In Response to COVID-19
Dear Camp Cherith Camper Families:
A couple of days ago, I went out around camp with my kids for a hike. Camp is right out the back door from my house and is the perfect place for “social distancing”. It is peaceful, quiet, and beautiful, just as it is every winter, without any trace of the craziness that is going on in the rest of the world at the moment. We are planning an amazing summer at camp (and if you haven’t registered yet, we hope that those plans will include YOU!) and are trusting God that the virus will be in the “rearview mirror” by then.
A few words of reassurance:
1. We are reviewing and updating our health and cleaning policies as needed to help us effectively screen campers upon arrival at camp to minimize any spread of illness.
2. We know that some of you will be impacted by this virus (health, finances, etc.) more than others, and we want to make sure your kids can come to camp, no matter how your circumstances change between now and camp. Please don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if it is needed.
3. If any circumstances force us to modify our summer programming, we will keep you informed.
4. The camp board and I are continuing to pray for camp and our camp family. Please let us know if we can pray for you in some way.
If you need a little encouragement, check out Psalm 91 today. It talks a lot about God’s protection—something we all need to hear more about today! Hope to see you all at camp.
Sincerely,
Debbie Betts, Executive Director
Pass It On Celebrations Postponed
Due to public health concerns, our Pass It On Celebrations will be postponed until July 4, 2020 at 6 pm, immediately following the Open House. It will be held at Camp Cherith of WNY. Thank you for your continued support at this time.
Continue to pray for our world leaders, healthcare workers, and everyone affected by the viral outbreak. Pray about how God will use you to share his love and mercy at this time.
In the meantime, here are some informative articles with practical information and how to help.
Pass It On Celebrations
Update March 16, 2020: Due to public health concerns, the celebrations will be postponed until June 6, 2020 at 6 pm.
This past summer was Evie White’s (Rufous’) last summer as Camp Director at Camp Cherith of WNY. We welcomed a new member to our leadership team: Debbie Betts (Willow), who will be our Executive Director moving forward.
Join us at either the Rochester or Buffalo-area celebrations to welcome Willow, say “see you later” to Rufous, and hear about all the new things coming this year at camp. Proceeds from ticket sales will help fund our new pool. Catered dinner or lunch will be served with a program following the meal.
Tickets for the event will be $20 for adults (+$2 for online RSVP) or $10 for children 12 and under (+$1 for online RSVP).
Hope to see you there!
Splash On!
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” -2 Corinthians 9:8
Summer without swimming? Unthinkable! Last summer we found out that our 1973 pool was leaking between 2 and 5 gallons of water per minute. Yes--per minute. This was a horrible waste of water, chemicals, electricity and pump life. Something had to be done.
Since July we have learned a great deal about pools. We discovered that we could do a major renovation of our current pool-- but a new pool would be only $9,000 more. We were shocked at costs because our ‘public pool’ would be so much more expensive than a private pool. We explored increased use of the pool and feel that several upgrades such as a heater, increased deck area and improved fencing would make our pool more attractive to non-campers and groups.
A decision has been made! We are going to have a New Pool! Here are some pertinent facts:
It will be 60’ x 26’ with 3’ to 9’ deep (needed for Red Cross levels) with a heater, expanded deck area and attractive fence.
It will be located directly South of the current pool and rotated 90°
Design Pool and Spa of Fairport will be doing the construction work and is including training, equipment and a month of chemicals so we’ll open to campers ready for action.
Our current pool will be prepared for ‘burial’ and the dirt from the new excavation.. Genesee Construction has graciously volunteered to do the new pool excavation and demo of the current pool.
The goal is to be completed by mid-June so we can use the new pool this summer.
We have not entered into this project lightly. We need to raise $150,000 and trust you can help. We have several fundraising events planned such as a golf outing, receptions in Buffalo and Rochester and we are open to others. We are currently blessed to have a matching challenge where each donor dollar will be matched up to $30,000 (making it $60,000 total) so your donation is important. Every donation, large or small, will help.
We thank you for your continued support and covet your prayers. We’re trusting God to continue to meet our needs. Together we can continue to “Splash On” for another 43 years!
Summer 2020 Dates Announced
Are you having fond memories of your summer at camp and already looking forward to next year? Start planning now. Our camp dates will be as follows:
CILT 2 will be split into 2 different weeks again this summer: July 6-11 and July 26-August 1
Day Camp July 6-10
CILT 2 part 1 July 5-11
Week 1 (Girls) July 12-18 (horse riding lessons, tree climbing)
Week 2 (Girls) July 19-25 (Horse Camp, horse riding lessons, tree climbing)
Week 3 (Boys and Girls) July 26- August. 1 (CILT 1 part 1 requires application and CILT 2 part 2), horse riding lessons, tree climbing) CILT graduation Friday July 31, 2020
Week 4 (Boys and Girls) August 2-8 (CILT 1 part 2, horse riding lessons, tree climbing)
Summer and Weekly Themes
As announced earlier, our Summer Theme is
Walk with Me, Talk with Me
based on John the apostle’s first letter., 1 John 2:5-6
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Each week we also have “fun” themes that we center our program around. You may bring props, costumes, stuffed animals, unusual clothing, toys, decorations, or other things that coordinate with the theme you are at camp (Check with your parents first!). They can be used during various activities throughout the week!
Day Camp
Wild, Wild West
Week One
The Cherith Games
Week Two
Survivor
Week 3
Walk the Plank
Week 4
Mission Impossible
Important Info for your Camp Week
Watch your mail for important information regarding your week at camp. It will have directions for drop off and pick up days, what to pack, how to email your camper, and other tid bits you won’t want to miss!
Parents: if you need the handbook or health form, click here.
Meet Debbie Betts
Debbie Betts will become a familiar face this summer. She is our new Executive Director Intern, with plans to take over from Rufous, who is transitioning into retirement.
Debbie comes to CCWNY with a wide variety of skills and experiences. A mother of 4 and proud owner of goats, chickens and a miniature horse, she is eager to join our team and help take us to the next level. Debbie has worked with children for over 25 years as a parent, teacher, workshop leader, Dansville
School Board member, after school activities leader and chil-dren’s ministry worker. Please be praying for Debbie as she has her first ‘Camp Cherith’ adventure this summer.
More than Tradition
More than tradition, more than proximity, more than a lack of options, Camp Cherith is the long-term choice for many parents. Why? What makes Camp Cherith special? These are some insights from a mom who was a camper, CILT, and staff member (now living in Wisconsin) who sent her 3 girls last summer.
Why did you choose to send your girls to Camp Cherith?
Like Jacob coming back to Bethel, I come back because this is where I really met God. People showed me His love and taught me His Word. I have good memories of doing things and special people and wanted my kids to have the same experiences.
What did you notice when your girls came home?
They were more interested in a regular time for reading in the Bible. They were more independent and proud to show the things they had learned.
What did your girls like best?
One said “Everything!” One loved thehorses. One really enjoyed making progress in archery. There were so many experiences almost impossible to have outside of camp.
Summer Theme Reveal
Update: Click here to see the weekly themes too
Drum roll please…our 2019 theme is:
Walk with Me, Talk with Me
Our theme verse is:
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:5-6
We live in a ‘digital age’ culture that islosing touch with real life interactions and the skills to have healthy personal relationships. Camp is the perfect place to disconnect from ‘screen time’ and reconnect with God, other people, and nature.
Our priority at CCWNY is to model and nurture right relationships with Jesus. We desire that our theme ‘Walk with Me, Talk with Me’ will convey how much God wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. Camp provides many opportunities to show campers the important basic skills we need to build our relationship with God. Throughout a typical camp day, through morning watch (personal prayer and Bible reading and application), our Bible exploration (small group Bible studies) and campfire messages we reinforce our need to hear and obey God in our daily lives.
Please pray with us for our campers and staff to know how to cultivate their personal relationship with God, so that they will grow spiritually, both at camp and throughout the year. Pray for CCWNY to be a place that en-courages the ‘love of God’ that will be motivational to keep God’s word, abide in Him and walk as Jesus walked.