Update 6-26-2020
Dear WalCamp Family,
I want to take a moment and thank you for your prayers and for your trust throughout this pandemic. They are being felt every day.
It is with a very heavy heart that we have to announce that we will not be able to host overnight summer camps. We found out this week that no guidance is being issued and that overnight summer camps will not be allowed as we enter phase 4. We, the American Camp Association, and many other camps were lead to believe that we would be provided IDPH guidance and be able to proceed with our overnight summer camp ministry in phase 4 of restore Illinois.
I would like to take a moment and give a shout-out to our entire Ministry Team here at WalCamp. They are running an outstanding day camp ministry and been unbelievable at making all the modifications needed to keep things fun and healthy throughout this season. They are showing God's love with their willingness to modify on the fly in order to serve the kids that are experiencing our Day Camp Ministry.
We will, however, be able to host our Teen Leaders as it is a training camp, for their service with our day camp program, but all others will need to be canceled at this time.
Next week all families that have registered for overnight camps will receive a link to confirm the cancellation. Please do not put in a cancellation request through our registration system or call the office, this will be an automated system so we can track transactions.
As things have often changed throughout this pandemic, we may find out at a later date that we can host some overnight summer camps, and if this happens we will be ready to quickly respond with a plan.
Our Day Camp Ministry is able to run and we have been running a healthy and safe program since June 1st. We have space available in that program for more campers so please give this option a thought.
As with many of you, this pandemic has and will continue to have financial consequences. The loss of our spring outdoor education season, the loss of summer overnight camps and the potential of not hosting fall outdoor education will definitively impact our cash flow. If you are in a position to support our ministry please prayerfully consider doing so during these times of uncertainty!
As we here at WalCamp, and those that have not been able to experience WalCamp this spring and summer will experience a sadness, we live in great joy knowing that God has this and we can Trust in Him.
Live Healthy and Live Blessed!
Bill
Update 6-12-2020
Update 6-5-2020
Update 5-29-2020
Update 5-22-2020
Update 5-15-2020
Update-5/1/2020
Update-4/21/2020
Update-3/21/2020
Blessings and prayers of health to all of you,
During these unusual times, I am constantly reminded of the verse in Psalm 46:10; “Be still and know that I AM GOD!” What hope, comfort, and assurance this verse brings me!
I want to provide an update to our actions relating to COVID-19. On a daily basis, we (myself and the Board of Directors) continue to monitor the ever-changing landscape. We are meeting at least weekly to assess where we are and where we are going.
As of today, March 21, 2020, the following actions have been taken:
All events are canceled through April 19th. We may be altering that date as the CDC and local health departments make their advisories.
Per the State of Illinois orders and CDC recommendations, we are staffed with essential team members only.
We have contacted the Illinois Department of Health and have volunteered our facilities should they need additional space/housing.
Our Summer Camp Ministry remains scheduled as planned. We have an exciting summer program planned and pray that our Youth will be able to experience it. Registrations for summer campers continue! PRAISE GOD!
Unfortunately, as with most businesses across the country, we have had to make some tough choices regarding staffing that we pray is very short-term. If you need to contact us, please call the office and leave a message if you do not get through to someone. Also, you can always email me at Bill@WalCamp.org or call me at 815-784-5141 x 111
As you know, one of the values of our ministry is to Serve Others. We are eager to find out where God will use us as we look to the future. For today, the best way we can serve is to respect and honor the recommendations our government is making to ensure the safety of our campers, staff, and community. And that is what we will do.
Please know that you, our Walcamp family, remain in my prayers as we weather this storm. I ask you to keep Walcamp, myself and our Board of Directors in prayer for wisdom as we continue to lean on God in all the decisions we are making as we navigate this unprecedented and challenging situation.
Stay Healthy and Live Blessed!
Bill