July 3 / 2020

Cancelling the Remainder of Summer 2020 at JKR

Due to the recent dramatic spike in local Covid19 cases, we feel we must cancel the remainder of our summer camp sessions for Summer 2020. This decision was not made lightly, and was made in consultation with JKR staff leadership, the JKR Advisory Committee, and the leadership of Mission Presbytery.

We are heartbroken about the loss of summer camp this year. We know camp has never been more important and that our campers and staff were so looking forward to the normalcy of the loving, accepting community of summer camp at John Knox Ranch. We are already considering creative ways to host camp experiences during the year as soon as it is safe to do so.

Our decisions have always been based on what is best for our camp families and our camp community. And that is what we are doing now. I believe we are making the best decision for our camp community based on the information we have available to us right now. There is so much about this virus that is uncertain and still unknown.

Regarding camp fees, families will have the same three options that they have had since the beginning of the pandemic.

Because of you, the JKR community, we are resilient and we are stable. Camp will not close forever. We will be here to host camp ministry as soon as it is safe to do so. However, we, like so many others, have taken a financial hit from Covid19. Before summer began, I estimated that our Covid related loss of income was $184,000. Now, after gearing up for summer and cancelling, that number is closer to $314,000. Any donation helps offset that loss of income.

Also, the "Light the Match" campaign is still on, and thanks to the generosity of so many of you, camp is in a position to weather this Covid19 storm. All donations received before December 2020 will be matched up to $400,000. If you are able to make a donation, now is a great time to do so.

If your camper is registered for this summer please complete this online form https://forms.gle/tsDSduzf4WELJKxB7 when you know what is best for your family about how you would like to handle your registration fee. Once you complete the form, we will reach out to you by email to confirm your response and transaction.

Thank you to our camp families for your understanding and your fierce support of JKR. So many in the camp community have reached out with words of encouragement and prayer during this tough time. Now, we pray for you all as you receive this news and share it with your campers. Please tell them we love them, we miss them desperately, and we can't wait to see them next year.

Please contact me by email jkrdirector[at]missionpby.org or call our office if you have any questions 830.935.4568

Thank you all and stay safe,

Henry Owen
Executive Director, John Knox Ranch