Dear campers, staff, family and friends,

This is the difficult news we have been hoping not to write, the same difficult news that you have hoped would not be written. Sadly, for the summer of 2020, Camp Betsey Cox will be closed. 

Over the past weeks we have studied every possible piece of scientific information that has been made available in order to find a clear path towards camp opening.  Additionally, we have taken careful consideration of the directives from the State of Vermont’s Governor Scott and his medical advisers,  from the Center for Disease Control, and from the American Camp Association, our accrediting organization.  We have also designed and studied many scenarios for opening in creative new ways.  Our imaginations yearned to be able to make one of our ideas into action.  We so regret that it just cannot come to be.  The risks to you and yours and our commitment to your safety and well-being, as well as to our larger communities,  are insurmountable this season.  Additionally, the guidance we have received and studied about how we could open requires conditions that would make camp very different from the place and the program we all love.

Since early March we have stayed in close touch with the camp community through our own messages, on the Betsey Cox Instagram, YouTube and Facebook accounts and through the many kind messages you have sent our way.  We have loved sending out daily inspiration and Sunday Vespers.   As the summer months approach, we will continue to stay in touch in these and other ways,  and we hope that many of you will send news to us.  We promise to create Bubbler editions, and other posts regularly.  Send us your news and we will be happy to share! These connections will help hold us all closely together, no matter where we find ourselves this summer.

For families and friends who have lovingly covered costs for camp this summer,  we have the following options: 1)You may choose to apply all or part of any tuition payments to secure a place for the summer of 2021.  2)We will refund the payments you have already made except for your non-refundable deposit. 3) To help us with this summer’s fixed costs in these unprecedented and hopefully unique times, and if you are able financially, you may choose to donate some or all of your tuition payments. Your tax-free donation can be made through the General Breed/Vermont Campership Fund.  We will be grateful for any donations.   Please be in touch with Devri by email or phone if you want to reserve your spot for 2021, discuss your refund details, make a donation, or for any other financial questions. 

Finally, we are excited to say that application information for the summer of 2021 will be out this summer!   We believe that sharing our summer 2021 plans and starting the application process soon would help us all feel the reality…that “we will all be together again”, and not too far into the future.

Betsey Cox is a singing camp.  We close this message with a well-loved camp song for you to sing that reminds us both of the present moment while also confirming the wonderful moments that lie ahead.  We were so pleased that the song’s composer,  James Taylor, chose to sing this song along with his wife and son, in order to inspire many listeners in these times.  Click on the link and….sing along while camp memories wash over you. You can find the link and the words on the next page.  

Sending warm wishes to each and every one of you. Please do stay in close touch over the next few days and months.  We would love to hear from you.  

Fondly,

Lorrie and Devri Byrom

 

YOU CAN CLOSE YOUR EYES  by James Taylor

The sun is slowly sinking down, but the moon is slowly rising. This old world must still be spinning round. And I still love you. So close your eyes, you can close your eyes, it’s all right. I don’t know no love songs, but I can’t sing the blues any more. But I can sing this song.  And you can sing this song when I’m gone.

It won’t be long before another day.   And we’re gonna have a good time. No one can take that time away. You can stay as long as you like. So close your eyes, you can close your eyes, it’s alright. I don’t know no love songs, but I can’t sing the blues any more. But I can sing this song, and you can sing this song when I’m gone.