Dear alumni, friends, and family of Camp Fire Georgia and Camp Toccoa,

I’m writing as the Chair of the Camp Fire Georgia Board to share a candid update about where we are — and how you can help keep the thing we all love strong for the next generation.

First: thank you. The past few years have shown what this camp community can do when it comes together during moments of adversity. After three summers without overnight camp, it has been a joy to see cabins painted, the pool shining, the canoe dock rebuilt, trails cleared, and—most importantly—campers’ voices and songs filling the air again. We are deeply grateful to the donors, volunteers, and local foundations who have supported us recently. .

Second: the reality. The pause in programming hit us hard. Even with subsequent grants, volunteer labor, and careful cost-cutting, our financial reserves have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. In plain terms: while the camp is running and our programs are returning, our organization’s operating funds are not yet sustainable for a nonprofit like ours that runs year-round programming. This shortfall has created real risk to Camp Fire Georgia’s stability and to our ability to invest in the maintenance and staff needed to keep Camp Toccoa thriving.

This is not an appeal born of panic. It is a clear statement of fact from the Board about a solvable problem — and a request to our community to help us continue serving kids for another 100 years. The Board has already taken responsible, concrete steps to address much of this risk: tightening budgets, pausing non-essential projects, securing new revenue streams, and applying for grants and corporate partnerships. Those efforts helped address the gap, but they have not closed it.

Here’s how you can help — in ways that fit your capacity and interest:

• Give now: One-time gifts accelerate our ability to shore up operations and keep programs stable. Donating $50, $100, or $1,000 can make a real difference. Every gift matters.
• Become a sustaining donor: Monthly gifts create predictable revenue and make planning easier. A recurring donation of $25–$50 is especially powerful.
• Participate in our upcoming fundraisers and join an event.  They’re fun, community-oriented, and directly support the camp. Upcoming events include:
  • Popcorn Challenges (September 27-30): online fundraisers you can join or share.This 4-day challenges encourages folks to sell popcorn to support Camp Fire Georgia. Look for more details about this in subsequent emails and on our socials. It’s easy, quick, and completely effortless!
  • Restaurant Fundraisers: enjoy a meal out while supporting camp. All you have todo is eat at specific restaurants and tell them you want them to donate a percentage of your meal to support us. Our first restaurant fundraiser is September 17 – order Panda Express online or through their app and use our fundraising code: 9007109.
  • Hike/Walk-Tober (October): hike, log your miles, and gather pledges for camp. Get out and enjoy the fall leaves by hiking around your state parks throughout the month of October. Ask your employers or friends or families to sponsor each mile you hike as a donation to Camp. We’ll be looking for a corporate sponsor to match all donations and will share more details as we get closer to the start of Hike-Tober!
  • Fall Fling (Early Nov. TBD) – a day of music and camp activities at Camp Toccoa. Enjoy the crisp fall air and camp activities with friends and family while supporting Camp. Bring your friends and show them the fun of Camp Toccoa! Pricing and registration information will be available on our website soon!
  • Virtual Fundraising “Gala” (November 30): an online celebration of camp memories to reminisce, connect and inspire current and future members of the community we all hold dear.
• Sponsor or match: If you or your employer can provide a challenge or matching gift, that leverage dramatically increases participation.
• Volunteer your skills: Fundraising, corporate outreach, event planning, and communications volunteers can multiply our impact.
• Spread the word: Share our events and posts with your networks — social reach turns into new donors and participants.

Transparency and stewardship are priorities for our Board. We will continue to share financial updates and greater details regarding our near-term and long-term plans in the coming weeks and months so you can see exactly how funds will be used and the progress we make together.

I know many of you carry strong memories of camp — friends you or your children made, songs sung, new skills you acquired, and confidence that shaped your life. That experience is exactly what we want every child to have. If Camp Fire Georgia and Camp Toccoa matter to you, please consider a gift, a match, a volunteer hour, or simply spreading the word about our events. We are confident that, together, our community can meet this challenge without compromising the values and programs that make Camp Toccoa special.

With gratitude and hope,

Jenn Hutchins, Board Chair and the Camp Fire Georgia Board