What We Do
Since Riverbend functions at its highest capacity during the summer, so do we. Many of our projects exist to create events for the summer staff to enjoy. In years past, Riverbend has hosted events like mud football, lake day, and a trip to Putt-Putt; however, in today’s world, these are not as feasible as they once were, so the Alumni have stepped in to help. These events and projects grow and evolve from year to year and currently include:
Team 5.11
We pair up summer staff with alumni who send letters, care packages, and much needed prayer to them as a means of encouraging and edifying those who are working and doing the same jobs we did years ago…
End of Summer Banquet
This is a very close, joint project between the Riverbend Staff and the Executive board to put on a ceremony that puts a big positive exclamation at the end of the summer.
Sonic Runs
During the summer, who doesn't love a nice, refreshing Sonic drink?
Help us bless the staff by signing up to host a sonic run or to even contribute financially to a run.
Recruiting for Summer Staff
Why not? It’s so fun and easy! Recruit at your youth group, college group, BSM, or anywhere else 15-25 year old gather and give them the chance to have even better experiences than you did at The Bend! You can find more information about recruiting by going to here.
Cardboard Boat Race
Remember the Luau? Well this is better! We invite specific alumni out and form teams with them and summer staff, give them some cardboard and duct tape and say, “GO!” The resulting creations are then raced from one end of the pool to the other, last boat sailing wins!
Alumni Clean Day
Remember clean day? The adrenaline of trying to be the first team to finish, or set a new camp record for how many cabins your team can clean is back! Now you can go back to the Bend and show the new recruits how cleaning is done!
Alumni Annual Retreat
Every year we gather together at the end of the summer so remember, commiserate, and commemorate our time and resources to Riverbend and each other. This retreat features worship and preaching sessions, group meals, games, a work project, the annual Alumni Business meeting (where officers are elected), Record Setting Night, and lots of free time to hang out and catch up!
The Alumni do all of these things and more, and there is a place here for every former Bend Staff, regardless of your level of commitment. Your involvement and support makes our Alumni Association what it is. The association has future goals that include broader support to Riverbend than only what we provide now. Riverbend recruits 80–100 summer staff members each year, and statistics have shown that these recruits are much easier to attract if they know someone who has worked there before. Who better to do this than the alumni, who have experienced life at the Bend themselves? The Association is also looking to have more community building events, like ice cream socials, bowling nights, and cookouts!
In time, we can achieve all of these great things. In order to do so, we need to continue to grow our community, by recruiting summer staffers from recent summers and summers long ago. Each time a new member is recruited into the alumni association, our community gains value. The more value we have, the more we can support Riverbend’s mission and outreach. Our goal as we progress towards these aspirations is to:
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Bless each other by establishing stronger communities,
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Bless Riverbend by assisting with events and summer staff recruiting, &
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Bless the current summer staff by making their work a little easier with prayer, support, and gifts.