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Christmount VOICE Spring 2020

Special Edition of The Voice The birds are still chirping the crows are still cawing and the creeks are still flowing They don t know that much has changed in the world today and I suppose their constant presence brings us all a certain sense of peace during these times We long to rejoin the ebb and flow of nature to hear the sounds of the frogs and cicadas at night to lose ourselves to the hypnotic flames of a campfire all while comforted by the closeness of family and friends These are the things that meaningful memories are made of and we don t want to miss too many of these precious opportunities Soon Hopefully soon we will be allowed to gather together again in groups of more than ten people and closer than six feet apart Until then we will do our best to craft a new way forward as we find new ways to create special memories In addition to the hope that summer camps and programs will occur this summer on the sacred grounds of Christmount we also understand that fear or finances are legitimate factors that will prohibit some from attending in person With the belief that Christmount is a place for all to discover community acceptance and purpose we are hard at work developing virtual portals to supplement the physical programs for this summer When you can t come to Christmount we will bring Christmount to you Through the use of private links and secured websites your living rooms will be filled with the sights and sounds of the crows and creeks of Christmount this summer Read on in this digital only cost saving version of The Voice to discover some of the ways that Christmount is working to make this happen and how you can help

Christmount Voice Spring 2020 222 Fern Way Black Mountain NC 28711 828 669 8977 christmount org Rev Rob Morris Executive Director rob christmount org Lisa LeVine Guest Services Director frontdesk christmount org Jon Blalock Director of Christmount Adapted Programs camplakeygap gmail com Anne McGuire Director of Community Outreach Development annemcguireasd gmail com Mark Norton Operations Director marknortoncma yahoo com 03 08 04 09 An Update from the Executive Director Staff profile Emma Childs 05 Spring and Summer Programs 07 Camp Lakey Gap Updates Letter from Director of Adapted Programs Jon Blalock Marching Forward Together A letter from Director of Community Outreach Development Anne McGuire 10 New Food Services Director Samantha Andrews 11 News Briefs Emma Childs Sustainability and Eco Justice Coordinator emma christmount org Samantha Andrews Food Services Director sandrews christmount org Published by Christmount Christian Assembly Inc a recognized ministry partner of the Christian Church DOC Christmount is incorporated in the state of North Carolina and governed by an Administrative Board Christmount is a nonprofit tax exempt 501 c 3 organization Donations to Christmount from individuals foundations and businesses may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes In the spirit of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ all Christmount activities are open to adults youth and children of any race nationality or family background If you no longer wish to receive this publication please send us your name and address as it appears on the label to info christmount org or call us at 828 669 8977 The Voice is also available in a cost effective digital version To change your subscription from print to digital please email info christmount org from the email address you would like to use and include your current mailing label name and address Spring 2020 Christmount Voice Page 2

Greetings From the Beautiful Mountains of North Carolina Rev Rob Morris Executive Director We hope you and your loved ones are doing well in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic I am sure some of you have been thinking about what effects this situation might have on our summer camps mission weeks reunions and other programs here We want you to rest assured that we are already implementing plans to keep all participants staff and volunteers safe Safety Is Our Number One Concern Our deepest hope is that these empty spaces will soon echo with laughter and singing from campers reunions and summer events Christmount is committed to providing a safe place for our guests and to that end will implement all necessary steps and take every precaution in order to do so We are including additional measures per CDC guidelines to ensure the health and well being of everyone who attends an event at Christmount this year Refunds and Special Pricing By the time the ban on social gatherings is lifted we anticipate everyone will be looking for a good safe place to get outside run around and enjoy the company of others We hope you will make plans to join us at Christmount To that end we want to encourage you to go ahead and register for your event camps mission weeks reunions church retreats workshops with the peace of mind that we are guaranteeing a full refund or credit for a future event for cancellations of up to 24 hours in advance Additionally we are offering a special Summer 2020 Two For One pricing to help alleviate some of the financial burden that many of you are feeling as a result of the economic impact from this pandemic When you register for certain events at Christmount this summer all lodging and meals will be half price for you Staff and Summer Staff Christmount is a team and we love serving you So far we have been able to keep all staff employed and working safely and or remotely and we hope to give everyone the assurance that their employment is secure here at Christmount We are also moving forward with the hiring of Summer Staff with the awareness that we do not fully know what the summer will look like One thing we do know is that Christmount is important necessary and needed perhaps now more than ever To that end we intend to offer camps mission experiences and programs onsite virtually or both We will be looking toward our summer staff to creatively problem solve using the tools of technology and the wonders of the web When you cannot come to Christmount we will find ways to bring Christmount to you We Are Here for You Thank you for taking a minute to read this letter and this special digital edition of The Voice We are sending prayers for your health and safety and hoping that we will see your smiling faces soon Please let us know if there is anything Christmount can do for you during this time As we have been for the past 73 years Christmount is and always will be here for you

Staff Profile EMMA CHILDS Sustainability Eco Justice Coordinator Emma has recently been hired in this new position at Christmount one that comes with a lot of potential To introduce Emma we asked her to share some of her thoughts and dreams for this work and to tell us about her background I m originally from Asheville but I ve spent the last 10 years exploring connections between spirituality ecology farming food systems education and community health across the Southeast and Midwest with a stint in New Zealand This journey began while studying animal science in college which exposed me to large scale issues in global agriculture Now as an environmental educator I m especially interested in the ways connection to place can shift our understanding of climate change from the abstract and overwhelming to something relevant and personal How can we be led not by fear but by love for God and this precious ecosystem This desire for an integrated conversation around ecology and theology land and liturgy is what drew me to Christmount And after only a few weeks I m already struck by the intricate web of connections around me The excitement of learning the names of the many wildflowers around me here nodding trillium Dutchman s breeches showy orchid heartleaf foamflower feels like a microcosm of my hope for the coming year I m here first to listen to you to the plants and creatures to the Christmount neighborhood to the kids and adults who call our summer camps home and most of all to the stirring of the Spirit Programming partnerships pizza parties all these wonderful activities will happen in time but they will first grow out of contemplation and openness The longer term vision includes supporting our garden crafting environmental programming facilitating conversations around eco justice and exploring outdoor leadership At the center of it all is a focus on fostering relationship and building community As we look foward to summer camps this will mean a greater focus on the Green Chalice and Eco Justice Camp as well as on family camps and work camps It also means including creation care curriculum in all retreats and camps through such activities as gardening composting waste reduction forest walks carbon footprint analysis and other empowering practices It might also lead to being a host site for college intensives and internships focused on creation care environmental studies and eco theology Spring 2020 It might manifest as pie baking workshops for local churches whose members want to eat together with locally sourced ingredients We ve even discussed the possibility of a Fern Way Farm School model that would function as a living laboratory and educational hub where schoolage kids and adults could get their hands in the soil and learn what greater intimacy with the natural world is really like I believe strongly in the power of collective wisdom and shared story both of which seem to exist in abundance here at Christmount I feel privileged to be stepping into this new role and I see us moving towards a future rooted in the spacious love of God and in relationship with one another and the natural world a vision I believe is fervently needed during these fearful and uncertain times

Adult Programs Crazy Church Stuff Clergy Book Writing Workshop Every pastor has stories strange but true you can t make this stuff up crazy church stuff stories Wouldn t it be fun to write them all down and put them all in a book to be published by Chalice Press That s the idea We re calling all pastors to schedule some time to share stories anecdotes and events that they have experienced at some point in their pastoral tenure We will meet online on the first Wednesday of every month beginning in June The onsite retreat is scheduled for Dec 1 4 2020 Church Leadership Series Sept 3 5 2020 The Church Leadership Series is a collaboration between Christmount and Lexington Theological Seminary Dr Emily Askew Associate Professor of Systematic Theology will be our keynote speaker this year Our topic is Theology and Disability and will explore the landscape of individuals with disabilities physical mental or developmental and how the church can be better advocates along the journey Annual Yoga Retreat Sept 18 20 2020 Yoga teacher Beth Morris returns for our annual Yoga Retreat Go beyond yoga as exercise and explore the spiritual understanding of this ancient practice The event includes learning and practicing asanas meditation discussion and simple healthy meals Music Workshop 2020 Cancelled We are planning to be back in action next year ringing and singing for Christmount s Music Workshop Tentative dates are June 17 20 2021 We are pleased to announce that William Garner has agreed to be the Director in 2021 If you had planned to attend this year maybe you would consider making a donation equivalent to your registration fee to help support Christmount during this crazy time Any amount is appreciated Meanwhile If you re interested in being part of a FREE virtual choir later this summer please e mail William Garner at fccdwilliam gmail com and we ll try to set something up Christmount Family Camp variety of dates available Christmount is offering a cure for your cabin fever by giving family units an opportunity for a personal Family Retreat in their own accommodations at Christmount for up to 3 days Your family will have the choice of a camp cabin a cottage or a suite in the Guest House You will be able to set your own schedule and fill your days with hiking crafts games and s mores All meals will be provided in your own private dining area and your activities will be scheduled so as not to overlap with any other guests or groups while you are here Family units are limited to no more than 10 members from your immediate family Choose your own dates Retreats are available for up to 2 nights 3 days plus all meals Pricing varies depending on lodging and meals We will minimize risk through CDC guidelines of social distancing cleaning and sanitizing procedures Theology on Tap Aug 28 30 2020 Join us for brewery tours worship fellowship beer tasting campfire and discussion on deep issues affecting our world today We won t talk politics but we will talk religion and spirituality and the ever changing theological landscape undergirding our societal structures Space is limited this year Some virtual options will be available for those who would like to join and participate remotely Page 5 Christmount Voice christmount org

Youth Young Adult Programs JUNE DECEMBER 2020 Register online at christmount org for nearly all events Winter Fun Weekend Open Dates Available Winter fun at Christmount is for youth groups young adult groups and adults Choose your fun ski package snow tubing Fun Depot or winter area tours of the Biltmore Grove Park Inn or breweries Spend part of the time in the area exploring returning each evening for special activities games worship and time around the fireplace College Alternative Fall Break Open Dates Available Christmount offers a great place for a college fellowship group fraternity or sorority service club and others to stay while doing service projects in the Asheville area Work with Christmount Habitat for Humanity Asheville Youth Mission or other local service organizations Camp Sunshine Overnight and Day Camp July 13 18 2020 Camp Sunshine a special camp for high functioning adults ages 18 with developmental disabilities is a week of fun fellowship recreation and worship Overnight campers stay in cabins and are supervised by trained staff who work with them personally to ensure that each person has a great time at camp The camp is packed with games activities singing music crafts and more Both day camp and overnight options are available Youth Work Weeks variety of dates available Work Camp is for middle school and high school youth groups who want to give back to Christmount in a significant way Campers work 2 1 2 days with an optional play day to explore the area Each evening will include program recreation and activities This summer we will accommodate one group per week so that your group will not work alongside anyone else AYM Youth Mission Camp July 12 17 2020 and July 19 24 2020 Christmount has joined with Asheville Youth Mission AYM to provide an amazing mission experience that includes work programming and play Your mission projects are planned and led by AYM staff Create memorable moments for your group through team building activities fun and games Eco Justice Mission Youth Conference July 26 31 2020 The Ecology and Justice Mission Youth Conference explores the landscape of our faith as you have never seen it before through the lens of sustainability justice service and action On this week long journey intergenerational groups will explore complex sustainability challenges and meet churches engaged in environmental social justice in their own communities Middle School and High School Youth must be accompanied by an adult sponsor 1 adult for every 5 youth please Questions About Christmount Programs During COVID 19 Q Will programs be able to go forward as planned A After careful deliberation we decided it was better to make adjustments to programs instead of cancelling them altogether We modified our already high cleaning standards to include additional CDC disinfecting protocols and we modified program policies and staff procedures to add extra levels of safety for all Q What if I register and then need to cancel Can I get a refund A Absolutely We want you to feel confident about registering for camp or any of our programs so we are guaranteeing a full refund or credit for any cancellation up to 24 hours in advance Q What if the situation changes A We will continue to monitor the situation carefully and make any adjustments as needed Our primary concern is the safety of our guests Although we hope the pandemic will end soon we are realistic about this new reality and will make whatever changes are needed in order to keep people safe Q What if I don t feel comfortable coming to camp now A We will miss you But we will understand And we hope you will start making plans for next year If you are financially able to do so we also hope you would consider even a small contribution to help offset some of the adverse effects the pandemic has had on our revenue this spring

Christmount Adapted Programs COVID 19 Update The situation for all of us has changed so rapidly over the last few weeks and Christmount Adapted Programs is rapidly adapting to the times For the most current information about Christmount Adapted Programs which includes Camp Sunshine and Camp Lakey Gap please check the program websites For Camp Lakey Gap go to CampLakeyGap org And for Camp Sunshine please visit Christmount org sunshine You can also follow us on Facebook to get up to date announcements For Camp Sunshine follow the Christmount page at Facebook com christmount And for Lakey Gap see Facebook com CampLakeyGap Our first concern is the safety of our campers staff and community We will be closely monitoring guidance from federal state and local governments regarding safe gathering practices We are also updating our communicable disease plan for our programs and facilities which will include updated health screening policies for staff and campers guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting and procedures for quick response in case someone is showing symptoms of communicable disease We modified the Camp Sunshine schedule based on information available at this time All Adult Sunshine Campers will come during the same week June 1 June 5 This does not interfere with the Camp Lakey Gap Schedule or the Camp Sunshine session for children which has not been modified at the time of this writing but again please check the website for the most current information Page 7 Christmount Voice christmount org

A Note From Jon Jon Blalock Director of Christmount Adapted Programs On a personal note I have been spared the worst of this pandemic so far There are people in the state country and world who do not have the luxury of thinking ahead to June as their daily lives are confronted with more immediate concerns some of them a matter of life and death It is important to acknowledge these facts as a way of showing gratitude for my blessings and to hold the sick and suffering in the light hoping that we as individuals and as a society will do what we can to help them in this most difficult time For the people I serve through Christmount Adapted Programs one thing I can do is provide hope Many of our campers are struggling now as they are neurologically inclined to thrive in times of consistency and routine With so many daily routines interrupted many of our campers are experiencing heightened anxiety and more frequent meltdowns behavioral outbursts resembling the tantrums of younger children Many of our campers look forward to camp each year as part of their routine and I have received messages from some of them anxiously asking whether or not they will be coming Parents and caregivers too are hopeful for the camps to be held as planned These people know how important the programs are for their loved ones and are also looking for a time of respite for themselves While all parents are struggling to accommodate for the lack of school programming and other supports parents of children with special needs have been hit especially hard by the challenge of providing education and structure for their children Until the authorities on the subject declare that programs must be cancelled we will maintain the possibility of hope for our campers and their families and will plan forCamp Sunshine and Camp Lakey Gap to be there for them this summer Beep Beep Be on the lookout for a few new vehicles at Christmount this summer Thanks to a generous grant from the Dogwood Health Trust Christmount Adapted Programs is receiving funding for two new golf carts The grant totalling a little over 20 000 was written in collaboration with Lauri Hollingsworth The Greiner Family who owns the Adventure Center of Asheville usually hold this event on the first Sunday in June to honor their son s birthday O Reilly now 17 was diagnosed with autism at an early age Recently he completed an Eagle Scout Project at Christmount building an amphitheater type covering at Christmount s Shady Stage The Adventure Center of Asheville sets aside a Sunday every year to open the Ziplines Treetops Adventure Park and KidZip to teams who raised money or individuals who want to join in the festivities Teams have a preset fundraising goal while individuals coming in for the day simply pay regular rates for whatever activity they choose A full 100 of the proceeds are donated to WNC Autism services and camps for local adults and children on the autism spectrum This year 2020 is the ninth year of Zipping For Autism Having raised over 250 000 since its inception Zipping For Autism is truly a family affair O Reilly has managed to be the top fundraiser almost every year His buddy Nicholas Hemachandra has been another top fundraiser over the years Parents Jeff and Sheena manage the day and other family members from as far away as Jacksonville Florida or Charleston South Carolina often attend too helping check in attendees feed the staff or sell hotdogs to the public helping to make it all run smoothly To find out how you can get involved or register for the event go to ZippingforAutism com Lauri is no stranger to Black Mountain or to the people we serve She was the director at the Black Mountain Neuromedical Treatment Center for many years After retiring from her service there she began working with other agencies as a grant writer and consultant In making the appeal to the Dogwood Health Trust we emphasized the need for many of our campers with mobility issues the benefits to our programming team and the therapeutic value of a golf cart ride We are overjoyed that the need we presented was recognized as a worthy cause and we look forward to serving our campers with these great new tools Zipping For Autism Zipping for Autism an annual event held to benefit Camp Lakey Gap and other autism services in Western North Carolina has been moved to September 20 2020 Spring 2020 Christmount Voice Page 8

Marching Forward Together ANNE McGUIRE Director of Community Outreach Development A Christmount resident walked by in early April as Emma and I were working fiercely on getting weeds out of the winter worn gardens and putting tiny plant starts in the ground Donning a mask and keeping a safe distance he called out Plants just don t wait do they Well said Even as we march through spring in an all new manner we still have ways we can give and support one another The Christmount kitchen garden is one of those ways This spring with the help of our Jobs for the Future team we ve turned compost weeded beds fed our worms and discovered some mysterious sweet peas emerging from what we thought was an unplanted bed In fact the Jobs for the Future team had planted them while I was out of town so we re actually weeks ahead with this crop In other exciting news from the garden longtime friend of Christmount Barry Owen built and donated a gorgeous cedar garden work bench to tidy up and beautify our space Then funded with an anonymous donation and dollars from our Special Projects fund local rock masons from J and J Los Primos built the keyhole garden that is located in the front of the garden a beautiful space that will soon be home to summer vegetables And in March we added two large raised beds next to the covered patio behind the dining hall beds that will be filled with cherry tomatoes edible flowers and herbs for campers to harvest and enjoy In other news we were recently approved as a Monarch Restoration Site We will soon be receiving milkweed starts to establish a teaching garden for educating our community about the importance of bringing these delicate butterflies back across the north and southeast We hope to get additional grants to build an outdoor education curriculum around the Milkweed Project As I write I am deeply thankful for those in our community who have donated to Camp Lakey Gap to support our adapted programs The Black Mountain Swannanoa Kiwanis Club approved three grants totaling 5 000 to provide scholarship funds for campers in 2020 In March we applied for 5 000 from the Walmart Foundation that has generously supported us in the past as I Page 9 Christmount Voice write this that request is still pending Painters Nursery in Old Fort again donated plants and Asheville Mulch Yard is giving us a large discount on the soil and amendments we will need during this growing season Back in March the manager at our local Lowe s promised to support our programs with garden and building supplies sealing the deal with a good old fashioned handshake Looking ahead to projects that have been postponed due to coronavirus we re excited about a week long training course for educators and autism professionals we hope to offer in June 2021 We had initially planned to offer it in June of this year We recruited a longtime friend and autism colleague from the Autism Program at Kent State University to direct this course and we ve invited autism professional friends of Lakey Gap to fill out the remainder of the training team This opportunity has the potential to earn more than 20 000 for Camp Lakey Gap Adapted Programs As we march forward together here at Christmount we offer prayers of support for the leaders in our community our state our country and around the world And a special thanks to our leader at Christmount as well Thanks Rob

Introducing SAMANTHA ANDREWS New Food Services Director I was born and raised in Marion North Carolina and lived there most of my life I am married to my high school sweetheart Cody Andrews and we have a 1 year old son named Greyson I have worked since I was 15 years old except a short period after my son was born in a variety of different businesses My first job was a server at a locally famous ice cream shop called Jack Frost Since then I have worked at WalMart Deli a nursing home a bank a staffing agency a retirement facility kitchen and a prision and for a while my husband and I owned and operated a draft house cinema My mom always instilled in me a good work ethic and the importance of education I was better off than a lot of people growing up but we weren t rich by any means so to save money I started my college path at McDowell Technical Community College I graduated there with an Associates in Arts for College Transfer and then transferred to Montreat College online where I earned my Bachelors in Business Degree and graduated Cum Laude I started my online Masters in Business Administration just before my son was born but recently decided to take a break and catch my breath I plan on starting back once our lives have settled down a bit My husband and I lived for about a year in West Palm Beach Florida but we were drawn back to the mountains for a business proposition that didn t happen to work out for us While we were gone the revitalization of our small downtown happened and we wanted to be a part of it We decided what we were missing was a movie theater so we worked on opening Mountain Marquee This was very different from other theaters because we had a full service kitchen and served beer and wine Though we loved what we did we weren t making ends meet renting movie rights is very expensive so we decided it was financially best if we closed the business and move on to a different route We are currently in the process of opening up The Marion Wing Factory because all of our customers loved our food at the theater During the time we were opening the theater my son decided to join us three months early He stayed in the NICU at Mission Hospital until four days after his original due date During this long hard journey my husband and I decided we wanted to help others like us who were less fortunate than us so we created The Greyson J Andrews Foundation Last year we hosted the first Brews Blues and BBQs festival in Marion and raised over 10 000 for the Foundation with 9 000 people attending Christmount is my first official job again since I have had my son and I am very thankful for the opportunity From the first time I stepped foot on the campus I loved the atmosphere and Spring 2020 the welcoming environment My vision is to help Christmount attract more visitors and events and to make Christmount more widely known in the area I have had quite a few ideas and staying home during the coronavirus outbreak has given me time to plan Once things get back to normal I hope to reinstate the Sunday brunches I also have plans for a few different types of classes I have already spoken to a few different people about a cooking class a cake decorating class and a flower arranging class Outdoor weddings are the norm for couples nowadays so I am also looking at wedding festivals to attend so I can promote our gorgeous facility and grounds Since I have started at Christmount I have gotten to work most closely with Anne When she found out about the festival I hosted last year she started brainstorming ideas with me about fundraisers we could host at Christmount like an Oyster Roast I was skeptical at first but started researching it more and decided to try and figure out the logistics of it With the current COVID 19 situation I have tried to get creative about ways to bring in revenue and not waste some of the food supplies we have on hand We are currently serving dinners to the community three days a week I decided this would also help people with social distancing If someone didn t want to go shopping too frequently and if they wanted a break from cooking they could take a short trip to the dining hall to pick up their pre ordered meal I am also looking at helping emergency workers and shut ins or people who can t get out of their homes to get food Christmount has a great kitchen space and I fell in love with it as soon as I walked in With that being said there are some improvements that could be made to help make mine and our employees lives a little easier I am currently looking to replace our deli slicer our salad bars and the cabinets where drinks are served The slicer is very difficult to take apart making it harder to clean and sanitize I would also like to replace the salad bars with the kind that plug in and chill instead of having to put ice in them for each meal The cabinets are not a huge priority but if anyone happens to be remodeling their kitchen and has nice intact base cabinets to get rid of please know they will be put to good use I am also looking for additional commercial countertop food warmers to use instead of chafing dishes in order to be more efficient when we have events in other locations on campus Overall I m excited to be here and just want to help Christmount grow and become the most successful it can be Christmount Voice Page 10

News Briefs Helping the Community Soon after the gravity of the current situation began to sink in Christmount leadership began looking for ways to serve and support our local community Early in March the Black Mountain Fire Department contacted us to see if we would be willing to house first responders if needed We said Yes of course Soon afterward the Buncombe County Health Department called to see if we would house and feed those needing to shelter in place or anyone needing to be quarantined And we said Yes of course Then Bounty Soul a local provider of emergency food and social services reached out to see if we might have space for their staff and volunteers to safely sort and package meals for the community Again we said Yes of course special occasions But when the ground is wet it s hard to navigate the muddy terrain We are now taking orders for engraved pavers to make a beautiful pathway from the steps to the seating area and to pave around the seating area as well We re offering pavers for 150 each which includes engraving of up to three lines of 18 characters including spaces per line To order your paver call the Christmount office at 828 669 8977 We will continue to look for ways to serve our neighbors during this crisis Any help you can offer will extend our reach If you are able to give during this difficult time please do so We will get through this together New Safety Procedures for Family Camp Christmount at UNCA Career Fair Executive Director Rob Morris and Director of Adapted Programs Jon Blalock recently attended the Spring 2020 NextFest Career Fair at UNC Asheville While recruiting students for summer positions at Christmount and Camp Lakey Gap they also had a bit of fun with Rocky the Bulldog If you are interested in applying for or learning more about an internship or summer staff position email Rob Morris at rob christmount org Watters Garden Paver Project For everyone who has ever said I wish I could stay here forever well now you can Donate a brick paver for the Watters Garden and have your name or the name of a loved one engraved on it forever The serene beauty of the Watters Garden has made it a favorite spot for years for weddings other services and Page 11 Christmount Voice You might already feel like you re in the middle of a long endless experience of Family Camp right now as you shelter in place with your loved ones Consider it practice for your Family Camp getaway at Christmount This year we will practice social distancing between families and between staff and family members and activities will be conducted within the safety of your own family unit each day Meals will be served at your own table and other considerations will be taken into account to make the week safe and fun for all Each family will have their own separate accommodations either in Camp Cabins with new bunks or in the Guest House rooms And as always you ll have plenty of time for recreation The dates are June 28 July 3 Sign up at Christmount org familycamp It might just be the best part of your summer More Guest House Improvements Completed We are continuing to make improvements in our Guest House rooms with designated funds given specifically for this purpose This spring Guest House rooms 14 15 and 16 have just received new windows and new PTAC units making them much more comfortable and much more energy efficient Now there are only four more rooms to update on that side of the main Guest House then that whole row of rooms will be complete If you would like to designate some funds for a room please get in touch Renovations for a single room average around 10 000 christmount org

NOW MORE THAN EVER Along with so many other businesses and organizations across the country camp and conference centers have been dealt a big financial blow as a result of the pandemic How does a business model based on gathering people together survive these times of staying apart Despite significant changes in programming despite new refund policies and safety procedures we re still facing a significant drop in revenue And we re not alone The pandemic is affecting camps and conference centers everywhere Which camps will make it Which will survive As one leader recently observed the ones that survive are most likely the ones you give to We re doing our part Please do yours A gift to Christmount during these difficult times means more than ever Spring 2020 Whether you leave a legacy with a planned gift or make an immediate impact with an Annual Fund donation every dollar makes a difference Together we are creating the space for the next generation to move our world toward places of healing and wholeness Christmount Voice Page 12

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