Updates are listed by date.
Previous posts that are invalidated by new information will be removed. 
Information specific to SUMMER CAMPS and GUEST GROUPS is COMING SOON.
March 30, 2020:
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced today Executive Order 55, a "stay at home" mandate which prohibits leaving home for non-essential purposes, in effect from March 30 until June 10, unless it's later amended or rescinded. For now, we at Camp Bethel plan to "wait and see" how weekly updates inform this changeable timeline before we amend our planned schedule of Summer Camps. So, for now, our Summer Camps are on as scheduled.

Leaving home for exercise is allowed as long as persons do not gather in groups of ten or more.  Camp Bethel's 470 acres adjoin the vast Jefferson National Forest. This provides ideal "paths less traveled" as described in Roanoke Outside's guidelines for "Social Distancing Outside." However, individuals and families must still minimize "touchpoints," practice "physical distancing," and NOT impact other people by traveling home-to-car-to-trail and back.  Our March 26, 2020 post remains valid; see below.

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March 26, 2020:
​Need a walk in the woods? Need some Nature Therapy? IF you can isolate in your car and NOT impact other people (home-to-car-to-camp and back), we welcome individual or family "social distance-able = physical distance-able" Cyclists, Hikers, and Walkers to explore our isolated trails, forests, and creeks. Gates are closed, so park in the "Front Creekside" grass area, get a trail map from the office porch, minimize your "touchpoints", and do not enter any facilities.
Otherwise, stay healthy, stay home, "social distance = physical distance", wash hands, and take care of each other.

Read Roanoke Outside's article about "Social Distancing Outside"
https://www.roanokeoutside.com/social-distancing-outside/
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March 24, 2020: 
​Camp Bethel is a safe and healthy place for everyone. The safety and health of campers, guests, and staff is always our highest priority. We have a long history of care, and our policies and practices ensure safe and high-quality experiences.

We know these are anxious and unprecedented times for you and your family. We will continue to update this page to communicate our response to COVID-19 and the impact on your Camp Bethel plans for Summer Camps (still on as scheduled), Summer Staff employment (still on as scheduled), Guest Groups, School Field Trips, and Upcoming Events/Festivals. 

We are keeping office hours, and only essential personnel may enter the office. Guests and families MUST check with your event leaders and schools about your specific event. Meanwhile, stay healthy, stay home, "social distance = physical distance", wash hands, and take care of each other.

March 28 Spring Workday is postponed until further notice.
March 28 Summer Camp Open House is postponed until further notice.
April 3-4 Sounds of the Mountains Festival is now an online "At-Home Festival" available April 4 with ticket refund-or-donor options.

SUMMER CAMPS ARE ON AS SCHEDULED, for now. Summer Staff jobs are on as scheduled. More information coming soon. We believe this will be one of the best summers yet at Camp Bethel. We look forward to an exciting and fun-filled summer. Learn more at our SUMMER CAMPS page. 

The Camp Staff are working to provide plans and options for Guest Groups who had to cancel their events. We will email these options to each Guest Group's contact person. Add CampBethelOffice@gmail.com to your contacts so that you receive our messages.

Other updates are coming soon. Thank you for your patience!

Together, in Christ our hope,

Barry LeNoir,
​Director at Camp Bethel in Fincastle, VA