VISION and Camp Talahi

The deadline for signing up for transportation to the National Youth Event is June 1.   We currently have room for 140 chaperones and youth.

After June 1st, I will cancel the extra reserved busses and our seating will be limited to one bus with 45 seats.

 Each youth/adult needs to go on line and register themselves by clicking Register for VISION Events(found to the left of this blog). 

If your church is paying a portion of the fee please have your church send the balance within 7 business days to

If individuals are paying they may use their credit card or send a check to the above address.

Please note your registration is not final until you sign up on line and send in your registration fee.

I am also looking for chaperones/youth who would be willing to help with the ice breakers/ worship/banner building on July 23rd after 8:00 p.m.  Send me an e-mail if you can help at marcia@michucc.org

Over all on line registration process is going really well. Thank you!

Please be sure to enter the correct e-mail address when you set up your account.  Most problems stem from incorrect e-mails entered into the system.  An accurate e-mail account is the key to all registration access and communication.

If you have already set up an account - please do not set up an additional account.  You are no longer a first time user, you are a returning user.  When you set up an additional account we need to make a correction and we incur an additional charge.

Returning Users - anyone who has already set up an account please access your account by clicking on Access your online registration system account -to the left of this box, or if you bookmarked the site url from your confirmation note you may access the registration site directly using the web address.

A confirmation e-mail is sent out with important information about accessing your account.  Please keep this information for the next event or camp you sign up for. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail, it could be that your email address was entered correctly.  We do receive notification if emails are undeliverable and try to contact you in other ways.  Sometimes it's difficult to discover.  So if you have set up an account and registered but have not received a confirmation e-mail please let us know.

You must have your user name (your e-mail address) and the password you created when you set up your account. You will be able to access participant information to complete, change, or modify any field, access financial information - recorded payments, balance etc, and print an account summary. Participants may choose to print out their account summary and turn it in to their camp coordinator as proof of registration.

Lisa Soulliere is sending reports to churches with helpful information to help them with any financial assistance they offer.  This will be out by the end of this week.

All registrations require a $50 deposit.  If you choose not to take advantage of the credit card payment or electronic check option, you must send a check made out to MCUCC, VISION and mail it within 7 days to MCUCC, VISION PO Box 1006, East Lansing - please note your camper's name on the memo line.

Registrations are not final until the deposit has been received.  Registrations not paid in full at least 14 days prior to the beginning of camp registered will be canceled. We recommend payment in full by June 1.

Finally, If you are experiencing any difficulty (or frustrations!) please do not hesitate to contact me at marcia@michucc.org or 517 332-3511 ext. 209 and I'd be happy to assist.

See you at camp this summer!

Be sure to register for summer camp before April 15 to take advantage of the Early Bird Rates.  Signing up early for camp helps us to make staffing and program decisions for the summer ahead. 

The National Youth Event Workshop handbook is posted so you can look through the workshop offerings for this summers National Youth Event. CLick on National Youth Event under VISION and then on NYE Workshop Handbook to see what's being planned.

Remember, the early registration deadline for NYE is April 27, 2008  Go to www.ucc.org/youth for further information.

Thank you to all who have contacted me about our on line registration process.  A few minor glitches have been discovered and hopefully have been resolved.  Thank you for your patience as we move to this online process.

Helpful Hints for smooth registration

• Click on the link to the left of this section titled Register Now!
• This will take you to our secure registration link.
• You will be asked if you are a return user or a new user.  If you are a return user enter your e-mail and your password to enter the system.  If you are a new user click on first time user and continue with the registration process. 
• You will be asked grade/age.  The camps or events you are eligible for will pop up. 
• Click on the event(s) or camp(s) you wish to register for
• You will be asked for contact information, health information (for children and youth), emergency contact information, release of camper information and account information. Before you submit you may register another camper on your account - most of the contact information will auto-fill for you.
• If you are in the middle of registration process and do not have an answer (ex. date of last tetanus booster) write unavailable or fill in the section as best you can at the time.  Upon completion of the registration process you may go back into your account using your email and password  to edit or correct any information at any time.
• The registration program will calculate your balance.
• You may choose your method of payment - credit card, electronic check or send a check through the mail along with a copy of your account balance.  A $50 depost is required with every camp registration.  You may choose the amount to pay $50 for each registration up to the entire balance.
• If your church is providing financial help.  Pay your balance less what the church is providing.  This amount varies church to church so please check with your camp coordinator or pastor.  VISION will provide each church with a report which includes campers name, camp, and remaining balance.  Churches will then send a check to MCUCC,VISION for the balance.  A financial report will be generated April 1, May 1, and June 1 and sent via e-mail to congregations
• You will receive a confirmation e-mail when you are successfully registered.

Thank you for using our new system for registration. 

If you should encounter any problems or have additional questions please do not hesitate to contact me.  Your feedback is appreciated as we try this new process.

If you are planning to volunteer to counsel at Camp Talahi this summer please be sure to fill out an application as soon as possible.  If you are not sure which camp you can committ to please note that on your application.  We want to have all applications processed by April 15.

Thank you fo much for helping us make summer camp possible!

Marcia

To register for Camp Talahi and VISION events, use our new secure online registration. Click here: Camp Talahi and VISION event online registration system

Secure Online Registration and Management Software

You may register for all VISION Events and Summer Camp at Camp Talahi through our secure on line registration system.  The words camper and participant are used interchageably throughout the registration process.  When you use the on line registration system it enables us to keep accurate up to date records, save valuable staff time, and offers you the opportunity to conveniently manage your account.  When you register you will know if a camp is full, be able to see your current balance, and receive e-mail communication from VISION about your event.

When you click on the link:

• You will be asked if you are a First time or Returning User
• Choose the grade or age of participant
• Make your event or camp selection
• You will be asked to complete participant information
  • Participant Information
  • Contact Information
  • Emergency Contact Information
  • Health Information
  • Camper Release Policy
  • Other information specific to your event/camp
  • Register more than one child
• Your will be asked to set up a family account with a password. 
• You will receive a confirmation and will have the option to pay by credit card, electronic check, or mail a check into MCUCC, VISION
• If your church is paying a portion of your registration fee please pay your portion of the balance and print out the registration confirmation to submit to your church for payment of the balance. If your church is paying your entire balance, please select will send check, print confirmation and submit to your church.
• You will be able to change or edit any information in you account, make payments at any time.
• You will receive an e-mail confirmation and other important information about your event

It is our hope that you will find on line registration quick and convienient and trouble free!  If you do have problems or have concerns please contact Marcia Beer 517 332-3511 ext 209.

Hello Everybody,

This is our new web site.  On it you will find helpful information about upcoming VISION Programs and Camp Talahi.  Campers, Counselors, Staff and Camper Parents will find information on this site.  You will be able to register on line for camp and VISION Events through a link on this site beginning in January.

It is my hope that you will be able to find complete information about our outdoor ministry program as well as other VISION events.

For congregations and pastors you will find information about promoting camp opportunities in your congregation such as bulletin inserts, a liturgy to be used for camp Sunday, and ways of supporting your young people's participation in camp.

For Campers you will find the 2008 Summer Camp Schedule and descriptions for each camp.  Beginning in January you will have a link to register on line.

For Camper Parents you will find helpful information as you prepare your child for camp - directions, what to bring list, what to do about homesickness, important guidelines, information on health and wellness at camp, contact information  and much more.

For Camp Staff and Volunteer Staff you will will find employment opportunities, application forms, as well as, helpful information as you prepare for your time at Talahi. 

I welcome your comments, feed back and suggestions as I work to bring VISION and Camp Talahi into the 21st century!

What is VISION?

VISION is a ministry of the Michigan Conference United Church of Christ offering progressive theological education and action opportunities for people of all ages through workshops, outdoor minsitry and retreats, service, and global exchange.

VISION is...

• A partner in the educational ministry of the church
• A voice of progressive theology and action
• A force of transformation through service, global partnerships, and spiritual growth
• A catalyst for discipleship and ministry in the world
• A space to restore souls, renew spirits, refresh relationships

Our Mission is carried out through...

• Experiences and opportunities for spiritual growth
• Programs that witness to our faith through justice and peace
• Education that inspires and equips for mission and ministry
• Relationships which connect others

Outdoor and Retreat Ministry

Among the programs that VISION offers is the summer camping program at Camp Talahi.  Leadership for camp is provided by a combination of faithful and committed staff, volunteer leaders, and counselors.  Camp Talahi is a place where campers learn more about themselves and each other, experience God's love in a Christian community, build friendships, and increase their understanding and appreciation for the world around them.

Camp Talahi is available year-round for groups to use for a day, weekend, week long meetings, retreats and workshops. Please contact Lisa Soulliere to reserve your date. 517 332-3511 ext 202.

Workshops, Seminars, Special Events

VISION partners with other organizations, individuals, and congregations from the Michigan Conference to offer workshops relevant to our life together.  The educational, spiritual-nurture programs, and workshops are open to all people who want to grow and learn together.  VISION prepares and equips participants for discipleship and ministry.

VISION offers progressive theological education and action opportunities that:

• Inspire
• Educate
• Equip
• Renew
• Challeng
• Transform

Giving to VISION

The ministry and work of VISION is made possible by the generous gifts of people like you.  If you would like to become a part of the VISION success story, your gifts can be sent to: