Dear Incarnation Families,
Thank you for standing by us and offering us a great amount of patience whilst we navigate through these testing times that have been so challenging to us all.
At this time, we now have a more complete picture of how things will look in the coming months. The news is not what we had hoped for. As mandated by Connecticut state executive order, we have been informed that overnight programs will not be permitted to open for the 2020 summer season.
It is with a heavy heart that I deliver this news. We know how important camp is to all of our dedicated campers and devoted staff members, and how devastating this news is to hear after so much anticipation given the preceding months.
A phrase that is common in the Camping world is “living 10 for 2”, which emphases that we work through the rest of the year to get to those two glorious months when we can be out in the woods, sleeping in tents, making friendships, laughing, growing as people, and all the other things that go into making Incarnation Camp the place that had been held so close to so many peoples’ hearts for the last 135 summers.
We had hoped that we would be able to open in an adapted and safe way without compromising on anything we offer, in order to deliver the quality programming and care that you have come to expect from us. Instead, Incarnation will be a much quieter place this summer, as we give our property some much needed TLC so that we are in a position to offer another 100+ years of life-changing summers.
Incarnation Center is committed to refunding all balances and deposits paid for sessions cancelled due to state regulations and COVID-19. However, as an organization grounded in camps and programs that bring people together, we are facing some serious financial challenges. With conferences, programs and camps cancelled since mid-March, we anticipate a budget deficit of over $1 million at the end of our fiscal year in September. Our summer camp fees make up nearly 80% of the Center’s operating revenue. Many of the costs associated with running camp (year-round staff, program supplies, transportation and other vendor contracts) are paid for well before the summer season. If you are able to help, we respectfully request that you consider converting your deposit and tuition, or a portion of both, to a donation. For over 135 years, Incarnation has served as a summer home-away-from-home for youth from around the world. With your help, we will weather this storm together.
We understand the pain that our campers are going through at the moment, and if you think that we can offer support to them in any way, even if it is just someone to talk to, please do reach out. With your help we will be back and better than ever in Summer 2021.
Yours in Camping,
The Incarnation Staff