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Evan

Presenting Camp Daniel’s Dining Hall!

By Building Camp Daniel

Presenting Camp Daniel’s dining hall!

Presenting Camp Daniel’s dining hall! Four years of vision and hard work. We cannot wait to share it with you!
This winter we have spent wrapping up the dining hall. We have finished all of the main construction which is a huge relief and starting tackling the many smaller detail jobs. The last large project was construction of the last large wall. This wall is designed to look like an old loading dock. First was putting up the garage doors, doing woodwork, bricking and mortaring, painting and then distressing! We finished the floors last week, meaning acid washing, dying, sealing the walkways and then installing carpet. A very satisfying job! Our outside-inside design has been fun to create and construct. Most of what is left to finish is putting up signs, decorations and final touches.
Our healthcare center and kitchen is complete. Our health center is stocked and ready for campers! Kitchen equipment and utensils have been put in place and we be have began testing and using the areas to get comfortable before summer camp!
The ally, the area between the dining hall and the theater, now has cobblestone, railings and the hanging lights! We found perfect tables used at the Restore for this area and have refinishing the tops to add to the area come spring.
Up next is finishing Al’s 50’s diner! Heat was installed so working in the winter now possible. This is a project everyone at camp is looking forward to.
Our staff and excellent volunteers are working long hard hours to finish these beautiful grounds, we are excited that these spaces will be used and loved this summer.
SAVE THE DATE: Camp Daniel’s Grand Opening – June 18, 2022. More details coming soon!

Cancelling Summer Camp 2020

By Cancellation, COVID-19

CANCELLING SUMMER CAMP 2020:

It is with heavy hearts and careful consideration, that we inform you that Camp Daniel’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors have made the difficult decision to cancel all summer camp sessions for 2020. Because the safety and well-being of our campers and volunteers is Camp Daniel’s number one priority, we believe this is the prudent response to the coronavirus pandemic.  For our campers and our volunteers, being close is a part of how we do things at camp; close quarters, physical care, swimming, high fives, hugs, meals, and activities. The fun and quality of care that is standard at Camp Daniel is not possible with the current safety restrictions. Above all, we believe it is our responsibility to lead in love, value, and protection of the disability community by putting the health and well-being of our campers at the forefront of our actions.

It is devastating to imagine our brand new campus sitting empty this summer. We know our campers, volunteers, interns and summer staff who were planning to spend the summer with us will be deeply disappointed. We share in that disappointment and grieve the loss of our time gathering this summer with our camp family. However, after consulting with public health officials, medical personnel, leaders within the disability community, and at the recommendation of Camp Daniel’s insurance company, we believe this to be the wisest decision for everyone involved.

The last consideration of our decision has been the completion of the dining hall. Since the restrictions implemented in March, we have lost all volunteer labor, which is crucial for completion of the dining hall. Additionally, we have not received some of the financial pledges that were designed for construction. These funds, are critical to make the dining hall operational. The extra hours our missionaries and interns are working have compensated for some of the volunteer shortages, but that cannot make up the financial shortcoming of 20%. 

Now more than ever, we need the prayer and support of our community. We have launched a new online shop with merchandise to give you an opportunity to support Camp Daniel and bring a piece of camp home to you. We also ask, if you have the ability, to prayerfully consider a donation of any size to help us make up for a financial shortcoming. We are dedicated to wisely stewarding all resources and continuing to provide the best programs and opportunities for our campers.

It is with great sadness that we share this decision with you, as we know the disappointment it will bring for so many, especially the campers who desperately need the love of Jesus shown through the relationships built at camp. This was to be our 25th year of camp, finally on our own campus. But because it is not to be, that does not mean we will lose trust in God’s plan. We will be looking for God’s blessings as we work our way to the other side of this pandemic. 

An email explaining the next steps in the cancellation process has been sent to the login emails used in the submission of 2020 camper applications.   Each camper will need to fill out a 2020 Cancellation Form by June 5th.   The form will tell Camp Daniel how  you would like to proceed with your camp fees that have already been deposited. For all volunteers: No further action is needed on your part to cancel applications.

Again, we love each of you and we share in your disappointment. Still, we hold fast to our trust in God’s plan for Camp Daniel and we are thankful for this community that supports us through these unprecedented times. 

Zoom:

While we are not able to meet in person this summer, we are working on ways to gather online with our Camp Daniel family. We are hosting weekly video calls via Zoom every Wednesday at 3pm CT to help connect while social distancing. It’s in no way a replacement of our time spent together at a week of camp, but we are already thankful for the campers and volunteers who have joined these online meetings. Head to campdaniel.org/events/zoom for more information.

Camp Store:

We launched an online camp store, The Trading Post, to help bring a bit of the magic of Camp Daniel to your doorstep. Check out all the Camp Daniel merchandise at shop.campdaniel.org! The Trading Post offers brand new camp apparel, mugs, hats, framed prints, stickers, bags, teddy bears, a Camp Daniel adult coloring book, and more. All profits from the shop will go to dining hall construction. 

Moving Forward:

Any further events on the Camp Daniel Campus will be based upon the recommendations of public health officials, medical personnel, leaders within the disability community, and our insurance company. We will continue to do our best to be transparent as new information is released and decisions are made. While we are cancelling our summer sessions, we are holding out hope for our camp family to reunite on our new campus in 2020. We look forward to a Grand Opening Ceremony and launch of a brand new vacation program as soon as it is safe for all.

Handling Of Camp Fees:

We are offering several options on handling fees already paid to Camp Daniel. Please consider which option is best for you and let us know by filling out the 2020 Cancellation Form (link). This Form must be submitted  by June 5th. Please allow 4 weeks for processing.  We appreciate your patience during this time. 

Agency Payments – If an agency was responsible for the camp fee, we will notify them of summer camp cancellation.  If you sent additional money to Camp Daniel for snack stand and/or gift shop, then a Cancellation Form must be filled out for that account balance.

Options:

Donate – Would you consider donating a portion of camp fee payments you’ve made to help us navigate this unprecedented financial challenge? Camp Daniel is a 501-(c)3 charitable organization. This option is tax deductible and you have the option to receive a tax receipt.

Gift Card – You can use all or a portion of your account balance to buy a Camp Daniel gift card in any amount.  A new camp t-shirt can soften the blow of camp being cancelled and offer something to look forward to!  The digital gift card can be used on merchandise at the online shop, The Trading Post. You can also buy a gift card for someone else who would love some new Camp Daniel gear. 

Partial Refund – Interested in a combo plan?  A partial refund will give you the opportunity to customize your account balance.

Partial refund options:

1. Donate a portion of your account balance to Camp Daniel. Indicate the amount to donate.  Any amount is tax-deductible. 

2. Spend a portion of your account on a Camp Daniel digital gift card to be used at the online shop, The Trading Post.

3. Receive the remainder of your account balance as a refund by the same method used to pay.  

Full Refund – Receive a full refund by the same method used to pay.

If you have any additional questions, please email registrar@campdaniel.org or call 715-757-3880. 

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19

Campers and volunteers do not need to be vaccinated to apply, although we strongly encourage vaccination against Covid-19.

Yes, the campus will be open for exploring during check-in.

If there is a suspected case within a cabin, families/homes of the other campers in the cabin will be contacted with the option to pick up campers early.

Amendment – Updated 02/15/2023

Following updated CDC recommendations Camp Daniel will not be requiring the use of face masks at summer camp. Our local community level is “low” so masking is completely optional and based on personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

If a camper gets sick within 14 days before their respective week of camp, they must reach out to camp with this information. We’ll do our best to get campers into a later week of camp once their symptoms go away.

Response to Work Days

By COVID-19

COVID-19 RESPONSE TO WORK DAYS:

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Camp Daniel workdays. We are cancelling the formal workdays scheduled for Saturday March 21st and April 18th, as well as closing our campus to anyone coming to volunteer between now and April 15th, 2020.  The health and safety of all our residents, staff, volunteers and campers is important to us. We will continue to monitor the government agency guidelines and adjust as needed. We will post updates on our website and our Facebook page.  In the meantime, stay healthy, know that each of you is missed, and that we are praying for you during this time.

Response to Summer Camp

By COVID-19

COVID-19 RESPONSE TO SUMMER CAMP:

For those of you wondering if camp is still happening this summer, the answer is we are currently moving forward as if camp will take place this summer. We are looking forward to welcoming you to the new grounds and sharing many new experiences with our campers and volunteers. BUT as you know, the situation with COVID-19 is rapidly changing and we don’t know how long it will take to contain the virus. Since we serve a vulnerable population, we want to take every precaution to ensure everyone’s health and safety and will not take any unnecessary risk. We are, and will continue, to follow the whatever guidelines government agencies put in place. The Camp Daniel team will decide regarding our summer camping season by May 15th, 2020. We will still be accepting applications so don’t wait and apply today! We will update both our website and our Facebook page with information as it becomes available.  The Camp Daniel family wishes you all good health, peace, love and hope.

Next update scheduled for Friday, May 15th!

Ground Breaking News!

By 20/20 Campaign, Building Camp Daniel

We Broke Ground On The Dining Hall This Week! But We Need Your Help.

We are excited to announce that we broke ground on the dining hall! We have raised 72% of the funds for the shell but are still in need $139,000 to finish the shell. Builders are here doing as much as they can with the amount of money we have raised. As the funds become available we will continue building. We ask you to partner with us to complete the vision of a fully accessible campground that’s just as creative and unique as the people who will use it. Your support of Camp Daniel shows people with disabilities that they are valued and loved. You can provide the opportunity for hundreds more to attend camps, retreats and events designed specifically for people who have physical and developmental disabilities.

Through your kindness and generosity, we can change lives.

“The 8,500 square foot dining hall space will sit 200 people, which will make it among the largest banquet facilities in Marinette County. This space will also serve as a training center for people with disabilities to become banquet workers. The facility will include: main dining room, quiet room for people who are sensory sensitive, full commercial kitchen, stage and health center.”

To learn more about the 20/20 Vision Capital Campaign visit campdaniel.org/2020

Donate Now!

Fundraising Progress














$361,000
$950,000 $850,000 $750,000 $650,000 $550,000 $450,000 $350,000 $250,000 $150,000 $50,000 $0
Campaign Complete! Complete Dining Hall Shell of Dining Hall

Check this out! Footage of the ground breaking and new construction!