Standing Committee Special Appeal: Storm Recovery & Safety
We’re grateful that the storms of late March and early April left most of our 26 buildings intact, with only one sustaining major damage—repairs that will be covered by insurance. But as anyone who has stepped foot on this holy ground knows, Camp is more than its buildings. Our outdoor chapel—the heart of our community and primary gathering space—suffered significant damage, and at this time, we are unsure what insurance will cover. Our hiking trails, where many games and spiritual activities take place, are now unsafe, with fallen trees blocking paths and broken limbs still hanging overhead.
We are seeking to raise $60,000 to address critical safety needs at Camp Chickagami.
Storm Recovery & Safety Projects
The following recovery and safety projects are listed in order of priority and were identified and priced by emergency responders, forestry and land management professionals, McKenzie Bade-Knill (Camp Chickagami’s Executive Director), and staff. Any funds received in excess of these needs will be designated for future safety improvement needs.
$10,000: Immediate Risk Tree Removal & Downed Tree Clean Up
Our woods, trails, and common spaces must be made safe for all who visit Camp Chickagami before the start of our 2025 season.
$8,000: Chapel Clean Up and Repair
In addition to tree and branch removal in our chapel, we need to replace and rebuild many of the benches, the credence table, pulpit, and altar cover.
$3,000: Wood Splitter
Immediate storm recovery and ongoing forest maintenance requires this equipment to help us manage and use the wood that has fallen or will be felled.
$10,000: Secondary Access Road
Currently, Camp has a single, two-track access road which is difficult for emergency response vehicles to traverse and presents a significant risk for any emergency situation which would require evacuation. Local first responders have identified a route for a serviceable secondary access road through the property which would better accommodate fire trucks and ambulances and provide a second emergency exit.
$5,000: Sustainability & Risk Mitigation Forestry Plan
With professional foresters, we will develop and maintain a sustainable forestry management plan which, among other risk mitigating benefits, would reduce the risk of a fire emergency.
$24,000: All-Terrain Side-by-Side for Emergency Response & Accessibility
As we look to the future, the ability to quickly and safely reach all areas of our nearly 100-acre campus in emergency situations while ensuring that the camp experience is accessible for people of all abilities is of paramount importance.