Welcome to the online presence of
DOGWOOD ACRES
Retreat Center and Summer Camp!
Dogwood Acres is the outdoor ministry of the Presbytery of Florida. Our mission is to provide a retreat environment in which individuals and groups can grow in faith, enjoy wholesome recreation, and nurture Christian fellowship in a natural and unspoiled part of creation.
UPDATE - 5/5/2020: COVID-19
The DWA Ministry Team met recently (virtually, of course) and had a thorough discussion on what is hope and what is realistic concerning Summer Camp 2020. For now, this is how we are leaning: The most probable scenario at this time is Summer Camp will be compressed into the last four weeks of July, starting the week after the Independence Day holiday weekend. There will be many new precautions taken and a new sanitation policy enacted. Please know the health and welfare of the campers and all involved is the very highest priority when we course these uncharted waters. I encourage you to register your campers online (a simple process) and know your deposits are fully refundable if we cancel.
If and when DWA Summer Camp begins in early July, there will be new and innovative procedures adapted. Some are directed towards cleaning and sanitation of the facilities and equipment. Some are directed towards daily programming. Some are directed towards the “business of the camp” and particularly the change in how we register the campers as they arrive at DWA. All center around the safety and wellbeing of the kids and staff.
There is so much to consider when we, and I, make the decisions on moving forward. We continue to get updates from the Florida Health Department, the CDC, and our county and city government health organizations. We pray for wisdom and guidance for all those involved with those organizations as they are tasked with making those decisions. I know our camp families are anxiously waiting to hear what our plans are as more facts are made available.
We will continue to update you as we navigate this path we are forced to follow. The DWA Ministry Team will meet again on May 15, and May 31. If we recognize more changes are necessary, I will keep informed. I continue to encourage you to register your campers online (a simple process) and know your deposits are fully refundable if we cancel.
Stay Safe and Blessings to each of you--
Dogwood Acres Staff and Ministry Team
UPDATE - 3/23/2020: COVID-19
Dear Dogwood Acres Campers, Families and Friends,
First, we hope and pray you and your loved ones are doing well and staying safe in this uncertain and concerning time of COVID-19.
Please know Dogwood Acres Retreat Center and Summer Camp is taking every precaution to keep our guests and campers safe. We will review and update our health-related plans and procedures to help ensure a safe and healthy environment at the camp.
Though Summer Camp is still a few months away, we understand families and parents have questions about whether or not to register their children and what will happen as the situation develops.
At this time, we are planning to offer four weeks of summer camp starting the week of July 5th. We encourage parents to register their campers for summer camp as normal. If it is determined it is safe to hold the summer programs you can rest assured every precaution will be taken to ensure the health of the campers and staff, including things like extra staff training, new handwash and sanitizer stations, extra care in the kitchen and dining hall and a team dedicated to keeping the facilities clean and sanitized. The health of the kids and staff will be the number one priority. In the event the situation leads us to cancel summer camp, we will inform everyone as soon as possible. We are monitoring the information daily and vow to communicate with you often. Please be aware that many of us in the outdoor ministry community view summer camp this summer as possibly being a safe alternative to many of the options open this summer to our children and youth. Only time will really tell, but we are cautiously optimistic. If in the event you have or will register a camper and afterwards we are forced to cancel the summer camp program, you will have options. If you have made a registration deposit or paid full registration, we gladly offer these three possibilities, all requests should be directed to the Director, Ben Powell.
1) Feel free to request a full refund of your payment;
2) Consider donating your payment to help Dogwood Acres recover and prepare for the months ahead;
3) Reserve the money towards another Dogwood program in the future.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to either our Program Director, Emma Hodges at programdirector@dogwoodacres.org /(850)321-0844, or our Director, Ben Powell at ben@dogwoodacres.org /(850) 528-3575.
As plans and policies change, we will continue to keep you informed. Be sure to follow our Facebook page and website for updates.
Stay safe and Blessings to each of you –
Dogwood Acres Staff and Ministry Team
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