Dear Sound View Camp,

My Wife and I are saddened by the possibility of Sound View Camp closure. Both of our daughters, one now a SPU graduate and another attending Whitworth University, had memorable experiences attending numerous camps at Sound View from elementary through high school age. They also invited and brought friends — both Christian and those exploring the Christian Faith – to Sound View for a time of fun, study, bonding, Christian growth and fellowship.

We believe Sound View is the remaining Presbyterian Church sponsored camp in the Puget Sound Area, with the closure of Buck Creek several years ago. Our eldest daughter had one opportunity to attend that camp before it sadly shuttered — we live in the Presbytery of Seattle area. That brought us to Sound View, where both of our daughters enjoyed the camp, made Christian friends, and grew in their faith. Our younger daughter also enjoyed attending high school aged retreats at Sound View, and invited others to attend from our Church, John Knox Presbyterian Church in Normandy Park, Washington.

We encourage the Olympia Presbytery to work with Sound View to keep the camp open. The impact of the camp will likely be with our young adult daughters throughout their lives. Keeping the camp open assures that Sound View will be able to continue to make a positive Christian impact on the next and future generations of young children, adults, and families. For this reason, my wife and I recently honored a monetary pledge to Sound View, that we understood would help keep the camp open.

Sound View provides a great opportunity for Christian growth and discipleship in a beautiful setting. The future of Sound View will be in our prayers. Please make every effort to keep the camp open beyond 2016 for many years to come.

Sincerely,

John Johnson and Elouise Schumacher
Normandy Park, Washington

Testimonials