Summer Camps COVID-19 Update
June 11, 2020 COVID Update
Dear Camp Zion Campers and Families-
The COVID situation has been a very difficult and trying time for all of us. Daily, Camp Zion staff and leadership have been discussing ways that we might be able to open camps for this summer. We know that no matter what decision we might make, it would certainly disappoint someone.
We value the safety of our campers first and foremost. We believe that complying with the CDC, State, and County guidelines for a full summer camp season is beyond our capabilities. So, sadly, after hundreds of hours of discussions, countless meetings, and a ton of research, we have come to the conclusion that we must cancel our traditional summer camp program for 2020. This breaks our hearts, as we know it does yours as well. We are so sorry!
You are getting this email because you have registered for one of those sessions. You may choose to receive a full refund of all fees paid, or donate some or all of those fees to help ensure that camp is here next summer.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
KEEP READING!
We really wanted to be able to offer some kind of camp experience for at least some campers. Therefore, in place of our traditional program, we will be offering several “Camp Zion-Modified 2020” sessions with much smaller groups of 40 campers and shorter 5-day sessions. We will also offer three family camp sessions. With these smaller groups, it will be easier to abide by the health guidelines, and still make camp fun!
“Camp Zion-Modified 2020”
Primary Camp - cancelled
Jr. Girls-MOD 2020 - July 5-9
Jr. High-MOD 2020 - July 12-16
Jr. Boys-MOD 2020 - July 19-23
Sr. High-MOD 2020 - July 26-30
HS 2.0-MOD 2020 - August 2-6
Pre-Camp - cancelled
Family #1-MOD 2020 - August 7-10 (special invitation to Primary and Pre-Camp camp families. Space is limited.)
Family #2-MOD 2020 - Aug 12-15 (Anyone. Space is limited.)
Family #3-MOD 2020 - September 4-7 (Anyone. Space is limited.)
Based on the time stamp on your original application, we will send you an email inviting you to participate in the new comparable Camp Zion-Mod session within a few days. You will be asked to give us a yes or no response within 24 hours. If you do not receive an email, it means we are awaiting responses from campers who are ahead of you in the queue. It will be impossible for us to tell you whether or not another individual is signed up.
We would certainly understand if you chose to just wait till Summer of 2021 to send your child to camp. For Jr. High and Sr. High students, fall & winter camp opportunities will be available.
“Camp Zion-Mod” will be very different from all previous years:
We will likely not have enough room for everyone.
Campers will be expected to quarantine for 72 hours in advance of their session, with temperatures being checked daily. Anyone who arrives at the bus in Zion or at camp with a temperature above 100.4 will not be allowed in camp. Anyone who has been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID 19 should not enter camp.
We will strive to have campers and staff abide by the common health guidelines; practice social distancing, wear masks when appropriate, maintain appropriate distances in sleeping and dining spaces. We have enhanced our facilities cleaning protocols.
Each camper should bring their own face masks (several).
Practicing social distancing on the bus means that we will only have a limited number of seats on the bus (26), and some parents will need to arrange for their own transportation to and from camp.
Campers will sleep, eat, and do activities together with their cabin groups.
Some typical camp activities may or may not be offered. Details are still in the works.
Parents will need to be able to pick up their child within 5-6 hours if their child exhibits a fever or COVID-like symptoms.
Children who are immune compromised for other health issues should not attend camp this summer.
Children who are likely to be homesick should not attend camp this summer.
New waivers will be sent to all parents. They will be updated to include COVID-related wording, which will include wording similar to this: I understand and acknowledge that camp activities and interactions with others have inherent dangers that no amount of care, caution, instruction, or expertise can eliminate, and I and the participant expressly and voluntarily assume all risk of personal injury or illness sustained while participating in aforementioned activities whether or not caused by the negligence of the released parties.
More details of these changes are yet to come.
Everything is subject to change. We continue to monitor the COVID situation daily, and are in communication with health officials. Please do not hesitate to email or call if you have questions or concerns.
Lastly, let me just say that while I don’t understand why COVID has happened, or when we will come out of it, or how it will affect our campers and families, I do know this; King Jesus is still on the throne. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is faithful, and will use anything, including Camp Zion or COVID, to work out His plan for our lives. Trust in Him.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
- Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Blessings,
Dale Stewart, Executive Director
May 26, 2020 COVID Update
Since the COVID 19 shutdown began in mid-March, our staff and leadership have been looking for guidance and direction from the local, state, and federal government as to how and when we might be able to re-open camp. We have read and researched countless articles, and consulted with a variety of health officials and camping leaders. The situation has changed almost daily, and has been confusing and frustrating. We have cried and prayed over this. We know how important camp is in the lives of our campers, staff, and their families.
Our criteria for re-opening camp are fairly simple: 1.) Are there any government orders that would prevent us from opening? 2.) Can we operate safely, and meet or exceed the guidelines and expectations from the authorities? 3.) Will camp be FUN?
While there are no official orders in place at this time, the guidelines from the CDC, State of Wisconsin, and Door County Health officials are substantial. At this time, we are not confident that we can fully comply with those guidelines, and still make camp the fun and exciting place our campers have come to expect.
So, we are very sad to report that we have cancelled our June camps and groups, the first time we have ever cancelled part of our summer program. We know this will be a disappointment to many children, parents, and staff, and we wish there was a way to make camps happen. We are already missing the fun, excitement, singing, and laughter that happens at camp. Most importantly, we will miss getting the chance to tell campers about the greatest friendship they could ever have, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
A decision regarding the summer camp sessions in July and August will be made at a later date. We will send an email to parents asking them to choose either a full or partial refund of fees paid, or a donation to camp to cover our loss of income this summer.
We do rest in the fact that God always has a better plan, and always wants what is best for us. We hope you will rest in the peace that only God can bring to this crazy world in which we live.
Thank you for your support, encouragement, and prayers. We can’t wait to serve you again at the 2021 summer camps!
Blessings,
Dale Stewart
Executive Director
~~~
April 26, 2020 COVID Update
“Is there going to be summer camp this year?”
We hear this question a lot these days. Understandably, everyone wants to know the answer, including us! We know how important camp is in the lives of our kids and families, and can’t imagine a summer without it!
Here’s a brief update on the status as we understand it right now:
Our staff are still planning and preparing as if summer camps are going to happen. We have a great, creative, energetic team that can’t wait to serve you!
We are abiding by Wisconsin Governor Evers’ “Safer At Home” shutdown policy. We have not had groups in camp since late February.
Governor Evers’ “Badger Bounce Back” plan will be implemented in three phases. The State of Wisconsin is not yet in phase one. Based on the information we have seen, it appears that a normal camp season would not be permitted until the State is at phase three.
We are delaying the next automatic payment installment. If you signed up for this feature, you will not incur any charges on May 1.
If we are unable to have camp, we will offer families the choice of a full or partial refund. Because the camp has ongoing needs no matter what, we will also offer families the chance to transfer their payments to a donation.
It’s very hard to say when the decision about summer camps will be made, who will make it, or what it will look like. The situation and rules change almost daily. We continue to monitor things closely, paying attention to the directives from Governor Evers’ Office.
We hope you are staying well and safe. Please keep camp in your prayers, and know that we care about and are praying for all of you!
Blessings,
Dale Stewart
Executive Director, Camp Zion
~~~
April 1, 2020 Camper Fees and Automatic Installment Options Update
April 1, 2020
Dear Camp Zion Parents:
I hope you are doing well during these uncertain days in our country, and are leaning on Jesus, resting in God’s peace.
Here at Camp Zion, our plans for summer youth camps are proceeding as usual! Of course, we are monitoring the coronavirus situation daily, and will make adjustments to our program as needed, or as directed by the governing authorities.
If you are signed up for the automatic payment option, we have decided to delay the April 1 installment payment until May 1. We believe this will be helpful to our families, and will assist camp by not incurring the related credit card fees. We are asking that the balance of fees still be paid by June 1, and no later than July 1 (two weeks later than usual). We are willing to work with you to set up alternate payment plans, if needed.
If we are unable to have summer youth camps, we will let you know about refund options for fees and deposits. It is our intent to be as gracious as possible, while being mindful of the fact that the camp still has ongoing expenses.
We so appreciate all our campers and families! Thank you for your continuing support of the ministry of Camp Zion. It is our sincere hope and goal to continue to offer the great summer youth camps that are such an important part of all of our lives.
Please let us know if you have questions or concerns.
Blessings!
Dale Stewart
Executive Director
~~~
March 24, 2020 Coronavirus (COVID19) Update
The Coronavirus (COVID 19) is changing nearly everything in our country and the world. There are many unknowns, and the situation is constantly evolving. Here are a few thoughts on how this relates to Camp Zion as of TODAY:
First of all, we trust in God's perfect plan, and rest in His peace. This virus did not catch Him by surprise, and He will accomplish His purposes for Camp Zion and each of you through it all. He's got this.
At this time, Camp is operating under the protocols ordered by the Governor of Wisconsin, which is a stay at home order. This means that camps and retreats are on hold until further notice. This makes us very sad, but the order seems to be in the best interests of public health and safety at this time.
During this time, camp is closed for all but minimum basic operations and security. Camp Staff can be reached via email at office@campzion.com to answer questions, check balances, help with registrations, etc. You can leave a voicemail message at 920-854-2790, and messages will be checked several times daily. We will do our best to take care of everyone’s needs as quickly as possible.
We ARE still gearing up for summer youth camps, and they will be EPIC! The health and safety of our guests is of paramount importance for us. We will not put our guests and staff in harm’s way. But we are still going ahead with preparations for summer camps as if they are still ON. We will be monitoring the situation daily.
We realize that many of our families may be hurting during this time, and might need some grace with paying camper fees. We are willing to work with people on payment options. More on this to come.
The loss of business we are already experiencing means we have less money to pay bills, salaries, etc. We hope our friends will be very generous to help us get through this.
We already have good cleaning and disinfecting procedures and protocols in place. However, we are looking at ways we can improve our methods and procedures. Guests and parents can know that they and their children are are safe while at camp.
Together, and with God’s help, we will get through the Coronavirus (COVID 19)!
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support!