April 14, 2020
Dear Camp Bernadette and Fatima Community,
During these uncertain and unprecedented times we would like to continue to keep our camp community as informed as possible regarding any potential impact that this could have on our 2020 summer camping season. On March 24th 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, along with last week’s newsletter.
Important Notes Regarding COVID-19
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. For questions about cancellation, please contact Sara Smith (ssmith@bfcamp.com ext.102).
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.
A Letter From Our EC Week Director
I hope you are all safe and healthy in this unusual time.
Campers have been selected; the staff is confirmed, and the Theme for EC Week 2020 is Once Upon A Time at Christmas! As we gather in August on the Holy Ground of Camp Fatima, for the 66th year of EC Week, we will be joined by our Friends the Army Band and the Harley Motorcycle Club. Our Program Directors are working on surprises as well.
The head staff and I are still in the process of finalizing the schedule and assignments.
I hope that while at home, practicing social distancing, and for some attending school remotely that you remember all our health care workers, first responders, and other essential personnel keeping us safe and secure. We should not forget those working in retail stores assuring that we can get food, medicines and other items necessary during a stay at home order.
Speaking of health care workers many of our volunteers are nurses, EMTs, and other first responders. We were contacted by a volunteer counselor who has a family member working as a Doctor in New Jersey. That doctor mentioned that the hospital needed protective gowns. Special Program Director, Mary McCabe, remembered that she had purchased hazmat suits years ago to be used for costumes. A trip to camp and a case of suits was on its way to a hospital in New Jersey. They were most appreciative of these suits since their supply chain of PPE’s had run dry.
The goodness of Camp travels far!!!!
Until we meet again, stay healthy and safe.
Mike French
New Videos from Our Camp Community
2020 Camp Staff Rosary
Camp Community Submission Video #4
Would you like to be featured in an upcoming community video? With a parent’s permission, record a video explaining what camp means to you and you could be seen in our next post! If you would like to watch our previous camper submissions, they can be found here or on our Facebook page!
Fatima and Bernadette remotely recorded a podcast with members of our camps staffs for this coming summer. The podcast loosely follows a daily camp schedule, with different guests appearing on throughout the day. You can download the podcast from our Facebook page, website, or right here!
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.