FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESK
AN UPDATE ON COVID-19 AND SCIOTO HILLS: Week 8
God’s Plan for Summer Camp 2020
The Book of Psalms has been so precious to Pam and I during our 40 years of ministry together, but they have truly become an anchor for our souls since we first heard the phrases “Social Distancing” and “Shelter in Place”. As the weeks have passed and the realization of a difficult decision looming in the near future, my heart and mind have repeatedly returned to the beauty and comfort I find in the Psalms. Last week, it was Psalm 57 “In the shadow of your wings, (O God) I will take refuge”. The week before that, Psalm 20 “We will trust in the name of the Lord our God”. And last Saturday, at 3 a.m., it was Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth melts.”
This past month has been brutal, to say the least. Be it the battle to make a decision, the exhaustion in tackling the “what if’s”, the wisdom and counsel of others, the mental stress of the unknown, the discrepancy of differing opinions or the risk of waiting too long or deciding too early. Through it all, our faith in God remains unshaken and, in fact, it has grown tremendously! On behalf of my staff, I declare, “We will not fear, God is our very present help in trouble.”
I can’t remember how many times I’ve counseled others facing difficult decisions to do the research, weigh the pros and cons, seek godly advice, pray like crazy, and “let the peace of God rule your hearts, be thankful and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:15-16) So the research is in, the pros have been weighed against the cons, others have been consulted, prayers have been offered, thanks has been given, the Scriptures have been searched and the peace of God is ruling our hearts. Five weeks ago, we were contemplating what Plan A, B, C, or D might look like, but in the end, it is obvious that the plan we are presenting is and always has been God’s Plan for Scioto Hills in the summer of 2020.
Scioto Hills has been blessed with a rich heritage, godly alumni, a solid core of faithful churches led by faithful servants, selfless donors, and an ever growing host of families and individuals who love, support, and pray for this ministry. I am truly blessed to be called its Executive Director and firmly believe, by God’s grace, that He has granted me the privilege of serving alongside some of the greatest people in His Kingdom. I have the best staff in the world! I am also grateful to be accountable to and rank under the godly leadership of a wonderful board of directors.
This plan has been, quite possibly, the hardest I have ever had to present knowing the large number of people, including kids, it impacts. However, because of those that make Scioto Hills what it is, from the oldest prayer warrior to the newest camper whose life will be changed, I know the decision will be accepted with grace, patience, and understanding. And for this I thank you.
While it took awhile to uncover, the plan itself is quite simple.
1. THE IMPERATIVE: We believe it is best to continue to “be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). For the sake of our testimony and the Gospel, we have chosen to honor our officials and the COVID-19 mandates even at great cost.
2. THE BAD NEWS: Because there is no foreseeable way to abide by the current social distancing restrictions and because of the uncertainty as to when these restrictions will be lifted, we believe, though disappointing, the right thing to do this summer is to cancel all youth camps. This includes all New Frontier, Alpha, Revolution, and Mini-camps. We are so, so sorry. While there are numerous reasons, we simply had to conclude that attempting to combine social distancing, with all of its restrictions, with a camp filled with hundreds of minors was not possible. Our permanent staff and Board of Directors wholeheartedly support this decision.
SPECIAL THANK YOU: We greatly appreciate the 279 different family units representing over 90% of registered campers who took the time to complete our online survey and offer their wonderful comments. It was extremely insightful.
SUMMER STAFF: Because we will not be hosting our youth camps, we no longer have a need for our summer staff. This ends a wonderful streak dating back to 1977. We pray God will direct these wonderful college and high school students as they seek new plans for their summer.
3. THIS DECISION COMES AT GREAT COST: Since March 17th, all spring retreats and guest groups have been cancelled. This was a loss of approximately $45,000. Not having 1000+ campers romping about this summer will cost well over $200,000 (after the reduction in related expenses). Also note, that $110,000 has already been received for summer camp, and, like the majority of camps, the funds are collected early because they are needed for year-round operation. Finally, if we cannot host our end of summer guest groups, we will lose an additional $150,000. This decision, though right, comes at great cost.
While we are blessed with reserve funds, half of which are designated for future endeavors, and while we have been faithful stewards, our philosophy of ministry drives us to improve where our campers eat, sleep, play, and learn about God. We do this by pouring our proceeds back into the program rather than simply growing a savings account. In the past 14 years, we have re-invested over $700,000 in an effort to provide a greater camp experience. Needless to say, while we are rich in land, buildings, staff, and constituents, we are not equipped to withstand such a loss of income. Therefore, we ask every family who has already paid a deposit or paid their summer fees in full, to count the cost as well, and prayerfully consider our need before making one of the following decisions.
Make the entirety of your deposit and registration fees a tax-deductible donation. As a token of our appreciation, those who select this option will receive a “Camp in a Box” for each registered child to whom this applies. This box, full of fun surprises, will be mailed by July 15th.
Permit us to keep your deposit/registration fees as a credit to be applied toward a future camp event, be it a retreat, a 2021 summer camp, or a potential alternative for this summer. See #4 below.
If donating the full amount or permitting us to keep it as a future credit is not feasible, consider changing the $100 deposit(s) only into a tax-deductible donation. We will refund the amount paid above the deposit(s). As a token of our appreciation, those who select this option for each registered child will receive a 2020 Camp T-shirt to be mailed by July 15th.
We understand that many have fallen on difficult times during this pandemic. If necessary, we will gladly refund the full amount paid.
NOTE: These options do not apply to those registered for Family Camp yet, as we are expectantly planning to offer it.
SPECIAL REQUEST: There are hundreds of families registered for this summer, so to avoid overloading our office staff or calling only to be frustrated with the sound of a busy signal, we are asking the primary or secondary account holder to indicate which option he/she has selected by email at grow@sciotohills.com. We promise we will respond in a timely fashion. As you email us, please note that we will refund the original method of payment unless otherwise specified. In the event that that method of payment is no longer available, we will mail a refund check to the Primary Account holder at his/her mailing address. Please be sure that your account information is up to date. All refunds will be distributed by June 30th. Thank you for your patience.
4. THERE IS GOOD NEWS: In light of our need to cancel youth camps and because we desire to use our resources and assets in an attempt to provide an alternative summer camp experience, we are planning, Lord willing, to offer “FIVE WEEKS OF FRESH AIR, FUN-FILLED GET OUT OF THE HOUSE FAMILY CAMPS!” While our plans are tentative, until phase 3 of the “plan to re-open” is operational and all the necessary guidelines and protocols are met, we have scheduled 6 different camps designed for families, even with social distancing guidelines. Praise God for our facilities and staff! We hope, as the summer goes on and as restrictions are loosened, to increase the number of families able to participate. Please do not try to register now as the process has temporarily been closed. Families already registered have a secured spot. Registration will re-open on May 20 and include all the details necessary for making the best decision for your family. We need time to prepare as we wait for pending guidelines. We are excited to offer this alternative.
CAMP NURSES STATEMENT: We want you to know that the health and safety of our guests and campers is very important to us. We have always had high standards when it comes to health and safety, and now more than ever, it is important that we convey to you the time and effort that we are dedicating to make sure that we are being above reproach. We are awaiting guidelines from the CDC and our state health department, who are working with the American Camping Association and the Camp Nurse Association, to provide direction during this time. We want to assure the viability of Scioto Hills for the future. Please pray with us for wisdom as we seek to take every possible measure to ensure the safety and wellness of our campers and guests today, tomorrow, and in the days, months, and years ahead.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
We long for the day when Scioto Hills can get back to “normal”, yet we recognize the challenge that lies ahead as we anticipate the need to “re-invent” camp.
Make this a teachable moment for your family. God presents us with difficulties, not to destroy us, but to grow our faith and build character because He loves us. It’s not an easy lesson for kids to grasp but it is a valuable one to learn.
We are determined to stay true to our Mission, our Motto, our Philosophy of Ministry, and our Core Values regardless of the hardship. Scioto Hills has been blessing lives for 56 years. We, that is you and me, have been tasked, should the Lord tarry, with continuing this godly tradition for another 56 years!
We are so thankful for the faithfulness of our financial partners and supporting churches. Sacrificial giving during this time will be especially important as we prepare to weather the storm. Making donations is easy by visiting www.sciotohills.com/support. There are many ways to make a difference. Our mailing address is 1009 Martin Road, Wheelersburg OH 45694.
While this update is lengthy, the content is essential. We love and appreciate your partnership with us. May God grant your grace!
All to the Glory of God,
Scott Bruns
Executive Director