This was a summer of camps without campers and a retreat center with no guests.

Due to COVID-19, our Conference Camping and Retreat Ministries (CRM) made the painful decision to cancel in-person summer camp at all our sites as well as programming at Rolling Ridge. It was a truly difficult decision and one that has serious financial implications.

“The pandemic has created an acute financial crisis for our camping and retreat centers, but it has also highlighted the need for robust sustained support of this vital ministry,” said Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar.

CRM is asking United Methodists in New England to become sustaining supporters of this vital ministry by making a regular monthly gift. 
 
A monthly gift to the site of your choice will certainly help our camps and retreat centers recover from a devastating season. But this is not about a single season: Your ongoing support can ensure that CRM has a solid financial foundation on which to build a long and healthy future.
 
No one wants a summer without songs around the campfire. 

“The NEAC Camp and Retreat Ministries Executive Board unanimously supports the initiative to recruit monthly site donors to enable the long-term sustainability of our CRM sites for future generations,” said Karen Pehrson, chair of the Conference CRM Board. “All of the members of each site Board — Aldersgate, Mechuwana, Rolling Ridge, and Wanakee — have enthusiastically committed to setting an example with monthly gifts of their own, to keep our centers financially strong as we face the challenges of moving forward into the future.”
 
In this short video, our camp and retreat center directors offer more about their unique ministry.
 

“When I started my ministry in The United Methodist Church, I listened particularly to the stories young people told about how our camps and camping staffs had a profound impact on them and how these experiences sparked or shaped their faith journey,” Bishop Devadhar said.  

A gift of $10 or $25 per month is affordable for many of us; some will be able to give more, and those monthly gifts add up to the long-term ongoing support that ensures CRM can continue to inspire and offer meaningful opportunities for transformation and spiritual growth.
 
“If we’ve seen the impact on young people’s lives, and I am sure we all have,” the bishop said, “we should join in helping our camps and retreat centers to overcome this unexpected challenge and build a solid financial base for the future!”

The bishop and Prema Devadhar are starting off with a contribution of $1,000. Read the bishop’s full message.
 
As Director of Connectional Ministries, Rev. Erica Robinson-Johnson oversees Camping and Retreat Ministries for the Conference. Beginning this month, Rev. Robinson-Johnson is giving $25 a month to each site, because, she explains, "I can't play favorites among my 'children.'" 
 
Knowing that is not a dilemma faced by everyone, Rev. Robinson-Johnson encourages donors to “support the site that is closest to your heart or your home.” 

Start your sustaining gift today

Click on the links below to make an online donation to that site; the sites offer the opportunity to make this a recurring gift.
Aldersgate
Mechwana
Rolling Ridge
Wanakee
 
To send a check to the Conference to support Camping and Retreat Ministries, make checks payable to “New England Conference” and be sure to include CRM donation in the subject line. Send your donations to:
 
New England Conference
411 Merrimack St., Suite 200
Methuen, MA 01844
Attn: CRM Donations