06/02/2020
Good Morning,
Regretfully, the Pioneer Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cease all operations at Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center and close our doors after Labor Day weekend.
The letter that is included after this message was sent to the LCMS Eastern District today.
WEDDINGS - Many of you were expecting this news with everything that has been going on with COVID-19 and the restrictions that have been placed on events at this point. I truly wish that we were able to have your wedding as planned, but it is best to cancel. The restrictions of facemasks, social distancing, and travel difficulties would make the wedding you have planned for impossible to have and I feel you deserve the best.
SUMMER CAMPS – I know Pioneer is an especially important part of your family plans for the summer and while we wish we did not have to cancel; we believe this is the best decision to make. Many of our campers come from out of the area (Ohio, Michigan, Canada, and Pennsylvania) and it would be difficult to social distance.
In accordance with New York State operating guidelines, Camp Pioneer intends to make cabin rentals available through the Labor Day weekend. It is our hope that those who wish to visit Camp Pioneer this summer may be able to take advantage of the cabin rental program. To protect our staff, guests and comply with government guidelines, we are limiting the number of families on site. We may be able to offer paintball, laser tag, and non-motor boating too, if these are booked well in advance.
RETREATS – If your retreat was scheduled to take place and falls into the all the criteria below, it still may take place:
• before Labor Day weekend
• requires no food service
• has limited needs from our staff
Each retreat that meets these criteria will be reviewed individually and a decision will be reached once we know what the re-opening requirements and restrictions are known for Phase 4. Those retreats that are being reviewed should consider if that want to move forward. Please contact Brian Sreniawski, the Interim Executive Director ([email protected]) for assistance with your decision making and planning needs.
Retreats that do not meet the criteria above, are cancelled.
DEPOSITS – At this moment, Pioneer does not have the cash on hand to return every deposit we have taken for camps, weddings, and retreats. We are in the process of getting the assistance we need to return all your deposit monies as soon as possible.
Please contact the Camp Office at 716-549-1420 and leave a message or contact Brian Sreniawski at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
MESSAGE TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT
OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD
FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
PIONEER CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER, INC.
With great regret, the Board of Directors of Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center, Inc. wishes to advise the Eastern District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the member churches of the Eastern District, and the general public that, due to the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Camp Pioneer will cancel all scheduled programming and events for 2020, effective June 2, 2020. This means all scheduled camps, retreats and weddings will be cancelled. We will be reaching out individually to those parties who are affected.
In accordance with New York State operating guidelines, Camp Pioneer intends to make cabin rentals available through the Labor Day weekend. It is our hope that those who wish to visit Camp Pioneer this summer may be able to take advantage of the cabin rental program.
For more information, call Camp Pioneer at (716) 549-1420.
Brian Sreniawski
Interim Executive Director
