Our Mission | Q&A | Honorary Board | Executive Board | The Ministry |
How You can Help

Our Mission:

Founded in 1997, Grand Horizons Foundation was established to provide Christian camp scholarships to children ages 8-18 from the West Michigan area.

Following the death of her daughter a number of years ago, God planted a desire in the heart of founder, Phyllis Tillema, to someday establish a ministry dedicated to impacting the lives of children. With encouragement and support from family and friends, Grand Horizons became a reality and sent 37 children to 8 West Michigan Christian camps in the first summer.

Many children continue to benefit
Since the organization was founded in 1997, Grand Horizons Foundation has provided a growing number of children with a camp scholarship. From the nearly 40 children that GHF sent to camp that first year to the over 175 scholarships awarded in 2006, we continue to work with local organizations to identify these special children who could benefit from our Foundation. For many kids, this is their first – and perhaps only – chance to experience what camp is all about. It's a time when they can forget their troubles and just be part of a positive, fun environment with kids from different backgrounds.

To our knowledge there is no other organization in Michigan established for the sole purpose of providing interdenominational Christian camp scholarships to existing West Michigan camps. Camp is awesome! It provides a child a week in a totally new atmosphere where they can learn new things, try new foods and make new friends. Most importantly, Christian camp shows the kids God’s unconditional love.

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Q&A

How much does each scholarship cost?
The cost of each scholarship is approximately $250 – a very small sum when you consider the long-range benefits the children receive from their experiences.

Who’s eligible for a scholarship?
Christian camp scholarships are available to children age 8-18 who live in West Michigan. The application process, briefly, works like this:

• All applicants must be “sponsored” by a youth organization, church, school, or counselor. The sponsor must complete a portion of the application.
• The applicant must write a short paragraph on why he or she would like to have this experience.
• GHF reviews all scholarship applications and selects the campers based on need.
• Campers are notified of the camp and week they have been assigned to attend.

Applications are available in January for the summer camp season by calling 616-667-9972 or download here.

What camp does the child attend?
We are currently working with the following area camps:

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Grand Horizons Foundation - Honorary Board

Doug Bouma, Bouma Corporation

Betsy DeVos, The Windquest Group

Harvey Gainey II, Gainey Corporation

Dan Gordon, Gordon Food Service Inc.

Senator Bill Hardiman, Michigan State Senate

Janet Haynes, Community

Bob Hooker, Community

Judy Hooker, Community

J.C. Huizenga, Westwater Group

Mike Jandernoa, Community

Jim Meyer, Community

Byron Olsen, Community

Lynnelle Pierce, Lynnelle Pierce Ministries

Gene Proctor (in memoriam)

Bob Przybysz, Community

Warren Reynolds (in memoriam)

Jerry Tubergen, RDV Corporation

Casey Wondergem, Van Andel Institute

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Grand Horizons Foundation - Executive Board

Linda Barber, Williams Distributing Co.

Barbara Berens, Community

Deborah Brewer, Crowe Chizek

Riley Combs, Steelcase, Inc.

Chuck Damon, Damon, Oosterhouse & Witte, LLP

David Hooker, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Heather King, Crowe Chizek

Kristina Kornoely, Community

Jamie May, Ameriprise

Cheryl Oliver, SMG

Maribath Groen, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Bill Rigg, SALT Ministries

Bob Tillema, WOOD-TV8

Phyllis Tillema, Grand Action

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The Ministry:

Currently working with several area youth organizations such as LOVE Inc., Abundant Life Ministries, Baxter Community Center, Heartside Ministries, and Catholic Social Services, schools, and churches, Grand Horizons strives to match children to participating Christian camps such as Grace Youth Camp, Camp Michawana, Camp Henry, Camp Roger, Center Lake Bible Camp, Camp Tall Turf, Camp Beechpoint, Bair Lake Bible Camp, Pine Ridge Bible Camp, Son-Life Camp and Dymo Camp.

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How can you support Grand Horizons?

• Share this information with your church and family.
• Pray for the campers and camp ministry that our efforts will be blessed and kids lives will be changed
• Share the blessings God has given to you by making an investment in a child's life
• See Donation Link

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