Labor Day weekend is the annual all-church camping trip to Schneidereit Ranch in Brewster, NE.  We realize that camping has little to do with making maturing followers of Jesus Christ, but the elders of Grace Church recognize the value in deepening relationships so we have reserved this campground to use Labor Day weekend (August 30-September 2). There is lots of space for tents and RVs (you may want to bring your own generator. There are also some hotel rooms available in Brewster about seven miles from the campsite. This trip is open to any who enjoys camping and wants to spend a weekend with others from the church family so if you want to join us, please let us know. Cost is $25 per family per day for what we’re considering as a three-day trip ($15 per family for a day visit). For more details or to register, contact the church office (308.754.4770). Note: in order to keep our costs as low as possible, we need to know which meals you are planning to eat with us. Meals provided are Friday night snack, three meals on Saturday and Sunday and two meals on Monday. Please let us know as soon as possible if your family has special food needs.

Here are some details to help you with your planning:

  • Friday: No evening meal is planned although we are providing a snack. You will want to bring food for your family if a meal is required for your family’s needs.
  • The same cooks from last year are coming again this year. They will prepare all our meals from Saturday morning to Monday lunch. They are not charging anything for this service to us so please consider giving them a gift from your family as a thank you to them.
  • Any personal snacks or special drinks for your kids will be your family’s responsibility to provide.

As mentioned above, the advertised cost is $25 per family per day for the whole weekend. This fee only covers about half the cost of the weekend, so if you are able and want to help the church pay the   remaining half, all extra gifts would be appreciated. Any payments should be marked “Campout” and all checks should be made to Grace Church. If you would like to help provide some of the food items for the weekend to keep our costs lower, please contact the church office (308.754.4770).

Optional activities:

  • We are allowed to hunt doves with proper hunting permits.
  • We are allowed to target shoot with rifles, handguns, and archery.
  • We are allowed to fish and use kayaks on their 100-acre lake although they said extra oars might be helpful as theirs are not in good condition. The lake is privately managed so no state fishing license is necessary.
  • A pontoon is available to use as a dock for fishing.
  • Fishing gear is available for our use.
  • Two canoes and plenty of life jackets are available for our use.
  • Perch, bass, bluegill are available to catch and you are allowed to keep what you catch.
  • If you choose to fish, weed-less bait is preferred as the lake is shallow and there are lots of weeds.
  • There is plenty of space for walking.
  • Table games and puzzles are available.
  • Photography is always an option (bring your own camera!)

The owners recommend bringing shoes and/or boots as they have a lot of sandburs and cacti on their property. Sweatpants are not recommended.

The weekend will begin Friday evening and go through Monday afternoon. You can arrive and/or leave anytime Friday through Monday. Sunday morning we will have a worship service together but other than that, no other group activities are scheduled.

Contact Pastor Daniel know if you have any other questions. Thank you!

P.S. If you want to come earlier or stay later, here is the contact number for Ivan and Amy – 308.547.2257. You can make the financial arrangements with them.

If you are interested in going a day early (Thursday, August 29) to participate in a work day at the campsite, please let Pastor Daniel know.