Alisa Sutherland

I have something to say. I'm not a former camper from Sound View, nor am I former staff or volunteer. I'm not even a parent of a camper...yet. But in the near future, my child will be old enough and mature enough to go off to camp and I certainly hope my child would have the opportunity to go to a camp that is connected to our community of faith. I want for my daughter to go to a place that is loving and caring, sure. But I also want my child to go to a camp that is lock-step in line with the values we hold both at home and in church. I want a camp that teaches my child that God loves everyone, no exceptions, and that no matter who she is or what she is struggling with through her childhood and beyond, that there is a body of believers who are there to hold her up and pray with her and be there for her, just the way God is always there for her. I live, work, and homeschool my child in the same neighborhood as Sound View. I have done my research. There is NO camp that fits this description better than Sound View. It is quite possible that there is no camp in the area that fits this description at all. Now, I understand that this presbytery has been hit hard by recent conflicts, and that we have lost quite a few of our members. Please keep in mind that, as for those of us that are still here in this Presbytery, we have faith that we can recover and heal. I truly believe that we can gather up new members and young families and children. I understand the trends. I do. I know that the church as a whole is getting smaller, but we carry a certain message that our Christian brothers and sisters in this community don't: "EVERYONE is welcome at God's table." Everyone. Even our children and youth. Our children and youth experience God at camp, with their friends, and under the leadership of some amazing counselors. Please, join those of us that have faith that we will recover our recent losses and allow Sound View to continue operating on the hope that more children like my daughter will grow up and join the incredible community that is Sound View.

- Alisa Sutherland