Dear CranHill Campground and Cottage Friends,
It is with great sadness that I am writing this email to you today. If you’re like me you’ve been looking forward to coming to CranHill for your stay. Well, that stay is, unfortunately, going to have to wait just a little while longer.
Yesterday, Governor Whitmer announced that the Stay-At-Home order will remain in effect until May 28th. With this order, she has essentially required CranHill’s Campgrounds and Cottage Rentals to remain closed until at least May 28th. As difficult as this is for us, we rejoice because as a Christian organization we get to represent Christ in honoring the authorities over us (Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13).
Believe me, we really want to be open, and we really want you here. We not only desperately need the revenue, but we simply love the ministry that happens while you’re here. You’re not just like family… you are family.
You are entitled to a full refund without cancellation fees because we are required to cancel your reservation.
You may choose one of the following options:
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DONATE your received payments to CranHill to help support the current financial needs of this ministry. In this case, you will receive a tax receipt for 100% of the funds donated and you can then make another reservation for a future date.
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REBOOK your received payment for a future date during the 2020 camping season. In this case, we would love to help you find another date this summer.
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REFUND Your received payment will be 100% refunded to you. Refunds will be processed within two weeks of your reservation date and credited back to your credit card or sent by check.
If you choose Option 1 or Option 3, we will process your request and you will receive the proper communication showing your donation or your refund.
If you choose Option #2, we will give you a phone call to assist your rebooking. Or feel free to give us a call during normal office hours at your convenience.
We are still planning to open the campground and cottages this season just as soon as we can. Please stay tuned to our website and social media for further updates. You might also want to catch a new weekly update video called “The Porch.”
Thank you so much for your partnership and prayers during these unique days. We continue to pray for all our guests, that the Lord would make these days a great time of family connectedness to each other and to the Lord regardless of all that is happening around us.
Blessings, and we look forward to seeing you soon here at the Ranch.
In Christ,
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES
To Sense God's Glory, Wonder, & Creation
For over 55 years, CranHill has been a ministry joyfully and faithfully working to transform lives into to image of Christ. People from all over the globe have come to CranHill to develop a deeper relationship with God, create lasting memories with family and friends both old and new, and experience God’s creation. Many people have given their finances, their time, and their talents to see the ministry at CranHill grow and flourish.
We thank God for all of the past blessings over the decades, and now we look forward to the future knowing that we can move forward in faith that God will continue to bless the ministry as it continues to grow.
CranHill’s diverse ministry programs share many of the same facilities, services, and resources, all on the same property. This often creates limitations and challenges to adequately accomplish its mission. New spaces are needed to delineate between programs, enabling increased focus and priority, thus allowing each to flourish and be more fruitful.
TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE
This vision launches CranHill into a new future of ministry that facilitates improved ministry and increased growth opportunities for our different ministry areas. Over time, due to numerical growth, cultural shifts, and licensing changes, it has become necessary to establish more clearly defined lines between Youth/Friendship Camps and other guests and groups on the property. While this vision will establish greater boundaries between programs, the hope is that it will allow each to flourish. There will still be times of crossover at the waterfront and Barn Store, but for the most part, each program will gain increased access and priority in their respective spaces. Each program will have expanded access to activity spaces, resources, and programs. Youth Campers will spend less time walking up and down the hill every day, allowing for more time engaging in activities, programs, Bible studies, leadership development, discipleship, and more. And in doing so, we will transform the future!
CAMPAIGN GOALS
• New Dining Facility to feed summer campers & world changers; replacing the current, tired, undersized kitchen & dining room. Est: $6,000,000 + $500,000 (Contents & Kitchen Equip.)
• Relocating Horse Ministry to CranHill’s “East 80”
- Horse Goal Phase 1 - New pastures, haybarn, hitching area,
bathrooms, and classroom to get Horse Program moved to make way for Dining Hall and camper activity spaces. Est: $1,000,000
- Horse Ministry Next Step Phase 2 - Indoor Riding Arena, Horse Camp Site Development. Est: $3,000,000
• Improving Main Campus Horse Barns, Petting Farm & Arena in the heart of CranHill for Campground and Retreat Guests. Est: $200,000 • Remodeling the Current Lodge for potential additional meeting, training, and lodging space. Est: $300,000
• Build Second East End Guest Cottage. Est: $400,000
• Contingency and Fundraising Expenses. Est: $600,000
• New Recreational Space for Youth Summer Camp Est: $500,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL CAMPAIGN GOAL: $12,500,000
NEW DINING HALL
Our current dining facility, a place that has witnessed countless moments of fellowship and nourished the hearts and bellies of numerous campers and guests, is beyond showing signs of wear and tear. Due to the ministry's growth, the seating area is so small that we regularly have two or three seatings for each meal time, which is incredibly challenging for campers and staff and doesn't allow for proper programming and camp community.
The kitchen is cramped and in dire shape, quite literally sinking by several inches and falling apart. Although the heat and electricity still function, they are outdated The drain field also cannot keep up either. The building is tired and well beyond its life expectancy, especially for a structure that was never originally intended as a dining hall.
The solution? A new, intentionally designed Food Service Facility that will serve the growing ministry needs of campers and guests for decades to come.
We're not just building a dining hall; we're crafting a space that will enhance our ability to serve and connect. Behind the scenes, our dedicated staff and board are hard at work. Plans are underway with architects, engineers, the county, and the electric company. We hope to unveil the new facility design in the coming months.
NEW HORSEMANSHIP
MINISTRY HOME
A bold, brand-new opportunity to transform how we do horsemanship ministry with opportunities for greater growth and impact located in the state's center. Since 1968, the horsemanship ministry has been a cornerstone of the ministry of CranHill. Each year, thousands of guests experience the love of Christ through programming with the horsemanship ministry. To allow for continued ministry growth, we plan to establish a new Horsemanship Complex on the 80 acres of property along the east edge of the property. Build new barns, pastures, riding arenas, hay storage, and other facilities and amenities necessary to offer quality programs, instruction, and events for Youth Camps, Guest Groups, and the Community.
East 80 Acres Facilities
Family Camp Horse Facilities
PROJECT WILL INCLUDE:
• Horse Pastures & Pens: large, fenced-in areas to adequately hold 40+ horses with the ability to rotate the herd to allow for sustainable vegetation growth and healthy ground conditions.
• Horse Shelters: several smaller shelters located in the pastures.
• Indoor Riding Arena: a large year-round facility for indoor riding instruction and training.
• Stable Barn: a large barn with horse stalls, tack room, office, health center, restrooms, and instructional space.
• Outdoor Riding Arenas: 2-4 arenas for riding instruction and programs.
• Storage Barn: large pole barn to store hay, wagons, and tractors.
• Property Infrastructure: water service, electric service, drain fields, etc.
• Restructuring the existing lower barn areas of main camp, making space for 10-12 horses to stay throughout the summer to serve Family Camp.
NEW AND UPDATED RECREATIONAL SPACE FOR YOUTH CAMPERS
The safety of campers is of utmost importance as we minister to thousands of youth, adults, and families each year. The reality of sharing space with so many other guests and groups requires significantly more supervision, policies, procedures, and planning to ensure the safety of youth and friendship campers, as well as compliance with state regulations. Reducing the amount of time in shared spaces will improve the quality of programs, mental health of our staff, and stewardship of resources while maintaining a high level of concern for the safety of campers.
A new recreational space for youth summer campers and retreat guests would include:
• Ball Courts (Basketball, Pickleball, Gaga Ball, Volleyball, 9-Square, and more)
• Ball Fields (Soccer, Kickball, Football, Group Games, etc.) • Target Sports Ranges (Archery, Riflery, Slingshots, Tomahawks, Archery Tag)
• Adventure Courses (Zip Lines, Climbing Tower, High Ropes Courses)
• Winter Sports (Tubing Hill, Ice Rinks, Ice Climbing Tower)