Summer Festival Camp in the era of COVID-19

As we continue to make decisions regarding programming this summer, the Summer Festival Camp Leadership Team has committed to be direct, honest, and clear about Summer Festival Camp in the era of COVID-19. We are committed to making a decision by June 1st. We feel that this is enough time for us to execute one of the four scenarios we’ve talked about before, while also allowing us to gain additional information to make a wise decision. Specifically, we are waiting for a few things that will have a major impact on our decision: 

• Gustavus’ ability to host groups this summer
• The CDC’s recommendation for summer camps
• Minnesota Governor Walz’s recommendations for summer camps

We believe announcements will come from these three groups in the coming weeks, which will provide additional clarity for our decision. 

As a reminder, the four camp scenarios are: 

1. We’re given an all-clear and host July camp as usual.
2. We’re not given an all-clear for July, but things are looking optimistic for large group gatherings in August. In this case, we would consider moving camp to early August.
3. We’re given the all-clear for small groups only.  In this case, we would consider a “1-Day of Camp” tour to as many of our partner churches as is feasible.
4. We’re still in pretty similar circumstances.  In that case, we would consider moving to a completely digital format, developing ways to facilitate relational ministry online.

It is of utmost importance to us that students have the chance to encounter the Gospel of Jesus Christ this summer. I want to reiterate that the Summer Festival Camp team is committed to:

• Serving church leaders and the teenagers they shepherd
• Offering high-caliber relational ministry programming
• The physical and spiritual health of those who participate in Summer Festival Camp
• Following the recommendations of the CDC, the MDH, and the WHO

Grateful for our partnership and friendship,

Tony

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PREVIOUS UPDATES:

Given the current global pandemic and all the unknowns with planning for the future, I feel like it’s helpful to be direct, honest, and clear about Summer Festival Camp in the era of COVID-19.  The leadership board of Summer Festival Camp has been praying and discussing our plans for this summer’s programming.

After surveying the groups we serve, everyone reported that they could wait until May 1st for Summer Festival Camp to release its summer plans. We are going to use that gracious latitude to watch and wait two more weeks. The Summer Festival Board will be meeting on April 30th to further discuss our summer plans. I will report back on May 1st with what is discussed.

Summer Festival Camp is a very nimble organization right now. We’re going to lean into that. We can be flexible as we continue to watch and wait a little bit longer.  We want to make the best call that we can with the information we have. That being said, watching and waiting is not passive for us right now.

We are creating plans to be able to execute one of the following scenarios: