Wesley Forest Camp and Retreat

We shared this on our Instagram yesterday (@wesleyforescamp) but we want to share it with our Facebook Fam too because it's such a special image... This picture may not look like much, but y'all, it's is EVERYTHING to us! We snapped this quickly on Sunday as our first campers of 2021 were arriving. Our first campers since August 2019! Real talk: We could not have made it through this past year+ without your prayer, love, support, encouragement, donations, helping hands, and ...camp story sharing. Thank you for loving Wesley Forest well, for believing so deeply in this ministry, and for getting us through such a challenging time <3. Welcome back to camp!! PS - We use our Facebook page to share a lot of news and information, and our Instagram (@wesleyforestcamp) to share a lot of pictures. Go give us a follow, and stay tuned because we can't wait to share pictures of this season with you!

It's the last day of Staff Training, and that seems like the perfect time to introduce the final member of our Summer Staff! We are SO excited to have Macie on staff this year! Through her uber talent and creativity, she's developed a brand new program for campers this year called Art Hikes! She's also bravely taken the lead in organizing the Craft Building for the summer which is no small task! She's awesome, and we can't wait for you to meet her! Hometown: Hollidaysburg, P...A School/Year/Major: Seton Hill University, Junior, Art Education Favorite thing about camp: The view up at Chimney Rock What are you most looking forward to this summer?: Working with an awesome staff and getting to meet new people. Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough When I'm not daydreaming about camp, you can usually find me...Watching Netflix, reading, listening to my record player, or working on some kind of art project. If I could travel anywhere in the world...I'd want to go to Scotland and Ireland because I was an Irish Dancer for over 12 years, so I have a strong connection to Celtic music and culture. Many of my ancestors come from that region as well. My advice to campers this summer: Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, but be yourself and have fun.

We're in our second week of Staff Training here at camp and the Summer Staff is absolutely rocking it! We're so glad that Levi is part of our summer team! He's a long time camper, first time camper, and we can't wait for you to meet him! Hometown: Laurelton, PA School/Year/Major: Penn State University, Sophmore, Plant Science. ... Favorite thing about camp: Hiking all the trails. What are you most looking forward to this summer? Growing in my walk with God and my relationships with others. Favorite ice cream flavor: Maple When I'm not daydreaming about camp, you can usually find me...At Starbucks, the skate park, or reading a good book. If I could travel anywhere in the world...I'd want to go to Scandinavia because fjords, forests, reindeer, and Swedish pancakes! My advice for camper this summer: Don't be afraid to ask questions! They will spark deeper conversations about your faith and help you to grow.

A slightly long but full of encouraging summer camp news post! Read on, friends! Did you know that as camp centers we are asked to follow specific state guidelines for operating summer camps? This means that when general state and CDC COVID19 health updates are made, they don’t always apply to our camp settings. When camp specific updates at the state and CDC level are made, we methodically and prayerfully make adjustments that best fit our unique camp spaces. It often tak...es us a few days to gather information, have discussions, make decisions, and then communicate changes through proper channels. This is our process for making updates to the COVID19 Health and Safety Plan. We’re excited to announce that we have updates to share about masking this summer! Following CDC guidance for youth camps, individuals in Cabin Groups do not need to wear masks or distance when they are together. Family Groups (combined Cabin Groups) do not need to wear masks outdoors except when in crowded settings or during sustained close contact activities. Family Groups will wear masks when indoors. *Special Needs campers and volunteers will need to continue to follow stricter mask guidelines per PA State Office of Developmental Programs. To see all of the details on our updated COVID19 Health and Safety Plan please visit www.susumcamps.org/index.php/summer-camp/camps-covid19. Lastly, a camp session's registration will close 2 weeks prior to camper arrival so that all campers and volunteers can complete the 14 Day Pre Camp Health Practice Form. During these 14 days, we’re asking folks to follow CDC guidelines for safer activities so that everyone can arrive to camp in a healthy state. Here are those guidelines: www.cdc.gov//daily-life-cop/participate-in-activities.html. To see the 14 Day Form, please visit www.susumcamps.org. For specific questions please email [email protected].

Spread the word: We are seeking volunteer counselors and nurses for a few weeks this summer! Camp is a mission field, and we’re looking for volunteers to be part of it! Our volunteer leaders are the backbone of the summer camp program. They are the caretakers, encouragers, helpers, listeners, supporters, cheerleaders, mentors, comforters, and motivators. We are currently seeking volunteers for a variety of weeks including elementary and jr/sr high. Counselors are 18+ years of... age and are responsible for direct supervision of campers. Training, guidance, and support is provided. Nurses help care for the overall health of the camp community for the week. If you are interested in more information about volunteering as a counselor or nurse this summer, email [email protected]. Current and former counselors and nurses, leave a comment about WHY you volunteer at camp! See more

Staff Intro Time!! Please give a warm welcome back to Ethan! Ethan has been helping out around camp for the last week - hanging signs, organizing cleaning kits, doing inventory, stocking shelves, and feeding the Camp Director plenty of Gushers and Pop-Tarts during Zoom meetings. We're grateful for his help already and excited to have him back on staff this summer! Hometown: Hollidaysburg, PA School/Year/Major: Penn State Altoona, Senior, Electromechanical Engineering Techn...ology. Favorite things about camp: The solitude and beauty of the woods and the incredible communities that form between people of different backgrounds. What are you most looking forward to this summer? Living in the Forest and helping people have an incredible camp experience. Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate marshmallow When I'm not daydreaming about camp, you can usually find me...reading a book in a hammock, playing music, and relaxing in the woods. If I could travel anywhere in the world...I'd want to go to Northern Russia because I'd love to live as far north as possible, with cold weather, natural beauty, and quiet. My advice for campers this summer: Enjoy the opportunity to see people and have experiences you don't usually get to have; so much of the value of camp comes from appreciating experiences that only come around so often, so take a chance and try something new. You will have the time of your life!