The fate of camp this Summer

UTVOL3 · Mar 20, 2020

Our camp is kind of taking it week by week. We are still optimistic, but we also have a ton of staff and a handful of kids that are planning on coming from Europe. They are nervous because visa appointments and the like have just been stopped. I am so sad to think that it may be cancelled, but I will admit that it would be nice to know. Our parents are remaining optimistic that camp will go. I am not sure they understand the challenges, though.

Guests · Mar 27, 2020

I jjst got an email today from the camp in NH that my kids go to every Summer and they said they are taking it week by week, and as of now they are hopeful. But I too am wondering how this will all play out as half the staff are from overseas. As sad as I would be for my kids to miss this Summer, part of me wishes they would just call it now and refund all the money we have paid in tuition- I sure could use it right now ?

hoppynurse · Mar 28, 2020

I'm really, really hoping that camp can safely be conducted this Summer. I need it, my kids will REALLY need it. But a lot of the staff is from overseas, so I'm just not sure how that will play out. ?

CampyCamp, RN · Mar 28, 2020

I'm on the camp pro FB group. None of the directors know. There seems to be a reluctance to even discuss it too much. A little nervous about internationals though. There is some discussion about online staff training because when you look at that starting first or second week of June, that gets tight.

A few are doing online camp projects for kids these weeks which is great. All the parents must feel like hoppynurse because enrollments were down in the beginning of the pandemic with the uncertainty and started picking up this week with desperation! LOL. I'm only doing one camp which isn't until august so we're good.

ohiobobcat · Apr 7, 2020

We haven't decided yet either. I work with adults and kids with special needs at my camp, so we are especially concerned with some of our camper's health issues. Our campers are all local (from our state with a few exceptions) but our international staff are worried, and rightfully so.

So many what ifs right now.

Guests · Apr 24, 2020

We just got another update from our NH camp last night. They are working with CDC and ACA to determine next steps and what needs to happen and be in place to safely open. Opening day is last week of June. As of right now they are staying optimistic but saying one possibility is shortening the Summer (by delaying the start date) and prorating tuition for those kids who go full Summer. As of right now, any family who chooses to pull their kid loses their deposit (significant amount of money). If the camp ends up not opening then everyone gets back 100% or they can apply it to next Summer. They also discussed no field trips if they run camp and updated health forms to reflect very recent health checks prior to camp starting.

The other camp that one of my kids is supposed to attend is in rural PA from June 27-July5. I highly doubt that is happening but they maintain they are opening. I thankfully only paid a $200 deposit for that week.

newgradin30s · May 7, 2020

I initially wanted to work as an RN at a camp this Summer in the Northeast as I have a break from school-- then with Covid everything was up in the air so I didn't apply. Looks like most camps still haven't cancelled so I just put in a bunch of applications but I feel like I am wasting my time. I would still have to get a license in a different state since I don't have a license in any of the states where I'm applying. What do we think the possibilities of them being open / needing additional RN staff?

Guests · May 9, 2020

On 5/7/2020 at 6:27 PM, newgradin30s said:
What do we think the possibilities of them being open / needing additional RN staff?

Interesting you ask this. So I posted upthread about my DD going to a camp in rural PA. That camp cancelled their entire month of June and are now starting July 5. I was able to move my DD to the week of July 12-18. AND they need more RNs in order to comply with the recommendations from the BOH. SO, I got hired to work there as a RN the week she is there. I was able to get a temporary RN license in that state almost immediately. I still feel like I will be in shock if the camp is allowed to open. Even the medical director told me she is feeling about 50/50 right now. But I am trying to just go with the flow and see how it pans out. I bet if any camps DO open, they will need RNs so it is worth your applying if you wasn't to work.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 13, 2020

On 5/9/2020 at 6:14 PM, MHDNURSE said:
Interesting you ask this. So I posted upthread about my DD going to a camp in rural PA. That camp cancelled their entire month of June and are now starting July 5. I was able to move my DD to the week of July 12-18. AND they need more RNs in order to comply with the recommendations from the BOH. SO, I got hired to work there as a RN the week she is there. I was able to get a temporary RN license in that state almost immediately. I still feel like I will be in shock if the camp is allowed to open. Even the medical director told me she is feeling about 50/50 right now. But I am trying to just go with the flow and see how it pans out. I bet if any camps DO open, they will need RNs so it is worth your applying if you wasn't to work.

Our camp in Central Texas pulled the plug a couple weeks ago. I survived the H1N1 season (a small group of kids all went to one party and brought the H1N1 to camp) and the probable-norovirus season that shut camp early. I grieve for all the kids who've been looking forward to certain milestones: in 10th grade you get a trip out, 11th grade is a group trip to Israel, 12th grade you get to be a CIT. I also grieve for the kids for whom camp is a safe space. But the risk to our numerous asthmatic kids (not to mention our aging staff with their wonky health conditions) is too high. Interestingly enough the diabetic camp run by the local children's hospital was still talking about a late July session last week.

ohiobobcat · May 13, 2020

We canceled camp last week. At least 75% of our campers are medically fragile and we just couldn't take the chance of a COVID exposure/outbreak at camp. We are working on some fun online stuff, and we are also hoping to open camp to small groups when that becomes an option in our state (all of our campers are local to our state).

Such a strange time we are in....

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · May 14, 2020

The camp I volunteer with is currently in the process of creating a plan for the logistics and activities for the campers that confirm to current state and CDC recommendations. Basically they had to start from scratch looking at every aspect of camp; all of this planning is complicated by the ever changing guidance. Tentatively we have an opening date delay. Camp administration is awaiting further guidance from the ACA and CDC to see if camp is feasible along with any further state restrictions.