As we reflect on the 2024 Program season, cottagers and visitors were blessed with a variety of events focusing on the peace of God. Musical offerings included gospel harmony, bluegrass, Gregorian chant, church praise teams, and cottagers who shared original compositions. A dramatist, a VBS program, an artist, a Missions Fair, an evening hymn sing, and an afternoon painting party were included in the program as well, fostering fellowship and faith.

While there have been many blessings, it has also been an exceptionally challenging year for BSCM. We have encountered several unforeseen financial hardships, including damage from windstorms, a change in pool regulations, fallen trees, rising utility and insurance costs, and more. Below is a summary of the significant expenses we’ve incurred beyond our regular operating costs:
1. Tree Work: $23,100 for safety measures (additional ~$9,500 for protecting newly repaired structures)
2. Bathhouse Reconstruction: ~$10,000 deductible for maintenance
3. Electrical Repairs: $2,700 to address damage from downed wires
4. Roof Repairs: ~$12,000 covered by donations for cabins #35 and #33
5. Insurance Increase: $3,600 to ensure continued coverage of camp-owned facilities

Every year, we choose a scripture-based theme to guide our community at BSCM. For 2025, our theme is “Unity in Christ.” Now, more than ever, we need to come together in unity to address the financial challenges facing BSCM. Would you consider prayerfully supporting BSCM as we strive to meet the urgent year-end financial need of $15,000? A gift of any amount is appreciated as we work together to support our beloved camp meeting.

Through unity in Christ and with grateful hearts,
President Mildred Hernandez and the Board of Trustees
Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting

Contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 7347, Wilmington DE, 19803, or give online by clicking here or by sending funds via Zelle to bscm1866@gmail.com

Read more about the bios of our speakers and musicians for Camp Meeting week!

Jamie DiMaio (Saturday, Aug 3, at 7pm)
Jamie Marie DiMaio is a singer local to the Chester County area and has had a love for performing since she was just 3 years old. Jamie is excited to share her passion of singing with Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting this summer. After finding a love for singing in church at a very young age, Jamie has grown up living a life full of music and performing. When she is not at work or with her family, Jamie enjoys singing in her church with the Praise Team, performing and directing in local community theatre, performing at local events/festivals, or just singing Disney princess songs in the car along with her beautiful daughters. Please join Jamie as she uses her God-given talents to praise Jesus through song! Special appearance from Jamie’s very own grandfather, Jimmy Ray Montgomery.

Pastor Ronnie Arias (Sunday, Aug 4, at 11am)
Pastor Ronny Arias was born in Costa Rica and moved to the United States in 1987. He met Guiselle in Costa Rica, they finished college together and were married in 1992. For 13 years, Ronny has been the pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Amor Agape in Roselle, NJ. Ronny and his wife Guiselle have been Cottagers at Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting since August 2022.

Pastor Jeff Boettcher (Sunday, Aug 4, at 6pm)
Jeff is the founding and lead pastor of Christ Church South Philadelphia. Pastor Jeff also serves as the team chaplain for the Philadelphia Phillies and is a leader in several church planting collaborations across the US. He has a Master’s of Sacred Theology from Grimke Seminary and lives in Philadelphia with his wife and three children.

Pastor Paul Foster (Mon – Fri, Aug 5-9, at 10am)
Paul Foster is a retired pastor —- Christian school teacher + administrator —- and retirement community chaplain. He and his wife Kathy have 8 grandchildren and one great grandchild. They live in Bel Air, MD (near 6 of the grandchildren.) Paul’s hobbies include birdwatching, fishing and spending time with the grandchildren.

Barry Gray (Mon – Fri, Aug 5-9, at 7pm)
Barry has been married to the love of his life since August 1971. He started in ministry in January 1971 helping to establish the “Jesus People Movement” on the east coast in Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia Pennsylvania through the ministry of Immanuel Baptist Church. After that he served non-denominational churches before God called him into the Presbyterian Church USA in 1996 where he served for 17 years before moving his ordination to A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) in 2013. He attended Elim Bible Institute and is a graduate of Liberty Bible College (Pensacola, FL) and Princeton
Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. Since becoming a Presbyterian, he has been deeply involved in the work of several presbyteries and served on the ECO National Theological Task Force for 5 years. For the last several years Barry has been working as a Transitional Pastor at churches in Delaware and New Jersey and he is
currently serving as Transitional Pastor at Kirk of the Keys in Marathon, Florida.
Barry has been involved for many years in mentoring other pastors and providing support for pastors and churches in times of trouble. He’s done extensive work with those struggling with sexual brokenness and addiction. He is an ECO Certified Coach and has learned to integrate those skills in his ministry as a pastor. Spiritual wholeness and theological integrity are foundational in his ministry as he seeks to build up the church and connect people with the Living Christ that they may find healing, hope and new life in him.

Crossfire Praise Band (Saturday, Aug 10, at 7:30pm)
Crossfire is the Praise Band of the First Presbyterian Church–Newark, located on Main Street in Newark, DE. We have been together for over 10 years, adding and losing some members along the way, but never changing our desire to inspire listeners to experience the joy and blessings of having the Holy Spirit enter their hearts. Our repertoire includes classic hymns, camp meeting standards, contemporary Christian artists, and twisting lyrics to put a Christian slant on secular songs.

Pastor Richard Purchase (Sunday, Aug 11, at 11 am)
Dick Purchase began his pastoral ministry in Lebanon, Connecticut in 1959 following graduation from Barrington College (now merged with Gordon College). He later served 3 other churches in CT. and PA. In 1964 he received the M. Div degree from Hartford Seminary. By listening to and analyzing 2024 Camp Meeting program input he hopes to glean clues as to the future direction of B.S.C.M. as it thrives in turbulent and confusing times not unlike those experienced at its’ beginning in 1866.

A variety of plants will be available outside the Biddle Hall before and after the luncheon on REFRESH Day (Saturday, June 29.) Come find a new plant for your cottage or your home garden! “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” Luke 12:27

Learn about camp meetings from “Sheffy”

Friday, June 28th at 7 pm

The film “Sheffy” was filmed at a camp meeting and is based on a true story of Robert Sheffey, an American circuit-riding preacher of early 1800’s.  An unusual servant of God, Sheffy was a rowdy young man who followed his friends to Camp Meeting where he learned to seek first the kingdom. 

“Brother Sheffey” then rides through the Appalachian Mountains spreading the gospel from Camp to Camp.  And although he suffers the loss of his two greatest treasures in one day, Sheffey still finds forgiveness in his heart for the person who caused his sorrow. The film challenges assumptions while  capturing the compassion of a man whose soul is on fire for the Lord.

Katherine Stenholm directed a crew of 76 and a cast of about 800, and the film includes a musical score by Dwight Gustafson. A large camp meeting scene was filmed at the nineteenth-century Epworth Camp Meeting in Greenwood, South Carolina, and other scenes were shot at Cades Cove and the Pioneer Farmstead in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, plus other nearby sites.

Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Please, bring a snack or drink to share

Fresh popcorn will be popping!

Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 1:30 pm in Biddle (following our meal)

This is the annual meeting of Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting Association, Inc.
The agenda will be to receive annual reports, review highlights of the season, elect new trustees, and have time for questions and discussion from corporation members.

Elections will be held for 5 new trustees.

• Three of these are for normal 3-year terms.
• Two are to fill open positions arising from resignations for personal reasons. One is for a 1-year term and the other is for a 2-year term.

Voting may be done only by cottagers present at the meeting who meet the following criteria (per Article IX of our By-Laws):

1. The right and power of voting for the election of Trustees and the transaction of other business of the Association shall be granted only to cottage owners whose current year’s ground rental and/or budget payments to date, assessments and other charges have been paid by August 1 of the present year, as evidenced by the books of the Association.
2. Whenever a cottage is owned jointly, only one of the owners shall have the right and power of voting. Each cottage qualifies for one vote and no cottager may have more than one vote.
3. Proxies shall not be recognized.
4. Nominations for Board members should be received by members of the nominating committee no later than Saturday, July 27, 2024, to allowing the nominees time to review the Board of Trustees Roles and Responsibilities document before accepting the nomination and allows the Board to have a ballot prepared for the Annual Meeting as nominations will not be received from the floor.

Any cottager interested in being elected to the Board should contact a member of the nominating committee (listed below) to submit your name for consideration.. Potential nominees need to meet the following qualifications (per Article VI of our By-Laws):

1. No member may be nominated, elected or appointed as Trustee who has not paid their current year’s ground rental or is up to date with an established payment schedule for the current year, assessments and other charges by August 1, or is in any way indebted to the Association.
2. Each Trustee must be a professing Christian and a member in good standing of a recognized Christian Church.
3. No more than four persons from any one local congregation can be elected to the Board of Trustees.
4. Only one owner of a cottage may serve at one time as a Trustee. A husband and wife may not serve as Trustees at the same time.

Nomination Committee Members

• Sarah McGovern at sarahbmcgovern@gmail.com or (609) 932-5557
• George Phillips at retiredman2017@gmail.com or (610) 719-7991
• Sandy Cloutier at ragmyer@aol.com or (302) 740-9073 

The following summary of Board roles and responsibilities provides background information to potential nominees on what would be expected of them. Please note that elections are for general Trustee positions and not for any specific roles on the Board (e.g., President, Committee Chair, Treasurer, etc.). Following the election, the new Board meets to decide amongst themselves which Trustee will fulfill which role.

BSCM Board of Trustees Roles and Responsibilities

President

• chief executive officer of the Association
• preside at the Annual Meeting and at the meetings of the Board of Trustees
• see that all orders and resolutions are carried into effect
• execute all contracts and agreements authorized by the Association
• general supervision and direction of all other officers of the Associations, and shall see that their duties are properly performed
• submit a report of the operations of the Association to the Annual Meeting
• report to the Trustees all matters within his/her knowledge which the interests of the Association may require to be brought to their notice.

Vice President

• perform the duties of the President in his/her absence
• perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees.

Secretary

• keep full and correct minutes of all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Trustees
• preserve books, papers, reports and other property as may be required by law
• issue all calls for regular and special meetings.
• responsible for safekeeping of the corporate seal [stored at Camp Office]
• keep a file of all approved forms and papers used for the transaction of the business and operation of the Association
• sign for cottage transfers to ensure purchaser is a cottager

Treasurer

• custodian of all funds and securities of the Association
• keep full and accurate records and accounts in books provided for that purpose, of receipts, disbursements, credits, assets, liabilities, and general financial transactions of the Association
• disburse the funds of the Association as ordered by the Board of Trustees.
• render a statement at each regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, showing all receipts and disbursements since the previous meeting
• make a full and detailed report to the Board of Trustees of all receipts and disbursements of the preceding year at the end of each fiscal year and submit a financial statement of the Association at that time
• arrange fire and liability insurance, as determined by the Board of Trustees

Financial Secretary

• receive and deposit in the bank accounts established by the Board of Trustees all funds and money paid to the Association
• keep full and accurate records of all receipts in books provided for that purpose
• render a statement at each regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, showing all receipts since the previous meeting
• make a full and detailed report to the Board of Trustees of all receipts of the preceding year at the end of each fiscal year
• responsible for establishing and maintaining budget plans for ground rental, electricity, and all other assessment payments from the cottages
• maintain a register of the qualified membership of the Association
• sign for cottager transfers to ensure all financial obligations are satisfied

Finance Committee Chair

• general supervision of the financial affairs of the Association, including the billing and collection of ground rentals, and taxes, electricity, assessments, and all other charges
• examine and approve all bills before they are presented to the Board of Trustees for authorization for payment
• arrange for a yearly internal audit and an external audit every 3 years

Program and Publicity Committee Chairs

• general supervision of the religious services and program events held upon the campgrounds.
• shall recommend to the Board of Trustees the employment of a camp director, minister, evangelists, musicians, and/or other personnel as is deemed proper, and certify to the Board for payment the salaries/expenses of those so engaged
• responsible for publicity of program events, Camp activities, and the Camp Meeting in general

Grounds Committee Chair

• general supervision of the grounds, the purchase of supplies required for its work; the location, construction, renting, and selling of cottages and other building; privileges and sanitation; and enforcement of regulations for the comfort and safety or residents
• recommend to the Board of Trustees for its approval the appointment and, at its discretion, the removal of a grounds supervisor or caretaker, officers to assist in the preservation of order, and such other personnel, as may be necessary to carry out the Committee’s work
• sign for Camp-owned cottage transfers to ensure cottage meets minimum safety standards

Sales/Rentals Chair

• oversee booking calendar and rentals of all Camp-owned cottages and facilities
• oversee condition and amenities for all Camp-owned rental cottages
• maintain listing for all rentals and cottages for sale, Camp-owned and private
• arrange to show cottages to prospective renters and purchasers
• responsible for the Camp Phone and to answer incoming calls
• sign for cottage transfers to ensure transaction is completed and entered in Camp records

This Saturday, June 1st @ 4 pm

Biddle Hall @ Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting

ALL ARE WELCOME – Bring a team (up to 8 members) or come individually and join in with others. Food Provided (Heavy Appetizers) 6 Rounds of Questions, with prizes for the Winning Team!

Clue: Take notice of our beautiful Camp Meeting grounds

Questions? Contact Keri Krulik (267) 251-3986 or Sarah McGovern (609) 932-5557

Our thanks to Jose Cruz of Cottage 99. He will be providing the Honey Wagon pumping services this year. From Jose: “The pumping out will cost $10 a pump if you are on the
schedule and $15 if you are not. There will be 11 pumps for the season. That will be $110 for the season. The schedule is as follows: 5/17, 5/31, 6/14, 6/28, 7/12, 7/26, 8/9, 8/23, 9/6, 9/20, 10/11.”

Please Remember nothing should be put in the RV toilet except waste and water. This includes toilet paper or feminine products and diapers. This can cause damage to the pump. Jose reminds us that “if it causes any problems, you are responsible for damage to the pump”

The application form to schedule your cottage can be found by clicking here.

Sound System Operator:  

We are looking for individuals to be trained in how to set up and monitor the sound system in the Tabernacle. Volunteers for this task should be available throughout the season (June – August) to take turns for various worship services and events, particularly on weekends.

Hospitality Crew:

Will you join us in extending hospitality to our community, visitors, and invited speakers/musicians throughout the upcoming program season? Please consider assisting the Program Committee in this way– undertaking even one duty at one event would be greatly appreciated. 

Duties may include:

• *welcome speakers/musicians–show them to the Parsonage; attend to other needs if necessary
• *greet visitors at various events–hand out a brochure, find out names and contact info if they are willing
• *usher to collect the offering
• *provide food (homemade or bought)
• *set up a fellowship event (Biddle, Collins, Hilltop, Tabernacle)
• *serve food or manage a buffet line
• *clean up following events

Events at which Hospitality Crew is needed:

• *concerts and worship meetings
• *camp-wide picnics (Memorial Day and July 4th)
• *Coffeehouses (usually Friday evening)
• *Camp Meeting week (8/2 – 8/10)  

Please contact Sarah McGovern @ 609-932-5557 (voice or text) or sarahbmcgovern@gmail.com  if you have an interest in participating in any of the volunteer opportunities listed above and specify how you would like to serve. Thank you.

Many long-time cottagers and friends (including a few furry ones!) enjoyed visiting during our winter social – receiving updates on events and plans at the Campmeeting this summer! Click here to see the updated Program Schedule — tentatively set for 2024!

Camp Meeting Week (including weekends) is August 2 through August 11, 2024

Kick Off Weekend (June 28 – June 30)

Friday, June 28

• 10 a.m.  Refresh Day program and luncheon
• 7 p.m.  Movie “Sheffey”

Saturday, June 29

• 5:30 p.m. First Covered Dish dinner
• 7 p.m.  Mercy’s Well

Sunday, June 30

• 2:30 p.m.  Painting Party w/ Annie (RSVP required and a supply fee charged)
• 7 p.m. Worship with Gregorian Chant group Te Deum Schola