news article
Next faithful steps for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
December 9, 2024 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Bouwens & Rev. William Mudge / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,
We ask for your prayers as the next faithful steps for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center are being discerned.
In late Spring 2024, preparations were underway for another summer of campers gathering on the shores of Owasco Lake at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. During those preparations, it became clear for the best camp experience there was a need to make changes and move Casowasco on the road. The sibling sites of Aldersgate and Sky Lake welcomed Casowasco on the road with open arms, and young people from across the state had the opportunity to be nurtured as a disciple of Jesus Christ and live in community.
This shift in program delivery initiated a series of conversations regarding the next faithful steps for the program at Casowasco. Once the summer season came to a conclusion, a group was formed to learn and discern what might be possible. The group gathered for discernment included:
- The Camp and Retreat Ministries (CRM) Board (entire board was invited)
- President of the Conference Board of Trustees
- Vice-Chair of Trustees
- Chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CFA)
- Vice-Chair of CFA
- The Executive Director of CRM
- Casowasco Site Director
- Resident Bishop Burgos
- UNY Conference Treasurer
- UNY Assistant to the Bishop
- UNY Director of Missional Excellence
During the first meeting, the purpose and intent of the group was established: to discern the next faithful step for the programming at Casowasco. For the sake of clarity, the discernment is about the program aspect, while the physical property impacts the conversation that is the purview of the Conference Board of Trustees and not the focus of the current discernment. Casowasco is a complex system meaning there are multiple factors to consider in the discernment.
- The programmatic realities: participation in Casowasco programming has been in decline since 2016.
- Physical property: significant deferred maintenance as well as multiple major capital projects pose a significant financial stress.
- Fiscal responsibility: over the past four years, United Methodists of Upper New York have invested over $1.2 million in Casowasco to care for an operating deficit.
- Future investment needed: exploration of what the investment would be to reshape the ministry at Casowasco moving into the future.
- Impact on the other four sites: the struggles of Casowasco are not isolated. Each of the other sites have experienced reduced funding and support as attention has been given to Casowasco.
A second meeting was held onsite at Casowasco to hear an update on the financial position of the camp, to tour the property, and engage in conversation about next steps. The CRM Lead Team Staff was added to the conversation along with those who had already been part of the conversation. Possible next steps were discussed and the group was invited to invest time in prayer seeking God’s invitation.
Recommendations from an upcoming meeting will be received and a decision regarding the next faithful step for Casowasco will be made. Information around the next steps will be made available after the first of the year. Please join us in praying for keen discernment.
Grace and Peace in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Bouwens & Rev. William Mudge
Director of Missional Excellence & Chair CRM Team
United Methodists of Upper New York