THE CAMPAIGN

In 2006, SCLRC was approved by SC Synod Council to conduct a Capital Campaign to raise funds for these renovations, and we kicked off our campaign at the 2007 Synod Assembly. At Synod Assembly 2008 we were delighted to announce that our campaign had reached half of its base goal of 2.5 million dollars in pledges! Momentum was building and there was much spirit to our campaign! Shortly after, our campaign took a devastating blow when the economic crisis in America took hold and affected the lives of more and more Americans. Stocks and bequests that were pledged began losing value, and congregations were hesitant to become involved in a campaign. Our report at Synod Assembly 2009 was a humble one, joyful for what had been received but also acknowledging that the outlook was not as positive as it had been.

Due to the economic status, SCLRC requested an extension from the SC Synod Council, to allow us to continue to campaigning in SC Congregations. Council granted a 6-month extension, giving us until December 2009 to make congregational appeals.

OUR NEW PHASED APPROACH

Faced with new realities of the financial situation, the Board of Trustees of the SC Lutheran Retreat Centers decided to reevaluate and reprioritize how renovations at our facilities would take place. After consultation with our construction agency and much prayerful consideration, we have adopted a phased approach that allows us to do renovation in stages. The positive side of the economic downturn is that construction prices have gone way down and has given us the opportunity to get more done with the funds we already have! Now that the busy summer season is over and winter is upon us, the time to renovate is now.

Earlier this month the Board of Trustees voted to move forward with implementing plans to begin Phase One this winter! These renovations will include improvements at Camp Kinard and Coastal that will greatly enhance the experience of groups on retreat, and possibly provide space for increased usage and revenue at our centers. Here is a brief overview of our plans, accompanied by some conceptual drawings from Trehel Corp. of future developement.

PHASE ONE -

CAMP KINARD

At Camp Kinard, our immediate plans include renovating what we now call the basement in the dining hall to be our new “Pool Level” meeting and conference rooms. Kitchenettes will be added and windows and doors to the outside will be added to make these rooms more attractive and usable. Site work will also improve the outside appearance and make it more accessible.

COASTAL RETREAT CENTER

At Coastal, our building will finally get a much needed exterior facelift! A new roof line and HVAC system will put a halt to the on-going leaking problem. There will be a roof added to the outdoor deck, making this once sun beaten area a shaded outdoor oasis. The kitchens will get a total renovation as well as the dining room and lobby areas. On the second floor the meeting rooms will be redone with a possible coffee bar added, with new windows and projector screens. Check out the plans below to see the improvements.

FUTURE PHASES -

Along with additional renovations at Camp Kinard and Coastal, SCLRC will be adding a third site in the upstate!

BIGGERSTAFF

Our newest site, the Biggerstaff Christian Retreat Center in Seneca, SC is situated on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Keowe. Biggerstaff provides us a wonderful place to encounter the glory of God’s creation in the upstate, through water sports, family and congregational gatherings, community festivals, weddings and other special occasions. Plans for Biggerstaff include a new retreat house.  There will be kitchens, meeting space, worship space, class rooms, all that take advantage of the beautiful view and surroundings.

CONGREGATIONS INVOLVED

The following congregations and/or individuals from these congregations have participated in our campaign:

SCLRC is very excited to have the support of so many congregations! Thank you to all of the individuals who are leading the way for their congregations with their gifts to the campaign. The dreams for your retreat centers are made a reality through your love and support! Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!

MAJOR GIFTS NEEDED:

In order to get the funds needed to make the campaign a success, SCLRC will need to receive the following amount of major gifts:

If you can see yourself or your congregation fulfilling one of these levels of major gifts, you will be greatly contributing to the success of our campaign! As you can see by the gifts already received, we are well on our way. Help push us to our $5 million goal!

DEVELOPMENT

PHASE ONE - CAMP KINARD
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PHASE ONE RENOVATIONS BEGIN AT CAMP KINARD! Dec 7, the first crew arrived at Camp Kinard to begin demolition in what was formally known as the “basement” of the Dining Hall.  Construction workers in Trehel Construction pulled into camp early in the morning and got to work right away on the demolition of the 'basement,' pulling out ugly old carpet and ceiling tiles getting everything prepared for a fresh new start! Soon, we will have bright, attractive meeting rooms on the “Pool Level” with windows facing the pool and lake.   Executive Director Dallas Shealy and Camp Director Larry Hamrick are pleased to see progress!

WEEK ONE - CAMP KINARD DAY ONE

Site work will also improve the outside appearance and make it more accessible. Old heating and air conditioning units will be replaced and new ceiling and floor tile will make this building the show piece of Camp Kinard! You can join in the ground breaking effort! Become a "Phase One Building Block"- Click here for a Pledge Form or DONATE NOW

WEEK ONE - CAMP KINARD DAY THREE

WEEK ONE - CAMP KINARD DAY FOUR

WEEK TWO - CAMP KINARD - DAY FIVE

The walls to the small meeting rooms downstairs are being removed to create one larger open space for a lounge area. Workers are removing the blocks and hauling it out with the bobcats. On the bottom right, the wall in the larger meeting room is being prepared for a new opening that will create doors to the outside allowing more light and accessibility.

WEEK TWO - CAMP KINARD - DAY SEVEN

A large opening has been cut out of the rear wall of both large meeting rooms. A large glass door entrance will be placed here, allowing light into this space, and opening it up into the pool patio. Below you see the space that was once two very small meeting rooms as it has been opened up to become a larger lounge space. On the bottom right is the damage that was discovered in the roof of the Dining Hall, which will be fixed with a new metal roof!

Help Us Complete Phase One Renovations! All donations are Tax-deductible

CAMP KINARD - LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER

An exciting discovery was made surrounding the holidays. The concrete pad positioned just outside of the Dining Hall's kitchen has sunk into the ground and been repoured twice during it's life. To fix the problem once and for all, the renovations called for a removal of the entire pad and a reconstruction of the ground underneath. As the pad was demolished, the rusted old pipes to the right were discovered to be in terrible condition, slowly leaking water into the ground under the pad. The leak from the pipes explained the reason the ground was concaving and we can now fix the problem with the pipes and keep our new pad in good condition!

To the left below, new duct work is being installed to make the climate control in the building more efficeint. To the right, Marketing Director Amy Catalino shows off the new drywall the new kitchenette off one of the large meeting rooms. There will be two new kitchenettes in areas that were formerly storage areas which received little use.

CAMP KINARD - JANUARY 4TH - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Above, new cabinets and countertops have been installed in the kitchenettes! To the top right a new concrete pathway has been poured next to the dining hall to replace old concrete steps that were mangled by concaving soil and tree roots. This smoother walkway also increases accessibility to the swimming pool, cottages, and pool level meeting rooms.

Below and to the left a new concrete pad has been poured to replace the one removed before New Years. A black chain link fence now encloses the area replacing the brick wall that was once crumbling in on itself. One of the most exciting functional improvements is the new retaining wall that now encloses the roadway area in front of the dining hall. The retaining wall will keep water and debris from flooding into the entrance of the dining hall, making heavy rains much more manageable.

CAMP KINARD - JANUARY 7TH

The new store front glass entrances have been installed in the large meeting rooms, brightening up the room with more natural light and easier access to the outdoor patio and pool. These new entrances are really going to make these meeting spaces be much more enjoyable. As you can see, our Camp Director Larry Hamrick (top right) is very pleased with the new additions.

Below, you can see the new tile flooring! Before, stained and aged carpet was an eye sore. But now the new beige tile with Lutheran red accents will give our campers a more functional and safer area to meet. In addition to looking nicer, this tile floor will also make clean up after crafts or woodworking much easier! We are so very excited for these improvements!

CAMP KINARD - JANUARY 12TH

The Dining Hall at Camp Kinard is getting a new roof covering, including new soffits pictured above. This off-white metal roofing material matches the newly installed metal roofs on the bunk-bed cottages that surround the area around the Dining Hall. The new roof on the dining hall is going to take care of the leaking issues we discovered during the renovation process.

CAMP KINARD - JANUARY 27TH

The new metal roof covering that replaced the old cedar shakes is now complete! Also, the stainless steel appliances have been installed in the kitchenettes off the meeting rooms downstairs. The tile is also completely installed and ready for the final polish before work concludes.

CAMP KINARD - FEBRUARY 1ST - THE LAST WEEK'S FINISHING TOUCHES

The bulk of the contruction crews are gone as things at Camp Kinard are wrapping up during this last week of renovations. Only a small crew of clean up folks are here to complete the finishing touches! Everything looks GREAT! Above you see the new tread on the stairway connecting the dining hall and the meeting rooms, the finished large meeting room with tiled floor and glass door entrance, kitchenette off the large meeting room, and the new open lounge area that separates the large meeting rooms downstairs. Below to the left you see the remodeled restroom that connects the lounge area and the outdoor pool area. To the right is the retaining wall being constructed alongside the smooth new walkway on the side of the dining hall. These newly remodeled spaces will do so much to enhance the experiences of our groups on retreat.
We are so very blessed that God made these renovations possible!

Help Us Complete Phase One Renovations and move forward with Phase Two!
All donations are Tax-deductible

PHASE ONE - COASTAL RETREAT CENTER
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Major Renovations Begin at Coastal for Phase One! Phase One of renovations at Coastal began December 14th! The construction crew arrived and promptly began removing old water rotted ceiling tiles that were damaged by water leaking through the roof. Inside the center, all the flooring in the gathering areas will be replaced, the kitchen will be upgraded, and the dining hall expanded. But the best improvement to come is the new roof that will stop our leaking problems!

COASTAL RETREAT - DAY ONE Phase One concentrates on the exterior and gathering areas of the center. The guest room wing will be addressed in later stages. You can join in the effort to move into the next Phase! Become a "Phase One Building Block"- Click here for a Pledge Form or DONATE NOW

COASTAL RETREAT - DAY TWO Steel supports are begin installed for the new roof over the dining hall & gathering area of the center. COASTAL RETREAT - DAY FIVE On the left, the kitchen is being prepared for remodeling. The serving line buffet has been removed. On the right, the Welcome Lounge next to the dining room has been striped of carpet and is ready to see some new flooring!   COASTAL RETREAT - THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS What a better Christmas gift than a new roof? Support beam trusses are installed on the roof of Coastal's Dining Hall. The new roof will have a functional and asthetically pleasing pitched roof. The new year will brings a fresh new look to your Coastal Retreat Center! Thanks to our Capital Campaign supporters! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Celebrate our new 2010 beginnings with a pledge as low as $125 a year! DONATE NOW or become a Phase One Building Block- Click here for mail in form   COASTAL RETREAT - THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR The New Year is swiftly bringing a new roof to the lower section of the Coastal Retreat Center. In the photos above you can see the work in assembling the roof and the preparation of the exterior stucco coating. Also demolition of the interior walls that separated the dining room and meeting rooms is pictured. Below you can see the completed base later of roof and the start of the stucco exterior covering. To the right, the skeleton of the remaining walls inside the dining room. It's a mess, but it's about to get so much better!     COASTAL RETREAT - JANUARY 7TH While the majority of renovations to Coastal during Phase One is taking place in the common gathering areas of the center, an exciting addition is being made in the bedroom wing! Selected bedrooms are receiving adjoining doors that will allow private access between the two rooms. Retreatants will have the option of privacy with a locked door or the welcoming invite of and open door. This improvement will be particularly helpful to family congregational groups with children on retreat.     COASTAL RETREAT - JANUARY 12 Exciting developments are happening to the interior of the Coastal Retreat Center. All new carpet is beginning installed in the guest rooms and hallway (top left). Top right you see paint and supplies used to paint the ceilings upstairs and the rear stairwell. Below there is a shipment of sheetrock that was just delivered to a now barren welcome lobby, and is being used in the picture to the right to put up new walls in the kitchen! Everything is getting refreshed!   COASTAL RETREAT - JANUARY 27 Things are coming together nicely at Coastal as the new layout of counter space and new appliances are being installed in the kitchen! Also, at the top right you can see the new serving line is situated in an opening in the wall that allows the kitchen to overlook the dining room! Below and to the left you can see the dining room as it has been expanded into the areas that used to be small storage/lounge rooms. This will allow for bigger groups and better seating arrangements. Below and to the right you see the brand new coffee bar station that was installed upstairs right where the stairway lets out on the second floor. This coffee bar will serve as a functional separation between the stairway entrance and the upstairs meeting room. The 2 photos at the very bottom showcase our new Lutheran Red Roof that will not only keep out the leaks but give our building that lowcountry island feel - truly making this Your Lutheran Beach Retreat! Join the Excitement and Help Us Complete Phase One Renovations! All donations are Tax-deductible   RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES ABOUT THE RENOVATIONS FROM SCLRC!

Earlier this year...

Coastal Retreat - Air Conditioning System After many years and numerous repairs, the main air conditioning system for the downstairs of Coastal has finally given out. A new system that will crossover to be used with the future renovations has been purchased and installed thanks to Capital Campaign funds.
Biggerstaff - Rip-Rap Development on Lake Keowee, and the boat traffic that accompanied it, has created erosion problems along the peninsula’s shore. A shoreline preservation project was started in September 2008 at Biggerstaff and is now in the finishing stages. A rip-rap (stone covering) was installed to protect the shoreline from further damage.

A special report of our Executive Director Dallas Shealy: Plans for renovation to Camp Kinard as part of our Building+Renewing+Believing campaign included new metal roofs for the cottages to provide an updated "cabana" look to theses buildings.  Thanks to a literal act of God and to the generosity of Jeff Courtney from Fabral, Inc, these new roofs became a reality much sooner than expected!   Many of you will remember that in March 2008, a significant thunder and hail storm went through Batesburg-Leesville.   Quite a number of our Lutheran Youth were on retreat at Camp Kinard during that storm and watched golf-ball sized hail fall from the sky!   Some may have seen this weather as an inconvience, but for Camp Kinard, it was a gift!   The hail damage on our already-in-need-of-replacement roofs provided a fairly significant insurance settlement.  And thanks to Jeff Courtney of Fabral, Inc (member of Reformation, Columbia) who was able to get some materials and labor donated and at reduced prices and thanks to the generosity of many of you who have already given to our Capital Campaign and designated your gifts for Camp Kinard, we were able to go ahead and replace the roofs!    With these new roofs, we are taking the first steps in Building+Renewing+Believing!  Thanks be to God!

UPDATES:

SCLRC asked every youth group in the state to host a Spaghetti Benefit in their home congregation to support the Campaign. A remarkable 40 congregations responded to the call! Our faithful partners in ministry, SC Lutheran Church Youth, really came through and delivered an estimated $20,000 contribution to the campaign! Thank You, Thank YOU, THANK YOU to all the Youth and congregations who participated! (listed below)

If your congregation has not yet participated, there is still time.
You are invited to join this exciting effort!
If you are interested in getting your congregation's youth involved please
Contact SCLRC and we will help you plan your event!
To learn more and to join visit our LCY Spaghetti Campaign Page

St. Peter's Lexington Youth sporting their tshirts to show support for Outdoor Ministry and LCY

SCLRC sends final year Congregational Campaign Update to SC Synod Congregations

In January 2009 SCLRC sent out a "Congregational Campaign Update" to pastors and congregational council leaders regarding the progress of the Building+Renewing+Believing Capital Campaign, request to keep SCLRC in the congregation's prayers, and a call to action for the last year of our synod authorization to be in SC Synod Congregations.

Read the January Congregational Campaign Update and take action to support Building+Renewing+Believing!

SCLRC reports success and says "Thank You" to SC Synod Assembly

On Sunday, May 18, SC Lutheran Retreat Centers presented a campaign update to the gathered synod assembly.  Dallas Shealy, Executive Director, was happy to address the assembly and report that the “Building+Renewing+Believing” Capital Campaign at this time has reached half of its $5 million goal!   SCLRC offered a big “Thank You” and standing recognition to the members of congregations that are currently involved in the Campaign.  There was much joy and enthusiasm in the assembly about the success and spirit of the retreat center’s campaign. The list of congregations that were recognized during the assembly presentation can be viewed online at www.sclrc.com/campaign.

Congregations of the SC Synod that are not currently involved in the campaign but would like to help us reach our goal are encouraged to contact SCLRC to receive a campaign packet.  This packet will give you an overview of our building and renovation plans and an overview of starting a campaign counsel within your congregation.  Please contact SCLRC at 803-532-3183 or email contactus@sclrc.com.

SC Lutheran Retreat Centers’ Capital Campaign Building + Renewing + Believing received magnificent support from the first congregational appeal of its campaign in September of 2007. St. John’s Lutheran Church of Walhalla, SC pledged to contribute in excess of 1.2 million dollars to assist in building facilities at the Biggerstaff Retreat Center located on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Keowee in Seneca, SC. Biggerstaff will become the third South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Center through the partnering of St. John’s Walhalla and SCLRC, in which the management of the site will be entrusted to SCLRC. “St. John’s recognizes how important synod and institutional ministries are to the life of the church and full heartedly support SCLRC and its capital campaign,” explains Rev. David Coffman, pastor of St. John’s Walhalla. The approach St. John’s used to appeal for funds involved forming a congregational campaign committee, conducting temple talks, providing an informative mailing about intended development, and finally asking congregational members for their pledges. “The remarkable response from St. John’s is truly a testament of their good stewardship,” exclaimed SCLRC Executive Director Dallas Shealy.

With this momentum, SCLRC believes that the goal of 7.5 million dollars from the SC Synod is very obtainable. “We are asking for the cooperation of congregational leaders and members to make this process productive and meaningful,” states Bob Fuzy, SCLRC’s Campaign Counsel. “Our approach is different from other institutional campaigns because SCLRC is working in partnership with congregations to help raise funds not only for our campaign, but also for their identified congregational needs.”

Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia leaves legacy with SCLRC Campaign

Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, SC made a pledge of $50,000 to be given to the SC Lutheran Retreat Centers Capital Campaign upon the completion of the sale of the church’s property.  After 25 years, Trinity Lutheran has closed its doors and disbanded as a congregation due to lack of finances and membership.  This small congregation on the northeastern side of Columbia decided that the legacy of their church family would live on through donations to other Lutheran and Christian ministries and institutions. 

Trinity held a special “Sending and Sowing” service September 30th, where the congregation presented the various institutions with their intended gift.  The service was led by Trinity’s pastor Rev Delores Watson and presentation of gifts was made by congregational council president.  Among the recipients, in addition to South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers, were other Lutheran institutions such as Lutheran Homes, Newberry College, and the South Western Diocese of Tanzania.  “Even in death, there is life,” Rev Mel Amundson declared in his address from the SC Synod. 

“We are very appreciative of this gift, and we will use it in a way that will serve God’s people and honor Trinity’s legacy,” stated Larry Hamrick, Camp Kinard Resident Director.  “This gift will make a tremendous difference for the people we serve at SCLRC through church retreats, congregational gatherings, summer camps, and special needs camps,” explained Amy Catalino, director of marketing and public relations.

Porter Kinard, native of SC and son of former president of the synod for 28 years Karl W. Kinard, has stepped forward to lead SC Lutheran Retreat Centers' Campaign as Chairperson.  Porter is a ‘62 graduate of Newberry College, a former Chairperson of the Newberry College Board of Trustees, and co-owner and founder of the building and development business VIP Developers Inc.  He and his wife, Dr. Memi Kinard, are members of Incarnation Lutheran Church in Columbia and share a passion for outdoor ministry as both were involved with Lutheran camps since childhood.  “My father was one of the first supporters of Lutheran Camps.  He worked hard to bring outdoor ministry camps to South Carolina,” said Kinard.  The Kinards and their church have been long time supporters of SCLRC.  Incarnation donated the first lodge building to Camp Kinard.  Executive Director Dallas Shealy is thrilled with Kinard’s involvement.  “Who better to lead this campaign than the son of the namesake of our first retreat center?  Porter is wonderfully dedicated and passionate about the mission of SCLRC.” 

Kinard is especially interested in providing for future generations.  “Church related and supported camp is good.  We need to make people comfortable when they come to camp and retreat.  This campaign will ensure that SCLRC can continue for generations to come.”