Cancellation Notice – Conestoga Bible Camp 2020
A rainy day at camp changes the programming entirely – but only for one day. Unfortunately, as we all know, COVID-19 is not as simple as planning for a rainy day.
In accordance with the Government of Ontario’s announcement on May 19
cancelling all overnight camps for the summer of 2020, Conestoga Bible Camp has
officially cancelled all 2020 programming, including Day Camp and Youth Camp.
cancelling all overnight camps for the summer of 2020, Conestoga Bible Camp has
officially cancelled all 2020 programming, including Day Camp and Youth Camp.
Although Conestoga Bible Camp is technically a day camp, operating successfully requires overnight accommodations and meals for up to seventy staff per week. This is no longer possible and retooling the program has proven incompatible considering the potential health risks to both campers and staff.
In light of this new reality, below are questions and answers to some of the most prevalent concerns:
Q. Will my registration fees be refunded?
A. Yes. We know that the program you paid for is not possible this year, and thus Conestoga Bible Camp is planning to refund any payments you have already made when you registered.
Q. What do I need to do to get my refund?
A. Nothing. Your refund will be processed automatically using the same credit card used to register. Unfortunately, there is no way to process all 1,000 registrations at once. We ask for your patience as we begin the refund process on June 8th.
Q. Can I donate some or all of my registration fees?
A. Yes. COVID-19 has impacted us all and Conestoga Bible Camp is no different. With the loss of our main revenue source, Conestoga Bible Camp is facing significant financial hardships. Already many families have told us they want to see camp survive and have donated a portion of their registration fees. If you would like to support Conestoga Bible Camp in the same way, we would be grateful for your help.
To donate $50, $100 or your full fees, simply email us at refunds@conestogabiblecamp.org. We will deduct the donation from your refund and issue a charitable receipt.
Thank you everyone, for your patience as we continue to sort out next steps. We are fully trusting in our faithful God to lay out a clear path for Conestoga Bible Camp. Our hope is strong and our God is mighty. Although we cannot see the future, we can all rest knowing that our hope is in the one who saves us.
As the summer progresses, we will be sending out updates to keep you informed about camp.
Looking forward to serving your children and families, and never complaining about a rainy day again,
Terry Ruegg, Executive Director, on behalf of the Conestoga Bible Camp Board of Directors.
In light of this new reality, below are questions and answers to some of the most prevalent concerns:
Q. Will my registration fees be refunded?
A. Yes. We know that the program you paid for is not possible this year, and thus Conestoga Bible Camp is planning to refund any payments you have already made when you registered.
Q. What do I need to do to get my refund?
A. Nothing. Your refund will be processed automatically using the same credit card used to register. Unfortunately, there is no way to process all 1,000 registrations at once. We ask for your patience as we begin the refund process on June 8th.
Q. Can I donate some or all of my registration fees?
A. Yes. COVID-19 has impacted us all and Conestoga Bible Camp is no different. With the loss of our main revenue source, Conestoga Bible Camp is facing significant financial hardships. Already many families have told us they want to see camp survive and have donated a portion of their registration fees. If you would like to support Conestoga Bible Camp in the same way, we would be grateful for your help.
To donate $50, $100 or your full fees, simply email us at refunds@conestogabiblecamp.org. We will deduct the donation from your refund and issue a charitable receipt.
Thank you everyone, for your patience as we continue to sort out next steps. We are fully trusting in our faithful God to lay out a clear path for Conestoga Bible Camp. Our hope is strong and our God is mighty. Although we cannot see the future, we can all rest knowing that our hope is in the one who saves us.
As the summer progresses, we will be sending out updates to keep you informed about camp.
Looking forward to serving your children and families, and never complaining about a rainy day again,
Terry Ruegg, Executive Director, on behalf of the Conestoga Bible Camp Board of Directors.
MAY 21 UPDATE
The sun and warm weather are finally here and have us all dreaming about better days: summer and Camp, and all the fun things we love to do in the warm weather! Only this year continues to be very different from all we have ever known. School is now cancelled until at least September, many of our favorite winter and spring activities are not running, and now summer activities are also being affected.
The Ontario government has announced that overnight camps are cancelled for the summer but have deferred offering any guidance for day camps. Many of you are asking where that leaves Conestoga Bible Camp. While we are predominantly a day camp, we are also an overnight camp during Youth Camp and throughout the summer when we feed and house our summer Missionary Staff. This has always been a strength of CBC, but this year it creates some very large challenges.
What does it all mean? The short answer: we are still not sure. The May 19 provincial government announcement offered few details, and mostly hopes that things will improve by July 1. We don't know what the standards will be, who will be setting them or who will be measuring them. Will we have buses for transportation? What limits will be applied to group sizes? What about programming restrictions on the use of pools, boats, and sports equipment? There are so many questions and there are no simple answers.
Above all, we want Camp to be both FUN and SAFE and to advance our mission to Make, Mold and Move Disciples of Jesus Christ. We continue to pray for the Campers and the Staff. (The Staff are as excited as the Campers to be here!) We will communicate with you as soon as we know what our plans are. We asked that you give us until June 1st to let you know. Your patience in this is greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your continued support! Thank you to those that have donated, sent encouragement, and who pray for Conestoga Bible Camp: It is amazing to serve you and your children, and to be part of this fantastic community linked together through Camp.
Terry Ruegg
The sun and warm weather are finally here and have us all dreaming about better days: summer and Camp, and all the fun things we love to do in the warm weather! Only this year continues to be very different from all we have ever known. School is now cancelled until at least September, many of our favorite winter and spring activities are not running, and now summer activities are also being affected.
The Ontario government has announced that overnight camps are cancelled for the summer but have deferred offering any guidance for day camps. Many of you are asking where that leaves Conestoga Bible Camp. While we are predominantly a day camp, we are also an overnight camp during Youth Camp and throughout the summer when we feed and house our summer Missionary Staff. This has always been a strength of CBC, but this year it creates some very large challenges.
What does it all mean? The short answer: we are still not sure. The May 19 provincial government announcement offered few details, and mostly hopes that things will improve by July 1. We don't know what the standards will be, who will be setting them or who will be measuring them. Will we have buses for transportation? What limits will be applied to group sizes? What about programming restrictions on the use of pools, boats, and sports equipment? There are so many questions and there are no simple answers.
Above all, we want Camp to be both FUN and SAFE and to advance our mission to Make, Mold and Move Disciples of Jesus Christ. We continue to pray for the Campers and the Staff. (The Staff are as excited as the Campers to be here!) We will communicate with you as soon as we know what our plans are. We asked that you give us until June 1st to let you know. Your patience in this is greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your continued support! Thank you to those that have donated, sent encouragement, and who pray for Conestoga Bible Camp: It is amazing to serve you and your children, and to be part of this fantastic community linked together through Camp.
Terry Ruegg
APRIL UPDATE
“…but what about Camp?”
As the sunshine returns and our thoughts begin to drift towards Easter, new life, and summer dreaming, we thought it best to reach out you about summer camp and the difficult times we are all facing regarding COVID-19.
We have all seen so much rapid change in the last few weeks, with new announcements daily. Much of this has been for our own good, but also out of our control. It is showing us that our lives are truly in the hands of God — beautiful, fragile and glorious — like spring flowers. Our hope pushes through like a daffodil in the snow or robins building nests in the face of a spring rain storm!
Here at Conestoga Bible Camp (CBC) we have been asked often the last few weeks, “What is happening with Camp this summer?”, or “What will happen to Camp?”. As things sit today, March 31st, we are unsure how to answer these questions. Plans are continuing as normal, preparing the summer theme, activities, bible lessons and staff training. We are continuously monitoring the situation and making decisions, just as you are – one day at a time.
Currently, Conestoga Bible Camp is hoping and planning to operate camp as usual this summer. However, at the same time, we are realistically looking at alternatives should our normal scheduling not be feasible. As the COVID-19 situation unfolds before us all, we ask for your flexibility in what summer camp could end up looking like. Changes may be required in schedule or program delivery.
There will be many of us that will struggle financially through this crisis. We are also expecting CBC to be negatively impacted financially. Yet we also know that we have the promise of Easter. Hope in the storm. The LORD is on our side.
We are asking you to also to pray with us as we seek the Kingdom of God in all that is going on. Pray for those that are able to work, but are at risk in doing so. Pray for those that are unable to work or go to school. Pray for hope in this time of fear and loss. Pray that people would know Easter in their lives – new Life, a promise of hope from Him who cares for the flowers and the birds. If He cares for them, then He clearly knows our plans, fears and what is best. (Matthew 6:26-34)
Camp will be in touch again soon. As things develop, we will adjust and let you know. Should you have any questions, concerns, or encouragements to share, please reach out to us. Email and phone calls are appreciated. Enjoy the springtime — the flowers blooming and birds returning. Happy Easter from Conestoga Bible Camp.
Terry Ruegg (aka Shrek)
“…but what about Camp?”
As the sunshine returns and our thoughts begin to drift towards Easter, new life, and summer dreaming, we thought it best to reach out you about summer camp and the difficult times we are all facing regarding COVID-19.
We have all seen so much rapid change in the last few weeks, with new announcements daily. Much of this has been for our own good, but also out of our control. It is showing us that our lives are truly in the hands of God — beautiful, fragile and glorious — like spring flowers. Our hope pushes through like a daffodil in the snow or robins building nests in the face of a spring rain storm!
Here at Conestoga Bible Camp (CBC) we have been asked often the last few weeks, “What is happening with Camp this summer?”, or “What will happen to Camp?”. As things sit today, March 31st, we are unsure how to answer these questions. Plans are continuing as normal, preparing the summer theme, activities, bible lessons and staff training. We are continuously monitoring the situation and making decisions, just as you are – one day at a time.
Currently, Conestoga Bible Camp is hoping and planning to operate camp as usual this summer. However, at the same time, we are realistically looking at alternatives should our normal scheduling not be feasible. As the COVID-19 situation unfolds before us all, we ask for your flexibility in what summer camp could end up looking like. Changes may be required in schedule or program delivery.
There will be many of us that will struggle financially through this crisis. We are also expecting CBC to be negatively impacted financially. Yet we also know that we have the promise of Easter. Hope in the storm. The LORD is on our side.
We are asking you to also to pray with us as we seek the Kingdom of God in all that is going on. Pray for those that are able to work, but are at risk in doing so. Pray for those that are unable to work or go to school. Pray for hope in this time of fear and loss. Pray that people would know Easter in their lives – new Life, a promise of hope from Him who cares for the flowers and the birds. If He cares for them, then He clearly knows our plans, fears and what is best. (Matthew 6:26-34)
Camp will be in touch again soon. As things develop, we will adjust and let you know. Should you have any questions, concerns, or encouragements to share, please reach out to us. Email and phone calls are appreciated. Enjoy the springtime — the flowers blooming and birds returning. Happy Easter from Conestoga Bible Camp.
Terry Ruegg (aka Shrek)
