the need
For generations, leaders at Riverbend have taken great care to steward our facilities to
continue to serve the children, families, and churches of the region.
Over time, our guest groups have changed. We are encountering more small groups and families, shorter stays, and an increased desire for privacy and higher comfort.
Today, Riverbend often appears full, and we have to turn smaller groups away. But in reality, there could be space available if our housing and meeting facilities were configured differently.
Our master planning study showed that for Riverbend, it’s not about getting bigger; it’s
about increasing the flexibility of our spaces and configuring them in such a way that we can
better host multiple groups simultaneously, make space for families, and make room for the
staffing necessary to meet the high standards of hospitality that we desire. Over the last few years, we’ve already begun to make progress on this work, utilizing special gifts, insurance funds, and budgeted dollars.
Already we have:
➔ Rebuilt the Cedar Bluff Lodge following a fire and renovated the Rock Creek Lodge: These now match all planned future lodges, with increased flexibility for private housing, private bath, and their own
meeting space.
➔ Built the new Chapel. A wonderful space for worship and other gatherings, making way for us to renovate the previous chapel for an indoor recreation and meeting space. We’ve also begun work on:
➔ Remodeling Cabin 9
➔ Building an indoor recreation center and snack shop space in the old chapel behind the Worship Center.
In total, this work has cost just over $1.6 Million, with approximately half being funded by insurance.
Proposed site plan
the plan
To build the next phase of our needed changes, the Board of Directors has launched the Flowing to the Future Campaign. To make the needed changes with the expediency required, our goal is to raise $3.3 Million dollars outside of our normal budget. *All costs include a 10% contingency
PHASE I: $3,300,000
➔ New Convertible Cabin #1: $1,500,000
» To be located on the site of our current maintenance shop, the first of two new convertible cabins will provide flexible space that can be configured for individual families, small retreat groups, or overflow housing for larger groups, close to the center of camp and with a beautiful view of the river.
➔ Outpost Meeting Space: $400,000
» Our Outpost area is a unique and beloved part of Riverbend. Many groups love the privacy and independence it allows. However, it does not have a dedicated meeting space and is far from all available meeting spaces. Building a meeting space for the Outpost area will allow more groups to use this space and allow multiple groups to be on-site at one time.
➔ Staff Housing: $350,000
» The current house is located near the front of the property by the water tower and is the proposed site of the future lodge village. We will build a new staff house outside of the gated area to make space for this increased guest usage on site.
Outpost Meeting Space
Outpost Meeting Space
➔ New Maintenance Shop 1: $400,000
» Our current maintenance shop is in the heart of our site, with one of the best views on our property. Moving the shop to a less visible space on our site will open space for the future convertible cabins and allow more space for the work that needs to be done in the shop for our ongoing property care.
➔ Centerpoint Meeting Spaces $500,000
» To be located just behind the Worship Center, these two meeting spaces will provide breakout space for conferences and meeting space for multiple groups to use simultaneously.
➔ Campaign Capacity (staffing, consulting, travel, events): $150,000
“We are investing in our future,
and now it’s my responsibility
to ensure the river continues to
flow for my grandchildren and
generations down the line.”
Richard Davis
Campaign Chair
COMPLETED
the Funding
To fund the complete development plan, the Riverbend Board of Directors is launching the Flowing to the Future Capital Campaign to secure funding from individuals, families, congregations, businesses, and foundations. Gifts to the campaign may be received in the form of three-year pledges and one-time gifts. Gifts in the form of appreciated securities and gifts-in-kind are welcome. Naming, honor, and memorial gifting are also available to donors.
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PROJECTED
CAMPAIGN TIMELINE
September 2024 – August 2025
➔ Campaign Leadership Recruitment
➔ Leadership Gifts Completed
August 2025-August 2026
➔ Congregational Campaigns
“For every 10
campers that have
come to Riverbend,
1 has been saved.”
Alton & Joy Belew
Campaign Honorary Chairs
CONGREGATION GIFTS CAMPAIGN
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CONGREGATION goals
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