We have A LOT happening at Caroline Furnace in October. Here are the important dates and deadlines, all in one place. We recommend that you print and highlight the ones that are important to you OR add them to your online calendar!
October 1: Summer 2021 pre-registration opens for Summer 2020 families. October 4: deadline to sign up for the Run4Camp 5K and Read-a-Thon October 9: deadline to sign up for Fall Work Day IF you'd like overnight lodging October 15: Summer 2021 pre-registration opens to everyone! October 16: deadline to sign up for Adventure Weekend, Oct 30 to Nov 1 October 18: Outdoor Worship at 4:30 by St. John's Chapel October 18: First day of Winter Camp at Home! October 24: Fall Work Day (overnight lodging available upon request) October 24: deadline to sign up for Winter Camp at Home, Session One October 25: last day of Read-a-Thon! November 1: Join us in the Run4Camp 5K! Remote and on-site options.
Stay tuned for more details on our Online Store, opening in mid-October!
Because the World Needs Caroline Furnace Tomorrow
Get a shareable, print-friendly PDF of the fall mail update here:
2020 has been a tough year for all of us, and especially for your outdoor ministry. We are experiencing an estimated loss of $200,000 in revenue from overnight Summer Camp and year-round retreat groups. Although we were blessed with a grant from the CARES Act, it only provided partial support for continued operations. Expenses are ongoing and include salary, insurance, mortgage, utilities, maintenance, and office equipment. You can help us continue through the pandemic so that we may provide unforgettable experiences for the next generation - experiences we have continued to provide even in these difficult times.
Your continued and generous partnership in ministry will ensure we reach next summer, and the next, so campers and counselors may return once again to sing by a campfire, run through the fields, swim in the lake, look up at the stars, and build community together - for decades to come.
We will get through this together. Saving your outdoor ministry starts NOW.
Six Month Campaign Goal: $200,000
1. Send an above-and-beyond, one-time gift between now and March 2021.
2. Set up online 20 for 20 monthly giving (ACH preferred) in 2020 and beyond.
3. Ask your church leaders about congregational support for Caroline Furnace.
Didn't get a copy of our fall update by mail? We may not have the latest contact info for you. Update your contact info by replying to this email with your full name, mailing address, and phone number. Let's keep in touch!
Another easy way to give back to Caroline Furnace? AmazonSmile
Select Caroline Furnace as your charitable organization and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchases, with no extra cost to you. All you have to do is use your existing account to shop at smile.amazon.com. This can really add up for Caroline Furnace (it's like Christmas for your favorite nonprofit!) and is especially true right now, with the growth in online shopping in 2020 and the upcoming holiday season. Get set up at the link below and give back while doing your online shopping!
We are hosting a Read-a-Thon for all ages from October 5 to 25. To participate, simply find sponsors, read books, and keep track of your reading hours.
We need your support today because the world needs Caroline Furnace tomorrow. Get your books together and let's help save Caroline Furnace! The reading heroes with the most hours will earn a special prize.
Find the Read-a-Thon kit with sponsor cards, custom bookmarks, and a reading log here:
Join Caroline Furnace and other Lutheran Outdoor Ministries across the nation in a Run4Camp 5K on November 1st (All Saints Day)! Sign up by October 4 and find sponsors by November 1.
On 5K day, you can run, walk, jog, hike, ski, wheelchair and/or rollerboard your 5K course. Choose your own remote course, or come to Caroline Furnace to trail-run your 5K on site!
Either way, join the celebratory virtual "finish line" party from 2 to 5pm EST, hosted by the LOM Network.
We are offering every opportunity to experience Summer Camp in 2021: Come as a family, as an overnight camper, or from home!
October 1: Summer 2021 pre-registration opens for Summer 2020 families October 15: Summer 2021 pre-registration opens for everyone! (deposit not required) October 18: First day of Winter Camp at Home!
NEW! Winter Camp at Home is weekly on Sunday afternoons, 4:30 to 6pm. Session One is October 18 to December 13. Session Two is January 17 to March 14. Cost is $20 per session. Spend time with your favorite camp counselors each week, building community, participating in group discussions, and having fun with games and activities together!
All are welcome to join us for an ecumenical outdoor worship series at St. John's Chapel! Worship will be on each third Sunday at 4:30pm, rain or shine. The Spring Field will be open by 4pm. Bring your own lawn chairs, picnic blankets, snacks, and musical instruments. Bulletins and/or a projector screen will be available. Social distancing is expected among separate households. No cost to participate; no RSVP needed.
Join us in giving back to Caroline Furnace! Fall Work Day will focus on outdoor projects that allow for small groups and social distancing. And don't worry, we have PLENTY of outdoor projects that we need your help with. A picnic lunch will be provided. Overnight lodging is available; contact us for more info or to reserve your cabin. Health pre-screening is required for overnight volunteers - make your plans by October 9.
Oct 30 to Nov 1: Adventure Weekend Our next Adventure Weekend is February 5 to 7, 2021
Come enjoy all of your favorite camp activities in the fall! Try out new and exciting activities - horseback riding and rock climbing included! Choose your own adventure. We'll have some safe, distanced activities available on-site at camp, plus we can connect you with our local partners for safe, fun activities on the mountain, trail, or patio.
*Reserve your cabin at least two weeks in advance.* Make plans soon; space is limited. Each cabin will be limited to one family group. Call (540) 449-0012, email julie@carolinefurnace.org, or reply to this email update to book your cabin for Adventure Weekend!
Fall Leaf Color Peaks in mid-October. Reserve your cabin now! Meals included.
We are open for retreats this fall! We are doing our best to mitigate risk and ensure best practices for our retreat groups, and will continue to host groups who want to come on retreat. We know that our retreat groups face a number of challenges this fall/winter, and we can help design a retreat plan that works for you.
1. Learn more about family and group retreats below, and what we are doing to help you stay safe while at Caroline Furnace.
2. Get in touch with our staff! Let's set up a Zoom meeting or phone call to discuss how we can best serve your group. Call (540) 449-0012, email julie@carolinefurnace.org, or reply to this email update.
Questions? Concerns? Ask us about:
Transportation logistics
Health screening and check-in procedures
Small group cohorts and programs
Hybrid options and Wi-Fi zones
and more!
Show your support!
Sign the petition (linked below).
Caroline Furnace has joined the Coalition of Virginia's Overnight Summer Camps to #SaveNextSummer.
We are urging state representatives to provide financial support for our industry, so that we may continue to serve children and families (and YOU!) across the Commonwealth in 2021 and beyond.
