Brookwoods and Deer Run Announcement

Brookwoods and Deer Run will not be running summer camp in 2020…but we will be having “Winnipesaukee Weekends!”

Thank you for your support, patience, and understanding over the past few months as we worked to respond to the unprecedented public health concerns presented by Covid-19 and figure out how, in this environment, we might be able to safely and successfully deliver a meaningful camp experience this summer.

Based on the recommendations of the New Hampshire Re-Opening Task Force released on May 19th, we were thrilled to be able to inform families this past Monday that camp would be opening, albeit with some changes and adjustments, for this upcoming summer. Based on the communications from parents, we know many of you were thrilled as well.

However, late this past Friday night, June 5th, the Governor of New Hampshire released the final set of guidelines for the opening of New Hampshire residential camps.  These guidelines were dramatically different than the ones released prior by the New Hampshire Re-Opening Task Force, upon which we initially based our decision to open camp.   The final guidelines would require us to operate camp at 50% occupancy with cabin size limited to 8 campers; campers and staff would need to endure multiple nasalpharyngeal swabs at a significant expense; campers would need to remain socially distant from those outside of their cabin groups for the entire duration of the 4 weeks at camp and complete a much stricter Pre-Camp Health Screening.  Staff would not be able to leave camp property for the entire summer. The final guidelines contain additional restrictions that were not in the Task Force’s initial recommendations, but these are the most dramatic changes.

After much discussion, prayer, and evaluation over the past 24-hours, both the Board of Directors and Senior Staff feel that given the newly released guidelines, we cannot operate Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run this summer.  The staff have worked very hard over the past 12 weeks to re-program the summer experience based on the guidelines already set forth by the experts at the American Camp Association, the Christian Camp and Conference Association, the CDC and our local government officials.  We were extremely disappointed to receive such dramatic changes to the guidelines from New Hampshire at such a late date and so close to the opening of camp.

Despite this discouraging news, we know and are encouraged by the knowledge that the Lord we serve has been in control all along and none of the events of the past 12 weeks were unknown to Him.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We are heartbroken to think that our campers will not be able to come to camp this summer, especially after these very challenging past 12 weeks.  We grieve the loss of a childhood summer of outdoor fun and friendships, and we mourn the loss of ministry and hearing our campers singing in the Chapel.

Our staff thought through some creative approaches to open camp to you, our camp families.  We are happy to announce  plans for “Winnipesaukee Weekends” at Brookwoods, which will provide your family unit an opportunity to come up to Camp and enjoy the out-of-doors on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.   George Bowling, our Tripping Director,  is exploring several wilderness adventures as well.  We look forward to sharing that news with you soon as it develops.

It is our continued desire, strengthened in moments like this, that Camp be a place where youth encounter Jesus in a real and tangible way, grow in their understanding of a Christian worldview, and gain life skills that will help them flourish and demonstrate God’s love in any community. It is with this mission that we now begin our planning for next summer.

We will be here to answer any questions you might have going forward as we move together down this unexpected and uncharted path.

If you are a parent with an enrolled 2020 camper, each family has several options on what to do with funds deposited for this summer:

• Option 1– Donation: If you are able, consider donating all, or a portion, of your paid deposit or tuition to camp’s General Fund. A donation at this time would be very much appreciated. The financial impact of not running camp has placed a great burden on our ministry. A tax-deductible receipt will be issued to you.
• Option 2 – Roll Funds Forward to Next Summer: We would ask you to consider rolling forward any tuition paid for this summer. If you choose this option, we would guarantee your child a place in the same session for 2021. By choosing this option, you would greatly help us manage our cash flow and have funds on hand for current operations.
• Option 3 – Full Refund: You may request a full refund by completing the on-line form below by June 30th. A full refund will be issued to you within 120 days of your request.

Access this Online Form to choose which option is best for you.

Thank you for being a part of the camp family,

Bob Strodel

Executive Director

Christian Camps and Conferences, Inc.

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