  As of Jan.1 2021, I will no longer be the director of Honors Camp.  Larry Machonga will organize the promotion, programming, staffing, registration, and all the details that I have been doing for the last 14 years.

I would like to encourage my wonderful staff members to reach out to Larry Machonga at  608-345-5443 and let him know that you would like to continue in the ministry of Awana Honors Camp. He can give you the dates for 2021. One of the changes is that camp will begin on Sunday instead of Saturday as was done in the past.  I think the dates will be June 13-19, 2021.

Again, thank you so much for your faithfulness over the last 14 years at  Awana Honors Camp. This ministry has reached over 2,500 young people. It is a place where Memories are Made, Lives have been Changed, and Leadership is Learned.  Over 50% of our staff have grown up as campers at Camp Awana and are camp leaders today.  Many of our young people are ministry leaders in their churches.  It is my prayer that this leadership will continue as I step aside, and find new ministries to serve the Lord.

Yours for Him,

Dave Bilhorn

Please view the “Thank-you” video attached.