2020 Summer Staff Salaries

 In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rainbow Trail has chosen to take a position of living in hope rather than in fear.  At this point, we are still 100% planning on summer camp happening in some form or fashion: that might be on our site or there is a very real possibility that it won't. We have been planning and strategizing for alternative scenarios, and we are trying to be realistic. The experiences that campers and summer staff have at RTLC are so important that we are going to plan for a regular summer until medical and governmental authorities advise us we shouldn’t or we feel it is unsafe to bring people on our site.  Know that camper safety is our number one priority.

Dave has worked with our Board of Directors to develop multiple budget scenarios projecting how the summer may play out.  We know none of the scenarios will be exactly perfect; but with that said, we believe we have been forward thinking in trying to be safe in our plans, creative in our solutions, and faithful in our approach.
 
All of the scenarios include us hiring and paying our summer staff.  We are 100% staffed for the summer. You know the quality of our staff and the gift they have been in so many of your lives.  These young adults have made a commitment to serve through RTLC and the Rainbow Trail Board has clearly said they want that to happen, no matter what the summer looks like.  We feel it would be irresponsible to keep the staff on the line for a summer position only to cut them loose in May if circumstances change. We have made a commitment to this summer ministry team that they will have a job and they will get paid. Our summer staff will be working in ministry somewhere, even if our site isn't open to campers or staff -- we promise!! Their roles and responsibilities may look different from anything we have ever done before, but ministry will continue.  If we don’t plan this way, we, and the Board, believe we will have missed a huge opportunity.
 
There could be some financial challenges with this summer. Our commitment to our summer staff is a $174,000 commitment, even if we don’t have summer camp as we know it. Part of our mission is to not only serve our campers, but also to serve our staff.  This is who we are.  This is an investment in the present and also in the future leadership of our church.  We are hoping you will consider joining us in ensuring that this commitment is covered.  We can receive stock gifts as well. Contact Dave Jarvis for more details.