“God’s Got This.”
Ready for Summer!
(3/19/2021)
After a long and empty winter, Twin Rocks is set to reopen! We learned this week that the State of Oregon will allow overnight camps for kids and youth in summer 2021. Unlike 2020, this summer Twin Rocks will offer Tween Camp, Surfside Camp, and Kids Camp (combining the traditional Boys & Girls Camps). Similar to 2020, we will also offer multiple weeks of Day Camp and the made-to-order Family Vacation Adventures. All camps will, of course, operate under COVID-19 safety protocols.
In concert with reopening, we are in the process of reconvening our staff team (and hiring a few new members), after a long layoff. Gratefully, most Twin Rocks staff members are ready and available to return.
God’s goodness is so readily apparent.
–Ken Beebe, Executive Director
Hitting the Pause Button…
(9/19/2020 Update – and revised 12/23/2020)
Dear Friends of Twin Rocks:
After a wonderfully successful summer, it is time to hit the pause button.
For the next several months, Twin Rocks will discontinue most operations, awaiting a time when COVID and safety restrictions reduce enough for campers to attend camp comfortably. Only a skeleton crew of staff remains at camp, but we look forward to ramping back up as soon as circumstances allow, which we anticipate occurring sometime in 2021. (Please be praying for a spring 2021 reopening. A successful summer season seems essential. THANKS!)
Two notable exceptions exist to this temporary shutdown:
- Harbor Villa Retreat Center remains open. The camp’s Harbor Villa beachfront cabins (located a mile north of the main camp) remain viable during COVID, given their size and in-house kitchens. (December Update: Increased COVID restrictions have narrowed Harbor Villa’s available offerings.)
- Childcare program opens for school-aged kids. Local families asked Twin Rocks to establish TRAILS, an all-day childcare program for local kids engaged in online distance learning. This program piggybacks on the summer’s popular Day Camps and serves 30 Tillamook County children each day. (December Update: The TRAILS program concluded in mid-November, following a reduction in the community’s need.)
Financially, this has been a difficult year for Twin Rocks, but in the midst of adversity, we have so many reasons to be thankful:
- A Wonderful Summer of Ministry. Despite a ban on 2020 overnight kids camps, ministry this summer exceeded expectations. We hosted seven weeks of family camps (including two specifically for families affected by disability) and five weeks of Day Camp. Day Camps offered Twin Rocks an enhanced opportunity to introduce Jesus to local kids.
- A Major Gift to Oceanfront Lots. A longtime friend of the camp donated $250,000 to facilitate purchase of oceanfront lots near the camp’s entry. This generous gift leaves just $220,000 yet to raise by 2022 to finalize this purchase.
- $100,000 in Gifts to Combat COVID Losses. More than 150 families combined to contribute nearly $100,000, providing a tremendous boost to Twin Rocks in the midst of COVID’s unique trial. (December Update: $130,000 received from 210 families! We are seeking $45,000 more in year-end giving, for $175,000 total in 2020.)
The overall health of Twin Rocks remains strong, but very large losses appear inevitable in 2020 and 2021. If you are able, a contribution to Twin Rocks at this time would provide enormous help. Thanks.
Gratefully,
Ken Beebe, Executive Director
Summer Camps Underway! (6/19/2020 Update)
Dear Friends of Twin Rocks:
Today we wrapped up a wonderful week of Day Camp! These 60 kids represent the first Twin Rocks campers in three months (last year we saw 4,600 campers during the same three months). This has been a smile-filled week – from campers, staff, and parents alike!
Next week 130 kids are vying for 100 available slots.
Family Vacation Adventures await us in July and August! These unique, personalized camps will allow families to get outdoors and enjoy time together amid a wide range of fun camp activities. We are quite excited about this new program and its unique potential.
While discouraged by the forced cancellation of our overnight kids/youth camps, we are finding great joy in the prospect of meaningfully ministry to summertime families.
We are thanking the Lord for His goodness.
–Ken Beebe, Executive Director
Overnight Summer Youth Camps Canceled
(6/4/2020 Update)
Dear Friends of Twin Rocks:
We are deeply saddened by the news that the State of Oregon will not permit overnight camps for children and youth to operate during summer 2020. Our hearts go out to our campers, as we know that this will be disheartening for each of them (and our staff!), as we continue on this long and arduous COVID-19 journey. That said, we are grateful for the care for camper safety identified by those at the Oregon Health Authority and Governor’s Office.
Twin Rocks remains able to operate Day Camps for kids/youth, so we have added two Day Camp sessions in late June and may expand these offerings later in the summer.
Family Camping. We have also gratefully learned that families desiring to rent Twin Rocks’ cabins will be able to so. Family camping guidelines are not yet final, but please check back with us, as we are eager to serve families this summer in this meaningful way.
Today I am reminded of the words of an old hymn:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love
Thank you, Lord, for being our anchor, even in the face of fierce storms.
God’s still got this.
–Ken Beebe, Executive Director
A Speed Bump in Our Summer Camp Plans…
May 15, 2020
Twin Rocks’ summer camp plans slowed today when we learned that at this time, Governor Brown’s summer camp guidelines do not permit overnight camps. This news came as somewhat of a surprise, as the final draft of the guidelines issued last week indicated that both day camps and overnight camps would immediately be cleared to operate (with safety restrictions). We are eager for overnight camps to reopen, but only when experts and authorities deem it safe, and we are sympathetic with those tasked with making these difficult decisions.
Instead, at this point, Twin Rocks can operate Day Camps, and we’ve scheduled two great Day Camps in late June.
The summertime status of overnight camps is uncertain, though we remain hopeful that restrictions will be eased prior to July 1’s start to our traditional slate of overnight camps. We will keep you posted as we learn more.
In the meantime, please register for camp! For registration and details about Day Camp, Boys Camp, Girls Camp, Tween Camp, and Surfside Camp, please click here. Safety guidelines will likely cap these camps at 100 campers each, so early registrations are encouraged. Refunds will be made in full if camp is cancelled.
Our summer camp season will certainly look different from prior summers, as dozens of new safety procedures will be in place to fully comply with State restrictions.
Earlier today, acting independently from one another, two Twin Rocks staff members reminded me, “God’s got this!” What a blessing it is to lean on the Lord, knowing that whatever future we face, it’s fully in His hands.
Please join me in prayer for our summer camp season and our campers.
Ken Beebe, Executive Director
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AN APPEAL. Many have recently contributed generously to Twin Rocks in this time of great need. Thank you! Before this is over, Twin Rocks will undergo 13 straight weeks without any campers, followed by a summer with less than 50% of its normal attendance. If you are able, we would be grateful if you would mail in a check or use the “Donate” button below. Thanks.
May 11, 2020
Dear Friends of Twin Rocks:
We are cautiously rejoicing, as last week Oregon Governor Brown gave priority to summer camps in her Coronavirus re-opening guidelines. It appears that kids/youth camps can largely proceed according to plan, and on their originally scheduled dates.
We are encouraging people to register soon, as each camp will likely cap at 100 campers* in order to meet anticipated physical distancing requirements. Summer camp in 2020 will look somewhat different from prior summers, as dozens of new safety procedures will be in place to fully comply with State restrictions.
Like always, fun, adventure, worship, and a great dose of God’s beautiful creation await our campers this summer! For registration and details about Day Camp, Boys Camp, Girls Camp, Tween Camp, and Surfside Camp, please click here.
(While we are optimistic, we remain aware that circumstances may still dictate that we cancel camps, or travel restrictions could potentially preclude children from some geographic regions from journeying to Twin Rocks. If so, registration fees will be refunded in full.)
* Governor Brown’s camp guidelines do not permit large group gatherings. As such, all camp activities will take place in groups of 10. For the entire week of camp, each group of 10 campers will operate independently and remain at a safe distance from every other group of 10. At Twin Rocks, we see this as a very different – but workable – means of enjoying camp.
GUEST GROUP RENTALS. The summertime status of guest rental groups will vary group by group, as Twin Rocks seeks to safely and fully comply with restrictions set forth by the State of Oregon. For questions and assistance, please contact Guest Services Director Tiffany Van Dame: guestservices@twinrocks.org or 503-355-2284.
Overall, Twin Rocks remains healthy, but looks to face unprecedented financial losses this year. Therefore, please consider using the yellow “Donate” button at the bottom of this page. Thanks!
God continues to be so very good. Please continue to pray for this camp, that we would enjoy a fabulous, and safe, summer of ministry.
Blessings.
–Ken Beebe, Executive Director
