Dear Mountain View Bible Camp Friends, Camp Users and Supporters  – 

        As you know, The Board made the difficult decision earlier this year to not open MVBC for the 2020 season due to COVID-19 related issues. While we were saddened and disappointed by this decision, it turned out to be the best decision for our user groups and the camp. We made this decision with the expectation we would be able to open the camp for the 2021 season. The Board has spent considerable time over these last few months discussing the steps and preparations needed to open the camp this coming year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 However, we have recently learned a few things about the upcoming year that have caused us to review our plans for 2021. One issue is that some user groups are not ready to return to MVBC, as they are still working through the impacts of COVID-19 on their ministry. A couple of the groups that did plan to use MVBC in 2021 really don’t know how many attendees they will be able to bring to the camp, which affects their ministry and our potential income. The other issue is the recent and continued resurgence of COVID-19 cases across Maryland and our region. This trend is unfortunately predicted to continue into the spring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               MVBC derives some of its operating income from camp user fees. We have camp opening and operating costs that exceed the revenue projections from the groups who have made reservations for 2021. Also, we do not yet know what safety protocols and measures will be needed in order to open and operate the camp in the future. So at our recent meeting, the Board decided to suspend overnight camping for the 2021 season. We are as disappointed about this news as we know you are, but it was the only choice given the information presented above.                                                                                                                                                We appreciate your understanding of this news and look forward to communicating updates and better news in the future. Please keep MVBC and the Board in your prayers as we gather information and develop plans for re-opening the camp.                                                                                                                           Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Bob Jurick                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Chairman of the Board                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Mountain View Bible Camp