We hope you are all healthy and managing the restrictions and uncertainty that have become our new normal these days. First, we want to express our gratitude for this community. We have seen confirmed, through social media and people reaching out, that camp friends are the best friends. One thing these circumstances allow us is the time to connect with one another – by calling friends and having time to sit and talk, by sending letters, by posting camp memories on line. Let’s lean on each other, and encourage our campers to do the same, now more than ever. You will see fun ways to keep these connections growing on social media postings from camp!
We want to let you know that the board has reached the decision to temporarily suspend the Farmhouse rebuild project and the Capital Campaign. This was not a decision reached lightly, and we spent time playing out several scenarios to best inform our decision process. At this time of uncertainty, we are mindful of how precarious the financial forecast is for everyone. It is unrealistic to be asking our community to make a three-year commitment to major donations during this time, and we do not want to take the financial risk of needing to borrow substantially to support this project. We are also mindful that construction jobs are being shut down and certainly don’t want to begin a project and have to abandon it partway through.
At this point, our architect is completing the final design plans. We had not begun paying for construction costs, so we have not lost any money from this project and will be able to move forward with completed plans when we are ready to do so. We are grateful for the money already raised and pledged toward the Farmhouse. This money will be held until the time we are able to move forward again. MJ and the rest of our full-time staff, as well as the Capital Campaign committee, have put tremendous effort and expertise into their work for the Farmhouse. We are more than grateful for all the work that has gone into this project thus far.
For the summer of 2020, the Farmhouse will remain closed, and we will continue to utilize other spaces for all the purposes the Farmhouse has typically filled. This was already the plan for the summer, so the preparation is already in place.
We look forward to the time when we will reach out with promising news about the timing of the Farmhouse rebuild and the renewal of the Capital Campaign.
Should you have any questions please contact Board President Di Foster.
Opmerkingen