Slumber Falls Camp and Retreat Center celebrated its 50th Year  this past weekend with a full calendar of actvities, one of which was a banquet at the McKenna Center in New Braunfels.  About 150 guests, campers and workers and supporters from around the state, all gathered together to enjoy a Chicken Cordon Bleu dinner and Program.

The Program consisted of remarks by Reverend Charles Stark, former camp administrators and Reverend Anders of the South Central Conference,  The remarks were interspersed with camp songs, music and a historical video and slide presentation. A short 50th anniversary presentation of Slumber Falls Camp and Retreat Center can be viewed at YouTube or the Slumber Falls website

Slumber Falls Camp has provided a consistent outdoor Christian education experience throughout the years.  At least half of all UCC ministers accredit such a Christian education  camp experience as the time when they received their call to ministry. Originally a Native American community and then a ranch and a tourist site, the camp land was purchased by the Texas Synod of the Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1956 as a permanent campsite to promote Christian education.  Many of Bethany's members have attended the camp as children and many have served on the Slumber Falls Camp Board throughout the years.

The Dellview Association on Saturday evening, August 9th, hosted a community event in our church parking lot to determine the needs of young people in the Dellview community.  Local organizations, churchs and the SAPD all came together to provide information at tables about all the activities available to area youth, great food, prizes, a skateboarding double-sided practice ramp and Christian music   The breezy event was attended by over a hundred people, including many youth.  Many visitors who stopped by our table positively commented about Pilgrim School and the Rummage Sale and how friendly and welcoming our church is to the Dellview Community.  Alie and Irene Baldridge, Kay Dunn and Marilyn Ibey, who participated in the event, all reported what a positive Bethany UCC outreach ministry experience it was and look forward to participating in similar events in the future.

Current youth-related activities at our church are the Campfire Kids, Scouting, Vacation Bible School, Sunday Church School,  Pilgrim School and Daycare, Slumber Falls camp,  CROP walk, Under the Bridge Ministry, and the Annual Rummage Sale on the 1st Saturday in April.