Dear friends of Camp Simpresca,

Writing this as Ontario reaches near record level snowfall, it seems hard to believe that summer will be here before we know it. And yet, before we know it, the grass will be green, school will be out, and young people will be having meaningful experiences at summer camps across the country.

By now you know that Camp Simpresca has taken a hiatus for this summer in order to thoughtfully consider what the way forward may be. An interim board of directors has been appointed and is working hard to identify challenges and opportunities.

On behalf of the interim board, we wish to thank all those who gave their time, energy, and love to Camp Simpresca over the years: the board members who worked tirelessly with fewer and fewer resources, the staff and youth volunteers who gave their all in the name of safety and fun, the campers who built new skills and made new friends, and the parents who volunteered their time, donated generously, transported campers, and most importantly entrusted the Simpresca community with the care of their young people

In the coming months, we hope to arrange a town hall style meeting to share information and updates, as well as hear from you – those who care about camp at Simpresca. Please stay tuned for more information.

In the interim, we wanted to make sure Camp families were aware of the three other United Church camps in the area. We invite you to check out:

*Camp Big Canoe 705-645-4963 | 705-645-4963 (site) 1012 Sherwood Forest Road RR 5 Bracebridge, ON P1L 1X3 www.campbigcanoe.ca - director@campbigcanoe.ca

*Camp Scugog 905-986-4401 | 905-986-4401 (site) 19400 St. Christopher’s Beach Road, Nestleton, ON L0B 1L0 www.campscugog.org - director@campscugog.org

*Sparrow Lake Phone: 905-527-2135 Address:1437 United Church Camp Lane, Severn Bridge, ON P0E 1N0 www.sparrowlakecamp.com - director@sparrowlakecamp.com

Should you have further inquiries or questions please direct your email to Diane Matheson-Jimenez, Interim Board Secretary - DMatheson@united-church.ca

We welcome your prayers and good thoughts as the interim board names next steps, and we look forward to meeting with you at a town hall gathering in the coming months.

Sincerely,

Chris Bennett, Interim Board Chair

Diane Matheson-Jimenez, Interim Board Secretary

Rev. Jody Maltby, Interim Board Treasurer