Camp Comeca entrance, (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
COZAD — Just as the summer season was about to start, Camp Comeca and Retreat Center 29-year-old pool pump died. A request for donations was sent out and it took just under a week for the community to respond in full.
Camp Comeca is owned by Cozad Camping Ministry (CCM), the location is located in the hills south of Cozad near Midway Lake.
“CCM was established in 2020 and is continuing the legacy of incredible ministry that began in 1950 when Camp Comeca was founded,” according to Camp Comeca’s website.
The site used to be owned by the United Methodist Church before they made the decision to sell the site.
The camp, “provides excellent Christian summer camps for youth and is open year-round for groups and organizations to host their own events. Comeca is a beautiful place to grow in your relationship with God and connect with people,” per their website.
On Thursday, May 30, Camp Comeca announced on social media that their indoor swimming pool pump that had been in use for nearly 30 years had ceased to function.
A new pump would be needed, and the repair was estimated to be around $15,000 to $20,000 and was not planned in the camp’s annual budget.
“We’re praying that as the summer is starting and kids are flocking to camp with open hearts and adventurous spirits, that we will be able to make this repair quickly. Our desire is to have the pool open this summer, giving campers the experience they’re looking forward to, not lacking one of their favorite activities,” the camp posted on social media.
Executive Director Justin Hoehner said the pump was aged but didn’t expect it to fail a day before summer camps started.
Hoehner said the Camp Comeca ministry has been resilient. “We have an unbelievable God, a support system from our camp family and donors.”
The call was put out on social media for donations to help replace the pool pump.
“Never did I imagine that in the first 30 minutes we raised $7,000,” Hoehner said.
By the next morning, the amount grew to $9,000 and just six days after donations had been requested, Hoehner said they had surpassed their goal by $4,000.
The new pool pump has been ordered and will be installed as soon as possible.
“We’re thrilled that soon our campers will be able to swim in this awesome pool again,” Camp Comeca posted on social media
Hoehner also added he was surprised by how widely their post was shared, with past campers and even people who had never visited Camp Comeca. “It shows how important camp ministry is,” he said.
There was even one last donation of $5,000 that came in, but the goal for the pool pump had been met. Hoehner said they were honest with the donor and said the goal had been met, but asked if the donation could go toward their future capital campaign meant to expand the camp.
The donor made it clear their gift was for camp ministry, whether it went to the pool pump or another project.
“God has blessed this ministry with a multitude of people, young and old, who are eager to see Comeca’s mission fulfilled: Providing a place where all people can experience Christ. Thank you for continuing that legacy with us and being part of this story,” Camp Comeca stated.
The Camp Comeca indoor pool, (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
