Greetings from Camp Concordia! We hope and pray you are well during this challenging time in our state and nation. Camp Concordia board members and staff are doing everything in our power to open and run camps beginning July 5th!

We were encouraged on June 1, when the Governor's Executive order 2020-110 opened up day camps for children as of June 8 (subject to guidance issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs). There is some indication of a push to get overnight camps running in July, and Camp Concordia has most of the summer ministry staff necessary for a July start-up. Due to personal financial needs, some of the staff who hoped to join us needed to obtain full summer-long jobs. Although staff training has been delayed, we need to begin training soon so we can be prepared for children's summer camps scheduled to start July 5th.

As of June 5, the Governor's Executive order 2020-115 stated residential camps remain closed for the time being; however, her goal is to get the state to Phase 5 before July 4. There are strong indicators from other members of the state that we should be ready to reopen safely in early July and the day camp publication could help guide resident camps. The publication does not explore specifics on requirements, so we will need to tackle them when they come; however, there still exists the possibility the Governor may say we cannot run summer camp.

What are SOME examples of the things Camp Concordia is doing to reopen safely?

1. ​Check-in: For 2020, dropping off your camper(s) will be a completely new experience, including: staying in the vehicle for camper temperature check and health questions, final payments and cabin assignments, then final camper drop off right near the cabin so you can say goodbye from your vehicle. No entering buildings or standing in line with others.
2. Cabin Arrangements: Bunks have been moved to increase airflow, and partitions added to minimize camper direct contact. The A/C units will operate as needed during occupancy and when unoccupied, windows opened with fans to circulate fresh air. All luggage will be stored under the bunk beds (maximum height of 11”) and additional clothesline’s available to hang wet suits or air out clothing.
3. Cabin Groups: Camp Concordia is already known for using a small group model. As in the past, cabin groups will still get to choose activities, eat together (outside as much as possible), experience Bible adventures, attend camp fire devotions, etc. In the case where traditionally all cabin groups have gathered together for information, in 2020, cabin groups will remain distanced from other cabin groups.
4. Disinfecting: In 2020, Camp Concordia is bringing in a disinfecting fogger (camp already uses a mosquito sprayer) and will have a regular cleaning schedule for disinfecting hard surfaces in bathrooms and public areas.
5. Life Jackets: Each camper will be assigned a life jacket for the week for canoeing.
6. Archery Equipment: A plan for the archery program leader to disinfect equipment between cabin group usage. Whenever possible, each camper will use their assigned bow and set of arrows.
7. ​Hand-washing Stations: Additional “portable” hand-washing stations placed around camp with staff trained to stop by these stations with campers often.
8. What Else?: As July approaches, we could learn more about the virus. The state of Michigan guidelines for reopening could change and cause us to add to or take away any of the plans we have to keep children safe.

What you need to do to send your camper safely.

1. Bring Face Mask: It is not recommended that campers wear face masks constantly but they should be available for inclimate weather when cabin groups need to spend time indoors.
2. Disinfect and Measure Luggage: Please measure that the camper’s luggage can fit under an 11” high bunk, and as the luggage is packed into your car, be sure it is disinfected.
3. Dirty clothes bag: In 2020, cabin group Counselors will be requesting all camper’s dirty clothes go into a dirty clothes bag and be stored away under the bunk beds. Please label bags and clothes.
4. Practice Coughing and Sneezing: In order for your camper to attend camp in 2020, they MUST be able to cough or sneeze into their shirt sleeve as needed, consistently.
5. Practice Washing hands for 20+ seconds: Campers might be asked to share the song they sing to do this.
6. Extra flat bed sheet: We are encouraging you to send an extra light and flat bedsheet for your camper to hang on the side of their bunk for nighttime sleeping.

And...what might your camper do this summer?

• ​Sling shots, swimming, and pick wild raspberries,
• Canoeing, campfires, and Gaga ball,
• Riflery, nature crafts, and Bible adventures
• 9-Square in the Air, Pickleball, and Disc Golf

...the camp experience will be different, for sure, but still very full, very active, and very deep in growing friendships. 

We will be connecting you to a new 2020 Essential Camp Information sheet soon to help you with packing, check-in and check-out details. 

We are scratching our heads and wondering, just like you. We can all pretend to be scientists and/or prophets, but really it would be...just...pretend. God has this. And we are being as observant about what to do and how to move forward as we possibly can be. And so you might ask: What might summer camp 2020 look like?

Good Question!

The Camp Concordia Board of Directors met Saturday, April 25. There has been lot of discussion and prayer around summer camp. No one wants Camp Concordia to be the cause of something bad for any of our families. We know we are dependent on the information given to us by the state of Michigan. So this is our plan:

• May 16: On Saturday, May 16, the board of directors will make a decision about summer camp sessions for June. If there needs to be a change, we will contact you by email. If the state determines camp can not be run in June, we will advise families on open sessions for July. NOTE: Even if camp is able to be open all summer, it may be limited to 50 or less people.
• May 30: On Saturday, May 30, the board of directors will make a decision about summer camp sessions for July. If summer camp is open in July, the first session would begin Sunday, July 5th. NOTE: Even if camp is able to be open all summer, it may be limited to 50 or less people.

​Summer camp would look different than it has the last few years. Team building in close groups would be eliminated for now and there would be more "separated" activities like canoeing. Not too much of a change. We are exploring the idea of tube bandanas for each camper to wear and use when the time is right. Meals would be outdoors as often as weather permits and would be in shifts so campers can spread out. Cabins would have 1/2 the campers (a 12 person cabin would have 1 staff and 5 campers).

All of this will strain Camp Concordia financially, but we believe we can make it happen and there is a good reason to make it happen. Making these changes for 2020 does mean we will not get that $60,000 new roof for the Lodge and will instead buy the $60 can of roofing repair to temporarily fix our leaks. We can live with that if you can. 

If Camp Concordia cannot run this summer, families will be given options for their deposits and payments. 

• Donation - Camp Concordia depends completely upon donations and fees to maintain a sustainable ministry. Please consider contributing what you have already paid as a tax-deductible donation. If this is not possible, please consider donating the $100 deposit.
• Roll-over - Camp Concordia invests your deposit into staff recruitment and program supplies. With the loss of income this year, it will be a difficult year to maintain a sustainable ministry. If you cannot contribute the deposit to the ministry, please roll it over into 2021. The money will remain documented in your online account.
• Refund - Camp Concordia understands that not everyone can contribute in 2020 and will refund your payments and deposits if necessary, less $10 to cover transaction expenses.

At this date, the state of Michigan has not made recommendations or mandates about summer camps in 2020. The CDC should be providing guidelines this week for running camps safely. Thankfully, our summer staff have agreed to work all or part of the summer with some exceptions. Praise the Lord! 

Camp Concordia has a lot of new families taking advantage of our unique setting for their children's summer camp experiences. So we thought we would post our 2017 Annual Report in order for each of you to check out how we function, how we spend, and if we have integrity.

2018 is turning out to be a year much like 2017. Camp Concordia has see growth, has had an exceptional staff and has been able to operate in a fiscally responsible way. 

As with all growth there is growing pains. We had enough staff to operate in 2017 and in 2018, but we really needed more. We are constantly reaching out to churches and colleges to help us get students to look toward Camp Concordia as an essential growth and service experience. 

Please pray for Camp Concordia's ministry with children, youth and families so that we will continue to focus on the essentials and urgencies of Michigan families and congregations. Thank you for your support. 

Dr. Craig S. Oldenburg, Camp Director
2017 Annual Report

Enrolling groups is encouraged at Camp Concordia for two reasons:

1. Group enrollment is an opportunity for groups of students to enhance their bonding and have a more "hands on" sense of a shared faith community.
2. Group enrollment sends students back to school TOGETHER. Having had a shard experience, they are more likely to grow up in supportive relationships with each other. This is beneficial for church youth groups, classroom groups and family groups.