Spring
2021

Dear Friends of Mountain View,

We trust each of you have been well and walking closely with the Lord.

On Saturday, January 23, the Board of Trustees and camp staff meet via Zoom to counsel together and consider the impact of the continuing pandemic on the scheduled spring camp sessions. After consulting a few additional contacts in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas, it is clear that the March and April programs will not be able to happen as planned. This means that Men’s Retreat, Women’s Confidential, Spring Family Weekend and Spring Junior Intermediate Weekend are cancelled.

We know this is a disappointment for many. Those of us who serve at the camp are also saddened by this necessary decision. We miss seeing campers and staff being active here on the hill.

We continue to monitor restrictions for face to face gatherings in schools and congregations throughout the north east. As more are able to return to these activities regularly in their local areas, camp will be freer to resume more normal program activities. Until then, we pray often for past campers and staff. Please be encouraged. God is in control!

Jon Stassel
Administrator

Summer/Fall
2020

Due to Covid-19 and the extensive CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel all 10 weeks of traditional camp sessions in addition to having had to close the spring weekends since mid-March. Our summer, just like the spring, will not look like it has during the past 51 years; however, in order to provide an opportunity to still "come apart and rest for a while”, and enjoy the camp experience and beautiful surroundings while growing closer to God, we are offering a unique program for this summer.

On June 12, the state of Pennsylvania has declared our region to be in the Green zone, “a new normal” which gives us the opportunity to reopen with certain restrictions. We are excited to announce that we will be providing three long-weekend camp sessions for families and couples starting in mid-July (see dates below). Each camp session will start Friday evening after supper and end Monday morning after breakfast.

The following practices will be in place during each session:

Each family or couple will have their own sleeping area and bathroom for their exclusive use.
All facilities will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after each session.
Because of the CDC regulations, the sessions will be different than a typical Family Weekend. Meals will be “take-out” style. Bible lessons, session activities, and meals will be at your designated “family picnic table” in the pavilion.
Shared spaces such as the main building and activity center will be closed, but we will have fun and safe outdoor activities planned for each weekend! The pool will also be open, so bring bathing suits, towels, and your own lawn chairs. In case rain changes some of our plans, be sure to bring rain gear, umbrellas, and board games.

We will have space in each session for about 10 families or couples. Why not organize a group of families and couples to get out of the house and, while practicing physical distancing, draw near to God with a mountain-top experience! Space is limited and room assignments will be on a first come first serve basis!

Please register online early, so that we can prepare accordingly.

For further information and details on these weekends, please review our FAQ’s below for Summer/Fall 2020.

After registering online, download the 2020 Waiver to be signed and sent to camp to complete your registration.

Cancelled - Men's Retreat

March 6th, 2021 Ages 18 and up
Ages 14 and up with father or mentor

Camp realizes that men are already away from home so much due to work and other commitments. This one-day event is designed as an encouraging boost which starts with breakfast and ends with the evening meal. The day is filled with lecture-style teaching, discussion groups, fellowship times, and of course, great food.

Cancelled - Women's Confidential

March 26 - 28th, 2021 Ages 18 - 30

Women’s Confidential is for younger women ages 18 to 30. It is a time to talk practically about our relationship with God. It is a place where one can come and be real about their struggles and questions in a safe, relaxed environment.

Cancelled - Spring Family Weekend

April 2 - 4th, 2021 All Ages

This weekend is for the whole family. Get away together and enjoy connecting and reconnecting with each other and with other families. Be encouraged by those who are walking in similar paths of everyday life.

Cancelled - Jr./Int. Weeekend

April 16 - 18th, 2021 Ages 8-13

This session helps focus young people on what matters most – a personal relationship with God. Committed counselors and staff encourage and guide campers through this session with age appropriate activities and Biblical teaching.

FAQ’s
for Summer/Fall 2020

What are the dates and topics of these weekends?

The dates are:

July 17-20,2020 – The Work of Faith
July 24-27,2020 – The Labor of Love
August 7- 10, 2020 – The Endurance of Hope

Each weekend starts Friday evening after supper and ends Monday morning after breakfast.

Steve Campbell will be sharing these topics during the three scheduled weekends.

What will be the cost?

Adults: $120
Children 8-12: $100
Children 4-7: $80
Children 0-3 free

An optional “Family Rate” for those needing a little help during this time of life: $350

Each weekend includes up to 3 nights, up to 7 meals and up to two snacks. We are sorry that we cannot offer further discounts for late arrivals or early departures.

How do I register?

Please register online here

How will lodging be arranged?

We are thankful for our newly built, air-conditioned duplexes. Each family will have their own room with a private bathroom. There will be no shared bathrooms with other families. There will be public restrooms near the pavilion and pool for emergency use only.

How will meals be served?

Meals will be “take-out” style, individually packaged, to be picked up near the kitchen and eaten at your “designated” picnic table in the pavilion.

What about food allergies?

If you indicate in your registration beforehand that someone in your family has certain food allergies or dietary restrictions such as gluten, we will do our best to adjust that person’s menu. Please contact Sam Bishay at 570-540-7561 at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to discuss meals for specific health needs.

What activities can we do at camp?

Since the CDC recommends the great outdoors to be the best option while practicing distancing, we plan to do everything outdoors or in our open air pavilion. There will be daily devotions for families as well as family Bible sessions. During the afternoons and evenings there will be opportunity to swim in our pool, go fishing at our pond, play Frisbee golf and miniature golf, and enjoy hikes, scavenger hunts, campfires, “drive-in” movies, and other outdoor activities.

Bring your own fishing rods, marshmallow sticks, sports equipment, cornhole games, etc., if you have them. If you have younger children, please bring toys to help keep them occupied. Since activities will be outside, please bring lawn chairs, rain gear, and board games. The Sugar Shack will be open briefly during Saturday and Sunday to give the opportunity to buy packaged snacks, candy, drinks, and T-shirts.

Will any indoor buildings be open?

Our main building, pool changing rooms, and activity center will be closed. We also ask that you do not enter anyone else’s sleeping area or bathroom.

Will “social distancing” be required?

The CDC recommends that families stay 6 feet apart from other families. This does not mean, however, that you cannot interact with others or socialize. Parents are responsible to supervise their own children and ensure that their children are following the recommended guidelines.

Will campers be required to wear masks?

Masks will only be required for campers (over the age of 2) when they are inside a common building or are not able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others.

What else are you doing to minimize the possibility of virus spread?

The following are some examples of how we take measures to prevent the spread:

We thoroughly clean all sleeping areas and bathrooms with approved cleaning supplies during the five days between sessions. You need to bring your own bedding, pillow, towels, toiletries and hand sanitizer.
We will have hand sanitizer stations at strategic places on the property.
Our food service will be take-out style. You will have your designated picnic table in the pavilion for eating, sessions, etc.
We recommend 6 feet of distance between families and masks to be worn when necessary.
All common areas will be regularly cleaned.
We recommend you bring your own lawn chairs for personal use at campfires, pool times, and just relaxing. Please bring your own fishing equipment if you have it. Other shared equipment such as Frisbees, golf putters, etc., will be disinfected between uses.
As is usual with family weekends, we expect families to be responsible for their own health. We expect to have a nurse on call with procedures in place to deal with medical concerns. Urgent care clinics as well as an emergency department and hospital are within a 15-minute drive from MVBC.

What can I do in order to prepare to come and minimize the spread?

Watch for any Covid symptoms or other illnesses, such as fever, before you come. If you do not feel well, do not come. We will refund your fees or help reschedule your planned visit.
If you are health compromised in any way, please stay home.
Check your health every morning when you are here, just to make sure.
Bring your own bedding, pillows, towels, toiletries, and personal belongings for your stay.
Bring hand sanitizer for use as needed.
Bring your own sports equipment, games, picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and fishing rods if you plan to fish.
Bring your own refillable water bottles.

Spring 2021 Information

Spring
2021