Glisson Camp & Retreat Center

Friends of Camp: Ready for some good news? You did it! We've officially claimed the full $350,000 matching challenge made in May! To the 987 folks who have helped raise $756,350 so far to Stand in the Gap for the future of camp we cannot thank you enough! And if you haven't already, consider a year-end gift or pledge for next year to help create community, form faith, and launch leaders in 2021!

From our camp family to yours Merry Christmas!!

A few weeks back we announced that our dear friend Kim Bell is departing to serve in a new direction. You're invited to join in a virtual celebration of Kim's 9 years of Glisson ministry tonight (12/15) @7pm. Kim: We can't thank you enough...especially not in a Zoom Webinar...but, well, we're gonna try anyway!! Find join info at: www.glisson.org/kim

Launched in May 2020 to secure the future of camp, the Stand in the Gap Relief Fund is now just under $7,500 from claiming the full $350,000 challenge matching gift! Your gift to Glisson this #GivingTuesday will have the double the impact, and will help ensure camp gets back to offering faith-forming fun as soon and as safely as possible for generations to come!

Give the kids in your life some safe and faith-forming fun in Summer 2021 register today! Find schedule, registration, and COVID-19 info at: glisson.org/register

Since early July, we’ve been actively planning programming options for a variety of scenarios to be able to offer camp ministry experiences safely next summer. As always, the safety and well-being of our campers and staff remains our top priority. In the months leading up to May 2021, we’ll continue monitoring conditions as they fluctuate and expert guidance as it emerges, adapting our plans and protocols as-needed to ensure the safety of all involved. We are so looking forward to welcoming campers back to camp next summer and so excited to be sharing our 2021 Schedule! Find out more at: www.glisson.org/register

For 25 years, David Stubblefield has served Glisson behind the scenes, taking expert care of hundreds of acres and thousands of square feet so that a couple generations of campers could have faith-forming fun at camp. After a quarter century of a job incredibly well done, "Stubb" is hanging up his camp tool belt. Whether you know him personally, or you looked up to him while serving on summer staff, or you're just super glad someone's been directing Glisson's facilities so well for so long, you're invited to join in on sending David into retirement riding a wave of gratitude and well-wishes using the form linked below. Stubb: We can't thank you enough, but we're gonna try anyway!! https://tinyurl.com/glisson-thanks-stubb

Join in the fun of a one-of-a-kind rendition of a one-of-a-kind tradition! Led by Glisson alumni hosts and guest musicians, this half-hour virtual festival will take you on a journey through the eras of Singing on the Porch (and camp)!

Presenting: Singing On The Virtual PorchFest 7pm world premiere now at 9:40pm! Join in the fun of a one-of-a-kind rendition of a one-of-a-kind tradition! Led by Glisson alumni hosts and guest musicians, this half-hour virtual festival will take you on a journey through the eras of Singing on the Porch (and camp)!

UPDATE: After a series of technical difficulties, "Plan C" is in action! We know many of you had 7pm circled on your calendars, and we're grateful for that, so we have posted the video to our Vimeo account so folks can watch it as soon as possible at the link below. Or, if you can hold out for the fun of a Facebook video premiere/watch party, our second attempt for that is on track to premiere around 8:30pm tonight. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, and hope you and yours have an incredible time Singing on the (Virtual) Porch!

It took some serious finagling, but the Singing On The Virtual PorchFest video finally posted! https://www.facebook.com/watch/

Dear Camp Family: Earlier this week, we made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel the remainder of our summer season. This post is not about our 3-month struggle to find a way to offer camp safely during a pandemic...or about why, ultimately, we determined it wasn’t possible to do so (see letter linked below). This post is about letting people who love camp know that thousands of children, youth, and adults are actively grieving the loss of camp right now. It’s about f...irst-time campers who packed their bags a month early. Rising seniors who longed for one last week of camp. Parents who yearned to see their kids come home with increased self-worth, love of God, and love of others. Young adults who committed their summer to Christian servant leadership. And passionate supporters who make that impact possible. And yet, while we have lost the Summer 2020 season, we have not lost camp it is alive and well in generations of alumni campers and staff who have departed to serve and are living out camp’s core values amidst the many challenges our society is facing. And while we don’t know yet when exactly camp programming will return or what exactly it will look like, we know camp will be back to make a direct and powerful impact on a hurting world. You can help ensure camp is back in action as soon as possible and for generations to come; with $115,396 of a $350,000 matching gift claimed so far, your gift will have double the impact. We invite you to join us in securing the future of camp, and in praying for our campers, their families, and our summer staff. My friends, we think of you daily... Executive Director’s Letter: https://conta.cc/3db36uA Give or Pledge: http://glisson.org/stand

Dear Camp Family: It's been a while. Since cancelling our spring retreat season 56 days ago, we've been pursuing every imaginable angle of the question: "Can camp happen safely this summer?" For the safety of all involved, we've made the difficult decision to cancel the first three weeks of our summer programming including the full cancellation or significant adaptation of multiple programs. For our remaining camp weeks, we've determined decision dates and criteria for reop...ening. In addition to refunding cancellations, to care for camper families during this trying time, we've been offering full refunds for any reason. Our COVID-19 response so far guarantees a net loss of $700,000 in fixed costs. Should we have to cancel more camp weeks, those costs will grow. Thanks to a $350,000 matching gift from generous friends of Glisson, all Stand in the Gap Relief Fund giving will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to our $700,000 goal. With your donation or pledge today, you can help ensure camp will continue bringing faith to life for generations to come. To donate or pledge: http://glisson.org/stand To read the full text of today's update letter from our Executive Director detailing our COVID-19 response: https://conta.cc/3cgk3Eh

This summer around 250 camp leaders will help bring faith to life for nearly 5,000 campers...and in doing so will deepen their own understandings of faith and leadership. Limited spots remain for ELI (10-11th) Crew (12th) and Counselor (college). Apply (or share this post) today!! glisson.org/summer-staff

Help the kids in your life have some faith-forming fun this summer register today or check out Open House!

Happy snow day from camp!!