Hope Springs Christian Fellowship Church, Cumberland, MD
I came to Covenant Village for the first time in the Fall of 2001 as the weekend fall retreat speaker for Frostburg State University's Intervarsity Christian Fellowship group. I was a local pastor in the area and had never heard of CV. It was also my first time getting to know the Christian students at FSU so I was a little nervous but very excited. As I pulled up in my car at the farm house I remember being impressed by the beauty of the natural surroundings. I kept thinking how come I have never been here before? After getting out of my car I was greeted by Juls Woods. Juls was very nice and after a brief introduction he told me about CV and how it came into existence. I was so impressed with the vision that I wanted to know more. That evening I spoke with the students and could sense that God was at work with them. CV seemed like a safe place where the students could relax and share their passions for God. It was wonderful. Over the course of the weekend I got to see more of Juls and take a tour of the camp property. The vision or purpose of CV kept ringing in my ears. I felt compelled to tell other about CV and bring other groups back to experience it first-hand.
After the weekend was over we all went home but I felt compelled pray about CV. I eventually brought several groups back as well as spent time with close friends seeking God during a New Years Eve retreat in the farm house. I must say that God never failed to enrich me with each unique experience. I left the area in the Spring of 2002 for missions and graduate/seminary work. I never forgot about CV. It was interesting. I have been to many places like CV. I actually met my wife at a Christian Camp. But none of those compared with the incredible potential that CV offered.
I recently moved back to the area on the fall of 2006. I quickly made a visit to CV and began a new friendship with Arnie Ensflield. After Arnie gave me an up-dated tour I was impressed by the addition of the cabins, as well as other physical improvements. It was nice to see how God had moved and that He wasn't finished yet. The best thing was that I got to bring my 2 year old son with me to see CV again from a whole new perspective. He loved it! Covenant Village is a special place. It was ordained by God to be a beautiful spot on God's creation to be set aside for His purposes. I am certain that many of the lives which have stepped on the property never left the same way that they came. I invite anyone to come and see for themselves the amazing serenity that CV has to offer. It will be well worth it.
--Lee Reams, Co-Pastor Hope Springs Christian Fellowship Church and Instructional Designer Allegany College of Maryland March 7,2008
Fourth Presbyterian Church Boy Scout Troop 68, Bethesda, MD
We had an excellent overnight last weekend at Covenant Village Camp in Clearville PA adjacent to the Buchanan State Forest. We had a very picturesque campsite with a truly unbelievable view. The Scouts did a 5-mile hike up Martin Mountain and cooked their meals on our new backpacking stoves. The new Troop 68 overnight tents were a big hit because they are much warmer than my backpacking tents. On Sunday morning the temperature was 20 degrees! I was very pleased that all the Scouts were so well prepared for cold weather. We enjoyed Mr. Ensfield's hospitality very much and felt very welcomed at the Glendale Church of the Bethren service in Flintstone MD after we broke camp Sunday morning. --Martin Holdrich, Scoutmaster March 4, 2008