A Green Country Christian summer camp is on hold and changing its public health protocols following a COVID-19 outbreak.
At least 25 staff members at the New Life Ranch Flint Valley camp in Colcord have tested positive, according to camp officials.
One camper at New Life Ranch's Frontier Cove camp in Adair has also tested positive, the camp said.
The Flint Valley camp has delayed its start, while the Frontier Cove camp has been allowed to continue. The camp said they have consulted with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and modified protocols for campers and staff, and will now require negative tests from arriving campers, masks in certain indoor settings and other safety procedures.
"We've pleaded with the Lord that this COVID thing would go away, as I'm sure many of you have," said Tom Graney, the camp's executive director, in a video message to campers and families. "And we have been praying and asking that our staff would be healthy and safe. And for whatever reason that hasn't been the response so far. It's a pretty big 'why question' for me. Why, God?"
New Life Ranch does not require staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, but said 63% of employees had been.
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