Rolling into 2021

We are eager to begin the administrative process of “rolling” into 2021.

We feel that it is the last step of closure needed before really starting the 400 day countdown to next summer.

Our goal is to gently proceed without any risk or stress for you.

So, at this time, we only have a single question for you:
With camp officially closed by the government, we will be giving you a refund in full.
Will you please allow us to direct this refund towards a family credit for 2021?

If your answer is YES, you can always change that answer to a NO at any time before March 1 without any cost or penalty.

Why say YES?

To answer this simply:
If you are sure you are not attending in 2021, you should direct us to send the refund to you.
Saying yes secures your spot at Walden for next summer and benefits you in the form of incentives, including a two year price freeze.

Perhaps most of all, saying YES, at least for now, would be an enormous help to our camp and our two families.

No matter what your answer, camp will return stronger than ever in 2021.

More details can be found below.

When you are ready to respond, please click the START button below.

While this period has been challenging for all of us, the support we’ve received from the Walden community has reinforced why we love what we do, and the important role camp plays in the lives of our campers and families. We are dedicated to ensuring that we continue to deliver the “best summer ever” in 2021 and beyond. We can’t wait to be together again.

We will be in touch all summer long… and #WeWillComeHome soon.

Sincerely,
Sol & Jen and Howie & Sari

THE MECHANICS OF NOT OPERATING

Please trust that we plan to handle closure in the same way we handle camp: with honesty and transparency. Here are the specific details.

Here are all the details:

• 100% REFUND for those families who cannot return in 2021: The fees you have paid for 2020 are 100% refundable. We hope you will direct your refund towards a credit for next year, but if you don’t, we will refund your fees in full on or before Sept. 1 (If your need for a refund is even more urgent, you will have an opportunity to let us know, and we will make every effort to accelerate this.)
• 100% CREDIT for those families intending to return in 2021: We are hoping you will agree to let us “roll” your camper’s registration into 2021 – one year older, one half unit later*, but in the same cabin group. Your fees will be fully credited.
• NO STRESS: We don’t want you to feel any pressure to make quick decisions about the future. “Rolling” your registration into 2021 secures your spot. You can cancel at any time before March 1, 2021 at no cost to you. For example, if you decide to “roll” into 2021 now, but want to cancel in the Fall, you will receive your 100% refund in the Fall. Please note: we will be opening up camp to new campers on October 1st.
• LOYALTY to you first and making sure that your spots at Walden remain yours. We will not open registration to new campers until we’ve heard from all of you and given you a chance to be comfortable about your decision.
• INCENTIVES for those families who keep their funds with us and intend to return: As a special thank you, those families that agree to leave whatever funds paid to date, will freeze their fees for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons at 2020 rates. Whatever sessions and discount options you choose for your campers in 2021 and 2022, you will get the rate indicated on the 2020 rate card. This can be applied to any new younger siblings as well. We can’t imagine a world where rates go up significantly in 2021 but rates will have to increase in 2022. We hope this incentive is seen as significant because we want to significantly say thank you to the families that stay with us through this unprecedented time.
• CONNECTION to you and your family throughout this “long pause” in groups online, but also personally when permitted: We, as camp directors, will find ourselves with some extra time on our hands this summer. We intend to use that time to connect personally with each of you and to listen to your ideas for Walden’s present and future.

A few words about camp finances

We have two unexpected and massive burdens: the loss of a year’s revenue and income, and the additional costs associated with keeping the site safe while unused for a whole year – these are no small costs. These burdens are entirely ours. None of this is your responsibility. But we, the Birenbaums and Grossingers, are two families in partnership, and our small business looks like it will be shut down for a full year. We wanted you to understand why we need to ask you the following:
Please stay with us!
Please return to camp in 2021… and please leave your funds with us while you wait. Whether you do or not, we promise that we will spend all this unexpected extra time making the summer of 2021 a summer that the kids will always remember.