Dear Camp Bernadette and Fatima Community,
During these unprecedented times we would like to keep our camp community as informed as possible regarding any potential impact that this could have on our 2020 summer camping season. Last week, a notice went out outlining our refund policy as it relates to COVID-19 concerns, as well as dates that we would need to cancel camp by if the issue arises to that level. That notice can be found here on the camp website.
Important Notes
If we do need to cancel or shorten the camping season due to coronavirus, decisions will be made no later than these dates. Please note that earlier decisions may occur if, for example, the State of NH cancels the upcoming camping season:
- Special Needs Week – Decision to cancel will be made no later than April 23, 2020.
- Bernadette and Fatima Regular Season – Decision to cancel one or more sessions will be made no later than May 22, 2020.
- EC Week – Decision to cancel will be made no later than July 2, 2020.
If Camp Bernadette and Camp Fatima are able to have the entire camping season or a shortened camping season, the camps will enact the following cancellation policy regarding COVID-19:
- If a parent has lost his/her job due to pandemic and CDC guidelines, they receive a full refund of tuition and registration fees upon request.
- If a parent is concerned about the well-being of their child due to the COVID-19 virus, they receive a full refund of tuition and registration fees upon request.
- If a child needs to go to summer school or school extends into camp dates because of COVID-19, they receive a full refund of tuition and registration fees upon request.
- International campers who may be unable to travel, receive a full refund of tuition and registration fees upon request
In the event that Camp Bernadette and Camp Fatima cancel one or all sessions due to COVID-19, parents receive a full refund of tuition and registration fees. However, parents will be given the opportunity to secure their child’s session-specific spot for the 2021 camping season.
Monthly Payments Postponed
We understand that the quarantine has caused financial difficulty for many families. As a response to this and to the uncertainty of the summer camping season, we have decided to postpone payments scheduled for April & May.
For those of you with pending payments between now and May 30th, an email regarding postponement of processing was sent on March 30, 2020. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Sara Smith (ext 102), we are happy to work with families at this uncertain time.
Letters From Our Directors
Simon Therrien-Denis, Resident Director of Camp Fatima
Dear camp community,
I hope you are all safe and healthy in these tough times. The head staff and I are still in the process of getting the camp ready for another great summer. We have a lot of fun new activities in the works that we can’t wait to share with you this summer.
Like most of you, I am currently at home waiting for this daunting time to be over. I hope that while at home, you will be able to do things that you do not always take time to do like reaching out to some of your family members or to our camp community. In last couple days, I was able to reach out to a number of our staff and former staff to see how they were doing. It was truly reassuring to see how people are helping each other and making sure that everyone is doing well.
Speaking of which, I would like to extend a special shout out to our campers’ parents/guardians, our staff and our alums that are in the medical field trying to make sure that our communities are safe and healthy.
Finally, please join me with a prayer to Our Lady of Fatima:
O Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of the most holy Rosary, you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima and reveal a glorious message. We implore you, inspire in our hearts a fervent love for the recitation of the Rosary. By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption that are recalled therein may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.
Stay safe,
Simon
Katie Beaulieu, Resident Director of Camp Bernadette
Hello camp families,
This is proving to be a very daunting time for all of us. I pray that you are all safe and healthy and that your spirits are still high. We continue to prepare for camp 2020 and are hopeful it will go on.
Right now, I am trying to cherish this extra time with my family. On Saturday, my husband and I took our four daughters for a long walk around our neighborhood. Our girls chose to dress up in old Halloween costumes and we waived as cars drove by and as neighbors looked out their windows. I hope when this challenging time is over, that they will have fond memories like this one that will outweigh the uncertainty and fear felt during these times.
I ask that you try and find the silver lining in all of this; spend more time with family at home or through phone or video chats. Call that aunt, uncle or grandparent that you never seem to have enough time for and use this as a chance to catch up. We all now have the opportunity to strengthen those relationships that we often take for granted.
Furthermore, try and strengthen your relationship with Jesus, ask Him for guidance and comfort during this troubling time. In yesterday’s gospel, Jesus called Lazarus out of the darkness. Just as Lazarus had a friendship with Jesus, we too have that relationship and Jesus will also bring us out of this darkness and suffering. This time of difficulty will re-establish our dependency on Jesus and allow us to walk to Him.
Stay well,
Katie
In Your Own Home
While in this time of uncertainty, it is important for us as a camp community to remain a people of faith. Camp Fatima’s patron is, Our Lady of Fatima and Camp Bernadette’s patron is, Our Lady of Lourdes. Please join us in asking Our Lady to intercede for us and for a quick end to this crisis. Like your local Catholic dioceses, the Diocese of Manchester does not have public Masses for the faithful. When we cannot attend Holy Mass and receive Jesus in the Eucharist, especially during this time when we need him most, the Church encourages us to make an act of “spiritual communion,” where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to unite with Him when we are unable to receive Him in Holy Communion. An example of a spiritual communion prayer is below.
Spiritual Communion Prayer
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”
We would also like to invite our camp community to join us in solidarity by praying the Rosary on Mondays and Stations of The Cross on Fridays for the remainder of Lent. Links to the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary online can be found below:
Open House Postponed
The camp Open Houses at Bernadette and Fatima scheduled for May 2nd and 3rd have been postponed. Stay tuned in to upcoming camp communications for a rescheduled Open House date.