What about the camps?

[camp guy]

Summer camps present just too many obstacles to the social distancing idea of COVID-19 prevention. The campers and staff generally come from all over, and generally not in the immediate area of the camp in question, so this begs the question of isolation as a means of protection. The campers and staff have to actually get to the camp, traveling from wherever, but, nevertheless from somewhere and through a lot of "somewheres" just to get to camp - more exposure.

Many camp activities are all about groups (teams), and this isn't social distancing; many camps have activities that take campers and staff off the camp property to visit museums, climb mountains, paddle canoes on rivers and lakes; many camps participate in local activities in the towns where they are located, again, not social distancing. The list could go on.

Meal services at camps are almost always all at once, everyone sitting at a number of tables - no social distancing, food being passed around, arms and elbows all over the place.

Maybe a camp could develop a strict protocol of enforced social distancing, almost constant hygiene activity, and zero contact with the world beyond the four corners of the camp property - but what kind of a camp experience would that be for either the campers or the staff.

Sure, missing out on a summer of "the camp experience" will be tough for some people, but turning on the bright lights of the alternative will show that under those circumstances it would be tough (if not worse) for many people. A camp must look at the big picture, and even though it may be unpleasant, do the right thing - stay closed.

[Descant]

When I went to Boy Scout camp (Ya, Ya I know--It was a different century) It was only for a week, maybe two. We came and went as a troop and brought our own leaders, and some of our food. We did our own cooking, cleaning, etc Everybody got the Cooking Merit Badge. We relied on the main camp for swimming lessons, boating, etc. They ran inter troop competitions, and offered some "curricula" that provided variety. Mostly things that could all be social distanced, and not a random grouping of campers from all over the country. So, it s possible. Physical plant at other places, of course, is different.

Nevertheless, the above posts are correct, most camps assemble a random group, eat in large dining halls, etc., a much more difficult problem to solve.
Perhaps with less air travel, more families will go camping and teach the kids to cook on a campfire, fish, canoe, etc. There are huge numbers of local campgrounds as well as many run by the state parks, but you have to sign up early. Because of distance for out of state travelers, Umbagog tends to be easier to get reservations, and others in the north country.

[tis]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Summer camps present just too many obstacles to the social distancing idea of COVID-19 prevention. The campers and staff generally come from all over, and generally not in the immediate area of the camp in question, so this begs the question of isolation as a means of protection. The campers and staff have to actually get to the camp, traveling from wherever, but, nevertheless from somewhere and through a lot of "somewheres" just to get to camp - more exposure.

Many camp activities are all about groups (teams), and this isn't social distancing; many camps have activities that take campers and staff off the camp property to visit museums, climb mountains, paddle canoes on rivers and lakes; many camps participate in local activities in the towns where they are located, again, not social distancing. The list could go on.

Meal services at camps are almost always all at once, everyone sitting at a number of tables - no social distancing, food being passed around, arms and elbows all over the place.

Maybe a camp could develop a strict protocol of enforced social distancing, almost constant hygiene activity, and zero contact with the world beyond the four corners of the camp property - but what kind of a camp experience would that be for either the campers or the staff.

Sure, missing out on a summer of "the camp experience" will be tough for some people, but turning on the bright lights of the alternative will show that under those circumstances it would be tough (if not worse) for many people. A camp must look at the big picture, and even though it may be unpleasant, do the right thing - stay closed.

You should know if anybody should! Still it's very sad for the camps and the kids.

[CubRun]

Camp Winaukee is opening for 500 kids in July . ! Disaster waiting to happen .

[BrownstoneNorth]

Originally Posted by CubRun

Camp Winaukee is opening for 500 kids in July . ! Disaster waiting to happen .

https://www.facebook.com/campwinauke...type=3&theater


Camp Winaukee
June 4 at 12:53 PM ·
With a heavy heart, we write to inform you that Camp Winaukee will be postponed until Summer 2021. On behalf of all of us, thank you all for your support and encouragement over the past few months.
Every possible avenue to make this summer happen was exhausted. We persevered and fought and fought to solve every obstacle. In the end, there were just too many mounting battles to unequivocally operate camp safely, and be the true Winaukee that we want to be.
We hurt for our campers, we hurt for our families, we hurt for our staff...we will miss you all greatly this summer. A community cannot be postponed, and we will return home again in 2021 with a renewed sense of purpose and resilience. We are already counting down the days until we can be together again: catching the beautiful sunsets fading into Lake Winni, breathing in the fresh New Hampshire air, and laughing and sharing moments around the fire with our camp family.
Linked in our bio is a video from our amazing staff that represents the promise of an unforgettable return in summer 2021.

(Also, Camp Birchmont, which had planned as late as June 7 to open, decided not to open this summer.)

[CubRun]

We will see come July

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by CubRun

We will see come July

Curious, CubRun, we've did you get your information? A source post June 4th. Curious minds inquiring.

Dave

[CubRun]

I sent you a PM

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by CubRun

Camp Winaukee is opening for 500 kids in July . ! Disaster waiting to happen .

We anchored off Black Island today and watched the Camp Winaukee staff preparing the bunks. Moving beds into the buildings and transporting equipment to the island via the camp barge. We asked one of the workers when they were opening and he said "soon".

[Barney Bear]

Today is the day that Camp Lawrence and Camp Nokomis would be opening on Bear Island. Sadly, camp areas were quiet as we passed by this morning. The Bear II remained lonely at the main dock at Camp Lawrence. We will miss all of the joyful activity that we see at these camps each summer. 🐻

[tis]

We felt sad today when we went by the camps knowing they won't be opening this summer. What a strange time we are going through.