Wired 2020 canceled due to COVID-19

by Mark Anderson June 16, 2020

Regretfully, WIRED Ministries announces that WIRED 2020 camp scheduled for June 21-26, 2020 has been cancelled due to social distancing challenges created by the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19).

The WIRED Ministries’ Board of Directors unanimously voted on the decision this past week after Governor Ivey extended her “Safer at Home” order through July 3rd. While this amended order did open almost every aspect of Alabama’s economy, the order did not ease any of the social distancing requirements associated with large gatherings.

The two main social distancing obstacles that the WIRED Ministries Board of Directors have taken into consideration in making this decision were:

1. Transportation to the event – With the 6 ft social distancing requirement for people from different households, it would be impossible for churches to transport their students collectively as a group to and from WIRED host churches, ministry sites, or worship assemblies. In addition, WIRED Ministries cannot take on the liability associated with each student arranging individual transportation or being dropped off at an event venue without some type of supervision.

2. Human Interaction at the event – Trying to maintain 6 ft social distancing at the event with 1000+ students from across the Wiregrass would be nearly impossible with the camp’s current structure and student/chaperone ratios.

WIRED Ministries hosted the first weekly missions camp in the Wiregrass in 2008. Since then, approximately 12,000 teens & adults have participated in this annual summer camp that strives to unite, serve, & disciple through an intensive week of community service, missions, bible study, and corporate worship.

“This is a hard decision because we know how much WIRED Week means to our churches, area non-profit partners, students, and the community,” says Allen Singley, President of WIRED Ministries’ Board of Directors. “However, we are at peace that this is the right decision to make based on the current circumstances we are facing as we fight COVID-19.”

The WIRED Board of Directors will immediately begin work on plans for WIRED 2021 which is scheduled for June 20-25, 2021.