Timeline of Events
November 2022
News of the Conference Board of Directors’ intention to sell Slumber Falls Camp comes out.
December 2022
Faith UCC New Braunfels hosted a townhall Q&A on December 12, 2022 with Rev. Hodson and members of the Board of Directors (BOD) to discuss and hear feedback on a possible sale of Slumber Falls Camp. The board members cited the financial challenges of both camp and Conference as reasons to sell the property and create a multi-million dollar endowment with the proceeds of the sale of the camp as outlined in SCC Treasurer Krysia Lynes’ Nov 25 financial outlook video. At that December town hall, the question was asked that if a nonprofit entity came forward to purchase the camp and continue the ministry, would the BOD give serious consideration to that offer. Rev. Hodson answered emphatically YES! Here is a video recording of the townhall including that request and a commitment to make such a proposal a priority for consideration by the Board. (Time stamps 1:38:10 to 1:38:40).
Friends of Slumber Falls files for incorporation as a nonprofit organization in Texas.
January 2023
On Jan 9, Friends of Slumber Falls responded to that invitation and sent a letter to the board requesting time on the Jan 14, 2023 BOD Special Meeting Agenda to present our proposal.
The board responded early Jan 10 with a request to see the proposal document before it was “presented to others,” but also cautioned they could not discuss the proposal given the pending litigation. They noted, however, that they “remain committed to being in conversation” with us to address the future of the camp.
On Jan 11, we provided the proposal document and a second letter with additional context.
At the BOD’s Jan 14 meeting, Rev. Hodson laid out multiple options for the camp. He briefly mentioned that selling the camp is one option, but stated they could not discuss in detail due to litigation. He then expanded on a new vision for the camp and a new staffing model, which the board approved. This proposal sought to address the camp’s financial position, but did not include a pathway to alleviating or addressing the Conference's financial position.
Our Jan 9 and Jan 11 letters included a letterhead with a now-redacted old Slumber Falls Camp logo. On Jan 17, the board responded to our proposal with a cease and desist letter from their attorney. We respectfully complied with their request and removed the logo and prayerfully awaited a response and invitation for dialogue regarding our proposal.
In advance of the January 26 hearing, a settlement was reached with the plaintiffs agreeing to notification of the Conference membership before any action is taken regarding sale, lease, or conveyance of camp. Friends of Slumber Falls is not party to the lawsuit and had hoped that the settlement would open dialogue between FSF and the Conference regarding our proposal.
February 2023
On February 1st, Friends of Slumber Falls released our proposal to the Conference membership and camp supporters via email. Given our proposal has always anticipated the necessary discernment and affirmation by vote of the conference membership, we felt it was important to share that proposal with the conference membership and other camp supporters in the spirit of transparency. We believe that our covenant with one another and recognition of the care and commitment so many of us have for Slumber Falls Camp is an essential part of any plan moving forward.
On February 2, 2023, the SCC News Update provided updates regarding Slumber Falls Camp. We were pleased to see the Conference take a renewed interest in the camp, but the newsletter included incorrect assertions. The email addresses for the conference voting membership (churches and ministers) were found on Access UCC (a national database), which is publicly available with a purchased subscription ($19.99 annually). The email addresses were not taken from an old conference mailing list without permission as stated in the SCC news.
February 14: FSF holds its inaugural board meeting, adopts bylaws, and elects officers.
February 15, 2023 Friends of Slumber Falls files for 501(c)(3) recognition with the IRS.
February 18: The BOD meets with the majority of the meeting held in executive session. Later that evening the Conference Board of Directors issued a letter sharing intent to sell Slumber Falls Camp.
February 20: FSF learns that the benefactor intends to donate directly to FSF.
February 23: FSF re-initiates contact with the BOD & is officially approved as a 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS.
March 3: FSF sends this letter to the SCC Board of Directors in response to the announcement regarding the BOD's intention to sell Slumber Falls Camp. FSF again asks for an opportunity to be in conversation directly with the BOD regarding our proposal and outlines the win-win solution offered by a sale to Friends of Slumber Falls.
March 9: FSF submits official offer to BOD to purchase Slumber Falls Camp for $3,142,750. The offer was developed in consultation with a commercial real estate attorney; FSF was advised that proof of funds is not required in a commercial cash offer. The offer included $5,000 in earnest money.
Mid-March: FSF Board Members reach out directly to SCC Board Members to answer any questions they might have about the offer. FSF Board Members are instructed to stop direct outreach by the BOD.
March 18: SCC BOD holds a closed meeting.
March 21: SCC News issues an update on the SFC sales process including the intended list price. The update includes questions about FSF's offer, proof of funds, and operating plans all of which could have been easily addressed if the SCC BOD had responded to FSF's multiple attempts to engage in dialogue.
March 28: FSF sent a letter sharing additional information regarding our offer to purchase SFC including proof of funds to Rev. Hodson and Board Chair Debra Joseph. FSF followed up a week later with no response.
April 12: Camp Council, the standing sub-committee charged with managing and operating camp facilities and programs, endorses the FSF offer to purchase Slumber Falls Camp.
April 22: Houston Association accepts the Camp Council endorsement and also voted to endorse the Friends of Slumber Falls offer to purchase SFC as outlined in the Camp Council resolution.
We hope this outline provides more detail into our work and continued efforts to engage in good faith with the Board of Directors and you, the membership of the South Central Conference and supporters of Slumber Falls Camp.