May 9, 2020
To our Grace Point family,
As we all know these are extraordinary times. Many of us have been wondering if summer camp at Grace Point would be possible this summer. After much deliberation with our Bishop and other executive directors around our country, we have come to the conclusion that summer camp will not be feasible this summer.
Our main goal has always been to ensure the safety of everyone who visits Grace Point. The safety of our staff and campers is our primary concern but offering our campers the experience they have known for years is something we have kept in mind as well. With Covid-19 we did not feel that we could offer either.
We acknowledge that several families have already paid deposits and/or full payments for camp this summer. These payments will be refunded upon request. If you have already registered your child and would like a refund, please email me at bjones@dioet.org.
Currently, there are no groups using camp. With a lack of retreat groups and summer camp, Grace Point has been and will continue to be significantly impacted financially. If you are financially able, we ask you to please consider using all or part of your tuition as a donation to Grace Point. If this is not something you can do, we completely understand.
On a brighter note, we do have some great news on the planned Retreat Village project at Grace Point. This project was initiated three years ago and is beginning to come to fruition. We received a gift of $500,000 this week in support of the project. This remarkable gift, along with additional cash on hand in support of the Retreat Village project, will allow us to begin turning this project from a dream to a reality. This summer, we will begin construction on the first stage of the Retreat Village. We will do site preparation, septic system work, build the Retreat Center and two cottages. We are incredibly grateful for the generous support we have received from many friends of Grace Point to make this project possible.
Although we are incredibly saddened that camp will not occur this summer, we are happy to be able to use this time to create a better Grace Point experience for all. We look forward to welcoming people back to an improved Grace Point with better facilities. We ask that you continue to keep Grace Point in your thoughts and prayers, we are keeping the Grace Point family in ours. We look forward to seeing you soon; what a joyous day it will be!
Blessings,
The Rev. Brad Jones
Executive Director
Grace Point Camp & Retreat Center