To the Camp Arcadia Family,
It is my hope and prayer that during these difficult days — as we all deal with the COVID-19 pandemic — that Camp Arcadia’s ministry will be a source of comfort and hope pointing toward our Savior Jesus, who thankfully never practices social distancing from us. One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 8:38 – 39: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Depending on what is troubling me at the time I have the practice of substituting that “thing” into this verse. While I am pretty sure “things present nor things to come” covers it, I would ask that you join me in adding COVID-19 into this verse to remind ourselves that God in Christ Jesus is in the very midst of our anxiety and fear. He is with us today, and will continue to be with us even as we grow weary of new restrictions and struggle with questions about the future. Nothing this world can throw at us will ever separate us from the love of Jesus. Nothing.
With this as a framework, let’s talk about how Camp Arcadia is responding to the COVID-19 situation.
We are working and planning for the future.
This past weekend the Lutheran Camp Association’s board and staff met and began planning how Camp Arcadia can best respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, the situation is changing rapidly. Any decisions about our summer season are premature, but please know we are monitoring the situation closely and will be basing our decisions on the government and health organizations’ orders and recommendations. Ultimately, we will do what is best for you and our staff.
Do not worry about your deposit.
If you are wondering whether or not to cancel your summer trip to Camp Arcadia, rest assured. We have extended the cancellation date to June 1, 2020. You do not have to make any decisions about your summer vacation plans for the fear of losing your deposit at this time.
As we get closer to June 1, we will reevaluate the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and make further decisions so you can finalize your summer plans.
Here is what to expect from Camp Arcadia in the next few weeks and months.
In addition to normal updates about Camp’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be providing and linking you to faith-filled resources that you and your family can use. For many of us we will be spending a lot of time with our family over the coming weeks and we want to help you make the most of it. We also know that you will be eager to interact with others, so we’ll be offering opportunities to engage with each other, our staff and Camp deans and lecturers via video and phone. Also, as appropriate we will be updating you on other Camp Arcadia happenings and reminding you of what God has done at Camp Arcadia for 98 years, and what He will continue to do into the future.
How to Contact Us.
Our staff will be working remotely when possible through April 5 (we’ll re-evaluate the situation at that time). Our caretaker, Franco Marano, will continue to work on site. When you call Camp during business hours your call will be redirected to a management team member’s phone. After hours, it will go to voicemail. We will be checking voicemail, email and mail regularly.
Finally, I ask that you join me and the rest of the Arcadia family across this country and the world to commit to praying for those affected by COVID-19 here and globally. I also ask that you prayerfully consider how you can be a light to those in your community. Camp Arcadia has always been a place that refreshes and renews so that you can go back to your community and share the love of Christ with your neighbors. We have an opportunity as the body of Christ to be there for our neighbors during these challenging, unsettling times.
Be smart, be safe, and be present to your family and your neighbors. Remember, you are not alone; God is with us till we meet again.
