Camp and Coronavirus FAQs
updated 06/02/20
April 30, 2020
Dear Camp Mennoscah community,
After much prayer and conversation, we have made the difficult decision to cancel 2020 summer youth camps at Camp Mennoscah. We as camp staff and camp board have spent much time considering the challenges and risks of moving forward with summer camp as usual, as well as thinking about creative ways to still have camp in person. However, because the safety of campers and staff is our top priority, we could not envision a way to safely and responsibly continue in-person summer camps at Camp Mennoscah in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic.
Camp Mennoscah is committed to connecting with you despite the cancellation of in-person camps for the summer, and we are already dreaming of ideas to share the camp community in some form this summer. Your creative ideas are welcomed.
This decision is incredibly saddening to us, and we will miss the laughter, joy, spiritual encounters, and new friendships that happen during summer youth camps. As our society continues to learn about this virus and develop new safety procedures and guidelines, we are hopeful that camp will be the vibrant place of community and faith formation again soon, and we will keep you updated about possibilities for being at camp.
We are so grateful for your support during this time,
Camp Mennoscah Staff and Board of Directors
**If your child is registered for summer youth camp, you will be contacted directly by May 15 about your registration.**
**If you have questions about your summer reservation for a church or family group, please contact Camp Mennoscah. At this time, the Family Weekend in July has not been canceled.**
Currently, we are following recommendations from the Kingman County Health Department (KCHD), and for the safety of all, Camp Mennoscah facilities and camp grounds will remain closed to the general public and groups through May 22. At that time, a decision about next steps will be made. Additionally, staff persons who have the capability to work from home have been asked to do so as much as possible until a decision is made to resume work at camp.
Program Cancellations/Postponements:
- Summer Youth Camps have been canceled. If your child is registered for summer youth camp, you will be contacted directly by May 15 about your registration.
- Youth Volunteer Weekend (March 13-14) was canceled.
- Men and Boys Retreat (April 3-5) is postponed until Labor Day Weekend, September 4-6.
- Retirees Relaxation Retreat (April 20-22) has been canceled; it has not been determined whether or not it will be rescheduled in 2020.
- April 25 & May 23 Work & Play Days have been canceled.
- MennoDash (previously scheduled for May 30) has been postponed. The new date has yet to be determined.
- Mental Health Spiritual Retreat is planning a one-day retreat for Monday, September 7th in the Main Camp area.
- Family Weekend has been canceled.
Currently, we have canceled or are working to reschedule groups due to arrive before May 22. We will continue to communicate directly with guest groups about any needed changes. If you have questions about your summer reservation for a church or family group, please contact Camp Mennoscah.
Summer Youth Camps have been canceled.
- If your child is registered for summer youth camp, you will be contacted directly by May 15 about your registration.
No worries! There are plenty of other things to worry about during this uncertain time. Camp Mennoscah will refund your camp fees, including the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit.
We ask you to consider supporting our ministry by donating your deposit and/or camp fees. We are also happy to transfer your fees to a future program or utilize them for Camp In A Box registration!
When the coronavirus is declared to not be a concern by our local Health Department, and groups are allowed at camp, our regular cancellation policies will go back into effect for all groups and programming.
- For camp-sponsored events, we will contact registered participants.
- For group reservations, we will communicate directly with group contacts.
Status updates will be posted on our website and on the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page. Check our blog post, Updates on COVID-19, for these updates as well. We are committed to regular updates about our plans and procedures.
- Deborah (Office Assistant): My husband and I are both healthy and happy, as are the other people of Murdock. Beyond managing the mail and internet correspondence, I have been cleaning the registration database and catching up on recordkeeping. I will be working on redesigning the camp facilities brochure and nature trail map shortly. I look forward to getting back to camp and seeing everyone that comes to Camp Mennoscah. Thank you for letting me be a part of your experience at Camp Mennoscah!
- Gardell (Facilities Director): I am continuing to work on the things I normally do to get ready for (hopefully) the summer camping sessions. There are still quite a few things to do yet. I have delayed some things for the present because the need is not there. The weather is just starting to show its life. When the sun is shining for good, the grass is green, and the trees come out, that is when I will know when certain things are not quite right and need to be fixed.
- Olivia (Camp Director): I’m bored because spring is the time of year when Camp Mennoscah comes alive with people...and there are none. I'm here in the office at Camp Mennoscah at my usual desk covered with papers and numerous rubber ducks watching over me. I'm gearing up for the summer youth camps, as is typical for this time of year, and continue working with the Kingman County Health Department to keep camp safe. You give me hope in the midst of whatever is next. I do what I do, because you are the bestest. How are you doing? How can I help?
- Michael (Executive Director): I usually go out to camp two days a week from my home in Wichita, but now I am at home full time and working from there. Spring is my favorite season, and I’m missing this season at camp. Meetings with camp constituents have been put on hold for the time being, and visits to churches are beginning to be rescheduled. I’m trying my hardest to be creative with ways camp can stay engaged with our community, like you! If you have any ideas, let us know!
Keep in touch! Visit campmennoscah.org and the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page for communication, and we’ll do our best to keep in touch with you, too! In the short term and beyond, financial support will be critical for Camp Mennoscah, our campers, and our retreat groups.
Gifts that will make a difference include:
- General Fund Donations - Our income (like many others) is directly impacted by cancelled registrations and programs along with group cancellations. A general fund donation helps camp keep all operations going during this time.
- Camper Scholarships - The virus’s impact to family finances is real and immediate. Giving to camp’s scholarship fund will help ensure that money isn't a barrier to a camper being able to have a summer camp experience.
As we continue to venture into a time of uncertainty, let us also remember the ways God continues to provide. Pray for God’s peace amidst the current anxieties, and also thank God for the blessing that Camp Mennoscah’s ministry has been, and will continue to be, for hundreds of children, youth, and adults of all ages.
We are in regular communication with our local Health Department (Kingman County) and daily check the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (kdheks.gov) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) websites.
Our expectation is the COVID-19 situation will be constantly evolving. As the Kingman County Health Department (or other federal or state agency) directives change, we will follow their recommendations and adjust our events and facility openings on their advice.
Find information about COVID-19 at the websites below:
