Dear Camp Family:
Throughout 95 years of camp and retreat ministry, the health and well-being of our guests, campers, and staff has always been our top priority. As part of our camp family, I want you to be aware of the steps we have taken and are taking to keep the care of those we serve at the forefront of all we do.
Through extensive media coverage and public addresses, we all have become aware that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had an unexpected, broad, and rapidly-emerging impact in countries across the world and now here in the United States.
Given our fundamental commitment to the safety of those whom we serve, the uncertainty surrounding the nature of COVID-19 and its spread, and our desire to play a proactive role in society’s response to this emerging situation, earlier today we took the extraordinary step of cancelling all retreats for the remainder of our spring 2020 retreat season. Retreat and group leaders were notified as soon as possible and, since this was our decision and not theirs, were instructed on how to receive a full refund of payments made for their events.
While we deeply regret having to cancel scheduled spring retreats, we trust that all affected retreat guests and our broader camp family find our willingness to be proactive as evidence characteristic of our faithful partnership with families and churches. You should know that we arrived at this decision after prayerful deliberation, having closely monitored guidance from public health resources such as the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
We have taken this step now with respect to our retreat season and, since COVID-19 is an unknown and emerging reality, will continue to closely monitor the situation moving forward. Please know that updating and adapting all of our existing policies and procedures to reflect emerging guidance from our public health professionals is central to our ongoing preparations for summer camp and that we plan to be fully prepared to safely host campers this summer for our 96th season of camp ministry.
Sincerely,
