The October issue of PCCCA’s Branches enewsletter is now available. It spotlights some key pieces of the upcoming “Shaping Our Story” Conference, our joint booth at the APCE conference, the opportunity to host the 2022 PCCCA Annual Conference, and the dates for the Program and Maintenance Connections in 2022. If you did not receive this in your email inbox, you can subscribe by going to the sign-up page.
The mission of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association is to equip leaders for vibrant and sustainable ministries. Each PCCCA camp and conference center is unique. They vary in size, location, finances, and focus. A decision for one camp or conference center may or may not be appropriate for another. Currently, many camp leaders and wider leadership are making decisions related to their summer programming in 2020 from how to operate safely in the midst of a pandemic all the way to suspending all summer operations. The decisions made by our camp and conference centers should be expected to be as varied as the sites themselves. During this COVID-19 crisis, PCCCA’s goal is to provide resources and support for our members so that each member site can make the best decision possible according to their unique circumstances. Our prayers are with each of these important ministries.
Our monthly Zoom calls are held every third Thursday of the month at 11:00am EDT. These Zoom call with your fellow camp and conference leaders will cover a specific topic, as well as offer mutual support. We hope you will be a part of the conversation each month. Please join us for the Zoom calls listed below at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85286395100. Topic for Thursday, October 21 at 11:00am EDTHiring summer staff was a struggle for almost all of our camps and conference centers. Our Zoom call will focus on how we can be proactive so our recruitment efforts in 2022 will be more fruitful. What worked for you last summer? What are you going to try for next year? Please be prepared to play an active role in the “think tank” related to this important topic. We hope you will join us for a time of fellowship and sharing among your fellow camp and conference leaders. If you have a topic suggestion for a future call, please contact Joel Winchip.
Are you seeking new ways to offer programming to campers and their families? PCCCA partnering with the Office of Christian Formation of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the web developer, Worship Times, to offer our member sites a platform for virtual programming. Click on the image to learn more about this exciting new resource.
Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center hosted the 14th gathering of Maintenance Connection with 19 participants representing 5 denominations from 17 different sites across the US and Canada. This year’s event is the largest gathering of resent years, welcoming many new faces and ideas along with renewing old friendships from the past. The event centered on relaxing, renewal of the soul, and continuing education. We learned about “green janitorial supplies,” pest control, and pressure washing to keep our sites clean and appealing. Our day out activities took us to the “toy” store where we were able to ride and explore new equipment, such as a stand-up mower, a riding all-terrain zero turn mower, a riding leaf blower, chain saws and many other wishful items. Next we stopped for a local treat of strawberry shortcake and milkshakes, as it is the middle of strawberry season in Florida. We rounded out our day with a tour of a distillery and then on to downtown Tampa to relax with good food and fellowship. Conversations topics of disaster preparedness, training up the next generation, and preparing for retirement were informative and thought provoking. We thank the Cedarkirk staff for their hospitality, offering vespers in the evening, and the great food that was served. Many of the participants expressed the time that we shared as being just what they needed even as they had many projects they left behind and would return to even more. As we wrapped up the week, we look forward to next year’s event to be held at Crestfield Camp & Conference Center in Slippery Rock Pennsylvania.
In light of the Coronavirus, the PCCCA Board feels that a strong policy statement communicated to your constituency is a great way to get ahead of the current wave of uncertainty. If a camp or conference center can create and follow a plan of action for preventing the spread of this infectious virus, they could create an environment that makes our sites one of the safest places for children and youth this summer. In order to help you, we have put together a special page of resources and program suggestions at www.pccca.net/coronavirus. Please check it out and submit suggestions as we continue to update this website. Thank you.
