Safety, health concerns prompt Asbury Hills to cancel camp this summer

A pledge to be safe and follow Methodism founder John Wesley’s urging to “do no harm” amid the coronavirus pandemic has prompted Asbury Hills to cancel its summer camp plans this year.

“In an effort to do no harm, and to preserve the integrity of an outstanding camping experience at Asbury Hills, one that you have come to know over the last 58 years, it is with heavy hearts that we the staff and board make the most difficult decision to suspend camp for the summer of 2020,” said Arthur W. Spriggs, executive director of South Carolina Camps & Retreat Ministries, a ministry of the South Carolina Conference.

Spriggs said he and the others on SCCRM will continue to keep each family in prayer as families begin to make alternate plans for the summer. SCCRM will provide various online resources that families might want to take advantage of to help children cope with the loss of not being able to attend camp this summer.

“We can only imagine your disappointment in this devastating news after everything else we are sure your family has had to endure over the last few months due to COVID-19,” Spriggs said. “Please keep us in your prayers as well as we begin to navigate the tough waters ahead.”

Families seeking a full refund can do so by filling out and submitting a form at https://tinyurl.com/ah-camp-refund. Those who are able to support Asbury Hills and SC Camps & Retreat Ministries during this difficult time by donating all or part of the deposit or fees can also do so, or transfer their deposit to go toward camp next summer.

For more information on all of this, visit https://asburyhills.org.

“Thank you for your trust and belief in us to produce safe and quality Christian camping,” Spriggs said. “We will begin preparing right now for next summer in efforts to produce the best summer ever. We look forward to coming back strong in 2021.”