This website is dedicated to the memory of the hundreds and hundreds of leaders and workers, and the thousands and thousands of campers that experienced the ministry of Camp Awana from the beginning in 1946 through the wonderful years of Awana Honors Camp (2019).

These videos, pictures and articles are the memories of Gods Miracle of Camp Awana. Camp Awana has been a cornerstone of Christian camping for over 70 years. Godly leadership who donated their time to impact campers with God’s word are shone here for the memories of those who follow. Camp Awana Honors Camp was truly a place where Memories were Made, where Leadership was Learned, and where Lives were changed.

If you are viewing this and have memories that you would like to preserve as part of your Christian experience, you can send them to jdbilhorn@yahoo.com.

For current programming and registrations, contact www.campawana.org.

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.

I am very sorry to be writing this letter regarding Awana Honors Camp for this year.  There are many moving parts that have to be put in motion weeks and months ahead of time to make Honors Camp special.  That is why I cannot wait beyond April 15 to make this decision.  Some of the moving parts include volunteers, counselors, staff, teachers, speakers, vendors, and above all campers.

As I write this, Wisconsin is averaging 150 new positive cases per day with a 30% hospitalization rate.  Maybe we have hit the peak, maybe we have not.  Whichever it is, I am sure that we will not go from a red light to a green light right away.  I am sure there will be a time that the yellow light of caution will prevail until parents, volunteers, and campers feel safe in a summer camp setting.

I must admit that the phrase “social distancing” was not in my vocabulary a couple months ago.  But today, that is all we are talking about.  It is difficult to imagine running the program we run with social distancing in place.  I am sure that social distancing will be with us for a while, probably at least through the month of June, and maybe longer.

Therefore, I have to make the call to cancel Awana Honors Camp for 2020.  If you have sent in a registration, it will be returned to you.  I will miss camp and I will miss each camper and volunteer.  God bless you and have a safe summer.

Dave Bilhorn    Director Awana Honors Camp

Every year I write this letter, I watch a new year begin.  After Honors Camp 2017 I began meeting regularly with Art Rorheim every two weeks at Fairhaven in Rockford.  We were planning and discussing the new Rorheim Lodge.  Art had every detail planned and I have copious notes of our meetings.

Even as construction began this fall, Art wanted updates every two weeks. When I met with Art just before Christmas he was impressing on me that Camp Awana is the best investment we can make in the lives of boys and girls.

There were three things that Art kept saying over and over.

1. It’s all about the Gospel
2. Get more kids—fill up camp
3. Make it happen—It is too important not to be successful. Campers lives are eternal, and we must reach them.

On January 5, Art went to heaven.  He has left an indelible thumbprint on my life. What a legacy he leaves us.  He has also left us really big shoes to fill.  We have a job to do, a really big job!!

Art always said he was just an ordinary man obeying an extraordinary God.  I think God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things at a place called Camp Awana.  I believe lives will be changed during this special week.  I would like for you to be part of Honors Camp this year and make an investment in the lives of boys and girls.

This is your letter of invitation to let me know that you will be with us June 16 – 23, 2018.  All counselor, staff and admin team members can return the enclosed form.  If you know of a co-worker that would like to experience being a leader at Honors Camp, then please pass this information along and give me a call or text (608-289-3005).

I will be sending Camp brochures and applications to each church Awana Commander.  If you need additional camper applications and brochures for those in your church, please let me know.  It is my hope that we will fill camp and have a fruitful year.

Thank you for your ministry in the past and I look forward to hearing from you for this year.

Dave Bilhorn
652 State Rd. 73
Edgerton, WI.  53534
608-884-4054

jdbilhorn@yahoo.com
608-289-3005   (cell and text)