4 May 2020

With the summer season fast approaching, we want to continue to keep you informed of our updated decisions regarding both Metigoshe Ministries Summer Camp and retreat programming – as well as summertime special events on our calendar.

Of course, guest and staff health and safety remain our primary concern. With that in mind, we continue to be in regular conversation with our camp doctor and nurse, as well as First District Health Unit. We are also remaining on top of developments from the ND Dept. of Health and CDC – along with state and national governmental updates.

Metigoshe Ministries is one of only five camping organizations in the entire state of North Dakota to receive national accreditation from the American Camping Association (ACA). Our ACA accreditation means we maintain a commitment to the highest standards of safety in the industry. ACA officials have been meeting with the CDC to bring specific guidelines for summer camps to follow if and when it becomes safe to reopen facilities.

We were expecting those guidelines at the end of last week, but there has been a slight delay and so our long-term planning – especially for summer camp – remains undecided, and we appreciate your patience. Our executive board of directors is awaiting those guidelines, and will meet immediately to adjust our plans based on that document – in coordination with local guidelines.

Here is what we can tell you at the moment:

Retreat Ministry
Based on our current situation, the Christian Center retreat facility will remain closed through the end of May. Retreat ministry decisions are being updated every two weeks and the first half of June will be determined by next Friday, May 15^th.

Metigoshe Ministries Summer Camp
We have pushed staff training back to June 1^st at the earliest, meaning we already know that All Day Camps Week (May 25-29) and Week One of onsite summer camp (June 7-12) will not be able to happen as scheduled. The earliest we will be able to welcome campers on-site will be June 14, and this – of course – remains a tentative start-date based on health and safety recommendations we are awaiting.

We are so grateful for your patience as we await these guidelines. We will be working as quickly as possible once we receive them in order to create a revised summer plan – and will communicate that to you so that you can also prepare.

For the 2020 camp season, we have suspended our “non-refundable deposit” policy. Because of the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 all camp registration deposits & fees will be fully refundable should your child not be able to come to camp.

Special Events
Unfortunately, we have had to “postpone indefinitely” all of our summertime special events. We are committed to finding a time to make each of these events happen – but we will need to let you know an updated schedule when that becomes possible.

Events impacted include:

• “Work Day” scheduled for May 30^th
• Quilt Auction scheduled for June 27^th
• Summer CIII Donor appreciation also scheduled for June 27^th
• Dedication of the Christian Center Expansion – June 27th

We will remain in regular contact with retreaters and summer camp registrants and update you whenever we have something new to share. Please keep Camp Metigoshe staff in your prayers – I can assure you they are going “the extra mile” to create multiple alternative “back-up” plans to make sure that Adventure Anchored in Christ will take place in the best and safest way possible this year!

Finally, we continue to share regular “Camp Connections” on our Camp Metigoshe Facebook page. If you are in need of fun and faith-filled activities to do with your family – or on your own – you’ll find devotions, arts & crafts ideas, and so much more! And every Friday we are hosting a summer camp-style “Virtual Koiny” worship at 10 a.m. (the video will stay online if you’re not able to join us live).

Anchored in Christ,

Rev. Jon Halvorson
Executive Director