Day Camp Update

It's the third full week of July, which means in any other year, the SUPC, CTSL, and SRC campuses would be host to 150 campers and all the requisite staff, counselors, volunteers, and nurses to have a joyous day-camp experience. 
Like so many things this year, the Schoharie Day camp is taking place online. We have craft projects and games and nature projects for the campers to do around their homes. We gather each morning for discovery time, and we are even able to start with singing the familiar camp songs. Some of the favorite songs were recorded by a small group, the videos edited together by Pastors Mike and Sherri, and shared through video conferencing with all the campers and staff and families who log in. We make jokes about Hollywood Squares and Brady Bunch. We listen to each other's frustrations; we cheerfully greet the campers as they log into the meeting. We have a vespers video for the end of the day with more singing, a brief review of the lessons, and the achingly familiar "Goodnight my dear Camper" song to close out the day.
Online Day-Camp is an incredible experience for what it teaches us about who we are. We celebrate our humanity, exposed through the flat dimensions of technology. Every so often something does not work right. A video does not load properly, two computers are incompatible with each other and cannot "talk" - that is they cannot share files in a way that does not cause headaches. We exercise grace in these moments. We are vulnerable, and yet we persist. We pray, a lot.
Not one of us would have chosen this method for Day Camp, yet on Wednesday we received news of in-person Day Camps around the country and state that were forced to close down partway through the camp experience because of COVID-19 outbreaks. The announcement had me reflecting for a moment on the tipping point meeting, and several other faces in the conference call mirrored my thoughts. We had a chance in June where we could have chosen to attempt an in-person camp gathering, but decided to continue with virtual, even though in-person was technically allowed. We thought the consistency of virtual space, hassle though it sometimes is, would be better than the possible uncertainty of suddenly closing camp. It was a good decision. Not convenient, and certainly all the kids would benefit more from seeing their friends, but we make do with what we can.

This camp experience has been an interesting learning opportunity. Perhaps there might be features of the virtual space we carry through to further camp experiences? No one knows what the future will hold, but if there is one lesson 2020 has taught us, we are stronger when we look for creative solutions together and treat one another with grace and love.

I love you all
Stay Safe and Healthy
Wash Your Hands
Peace be with you
~Rev. Andrea Joy Holroyd