Current Health Updates

Dear Bear Lake Camp Family,

Over the last several weeks, the Bear Lake Camp Leadership Staff and Board of Directors have made the difficult decision to suspend camp operations for Summer 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to ever changing guidelines and regulations with regards to the pandemic, a desire to keep our campers, staff and their communities safe and healthy, and a commitment to being financially responsible with the long standing mission of BLC to make Jesus known, we do not see a way to proceed with camp as usual this summer. We are making a difficult and painful short-term sacrifice to ensure the long-term mission of Bear Lake Camp for years to come.

Camp is antithetical to social distancing. What makes camp so special and important is the community aspect of it. Living in cabins together, eating meals in the dining hall, playing games in the gym or on the field, worshipping together in the new chapel- all of the things that make camp what it is- cannot be done and still practice social distancing to a satisfactory level.

We know this decision will grieve many campers and their families who look forward to their time at camp. Know that we are heartbroken with you- camp is not meant to sit empty- it should be filled with the sound of campers and staff talking around the picnic tables, playing at the gaga court and worshipping the King in the chapel or under the stars.

As you can imagine, not hosting the 2020 summer camp season will necessitate significant adjustments in the operations of Bear Lake Camp and greatly effects the camp’s financial position as 50% of our annual budget comes from summer camp fees. While we are blessed to have some reserve funds and have pursued paths of faithful stewardship, our philosophy of ministry leads us to improve where our campers eat, sleep, play, and engage with God. We do this by putting our proceeds into our program and facilities, rather than simply growing a savings account. Many have already registered for the summer and paid deposits and made payments. We understand that many families are experiencing financial hardships in this season; therefore, we are more than happy to issue a 100% refund to any family that wishes. However, we ask these families to count the cost as well and prayerfully consider turning all or part of your summer fees into a tax-deductible donation to the camp or transferring them to a future camp session. In the coming days, the BLC staff will contact you about those deposits and payments.

Know that we are praying for you. We also humbly ask for you to pray for us. There is no playbook for how we navigate these new waters, but we are certain that the way we get through these challenging times is together, unified by our faith in Jesus Christ and our confident hope in the new life found in the resurrection. Instead of choosing fear, anxiety or worry, we are encouraging our Bear Lake Camp families to stand firm on the spiritual foundations that we know to be true: God is Sovereign. God is good. God wants what is best for us….and He can be trusted. Bear Lake Camp Leadership Staff & Board of Directors will keep you informed of changes and updates in the coming weeks.

In the Old Testament, God commanded Israel to practice the Year of Jubilee- a year of renewal and restoration- a time when the community reset itself. It is our intention to use this season that at first appears as lost time as an opportunity to make Bear Lake Camp better than ever before. Our leadership team is not taking the summer off– we will be hard at work going over and improving our organizational structure, our programs, and our facilities as we seek to make Jesus’ Name famous in our community so that summer 2021 will be the best summer in the history of Bear Lake Camp.

Trusting in God’s Faithfulness with You,

Bear Lake Camp Leadership Staff & Board of Directors

    I am God, and there is none like me,
 declaring the end from the beginning
    and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
    and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

-Isaiah 46:9-10