Let Our VA Representatives Know You Support Camp!

The overnight summer camp industry is the only industry that has been required to be closed for the entire length of the pandemic in the state of Virginia. We have been doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but it has come at a heavy cost to the camping industry. A group of overnight summer camps have come together to appeal to our Virginia lawmakers to make a provision to assist camps during this extraordinary time. We know Massanetta and other summer camps are going to play a crucial healing role for children and youth on the other side of this crisis. Having state support in this time of need in the industry will help make that possible.

If you live in the state of Virginia, you can help. Simply follow the steps below to let your elected officials know that you support the budget amendments that have been introduced to help sure up the camping industry until we are allowed to get back on our feet. We’re doing our part to keep people safe, so please help advocate for some assistance for this important industry in the state of Virginia.

HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THE VA COALITION OF CAMPS BUDGET AMENDMENT.

Note: Time is of the essence here.  These budget amendments are being worked on now. DON’T WAIT!

Step 1

Find your Senator and Delegate

Use the Who’s My Legislator Tool:

https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

Enter your address, and it will pull up the name and contact information for your state senator and delegate.

Step 2

Find Sub Committee Members in the VA Senate and House who are on the relevant committee for the budget amendments.

Step 3

Copy Text from the appropriate letter below into an email addressed to both your delegate and senator.  Be sure to get the right one for each body, as the reference for the budget amendments are different in each house.

IF your delegate or senator is on either of the relevant subcommittees, please add your own personal note saying how important it is for them to vote this measure through the subcommittee.

PDF Template for VA Senate

PDF Template for VA House

Step 4

Send the email to both your senator and delegate.

OTHER HELPFUL STEPS

Repeat steps above for each member of the subcommittees in each house regardless of whether you are in their district or not.

Print, sign, and send a snail mail letter to your representatives.

Follow up your email 2 - 3 days later with a phone call to your representatives to be sure they received your correspondence and again advocating for how important you think these budget amendments are.

Send a note to the representatives who sponsored the amendments thanking them. If they are your representatives, be sure to include that in your communication adding for the passage of the amendments.